Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has extended his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the devastating landslides in Wayanad District, Kerala, which claimed over a hundred lives and left many injured. Muizzu expressed deep sorrow upon hearing about the landslide, describing the extensive loss of lives, livelihoods, and destruction as an ‘unimaginable tragedy.’
“In his message, the President offered condolences on behalf of the government and the people of the Maldives. He expressed hope that the search and rescue efforts at the site will be able to operate quickly and successfully,” according to the Maldives President’s Office’s official statement.
“The President expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the landslides in Wayanad District, Kerala State, that took the lives of over a hundred and injured many more. He described the extensive loss of lives, livelihoods, and devastation caused by this disaster as an unimaginable tragedy,” the statement added.
Muizzu concluded his message by wishing strength to the victims’ families, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this unfortunate catastrophe, hoping they can overcome the painful consequences.
The death toll from the landslides in Meppadi, Wayanad, has risen to 158, according to the Kerala Revenue Department. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas of Chooralmala in Wayanad, with 1,200 rescue workers from the Indian Army, DSC Centre, Territorial Army, NDRF, Indian Navy, and IAF deployed.
Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre, stated that 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been conducting rescue operations. The Indian Army has ramped up its efforts, successfully evacuating more than 1,000 people to safety using man-made bridges and human effort.
Despite challenging weather and poor visibility, Indian Air Force helicopters have been conducting search and rescue operations, rescuing stranded individuals from narrow strips of land.
The landslides struck Wayanad on Tuesday morning, causing widespread destruction. The first occurred in Mundakkai and the second in Chooralmala, damaging homes and roads, uprooting trees, and swelling water bodies, which hindered rescue efforts. Relief operations are ongoing.
The first landslide hit at 2 am on July 30, followed by another at 4:10 am, causing significant damage to homes and livelihoods. Many areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala, have been cut off, and roads have been washed away. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried.