The rescue operations to save lives of hundreds of people stranded in Wayanad landslides is going on in full swing on Wednesday afternoon amid heavy downpour in the region.
Studies pointed out that climate change and fragile terrain led to the devastating landslide besides loss of forest cover and increase in plantations. The landslide atlas released by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre last year shows that 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts were in Kerala. and Wayanad ranked 13th in the list.
The vulnerability is high in Kerala mainly due to high population and household density.
Another study by Springer in 2021 that the landslide hotspots in Kerala were concentrated in districts like Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam, with 59 per cent landslides happening in plantation areas.
The death toll has risen to 168, as per figures released by local TV channels when this article was published. At least 191 people were hospitalised while 85 were reported missing.
The affected areas include Wayanad district's Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Around 3,069 people were evacuated and accommodated across 45 relief camps. The authorities have identified bodies of 89 victims and autopsies were completed on 143. Some of the mortal remains are kept at Nilambur Government Hospital from where they will shifted to Wayanad after autopsy.
Kerala Chief Minister is chairing a review meeting to assess the situation on the ground. The state's compensation for the kin of the victims will be announced on Thursday during an all-party meeting.
Army helicopters have dropped food and water for stranded residents around 11 am. Union Minister George Kurian said the Centre has assured all assistance to the state for the rescue efforts for the affected.
