At least 19 individuals died in landslides that struck Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday, reported Zee news TV. The fatalities included four people, one of whom was a child, in Chooralmala town, and a one-year-old child from a Nepali family in Thondernad village, according to district officials.
A massive landslide hit various hilly regions near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district early Tuesday morning, leaving over 400 people feared trapped in the rubble, reported PTI.
According to PTI, a video statement by UDF MLA T Siddique mentioned that district officials are developing plans to airlift individuals from the Mundakkai region.
He added, “We do not yet have full details on the missing and deceased from the landslides. Several areas are inaccessible, and NDRF teams are working to reach these locations.”
The Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides, authorities said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concerns over the matter on social media ‘X’, he wrote, “Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @ pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.”
According to the Chief Minister of Kerala’s office, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has directed immediate coordination of rescue efforts in Wayanad following the severe landslide. He stated that the entire government is engaged in the response, with Ministers overseeing and managing the operations.
CM @pinarayivijayan has given directions to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad promptly following the devastating landslide. He announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with Ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) July 30, 2024
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has announced that Fireforce and NDRF teams are on the ground in the affected area, with another NDRF team heading to Wayanad.
Two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps have been directed to proceed to Wayanad to support the rescue operations, as stated in a KSDMA Facebook update.
Reports from residents indicate that many individuals may be trapped in the affected areas. Rescue operations are facing significant delays due to continuous heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile,the weather department has issued a red alert for Wayanad, forecasting severe rain. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for eight other districts—Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod—predicting extremely heavy rainfall in these areas.