At Least 76 Dead, Several Feared Trapped As Landslides Hit Kerala's Wayanad | Updates

At least 76 people have been killed, and hundreds are feared trapped after a series of massive landslides struck several hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.

The landslides, which occurred between 2 AM and 4 AM, primarily affected the regions of Mundakkai and Chooralmala. The impact of the landslides has caused significant destruction with emergency responders facing severe challenges in reaching the affected areas.

A massive rescue operation is underway and Rescue teams have saved 250 people from the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad. The rescue teams are now nearing the most difficult-to-reach locations.

Hundreds Trapped In Mundkai, Rescuers Struggle to Reach Area

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that the landslide in Mundakai, where hundreds of people are feared trapped, has proven particularly difficult to access, with rescue workers currently unable to reach the site due to blocked roads and unstable terrain.

“It is very difficult for the rescue workers to reach Mundakai but they are trying. In Mundakai area hundreds of people are trapped,” said Veena George.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that Fireforce and NDRF teams have been deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.

250-Member Team Join Rescue Operation

250 members of Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF and Local Emergency Response Team are involved in the rescue operation in Wayanad Churalmala. An additional team of NDRF will reach the spot immediately.

Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts, the KSDMA stated on a Facebook post.

A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Thondernad village died in a landslide, according to the Wayanad district authorities.

Locals from the affected areas report that many people are feared to be trapped. Rescue operations are being hindered by ongoing heavy rainfall.

PM Modi Assures Assitance To Landslide-Hit Wayanad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the severe landslides in Wayanad on ‘X’ and assured that the Central government will provide all necessary assistance to address the situation.

“Distressed the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected,” said PM Modi.

“Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pnarayi Vijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there,” he added.

Air Force To Join Rescue Operation

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations.

The operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities Vijayan added in a statement issued by his office.

Two Air Force helicopters will depart for Wayanad from Sulur shortly to take part in the search and rescue operations, said CM Vijayan

225 Army Personnel Join Rescue Operation; Defence Minister Speaks To Army Chief

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Army Chief in the wake of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala.

The Indian Army has mobilised four columns including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur.

The Army has deployed 225 personnel including medical personnel for the search and rescue operation in Wayanad.

Army’s Madras Engineering Group To Join Rescue Operation In Wayanad

The Army’s Madras Engineering Group (MEG) will soon arrive in Wayanad from Bangalore to assist with rescue and related operations in the landslide-affected areas.

The engineering department will deploy alternative systems to manage the situation. This decision follows discussions between the Revenue Secretary and Major General V.T. Mathew, who oversees the Kerala-Karnataka Army operations.

Authorities Set to Airlift Trapped Residents from Landslide-Hit Areas

In a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from the Mundakkai area.

“Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places.” he said.

Control Room Set-Up, Emergency Contact Numbers Released

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that the Health Department has opened a control room and has released an emergency contact number in the wake of the landslides and other rain-related disasters.

Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities through these two numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833.

All hospitals in the area, including those in Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi, and Mananthavadi, are fully operational and prepared to handle the emergency. Health workers arrived at these facilities overnight, and additional teams will be deployed to Wayanad to provide further support, said George.

Rahul Gandhi Expresses Grief Over Loss Of Lives, Speaks To CM Vijayan

Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi took on X (formerly Twitter) to express grief over the catastrophic landslide incidents in the district and said “I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.”

“I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured me that rescue operations are underway. 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 added.

Wayanad MP further stated that he will request the Union Ministers to provide all assistance to the landslide-hit district and urged all the UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations.

President Murmu Expresses Condolence To Bereaved Families

President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives in catastrophic landslides in Wayanad. She expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Waynad Landslides: Issues Raised in Parliament

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said in the Lok Sabha that more than 70 people have been killed in the landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad, and demanded that the Centre extend all possible support for the rescue and rehabilitation of those affected.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Gandhi also sought enhanced compensation to the next of kin of those killed in the landslides and restoration of vital transport and communication lines.

As Congress members sought a response from the government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and has also dispatched a Minister of State from Kerala to coordinate relief efforts.

Meanwhile, BJP MP and Union Minister JP Nadda in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday called the Wayanad landslides a national tragedy. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured the Centre’s support to address the issue. Nadda assured the Upper House that the government is coordinating closely with the state and will take all necessary actions.