Wayanad (Kerala) [India], July 30 (HBTV): At least 11 people have died in the landslides that hit Kerala's Wayanad following torrential rain state health minister Veena George said on Tuesday.   

The minister said 11 deaths have been confirmed so far out of which bodies of six persons were kept in the Meppadi Community Health Centre and five in private medical college. 

The landslides hit areas in Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad. As per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, landslides occurred in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk, at around 3.49 am on Tuesday.   

The Chief Minister's Office said two Indian Air Force helicopters will leave for Wayanad from Sulur in Coimbatore. Two battalions of the Indian Army's Defence Security Corps have moved to Wayanad from Kannur, the Chief Minister's Office said. 

The Army received a requisition for providing aid to civil authority this morning and in response the Army has mobilised four columns including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur. 

The total strength of Army deployed so far for the rescue operation is approximately 225 including medical personnel, the Army said in a statement. 

A special control room has started functioning at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

Public can provide information to the 24-hour control room at the phone numbers 9497900402, 0471 2721566.

The control room functions under the direct control of the state police chief. 

The state police chief directed the law and order department ADGP to coordinate the operations.

Police personnel from four and five battalions of Kerala Armed Police and Malabar Special Police have embarked for Wayanad. 

Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan said that four bodies have been recovered from the Chaliayar river.

Rescue operations are underway and temporary bridges will be built to reach the spot. Four NDRF teams will reach Wayanad by noon, Rajan said.

(ANI)