The entire country is mourning the catastrophic natural disaster in Wayanad, Kerala. The death toll from the massive landslide following heavy rains is rising continuously. So far, 123 deaths have been confirmed, with over 90 people still missing, while a large number of individuals have been rescued from the debris by NDRF, Army, Navy, and Airforce personnel. Approximately 128 people are reported injured. The weather in Wayanad remains unfavorable, and a red alert has been issued due to the heavy rains, complicating the rescue efforts further. The Kerala government has announced a two-day mourning period post this tragedy.
Families of the victims are frantically searching for their loved ones trapped under the rubble. Assistance from drones and dog squads is being employed. According to the Chief Minister, the landslide in Mundakkai fell in a high-risk disaster area where no one usually resides; however, soil, stones, and rocks slid down to Churlamala—6 kilometers from the landslide's origin, which is not considered a sensitive area where many have been residing for years, leading to a major loss of life.
Source: aajtak
It is a scene of total devastation post the torrential rains and the ensuing landslide in Wayanad. The drone images reveal the extent of destruction vividly. Floods have overtaken everywhere. The number of fatalities is rising, with debris still yielding bodies. Several people are still trapped under the debris. Over 116 individuals have been reported severely injured. The Army, Airforce, and Navy are tirelessly engaged in rescue missions. The situation is so dire that the rescue team is facing immense challenges in retrieving the bodies.
Over 200 Army Personnel Engaged in Rescue
The magnitude of nature's fury in Wayanad can be gauged from the fact that 10 bodies were retrieved from Mallapuram's Pothukallu area, about 50 kilometers from the landslide site, having flowed along the Chaliyar River. According to the rescue team, more people might still be trapped. Nearly 250 personnel from Civil Defense, Police, Fire Department, SDRF, and NDRF are committed to relief efforts. Additionally, 225 soldiers from the Indian Army's 122 Infantry are actively participating in the rescue operations. The Indian Air Force has dispatched two helicopters from Coimbatore's Sulur Airbase to help in the continuous retrieval of individuals from the debris.
Source: aajtak
Relief efforts started promptly in the Churlamala area of Wayanad, but reaching the Mundakkai area proved extremely challenging for the rescue team as most routes were destroyed. The government emphasizes completing rescue efforts first, then focusing on relief and rehabilitation.
Ground Shift Sweeps Away 4 Villages
The landslide and consequent floods have buried four villages. Areas such as Meppadi, Mundakkai, Churlamala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha saw several settlements being buried under debris following torrential rains. The situation is so severe that army personnel are deployed for rescue. Where there was once lush greenery, there's now only rubble. It's heart-wrenching to witness this scene of complete devastation, with homes buried alongside the displaced ground.
Residents recount two significant instances of this grim experience. The first landslide struck Churlamala at around 2 am, destroying several houses, vehicles, and shops. Then, at around 4:10 am, another wave of destruction hit the area. The site around 20 kilometers from Kalpetta city in Wayanad faced severe decimation, with Churlamala taking the worst hit.
Source: aajtak
CM Appeals for Assistance
On Tuesday, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed to the public to come together to rebuild the shattered lives and livelihoods, as they did in 2018 when floods ravaged the state. CM Vijayan stated that while many people are offering help, more is needed to rebuild the affected regions and lives, urging everyone to contribute to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.
Vijayan mentioned that the initial landslide occurred at 2 am, with the subsequent one following at 4:10 am, wreaking havoc in Wayanad’s Mundakkai, Churlamala, and Attamala areas. As most people were asleep during this time, many were swept away or trapped under the rubble, resulting in massive loss of life with dozens still missing. Thirty-four bodies have been identified, with 18 handed over to their families. The Chief Minister also disclosed that 16 bodies were retrieved from the Chaliyar River in the neighboring Malappuram district's Pothukkal village. Moreover, search and rescue teams have recovered body parts of individuals who were swept away during the disaster.
Source: aajtak
He added that various areas including Mundakkai and Churlamala in the hilly district are isolated due to the landslides, leading to roads being washed away. He further stated, "The Vellarimala GVH School situated in the area is completely buried under the ground. Additionally, a river flowing through the area now runs as two streams. Homes and livelihood have suffered significant damage. Efforts to find people trapped in the debris or carried away by the river are ongoing."
45 Camps Set Up in the District
The CM said, "As soon as we received information about the accident, we coordinated rescue efforts. Five ministers from the state traveled to Wayanad to coordinate and oversee the search and rescue activities. Under the direct supervision of these ministers, rescue operations are underway with essential equipment. The Fire Force, NDRF, police, and other agencies are working together. Support from military units has also been provided immediately. Various units from the army and navy are involved in the rescue mission. The focus is on saving as many lives as possible, providing proper treatment for the injured, and relocating people to safer places. Forty-five camps have been set up in the district, and around 3,069 people have been rehabilitated."
Source: aajtak
Tamil Nadu Offers INR 5 Crore Aid
CM Vijayan noted that while many have offered assistance, more help is needed to rebuild the affected areas and lives. He urged everyone to contribute to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. He mentioned that Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, M K Stalin, has pledged INR 5 crore in assistance to Kerala, while Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has offered INR 2 crore. The CM declared that Kerala would observe two days of official mourning for the tragic loss of lives in the Wayanad landslide. During this period, no public events or ceremonies will be held, and the national flag will be flown at half-mast.
Wayanad Landslide Echoes in Parliament
The opposition has called for declaring the Wayanad landslide a national disaster. PM Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident and assured Kerala of all possible assistance. Home Minister Amit Shah assessed the situation over the phone with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Rahul Gandhi, the MP from Wayanad, stressed the need for a roadmap for the victims' rehabilitation and will visit the affected individuals on Wednesday. A red alert remains in effect in several districts, including Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kasaragod, because of heavy rains. The central government will provide financial aid of INR 2 lakhs to the families of the deceased and INR 50,000 to the injured. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are diligently involved in rescue operations in Wayanad.
