Massive landslides hit various hilly regions near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district early on Tuesday, July 30, potentially hundreds of people are feared trapped, with three bodies reportedly recovered from the Chooralmala landslide site. The death toll rises to 19 and is expected to rise more. Dozens of people are still missing in Kerala district. Six bodies brought to Meppadi Community Health Centre and 5 to a private medical college: Kerala Health Minister Veena George.
Wayanad landslide | Death toll rises to 11. Six bodies brought to Meppadi Community Health Centre and 5 to a private medical college: Kerala Health Minister Veena George#Kerala
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) announced that Fireforce and NDRF teams have been deployed to the scene, with an additional NDRF team on the way to Wayanad. Additionally, two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps have been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist with rescue efforts, as per a Facebook post by the KSDMA. Locals report that many individuals are feared trapped, and ongoing heavy rainfall is hampering rescue operations
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that all government agencies are actively involved in the rescue operations in Wayanad district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakhs from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the families of each individual who lost their lives in the recent landslides in Wayanad.
A one-year-old child from a Nepali family in Thondernad village lost their life in the landslide, according to district authorities.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement from his office, assured that rescue operations will be coordinated, with state ministers heading to the hilly district to oversee the efforts.
In response to the landslides and other rain-related disasters, the health department’s National Health Mission has established a control room.
Emergency assistance can be sought by contacting these numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833, as mentioned in the statement.
Rescue efforts continue despite the challenging weather conditions, as authorities strive to reach those affected by the disaster.
