The hilly district of Kerala's Wayanad woke up to devastation on Tuesday as a landslide wreaked havoc on the hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. While the unofficial figures estimate over 30 deaths (at 10 am), the toll may rise as several are feared trapped under the debris of mud, trees and boulders.
The rescue officials are clueless about how many are affected in the Mundakkai area since the bridge connecting it to the mainland has been washed away. Several bodies were recovered downstream of River Chaliyar in the Nilambur area of neighbouring Malappuram district, which is 90 km away.
Meanwhile, many people are trapped neck-deep in the debris, including a woman who was crying out for help. The woman, a resident of Chooralmala, was spotted crying out to rescuers to help her daughter and husband, who were stuck in the debris. "Somebody please save us, my daughter is trapped in the debris. She can't breathe," her lament echoed the eerie silence of Chooralmala. She cried out to the rescuers that her daughter couldn't cry out for help as her mouth was filled with slush.
People in nearby villages were seen alerting others to rush for help after receiving news that hundreds were trapped under debris in Mundakkai.
Rescue operations were severely hampered as the bridge was washed away. "Mundakkai is in the foothills of a nearby mountain. The issue is that the area was totally cut off due to the destruction of a bridge. Now efforts are on to make a temporary bridge to facilitate the crossing of the rescue team," state Revenue Minister Rajan said. He also said the extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
"One team of NDRF is clearing the way as they progress towards Mundakkai. Three more teams will arrive by the afternoon. Two choppers of the Army will also reach soon," Rajan added.
People who were rescued say the landslides occurred early in the morning and people were unaware of what had happened. Many woke from sleep to discover themselves trapped neck-deep in mud and slush.
The fierceness of the landslide was such that the river that passes through the Chooralmala town had changed its course.
Congress MP K Suresh told reporters that the situation at Wayanad was beyond imagination. "According to the first information, 11 people died, but the toll may rise. The bridge has collapsed and the water is still flowing. The situation has only deteriorated. One village is totally isolated and washed out. The Kerala government has begun relief measures and the NDRF, and Air Force have already initiated rescue operations," he added.