Wayanad landslides: Rescue operations resume amid adverse weather

Wayanad: Rescue operations have resumed here on Wednesday, following two massive landslides that swept through the Mundakkai and Chooramala areas on Tuesday morning. Around 135 deaths have been confirmed by officials.

The army and Kerala Fire Force constructed a temporary bridge on Tuesday to facilitate rescue operations. Due to the dangerous conditions at night, efforts were suspended and resumed on Wednesday morning. Currently, 148 injured individuals are receiving treatment in various hospitals: 15 at Kalpatta General Hospital, 106 at WIMS, and 27 at Meppadi Health Centre. The post-mortem examinations of 129 individuals have been completed, with 48 bodies identified. It is feared that many people remain trapped in the area.

The first landslide occurred at 2 a.m., followed by another at 4:10 a.m., causing immense damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, have been isolated, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried.

The landslides have destroyed several houses, uprooted trees, and caused water bodies to swell, further complicating the rescue efforts. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on July 31 and August 1," with further heavy rainfall predicted for August 2.

Additionally, the IMD stated, "Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose have expressed their condolences and offered assistance.

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were initially scheduled to visit Wayanad but cancelled their plans due to extreme weather conditions.

CV Ananda Bose arrived in Kerala's Calicut on Tuesday night to assess the relief work in Wayanad. The 73-year-old Bose, who hails from Kerala, will be visiting hospitals and relief camps to facilitate ongoing rescue and relief operations. 

(with inputs from agencies)