Army successfully opens Bailey Bridge in Wayanad for disaster rescue

Wayanad: The Indian Army successfully opened the Bailey Bridge in Chooralmala of Kerala's Wayanad, which connects Mundakkai to Chooralmala. The 85-foot-long Bailey Bridge was constructed by the army to replace the bridge that was swept away by land slip. Heavy vehicles, including military vehicles and earthmoving machines, were loaded on the bridge to check its strength. Vehicles weighing up to 24 tons can pass through this bridge.

Captain Puransingh Nathawat of the Kannur Defense Security Forces (DSC) coordinated the construction work of the bridge. The construction which started at 11 am on Wednesday was the result of a day and night long effort. The engineering department of the army was able to complete it in record time. The construction parts and equipment of the bridge were brought to Kannur by an Air Force flight from Delhi. Then, the materials were brought to Chooralmala in 17 trucks.

The original bridge getting swept away made it difficult to bring the injured and trapped in the disaster out of Mundakkai. Efforts were made to transport the injured and dead bodies through the narrow temporary bridge constructed by the army. The army decided to build the Bailey Bridge, realising that the rescue operation was sluggish. The newly built bridge here became the third Bailey bridge to be built by the army in Kerala.

The latest updated death toll in deadly landslides in Wayanad has reached 288 on Thursday, while 240 people are believed to be missing. Since this much is missing, the death toll is expected to increase dearly.

Due to heavy rains, the rescue operation in the region was temporarily stopped. Adverse weather conditions, building debris, boulders, and soil accumulation keep rescue operations difficult.