In a devastating disaster, at least 151 people have been killed and dozens are still unaccounted for following massive landslides that struck Wayanad district in Kerala early Tuesday morning. The natural calamity has wreaked havoc in Wayanad, a region renowned for its scenic tea estates and hilly terrain, leaving a trail of destruction with numerous homes flattened and trees uprooted.
The landslides, which occurred before dawn, hit the area with such force that many of the 350 families residing there, surrounded by tea and cardamom plantations, were caught completely off guard as they slept. The tea plantations were particularly hard hit, with many workers’ homes and seasonal accommodations buried under a thick layer of mud and debris.
One survivor recounted the harrowing experience to news agency ANI, describing how she felt her home shaking and heard loud noises during the night. Unable to contact her neighbors and trapped inside her house, she eventually managed to climb onto the roof as advised by her son, who lives in Coimbatore. Rescuers arrived after the first landslide, but the second landslide destroyed her home. Her relatives in Mundakkai were among the casualties, with several still missing.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the DSC Centre in Kannur, the 122 TA Battalion, NDRF, and state rescue squads, are engaged in combined operations to search for survivors and recover victims. The government is considering constructing a temporary Bailey bridge to replace the main bridge to Chooralmala, which was destroyed in the landslides.
The situation remains dire as rescue operations continue, and the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.
