The devastating landslides in Wayanad have claimed at least 156 lives, with over 180 individuals reported injured. The tragic events unfolded when massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi, affecting the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. According to government data, more than 100 people are feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue with urgency.
The region experienced three significant landslides within a span of just four hours on Tuesday, triggered by relentless heavy rainfall. The force of the landslides swept several people into the Chaliyar river, compounding the scale of the disaster. In response to the crisis, authorities have established 45 relief camps in Wayanad, providing shelter to 3,069 displaced individuals. The area, renowned for its scenic beauty and tea estates, has been marred by extensive damage, with visuals on social media depicting uprooted trees and devastated homes.
Wayanad district authorities have initiated a data collection effort to account for the missing persons. This process involves reviewing ration card records and other governmental documents to identify those unaccounted for. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has declared a two-day state mourning and is set to chair a meeting with senior officials and ministers stationed in the affected area to assess the progress of rescue efforts.
Rescue operations have been scaled up, with units from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency services actively searching through collapsed structures and debris for survivors. A total of 225 Army personnel have been deployed, with additional units moved from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut. The Army has successfully rescued over 1,000 people using a temporary structure after a major bridge linking Chooralmala and Mundakkai was washed away by the torrential rain.
An NDRF spokesperson has warned of the possibility of further landslides due to the continuing heavy rainfall in the district. In response, helplines 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been established for public assistance. Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George was involved in a minor accident while en route to Wayanad but has received first aid at Manjeri Medical College in Malappuram.
The weather department has issued a red alert for heavy rain across Wayanad and several other districts, including Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod, predicting more rainfall in the coming days.
In light of the disaster, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a financial aid of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala government. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Office has declared a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each family of the deceased. Scheduled visits by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to Wayanad have been cancelled due to the severe weather conditions and the associated risks.
