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 7:57 AM GMT
Extend all possible support to landslide-hit Kerala: Rahul Gandhi in LS
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 rescue and rehabilitation of those affected.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Rahul 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.
"Early this morning, Wayanad was hit by several devastating landslides. More than 70 people have been killed. Mundakkai village has been cut off and the devastating loss of lives and extensive damage is yet to be assessed due to the scale of the tragedy," Rahul said.
The Congress leader, who was a representative from Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, said he had spoken to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Kerala chief minister.
"I request the Union Government to extend all possible support for rescue and medical care, immediate release of compensation to deceased people, and see if that compensation can be increased as well, restore vital transport and communication lines, set up relief at the earliest and prepare a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the affected families," he said.
- 30 July 2024 7:48 AM GMT
Mi-17, ALH Dhruv choppers deployed for rescue, relief ops
Indian Air Force has deployed one each Mi-17 and ALH Dhruv choppers for rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, in coordination with Kerala government and NDRF officials: IAF officials
- 30 July 2024 6:53 AM GMT
Desperate attempts at survival in landslide-hit Wayanad
A man, covered in mud, was seen desperately trying to stand by clinging to a huge boulder in gushing flood water, in one of the harrowing scenes from a landslide-hit hamlet in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday.
The man, suspected to have been swept away by the flood water, somehow got stuck between huge boulders but was unable to stand or swim to safety due to the thick marsh and strong currents.
The harrowing visuals of the hapless man’s attempt to survive amidst scattered boulders in the floodwater came from Mundakkai village, where hundreds of people were reportedly trapped following the deadly landslides in the early hours of Tuesday triggered by heavy rainfall.
The visuals, taken by one of the villagers, were aired by television channels, urging authorities to send rescue teams to the location.
“He is trapped in the area near the local school in Mundakkai. He caught our attention for the first time by 7.30 am. He is still continuing his attempt not to get carried away by the flood waters and trying to stand in the thick marsh,” Raghavan, a block panchayat member who took the visuals on his mobile phone, said.
Villagers said though they were seeing the man’s survival attempts, they could not reach the place or rescue him due to strong currents and marsh.
As the rescue mission continues in various hamlets, people could be seen hugging each other tight so as to not getting carried away in flood waters in many places.
People, especially elderly men and women, could also be seen being rescued by placing temporary metal bridges in areas cut off due to massive landslides.
- 30 July 2024 6:42 AM GMT
Media control room
To aid the Wayanad landslide relief efforts, the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) has opened district and state-level media control rooms. The contact number is 0483-2734387. The state-level control room, located at the Secretariat, can be reached at 0471-2327628 or 2518637: Department of Information and Public Relations - 30 July 2024 6:31 AM GMT
Argument over Wayanad in Rajya Sabha
An argument broke out in Rajya Sabha between Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and LoP Mallikarjun Kharge over the landslide in Wayanad.
Dhankhar refused to admit adjournment motions submitted to him demanding a discussion on the tragedy and informed the House that the Centre and the Kerala government are “working in tandem and togetherness” to provide all relief and rehabilitation measures.
As the Chairman asserted that the PM, the HM, the central government, and the Kerala CM and his government took cognisance of the tragedy “before sunrise”, Kharge urged the Chair to allow Congress MP from Kerala Jebi Mather to address the House on the issue. The LoP said the information provided by the Chair should have come from the Treasury Benches after Mather’s intervention.
Dhankhar took exception to Kharge’s submission, claiming he “understands the satire” that the LoP was making towards him and asserted that the Chairman need not be told what information he should impart to the House. As Kharge insisted that an MP from Kerala should be allowed to speak on the tragedy, Dhankhar turned down the request.
As Opposition members protested against the Chairman’s decision, Dhankhar allowed the members who had submitted a prior notice on the issue to make brief submissions.
While CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P demanded that the landslide be declared a national calamity, IUML’s Abdul Wahab demanded additional central funds for relief measures.
Jose K Mani lashed out, asking why the Chair and Treasury did not allow a proper discussion on such a distressing and unprecedented tragedy. Congress MP Mather also sought additional disaster management funds. As CPM MP AA Raheem urged for additional central assistance, Dhankhar told Opposition MPs not to politicize the tragedy “without knowing” what efforts the Centre was making.
Leader of the House JP Nadda said this was not just a tragedy for Kerala but for the country, and the Centre, under PM Modi’s guidance, was providing all necessary relief and assistance. Nadda assured the House that the Centre would continue to extend all resource and support that Kerala requires.
“The primary requirement right now is to retrieve the bodies and save those who are trapped,” Nadda said, adding all these efforts are being made and the PM is very proactive. Nadda told the Opposition that getting agitated would not serve any purpose; everyone must work together.
Coal minister G Kishan Reddy informed the House that the Army was also being mobilised and had been dispatched for relief measures.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre would return to the House with more details soon. Rijiju said funds have been given in advance to Kerala under the NDRF as is the usual procedure.
As John Brittas asserted the need for more funds, Rijiju said, “This is not the time to play politics; this is a serious matter.” Rijiju added that Union minister from Kerala Joseph Kurien had also been sent to the site to coordinate relief measures.
Rijiju said this is the time for rescue and relief and the next step would be reconstruction and rehabilitation and that he would urge the Home Ministry to come out with a detailed report for the House as soon as possible.
