Kerala Wayanad landslides: The Army, several agencies, and hundreds more people are thought trapped as they try to save as many lives as they can in a time-sensitive manner.
At least 158 people have been killed, and over 200 were injured after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad. Government data indicates that around 180 individuals are thought to be under debris as the Army, several agencies, and time are of the essence in trying to save as many lives as possible.
Tuesday’s torrential rains caused three landslides to occur in Wayanad in four hours, wreaking havoc on the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. A number of individuals were carried away by the Chaliyar river.
There are 45 relief camps in Wayanad that can house 3,069 people. Social media posts featured images and videos of uprooted trees and destroyed homes scattered throughout the area, which is well-known for its scenic settings and tea estates.
Wayanad Landslides: Latest Developments
- Wayanad district authorities have started collecting data to determine the number of people missing. The data on those missing is being collected by reviewing ration card details and other government documents, PTI reported.
- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has declared a two-day state mourning, will chair a meeting with senior officials and ministers stationed in Wayanad to review the progress of rescue operations.
- On Day 2, units of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and other emergency services workers started operations and are currently looking for victims and potential survivors beneath collapsed roofs and the wreckage of demolished houses.
- A total of 225 Army personnel have been deployed for rescue operations. Several companies of the Army have also been moved from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut.
- The Army rescued over 1,000 people using a temporary structure after a major bridge connecting Chooralmala and Mundakkai villages in the district was washed away due to heavy rain.
- According to an ANI report, an NDRF staff member stated that since the district was still experiencing intense rains, there was a possibility of another landslide. There are now two helpline numbers available: 9656938689 and 8086010833.
- Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George’s car met with a minor accident while she was on her way to Wayanad. George was taken to Manjeri Medical College in Malappuram for first aid.
- Over the following few days, Wayanad and a number of other districts are expected to have additional rain, according to the weather agency. For the districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod, a red alert for heavy rain has been issued.
- Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were scheduled to visit Wayanad on Wednesday, cancelled their plan after authorities informed them that they would not be able to land due to incessant rain.
- MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, has promised the Kerala government Rs 5 crore in support. A compensation of Rs 2 lakh has been offered for the relatives of the dead by the Prime Minister’s Office.
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