In response to the recent landslide in Wayanad’s Meppadi panchayat, a five-member expert team, led by senior scientist John Matthai from the National Centre for Geosciences, is scheduled to conduct a thorough risk assessment today. This team, appointed by the State Disaster Management Authority, will inspect the affected areas and evaluate both the immediate impacts and long-term risks associated with the disaster.
The primary objectives of this assessment include determining the causes of the landslide and understanding the phenomena that contributed to it. The expert group will also recommend suitable land uses for the disaster-stricken region to prevent future incidents. This initiative falls under the Disaster Management Authority Act, Section 24(h) of 2005, and includes notable experts such as Dr. T.K. Drishy, Principal Scientist at the Centre of Excellence in Water-Related Disaster Management, Dr. Srivalsa Kolathayar from Suratkal NIT, District Soil Conservation Officer Tara Manoharan, and Kerala Disaster Management Authority Hazard and Risk Analyst P. Pradeep.
In parallel, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed the appointment of additional psychiatric experts from medical colleges to support mental health efforts in the affected areas. This measure complements the existing support provided by the Department of Health, which has already deployed psychiatrists and counselors. To address the mental health needs of the disaster-affected population, including children, individual and group counseling sessions are being offered. On the same day, 100-member mental health teams visited 13 camps, providing group counseling to 222 individuals, psychosocial interventions to 386 people, and pharmacotherapy to 18.
The health teams have been active in visiting homes to ensure comprehensive healthcare provision. To date, 1,592 homes have been visited, with 12 health teams covering 274 houses. Measures are also being taken to prevent communicable diseases, and infection control protocols are being strictly adhered to. Officials from the Health and Women and Child Development Departments are scheduled to visit the camps to assess ongoing activities. AYUSH services are also available to those in need. Additionally, 91 DNA samples have been sent for testing as part of the disaster response efforts.
