As rescue efforts intensify in the wake of a devastating landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district, survivors recount their harrowing experiences. The landslide struck the hilly region, trapping many and leaving a trail of destruction. An elderly couple shared their narrow escape from the landslide. They fled their home at 11 PM after noticing muddy water flowing through their area. They sought refuge on a nearby hill, leaving behind a neighbour who tragically refused to join them. "We begged him to come with us, but he said he would join us by 1 AM. He never came," the elderly man recounted, his voice filled with emotion. They waited on the hilltop until morning, only to return and find their entire area washed away.
Woman's agonizing search for family
Another woman tearfully shared that her relative called her at night, saying they were trying to escape the area with their toddler. "She called me in the night and said they were trying to escape. They had a toddler with them. After that, they were unreachable on the phone," she said. The family remains untraceable.
Rising death toll and ongoing rescues
The death toll from the landslide has risen to 84. Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, and NDRF are racing against time to rescue hundreds of people feared trapped under the debris. The scene at Meppadi Hospital near Mundakkai is heart-wrenching, as it is overwhelmed with the injured, the deceased, and those searching for missing friends and relatives.
Rescue operations intensify
Rescue teams, including the Army, Navy, and NDRF, are working tirelessly under challenging conditions to locate survivors. Multiple agencies, including disaster response teams from the police and fire force, are providing critical assistance. Frantic phone calls from those trapped under debris highlighted the urgency of the situation, with television channels airing heart-wrenching scenes of people pleading for rescue.
Areas and victims affected
The landslides have severely impacted Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages, cutting them off from rescue efforts. Several women and children are among the dead, with bodies being taken to hospital morgues for identification and autopsy. Injured individuals have been admitted to various hospitals, while desperate searches for missing loved ones continue.
Government and military response
The Kerala government has sought assistance from the Defence forces, deploying a 43-member team from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS and additional columns of soldiers, medical teams, and equipment. Two Indian Air Force helicopters and the Navy's River Crossing Team have also been dispatched to the affected area. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office has appointed officials to coordinate the rescue operations.
National leaders respond
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident, assuring Kerala of all possible help from the Centre. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Chief Minister Vijayan, offering support from the central government. The landslides have left a path of destruction, with houses destroyed, water bodies swollen, and uprooted trees hampering rescue efforts.
Also read | Wayanad landslides: Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi to visit affected district in Kerala tomorrow
