A series of massive landslides hit the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district as heavy rains poured early on Tuesday. At least 89 people lost their lives, and there are concerns that the death toll may rise as hundreds are feared trapped under the debris, according to multiple reports.
The calamity struck when most victims were asleep, and now rescue personnel are working against the clock to save as many survivors as possible.
The deceased are being taken to various hospital morgues for identification and autopsy.
Authorities have confirmed that Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages are among the affected areas cut off by the landslides.
The Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined efforts to evacuate the stranded. Additionally, the state government has deployed disaster response teams from the police and fire force to affected areas.
Authorities have not confirmed, but hundreds are feared to be trapped in the landslides.
The deadly landslide intensified as frantic phone calls came in from people desperately pleading for help as they were trapped under destroyed houses and piles of debris.
Heart-wrenching phone conversations were aired on television channels, with several people crying and pleading to be rescued. They were either trapped in their houses or unable to travel due to washed-away bridges and flooded roads.
In an emotional conversation, a woman, believed to be from Chooralmala town, was heard crying for help, stating that someone in her house was trapped under marsh and debris, and they could not pull her out.
"Someone, please come and help us. We have lost our house. We don't know whether Nausheen (apparently a family member) is alive. She is trapped in the marsh. Her mouth is full of marsh and sand. Our house is in the town itself," the woman said.
K Rajan, the State Revenue Minister, mentioned that more than 70 individuals injured in the landslides have been admitted to different hospitals.
The Kerala government has requested help from the Indian Army to assist in the rescue operations.
On Tuesday, a Defence PRO stated that a unit of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been deployed to support the ongoing rescue efforts.
This team consists of a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, and they are prepared to offer critical aid in the affected area.
The deployment is intended to enhance current rescue efforts and provide aid to those impacted by the landslides.
Out of the fatalities, four individuals, including a child, lost their lives in Chooralmala town within the district. A one-year-old child from a Nepalese family passed away in Thondernad village, as reported by the authorities of Wayanad district.
Additionally, three bodies, among them a five-year-old, were recovered from the vicinity of a river near Pothukal village, as confirmed by authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern about the event and mentioned that he had conversed with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assuring the state of all possible assistance from the central government.
"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," Modi said in a post on social media platform 'X'.
The aftermath of the landslides caused extensive damage, leading to the destruction of numerous houses, swelling of water bodies, uprooting of trees, and impeding rescue efforts.
Scenic hamlets like Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, celebrated for their beauty until Monday, are now sombre scenes after being hit by landslides, which have isolated them from neighbouring areas.
Vehicles swept away by floodwaters can be observed trapped among tree trunks and submerged in various locations.
The altered paths of swollen water bodies resulted in further devastation as they flowed through populated areas.
Massive boulders descended from the hills and obstructed the progress of rescue teams.
Meghasree, the Collector, mentioned that relief work for the disaster is underway in the affected areas. The NDRF, fire force, police, and Forest, Revenue, and Local Self-government departments are conducting the rescue operations.
In a statement, she also highlighted the cooperation of volunteers and local residents with government agencies in the rescue efforts.
The Collector also cautioned the residents living downstream and in low-lying areas as the authorities opened the shutter of the Banasura Sagar dam on the Karamanthodu river.
UDF MLA T Siddique, in a video message, mentioned that the district authorities were devising plans to evacuate people from the Mundakkai area.
"Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places," he said.
Vijayan said in a Facebook post that two Air Force helicopters will shortly depart for Wayanad from Sulur (Coimbatore, TN) to participate in the search and rescue operations.
Follow us
