Malayalam cinema icon and Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army, Mohanlal, arrived in the landslide-stricken area of Wayanad, Kerala, on Saturday to participate in the ongoing rescue operations. The actor, who was appointed as a Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2009, was seen in his army uniform as he joined the search and rescue teams on the ground for the fifth consecutive day of operations.
Upon his arrival at the Meppadi camp, Mohanlal engaged in discussions with the officers coordinating the efforts before heading to the affected zones. “We are going to the affected areas now,” stated the 64-year-old actor-producer, highlighting his involvement in the critical rescue mission.
Wayanad has been severely impacted by devastating landslides triggered by unprecedented rainfall, which experts have partially attributed to climate change affecting weather patterns in the Arabian Sea. The disaster has claimed over 300 lives since it struck the hilly district on Tuesday. Rescue operations have been intensive, with more than 1,300 rescuers from the armed forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state disaster response teams, and volunteers working tirelessly.
Significant efforts include the construction of a 190-foot-long Bailey bridge by the Army, which was completed in record time to reconnect Mundakkai and Chooralmala, two of the villages most affected by the landslides. Despite the challenging conditions, the rescuers have managed to recover 100 bodies from the Chaliyar river, which flows through Wayanad among other districts.
Mohanlal’s participation underscores the widespread mobilization of support for the landslide victims and highlights the critical role of community and national figures in disaster response efforts. His presence is expected to not only boost the morale of the rescue teams but also bring additional attention to the plight of the affected communities, facilitating more support and aid.
