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 5:38 AM GMT
Army engineers on way to Wayanad
The Army's engineering unit (Sappers) will urgently arrive in Wayanad for rescue and related operations in the landslide-affected area.The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) of the Army will arrive from Bengaluru.The Army's engineering unit will make alternative arrangements in the case of bridge collapses.The decision was taken based on discussions between the Revenue Secretary and Major General VT Mathews, who is in charge of the Kerala-Karnataka region, following the Chief Minister's instructions. - 30 July 2024 5:33 AM GMT
Army teams reach Wayanad
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to the Army chief and asked him to mobilise forces for assistance and rescue in Wayanad. Army teams have reached the ground. - 30 July 2024 5:26 AM GMT
Such massive rain was not expected: Weathermen's report
Massive rains to continue in Kerala, Nilgiris, Valparai, and Cauvery catchment areas in Kodagu, Hassan, Chikmagalur in Karnataka. Huge inflows are expected. Rains may reduce from August 1 in the west coast.Such massive rain was not expected even though heavy rain was expected. Somehow, clouds got "stuck" over entire Kerala, Valparai and Nilgiris districts, says weathermen.This was the heaviest widespread rains in Kerala since monsoon started and Tuesday, too, looks bad.There have been huge inflows into Valparai and Nilgiris dams. Kanyakumari and Theni districts, too, got heavy rains. - 30 July 2024 5:23 AM GMT
Bad weather hampers rescue efforts
MLA IC Balakrishnan says the weather is too bad to air-lift people.Helicopters could not land because of the fog, and NDRF team have not been able to reach the affected spots either.Even after 8 hours of the first landslide, no rescue worker has been able to reach Mundakkai. - 30 July 2024 5:08 AM GMT
Kerala seeks more Army help
Kerala State Administration has requisitioned rescue columns of 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS in response to the severe landslide in Chooralmala, Wayanad district. A team under the Second-in-Command along with a Medical Officer, two JCOs and 40 soldiers have mobilised to be deployed to aid in ongoing rescue efforts: Defence PRO
