Fire and rescue service officials on Saturday morning fished out the body of Iype, 51, of Madyakappalil, who had gone missing after a major landslide that washed out seven houses and claimed lives of four persons at Naalam Block in Puthakulam ward in Kothamangalam on Friday. Incessant rains and huge crowds that turned up at the area were hampering rescue operations.
Joe Kuruvila Easo, divisional officer of the department of fire and rescue service, Ernakulam, told The Hindu that two excavators were pressed into service to recover the body of Nalini, wife of Madhu, who was killed in the mishap. Huge boulders had mud spread over the affected regions turned rescue operations difficult, he said.
Nearly 45 personnel of the fire and rescue services from stations in Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kallurkkadu, Piravom, Gandhi Nagar, and Thodupuzha were involved in the rescue and relief work.
A 15-member team from the navy was also present at the site. Representatives of various political parties, elected members of Puthakulam, Manipara, and Kadavoor North wards were also cooperating in the rescue operations.
Rehabilitation package
Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told The Hindu that the Cabinet to be held on August 22 will decide on a rehabilitation package for those who lost their shelters in the major landslide that rocked at Naalam Block in Puthakulam ward at Kothamangalam on Friday.
He said that the government has already initiated rescue and relief work at the affected regions. Free medical treatment and support will be given to those injured in the incident.
Health minister V.S. Sivakumar said that Rs. 10, 000 will be given to the families of those killed in the mishap as an interim relief. The Cabinet will later decide on the financial and rehabilitation package.
