Wayanad landslide: 143 dead, many still trapped

A series of devastating landslides in Wayanad district, Kerala, has claimed at least 143 lives and injured approximately 186 others.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that hundreds more may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

The tragic incident has left families in despair, searching for missing loved ones, while rescue teams work tirelessly to locate and assist those affected.

In response to the disaster, the Indian Army has deployed around 300 personnel in Wayanad, with an additional 140 on standby in Thiruvananthapuram. The Navy and Air Force have also mobilized teams, including helicopters, to aid in the rescue efforts. The Defence Ministry has dispatched disaster relief units, accompanied by rescue dogs, to support the operations.

Despite the challenging conditions, these combined forces are making significant efforts to provide aid and relief to those in need.

The situation has been exacerbated by relentless rainfall in Kerala, with Wayanad recording 372 mm of rain in just 24 hours before three landslides struck within a four-hour period.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued further rain alerts for Wayanad and several other districts, including Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod. An orange alert has been placed on Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam, indicating the potential for severe weather.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, offering full support and directing BJP chief JP Nadda to mobilize party workers for rescue efforts. The Prime Minister's Office has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, providing some relief to those affected by the disaster.

The landslides have caused widespread destruction, demolishing homes, swelling water bodies, and uprooting trees.

The picturesque villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha have been cut off, leaving many residents stranded.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high-level meeting to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing rescue and relief efforts. The state Health Department has established a control room and emergency helplines at 9656938689 and 8086010833 for those in need of assistance, as the state works to provide support and recovery to the affected communities.