At least 93 persons have been killed and 116 have been injured in landslides triggered by heavy rain in Kerala’s Wayanad district, NDTV reported.
Several persons remain missing after at least three landslides in the hilly region of Meppadi.
State minister MB Rajesh said that 250 persons were rescued from the area and shifted to temporary shelter camps, reported ANI. “We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more,” the minister said. “We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon.”
The Indian Army mobilised two rescue columns, with a strength of approximately 200 soldiers, along with two helicopters of the Indian Air Force from the Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore to be deployed in Wayanad district, reported The Indian Express.
The state government declared an official mourning of two days on Tuesday and Wednesday in view of the tragedy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office said in a post on X.
Rescue efforts were hindered due to the heavy rain and hundreds are suspected to be trapped under debris in affected areas in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha villages, The Indian Express reported.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said that teams from the fire department and the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed for relief and rescue operations, The Hindu reported.
The chief minister said that assistance from the Army would be sought to build temporary bridges, evacuate stranded persons using helicopters and make other necessary arrangements at the disaster sites, The Indian Express reported.
Union Minister of State George Kurian is also going to Wayanad to oversee the rescue efforts, reported The Hindu.
The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued “red” category weather alerts for four districts in Kerala, namely Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kasaragod. “Orange” alerts, indicating the possibility of less severe weather, were issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.
A red alert requires authorities to “take action” in light of an extreme weather-related event, while an orange alert tells authorities to “be prepared” for one. A yellow alert means they should “be updated” on the local weather situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said that he had spoken to Vijayan and assured him of assistance from the Centre.
The prime minister’s office also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed in the landslides. The injured have been promised Rs 50,000 each.
Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, adding that he had spoken to the chief minister and the district collector.
“I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts,” Gandhi said in a post on X. “I will speak to Union ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad. I urge all UDF [Congress-led United Democratic Front] workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations.”
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