Chinese Premier Li Qiang extended a condolence message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the devastating landslides in Kerala, which have claimed over 300 lives. Li Qiang expressed deep sympathies to the families of the victims and those injured in the disaster. Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, shared on X, “On August 3, Premier Li Qiang sent a message of condolence to PM Modi on the landslides in Kerala. Li Qiang said that he was shocked to learn that a landslide disaster occurred in Kerala causing heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government, he expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.”
The landslides, which struck on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad, have resulted in the tragic loss of 308 lives. Rescue operations in Wayanad have entered their sixth day as several people are still feared trapped under the debris. Wayanad District Collector Meghashree informed that the rescue efforts are ongoing with over 1,300 personnel deployed. She stated, “Rescue operation is going on in full swing. Today, 1,300+ forces are deployed…volunteers are also there…yesterday volunteers who went for the rescue operation got stranded there, today we are taking precautions so that it doesn’t happen.”
The Kerala Chief Minister’s Office announced that night patrolling by police has been instituted in Chooralmala and Mundakkai to prevent trespassing in the affected areas. The statement emphasized that no one should enter the houses or areas of these places at night without police permission for rescue operations.
To expedite the search operations, the Indian Air Force airlifted one ZAWER and four REECO radars from Siachen and Delhi. The Indian Coast Guard, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force also successfully rescued three personnel stranded at Soochipara Waterfalls in Wayanad.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for contributing Rs 5 crore towards the relief efforts. The landslides have caused significant devastation, with 215 bodies and 143 body parts recovered so far, including 98 males, 87 females, and 30 children. Post-mortem procedures have been completed on 212 bodies and 140 body parts, and 148 bodies have been identified by relatives.
The continuous efforts to locate and rescue those trapped highlight the severity of the disaster and the extensive damage caused. The Kerala government, along with various national agencies, continues to work tirelessly to manage the aftermath and provide necessary aid to the affected communities.