At least 156 people have been killed, and around 130 were injured after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. According to official data, nearly 100 people remain unaccounted for.
Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, and the Army have been deployed for rescue operations as three landslides struck Wayanad within a span of four hours on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, district authorities on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing, as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped.
A special team of the District Emergency Operation Centre is compiling data on the number of people living in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, news agency PTI reported.
Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in the district were some of the worst affected areas in the district. Several people have been feared to have been washed away in the Chaliyar river.
The Army has rescued over 1,000 people using a temporary bridge, after a permanent bridge in the district was washed away after heavy rains which triggered landslides, news agency PTI reported.
A senior Army official told PTI that the Army had been on alert for the past 15 days and was contacted by the Kerala government on Tuesday.
A total of 45 relief camps have been set up in Wayanad, where 3,069 people have been accommodated, PTI reported.
A total of 225 Army personnel are deployed for rescue operations in the district, including medical teams.
Meanwhile, around 140 Army personnel are on standby in Thiruvanthapuram, news agency ANI reported.
Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), have also been deployed for the rescue operations.
The Kerala Health Minister said that a team from the Indian Navy would also assist in rescue efforts.
Several sniffer dogs are being brought from New Delhi to aid in the rescue operations.
An NDRF personnel was quoted by ANI as saying that there were chances of another landslide as heavy rainfall continued in the district.
A control room was opened in the wake of the landslides in the district. Helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 were also issued for emergency assistance.
A control centre has been set up in Calicut under the Para Regiment for monitoring of all relief operations.
PM MODI SPEAKS TO KERALA CHIEF MINISTER
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of help.
The Prime Minister announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
RAHUL GANDHI OFFERS CONDOLENCES
Leader of the Opposition and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the family of the peopl who died due to the landslides.
In a post on X, he said, "I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured me that rescue operations are underway. I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts."
Notably Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Wayanad on Wednesday, but had to call it off after authorities warned them that they wouldn't be able to land there due to adverse weather conditions.
He said in a post on X, "Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet with families affected by the landslide and take stock of the situation. However, due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land."
I want to assure the people of Wayanad that we will visit as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide all necessary assistance. Our thoughts are with the people of Wayanad at this difficult time," Rahul Gandhi added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has also announced assistance of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala government. Besides, two senior IAS officers of the Tamil Nadu cadre have been appointed to assist in carrying out rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who originally hails from Kerala, reached Calicut on Tuesday night, to take stock of the rescue operations in Wayanad.
He is scheduled to visit hospitals and relief camps and also facilitate rescue and relief operations.
Source: India Today