Massive landslides struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 43 people dead and hundreds feared trapped. The catastrophic event occurred amid relentless heavy rain, leading to a large-scale deployment of multiple rescue agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army.
The affected villages, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, are among the worst hit. Many residents are feared to have been washed away in the Chaliyar river, exacerbating the disaster's toll. The Indian Army has deployed 225 personnel, including medical teams, while two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), have been dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts.
Kerala Minister Veena George confirmed that a team from the Indian Navy would also join the rescue operations. A significant challenge arose as a bridge in the district, which connected the affected areas to the nearest town of Chooralmala, was washed away. Minister George also reported that around 70 people were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after speaking with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assured all necessary support from the Central government. The Prime Minister's Office announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The landslide has left a devastating impact, with visuals showing uprooted trees and destroyed houses in Wayanad, a district known for its scenic beauty and tea estates. Floodwaters have swept vehicles away, leaving them stranded against tree trunks. Rescue operations are severely hindered by the ongoing heavy rain and massive boulders obstructing access to certain areas.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the government's coordinated efforts in the rescue operations. He stated, "Since we got to know of the incident, the government systems have joined together in the rescue operation. Ministers will visit Wayanad and lead the activities." A control room has been set up, and emergency helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been issued for assistance.
District authorities have relocated several families to various camps or the homes of relatives, attempting to ensure their safety amid the chaos.
Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences in a post on X, lamenting the loss of lives due to the landslides. He confirmed having spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured him that rescue operations are underway. Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all agencies and called for the setting up of a control room to streamline the relief efforts. He also pledged to speak with Union Ministers to ensure all possible assistance is provided to Wayanad and urged all UDF workers to support the administration in the rescue and relief operations.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for northern districts of Kerala, including Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram, predicting heavy rainfall. The weather department has advised locals and tourists to exercise extreme caution in light of the continuing adverse weather conditions.
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