Wayanad landslide LIVE | 125 dead, many feared trapped under debris; rescue underway
The first landslide reportedly struck Mundakkai Town around 1 am, while the second one struck 3 hours later, at Chooraal Mala School, which was serving as a camp
At least 125 people have been killed massive landslides triggered by heavy rains in Wayanad on Tuesday (July 30) while hundreds are trapped beneath the debris, sparking fears of mounting fatalities, even as rescue agencies were racing against time to pull out any survivors.
Rescue teams comprising the Army, Navy, and NDRF are collectively looking for survivors amid rough weather and multiple agencies are working in tandem to provide critical assistance to those affected.
According to a senior government source, heavy rains triggered a series of massive landslides in hilly areas of Meppadi in the district.
The dead includes women and children. The bodies of the deceased are being taken to various hospital morgues for identification and autopsy.
Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides.
In a bid to rapidly evacuate stranded persons, two Indian Air Force helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur have been dispatched to the affected area.
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Live Updates
- 30 July 2024 10:33 AM GMT
Landslides reported in neighbouring Kozhikode district
National Defence Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel launched a mission to search for the missing man, Kozhikode district authorities said.
Landslide and mudslide were reported in Maruthongara village and Kaithappoyil-Anorammal road respectively.
The Malayangadu bridge was washed away, resulting in as many as 15 families being cut off from the main area, they said.
Those living on the banks of the river here were shifted to relief camps and rescue operations are continuing under the aegis of NDRF team.
Shutters of the Kakkayam Dam here were raised as the water level rose in continuous heavy rains. Following this, authorities urged those living on the banks of the Kuttiyadi river to pay extra vigil.
Besides Kuttiyadi river, water level rose to a dangerous level in various other waterbodies, including Chaliyar, Cherupuzha and Mahipuzha in the district.
Tourist centres were closed and quarry and mining activities were ordered to be stopped in the district, authorities further said.
- 30 July 2024 9:54 AM GMT
Kerala government declares official mourning today, tomorrow
Kerala government declares official mourning in the state today and tomorrow after at least 70 people lost their lives in a landslide incident in Wayanad. pic.twitter.com/5LckoqWwdA
— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2024 - 30 July 2024 9:39 AM GMT
TN donates Rs 5 crore to Kerala; sends teams to assist in rescue ops
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday spoke to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on the landslides caused by heavy rainfall, assured him of the state's full support in rescue and relief efforts and announced immediate dispatch of a team to assist the neighbour.
The chief minister directed Tamil Nadu authorities to release ₹5 crore to the neighbouring state towards relief activities and tasked officials to send a rescue team to Kerala to assist it in its rescue and relief work.
Stalin, who spoke over phone to Vijayan, conveyed to him his condolences and sympathies over the loss of lives due to the natural disaster. He assured him that Tamil Nadu shall extend all necessary support, an official release said.
The Tamil Nadu team would comprise 20 personnel from the state Fire and Rescue Services, 20 from the state disaster response force and 10 doctors and nurses. They will work alongside Kerala rescue teams and the Chief Minister has directed the team to leave immediately for the neighbouring state, the release added.
- 30 July 2024 9:31 AM GMT
Agonised by loss of lives in Wayanad landslides: Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district and urged the Centre to provide all assistance to the state.
"Deeply grieved and agonised at the death of (a) large number of people... in the unprecedented monstrous landslides in Wayanadu, Kerala," Yechury said in a post on X.
"Kerala people have always risen in unison to meet the challenges of national disasters. The Union Government must render all possible assistance to the State Government's efforts to ensure no more lives are lost," he said.
Deeply grieved and agonised at the death of large number of people (currently estimated as over 60, but rising) in the unprecedented monstrous landslides in Wayanadu, Kerala.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) July 30, 2024
Kerala people have always risen in unison to meet the challenges of national disasters.
The Union… pic.twitter.com/N5TydGFmtV - 30 July 2024 9:12 AM GMT
Amit Shah speaks to CM Vijayan, assures all help
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and took stock of the situation in Wayanad that has been hit by a series of landslides.
Shah also assured Vijayan of all possible help from the central government to deal with the situation.
"The home minister spoke to Kerala chief minister and took stock of the situation in Wayanad. The home minister also assured the chief minister all possible help from the central government," an official said.
Earlier, Shah voiced deep concern over the landslides and said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing. Shah also said that a second team of the NDRF is on its way to further strengthen the operation.
"Deeply concerned by the incidents of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing.The second team is on its way to further strengthen the response operation. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," he wrote on X.
