Rescue agencies are racing against time to pull out survivors of a major landslide triggered by torrential rains in Kerala’s Wayanad district even as the death toll rose to 123 on Tuesday evening.
Scores of people are still feared trapped under the debris as the landslides that occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday left a trail of destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha villages.
"Children who went to sleep last night, including infants, are among those who lost their lives in this disaster and are now buried under the earth. The floodwaters swept away many people. Sixteen bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar River in Pothukallu in Malappuram district (neighbouring Wayanad), and body parts were also found," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said at a media briefing in the evening.
Vijayan said 34 bodies have been identified and 18 of them handed over to their relatives. More than 3,000 people have been shifted to 45 relief camps set up in the district, he added.
Rescue operation underway following landslides triggered by heavy rain in Wayanad | Nisam Chenoth
The chief minister said the first landslide occurred around 2 am and the second one hit the area around 4.30 am. Both the landslides occurred when most of the villagers were sleeping, catching them off-guard and resulting in the high number of casualties.
Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas have been cut off after a road connecting these villages was destroyed in the disaster. The Vellarimala GHSS school was completely buried under the earth.
Braving the bad weather, teams from the Army, Navy, and NDRF are searching for survivors. A 43-member team from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS has been deployed at the site while a River Crossing Team of the Navy from the Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kannur will join the rescue mission soon.
Vijayn urged people to contribute to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, saying a huge amount was needed to rebuild the affected areas and lives. He said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has offered Rs 5 crore as aid to Kerala, while Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has offered Rs 2 crore.
Rescue operation underway following landslides triggered by heavy rain in Wayanad | Nisam Chenoth
Temporary hospitals and clinics are being set up in a church, madrasa and an institute at Chooralmala while additional health workers are being appointed in affected areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to CM Vijayan and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
