Wayanad landslides Highlights: Army rescues 1000 people with the help of temporary bridge

Survivor Mustafa Ahmed says "At around 1:40 AM, there was a loud sound and a house around 30 metres away from my room completely collapsed. Since we were not sleeping, we ran out immediately. Several people have been trapped in this incident. People from an entire village have been trapped. I have been rescued, it feels good..."

Four tourists from North India travelled all the way to the hill district of Wayanad to enjoy its lush greenery and tranquility of nature but ended up trapped after massive landslides devastated the district in Kerala on Tuesday. After flying into Bengaluru airport, the tourists had visited Coimbatore and Coorg before arriving in Wayanad a few days ago.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that all necessary cooperation is being provided by the state government for rescue and relief operations in neighbouring Kerala's Wayanad, which has been devastated by landslides. The chief minister has deputed two senior IAS officers to coordinate with Kerala state authorities in these operations.

According to government sources, the death toll rose to 123 in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad.

In response to the landslide disaster in Wayanad, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) District Headquarters (Kerala & Mahe) and ICG Station Beypore have dispatched Disaster Relief Teams (DRT) to the affected area.

"Kerala Bank has already contributed Rs 50 lakh to CMDRF. The Chief Minister of Sikkim has pledged Rs 2 crore, and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has promised Rs 5 crore in aid. In response to the disaster in Wayanad, the state has declared two days of official mourning. Public events and celebrations have been postponed. We request that the national flag be flown at half-mast as part of the mourning period", says Kerala CM.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "321 members of the Fire Force have been deployed in Wayanad. The services of the Army have also been made available. An NDRF team of 60 members has reached Wayanad, and an 89-member team from Bengaluru is on the way. Upon learning of the disaster, both the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi, along with various party leaders, have offered their assistance. They have assured us that we will work together to address this crisis."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says "The landslide in Wayanad is a heart-wrenching disaster. There was extremely heavy rainfall. An entire area has been wiped out. We have recovered 93 bodies so far, but the numbers may change. There are 128 people receiving treatment for injuries. Many who went to sleep last night have been swept away."

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit landslide-hit Wayanad on Wednesday morning, party sources said. Landslides hit the hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, leaving 57 people dead. The landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, which occurred early on Tuesday, have left a trail of destruction in its wake, with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen and trees uprooted.

The death count in the tragic Wayanad landslide has risen to 84 while 116 people have been reported injured, says Kerala's Revenue Minister Office.

Kerala declares official mourning in the state today and tomorrow after a landslide claimed 73 lives. The national flag will be flown at half-mast. The state government's official events and celebrations have been postponed today and tomorrow.

"Today and tomorrow is a Red Alert, so our helicopters can't take off. So, air rescue or air-dropping materials and all that has to be postponed. So, the challenge is that we can only do rescue by surface. That is hampered because there is a very strong water current and the bridge has collapsed," Kerala Chief Secretary said.

Indian Air Force (IAF) 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

Amit Shah spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and took stock of the situation in Wayanad. The Home Minister assured all possible help from the Centre government.

"Temporary hospital facilities will be established at a mosque and madrasa in Chooralmala, Wayanad, to aid in the ongoing relief efforts," Kerala Health Minister's Office said.

"A landslide in the Vilangad area of Kozhikode district has left one person missing. Search operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are ongoing. The landslide destroyed the Malayangad bridge and partially damaged four houses along the riverbank. As a result, 15 families are isolated, though no casualties have been reported. Residents along the riverbanks have been relocated," Information & Public Relations Department, Kerala said.

"My heart goes out to all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I am also concerned that the whereabouts of more than 100 people are yet to be known," he said.

Bodies were kept in a row on the floor of a tiny, congested hospital building in the district, where wailing people were seen desperately searching to find loved ones. The disturbing scenes were from a local community health centre, which could otherwise accommodate only a few people, in Meppadi village, which was hit by massive landslides, killing over 45 people. Some people broke down at the shock of seeing the cold and injured bodies of their loved ones, while others heaved a sigh of relief that their kin were not among the deceased. A teary-eyed young woman said five members of her family, including two children, went missing after the landslides. She said she came to the hospital to find out whether they were admitted there after being rescued by someone.

A total of 116 injuries reported so far: Kerala Revenue Minister's office

Death count rose to 63 as the rescue ops continued.

Most of the houses in Mundakai have been washed away. Attamala and Churalmala areas are also in a dilapidated state.

The dead bodies are kept in 5 places. Meppadi Health Center (32), Vims (7), Vaithiri Taluk Hospital (1), Nilambur Hospital (8) and Malappuram Chunkathara Hospital (1). 

10 dead people have been identified so far. Ramlat, Ashraf, Kunhimoyteen, Lenin, Vijeesh, Sumesh, Salam, Shreya, Premaleela and Regina were identified.

