Wayanad landslides: Death toll rises to 135, rescue efforts continue
Kalpetta: Several landslides have struck Mundakkai in Wayanad district, causing significant devastation. The incident occurred at around two o'clock in the morning, with a subsequent landslide reported at approximately 4:10 a.m. 135 deaths have been reported so far and around hundreds are suspected to have been trapped. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides. Around 400 families are trapped in a few areas at Chooralmala.
Nine bodies swept away by the Chaliyar River were recovered in Malappuram. The bodies of the deceased are being taken to various hospital morgues for identification and autopsy. To get live updates, click here.
Authorities said that several parts of the affected areas continue to remain cut off and a sudden increase in the number of dead has been reported from Pothukalu. The Harrison Malayalam plant is another area that has been cut off and its general manager has told the media that a few of their managers are reported to be missing, while several labourers have been moved to safer places.
The Kerala government has sought the assistance of the Indian Army for rescue operations.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate those stranded, with the Indian Army joining the efforts. Besides the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the state government has also deployed disaster response teams from the police and the fire force to affected areas.
A Defence PRO said on Tuesday that a team of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been mobilised to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts. The team, comprising a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, is equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected area.
Due to the inclement weather, two helicopters were unable to land in the affected landslide areas and are now waiting at Kozhikode.
State Health Minister Veena George said all the available health officials in and around the district are being asked to join the operations as there are reports of several getting injured.
“We have started to ensure that all medical supplies are being transported to the affected areas. Medical teams from Kannur and Kozhikode will be reaching out to speed up treatment of the injured people. At the moment 70 injured are being treated at a few hospitals in Wayanad,” said Minister George.
A relief camp has been established in Meppadi. The admissions process that was supposed to begin today has been postponed by Calicut University. The Prime Minister has said that the PMNRF will provide an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had assured the Kerala government of "all possible help" with the situation.
"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured," he said in a post on social media platform X.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who until recently represented Wayanad in parliament, said he was "deeply anguished" by the disaster.
"I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon," he added.
Heavy rains continue to lash the region, worsening the situation. Red alert issued in Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod, whereas Orange alert is issued in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad. Many people are feared to be trapped under the debris, and the road from Chooralmala to Mundakkai has been washed away, making rescue operations challenging.
The KSDMA has informed via their Facebook post that two troops from the Kannur Defence Security Corps have been instructed to move to Wayanad to aid in the rescue operations. According to officials, it is difficult to reach the spot due to fallen trees and soil on the road.
(with inputs from agencies)