Kerala landslides: hundreds feared trapped amid heavy rains

In a devastating series of events, three landslides hit Kerala’s Wayanad district, resulting in at least 93 deaths and hundreds feared trapped.

These landslides occurred within four hours amidst relentless heavy rains, prompting a massive rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the NDRF.

Here are the updates about the incident:

The landslides have left 116 people injured, all of whom have been admitted to local hospitals.

State ministers are coordinating the ongoing relief and rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of all possible support.

Modi also urged BJP chief JP Nadda to ensure party workers assist in the rescue operations. He conveyed his condolences and prayers for the victims and assured central aid.

The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a compensation package: ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi expressed deep anguish over the calamity.

Rahul Gandhi extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged swift rescue of those trapped. He has been in touch with the Chief Minister and the district collector to ensure coordinated rescue efforts and assistance.

The affected areas include Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. The destruction has left many roads collapsed and a bridge swept away, rendering several areas inaccessible.

Health Minister Veena George noted the challenge of re-establishing connectivity and mentioned the potential use of helicopters, despite adverse weather conditions.

The Kerala Health Department has opened a control room for emergency assistance, reachable at helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833.

As Kerala braces for more rain, the weather office has issued a red alert for eight districts: Idukki, Kannur, Kasargod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Wayanad.

Additionally, an orange alert is in effect for Alappuzha, Ernakulam  Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts.

The situation remains dire as rescue teams work tirelessly to reach those trapped and provide relief to the affected communities.

The state’s response is critical as more rain is expected, complicating the rescue efforts.

Image Credit: RAJEEVrk246, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wayanad,_India.jpg