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Wayanad residents gave a heartwarming send-off to the Indian Army personnel who were engaged in rescue operations following the deadly landslides that struck the Kerala district last month, killing over 400 people. The personnel were accompanied by their canine units.
In a video posted by the Kochi Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), the soldiers are seen receiving a massive round of applause from locals as they leave their accommodation. The soldiers of the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army were also felicitated by the teachers and staff of Mount Tabor School where the rescue teams were accommodated.
"We are deeply grateful to our brave heroes who risked everything during the landslide rescue operations. Your courage and sacrifice won't be forgotten," the Kochi Defence PRO tweeted.
Locals formed a human chain as the soldiers left, with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Indian Army ki Jai' rending the air.
The Wayanad district administration also organised a farewell for the Army personnel who were a part of the rescue and search operations.
"It was a joint operation done under the leadership of Major General Mathew along with the support of local people and administration. There was no dearth of volunteers. People not just from Wayanad but from all the districts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu came and assisted us," Colonel Paramvir Singh Nagra told ANI.
The back-to-back landslides within a span of four hours amid heavy rain left a trail of destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages of Wayanad on July 31. While thousands of people have been rescued by multiple rescue agencies, including the Army and Navy, as many as 138 people are still missing, as per government figures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the landslide-hit areas of Wayanad on August 10. The visit comes amidst the Kerala government's request to treat the landslides as a 'national or severe disaster'.