60 people have been confirmed dead. Meanwhile, the death toll is likely to rise. Although the rescue mission is on, the rain is hampering the operation, officials said.

(With inputs from T Raghavan)

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and KC Venugopal will go to Wayanad tomorrow, sources said.

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 washed 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 death toll rose to 45 in landslides in Wayanad, District officials said.

(With PTI inputs)

"Two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur has been despatched for rescue operations. Weather over affected area is adverse. However they will be taking off again towards disaster relief operations," official said.

"Two rescue columns of Indian Army with a strength of approximately 200 soldiers from Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur along with medical team from Military Hospital Kannur and troops from Territorial Army from Kozhikode has been deployed. Early this morning, massive landslide struck hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district resulting in hundreds of people suspected to be strapped. Assistance was sought from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.  Two Relief columns from Defence Security Corps Centre, Kannur along with rescue equipment’s and other detachments have been deployed for rescue and relief operations," the statement said.

Buildings suffered damage in the landslide and rain-affected Chooralmala area in Kerala's Wayanad.

"It is a very serious situation. I hope and pray that more lives will not be in peril. We need to get to action on the ground as soon as possible," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said.

"Discussions began here and all the Members expressed their concern over the massive tragedy that has occurred there. I would like to say this is a tragedy of not just Kerala alone, but the entire nation is concerned," Union Minister JP Nadda said in Rajya Sabha.

"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 said.

"Police drones and the Dog squad will be deployed for search and rescue efforts as instructed by the Chief Minister. An Army Engineering Group will be urgently deployed to Wayanad for rescue operations and related activities in the landslide-affected area. The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bengaluru will arrive to implement alternative arrangements after the bridge collapse," Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

"The Coast Guard helicopters carrying relief materials that were headed to the disaster area could not land in Wayanad. Two Air Force helicopters also returned to Kozhikode," officials said.

Kerala Minister A.K. Saseendran visited the injured in the Wayanad landslide at the Meppady Hospital.

"National Disaster Response Force's one team has arrived at the Wayanad landslide site, with three more teams on the way. So far, they have evacuated 74 people, recovered 16 bodies, and rescued one person alive. This is the current status from Wayanad," NDRF DG Piyush Anand said.

"A lot of damage has been caused in Wayanad due to natural disaster...I express my condolences to the bereaved families...PM Modi spoke to the Chief Minister of Kerala and the Central government is with the people of Kerala. The central government will provide whatever assistance is required," he said.

"Teams of NDRF, Fire, Police and Revenue department are on the ground. Around 101 people have been rescued till now. Shelter camp set up at Bathery St Mary’s SKMJ School in Kalpetta. Medical teams and ambulances are present and food and clothing are also arranged. There is a requirement for earth excavators," Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan's office said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army chief and asked him to mobilise forces for assistance and rescue in landslide-hit Wayanad, Kerala. Army teams have reached the ground.

Leader of the Opposition and former Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi also expressed condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. "I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon," he said.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

Official sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with the two Union ministers from Kerala, Suresh Gopi and George Kurien, about the current situation. Modi has instructed BJP president JP Nadda to mobilize party workers in the region to assist with the ongoing relief efforts, as reported by the news agency PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of all possible assistance from the Centre. “Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

In response to the landslides and other rain-related disasters in Wayanad district, the Health Department - National Health Mission has established a control room. For emergency assistance, individuals can contact the authorities through the following numbers: 9656938689 and 8086010833.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that all government agencies have mobilised for search and rescue operations following the massive landslides. Chief Minister Vijayan said in a statement that the operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities. 

In response to the devastating landslide in Wayanad district, the Kerala government has sought the assistance of the Indian Army for rescue operations. A Defence PRO said on Tuesday that a team of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been mobilised to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts. The team, comprising a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, is equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected area.

The most damage has occurred in Churalmala and Mundakkai villages, where a part of both villages has been swept away due to a landslide. Here, a resort, several homes, and many houses are buried under the landslide debris. The rescue team is unable to reach Mundakkai village due to the collapse of the bridge over the river. Helicopters are also unable to reach there due to adverse weather conditions.

(With inputs from T Raghwan)

According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.

Authorities have reported that the landslides have affected and cut off several areas, including Mundakkai, Chooral Mala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages.

According to the Wayanad district authorities, of those killed, four people, including a child, died in the Chooralmala town of the district, while a one-year-old child of a Nepali family died in the Thondernad village. Besides that, three bodies, including that of a five-year-old, were recovered from the banks of a river near Pothukal village, authorities said.

As many as 24, including three children, were killed, while hundreds of people are feared to be trapped as massive landslides hit several hilly areas near Meppadi in the Wayanad district of Kerala early on Tuesday.