Wayanad landslide: At least 80 persons lost their lives when multiple significant landslides in Kerala’s hills Wayanad district on Tuesday morning were caused by heavy rainfall.
District Collector Meghashri D R stated that the death toll as of right now stands at 80. Nine dead have been found in the Chaliyar River in Malappuram, she revealed, and 36 of these deaths were caused by landslides in Choorlamalla.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has announced that fire and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on the spot, and another NDRF team is arriving to provide further assistance.
On Tuesday, the Defence Public Relations Officer announced that a team of 43 personnel led by the second-in-command of the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) Madras had been deployed to assist in the ongoing rescue operations. The team comprises a medical officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and 40 soldiers, all equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected areas.
In a statement issued by his office, Chief Minister Vijayan said the operation would be coordinated and state ministers would reach the hill district to lead the rescue activities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident and said he spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured the state of all possible help from the Centre. The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each of the deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.
In a post on Twitter, Modi said, “Saddened by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers for the injured. Rescue operations are underway to assist all affected people.” Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre given the current situation there.” The Health Department – National Health Mission has opened a control room and issued helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 for emergency assistance.
Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH, will take off from Sulur at 7.30 am to coordinate the rescue operation. People in need of emergency assistance can contact the authorities through these two numbers – 9656938689 and 8086010833, the statement said.
According to a post on Facebook by the KSDMA, two teams of the Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been directed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts. Locals in the affected areas reported that many people are feared to be stranded.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, “All hospitals including Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi and Mananthavady hospitals are ready. All health workers reached for duty during the night itself. More teams of health workers will be deployed in Wayanad.”
Earlier, in a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said district officials are planning to airlift people from the Mundakkai area. “At the moment, we don’t have complete information about the missing and dead people in the landslide. Many areas are cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places,” he said.
(With agencies inputs)