At least 44 people were killed and scores injured after massive landslides triggered by heavy rains struck Kerala’s Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday, authorities said.
Kerala Minister MB Rajesh confirmed the death toll, and said that 250 people have been rescued so far and shifted to temporary shelters.
“We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more. Rescue operations are being carried out by various agencies on a war footing. We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon,” Rajesh told ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
“The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad and the injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
“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 said on X.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and former member of Parliament from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi, offered condolences to the bereaved families and assured all possible help.
“I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured me that rescue operations are underway. I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts,” Gandhi said in a post on X.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said that the landslides occurred around 3:49 AM on Tuesday in the Meppadi area.
“The situation is serious. The government has pressed all agencies into rescue,” state Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran told Reuters after the landslides. The India Meteorological Department has forecast extremely heavy rain in the state throughout the day.
The army was roped in to build a temporary bridge after a bridge in the district that linked the affected area, mostly tea and cardamom estates, to the nearest town of Chooralmala was destroyed, Saseendran added.
A total of 225 Army personnel and more than 250 personnel from the Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF, and Local Emergency Response Teams are involved in the rescue and relief operations. An additional NDRF team has been directed to reach the spot immediately.
Two Air Force helicopters, an Mi-17, and an ALH, will also assist in the rescue operations, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that he has directed the immediate coordination of rescue operations in Wayanad. “The entire government machinery is actively involved, with ministers overseeing and managing the operations on the ground,” he added.
Health Minister Veena George said that the health department has opened a district-level control room to expedite relief efforts, and a team from the Navy is also en route to the affected site.
People can contact 8086010833 and 9656938689 for emergency health services, George added.
(With input from agencies)