WAYANAD (Kerala), July 30 : Death toll rose to 106 in the two massive landslides that washed away Mundakkai and Chooramala areas of Vellarimala village under Meppadi
Panchayat in Wayanad district in Kerala on Tuesday early morning.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and other prominent leaders condoled the death of people in the tragic incident.
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“Pained by the loss of lives in massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. My condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and the success of rescue operations,” the President said in a message on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over phone, 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 on Tuesday.
“The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. 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,” the PM said in a post on ‘X.’.
“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,” the Prime Minister said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said “The devastation unfolding in Wayanad is heartbreaking. I have urged the Union government in Parliament to extend all possible support, including increased compensation and its immediate release to the bereaved families.”
“Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in recent years. The need of the hour is a comprehensive action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in our ecologically fragile regions,” he said in a message on X.
“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,” Rahul said.
“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,” Rahul said.
“I will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad. I urge all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations,” he added.
Home Minister Amit Shah said “Deeply concerned by the incidents of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing. The second team is on its way to further strengthen the response operation. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said “Deeply pained to learn about the massive landslides in Wayanad and the consequent loss of priceless lives.
“I am given to understand that many people are still trapped in the area. I am sure the rescue operations that are in full swing will save them all,” Stalin said.
“The government of Tamil Nadu is willing to extend any logistical or manpower support that may be needed in this hour of crisis to our brother state Kerala,” he added.
Talking to newspersons here, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, George Kurian said “A very unfortunate landslide incident occurred in the early hours of this morning in the Wayanad district. The Prime Minister is monitoring the situation, and has deputed me, to visit the affected areas.”
“The Home Minister has also spoken to the Chief Minister of Kerala and assured him that every possible assistance from the Government of India.
Explaining the rescue efforts by the Government of India, he said “2 teams of NDRF, 2 columns of the Indian Army, and 2 IAF helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue operations.”
He said “3 additional teams of NDRF, with search and rescue equipment, are on the way. A dog squad has also been deployed for search and rescue operations.”
“Columns of the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) have been deployed for the construction of 3 Bailey bridges, which will depart for the site by 1600 hours.”
“Two columns of the army with stores have been airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode. One 110 feet Bailey bridge and three Search & Rescue Dogs have been airlifted from Delhi to Kozhikode.”
“Helicopter reconnaissance of the Engineering Team to assess damage being done to work out further resources required to be inducted.”
He said “Two columns from the DSC Center Kannur (02-08-128) are on the way. The Indian Navy’s ship INS Zamorin has been deployed to assist in establishing movement of rescue workers to the other side of the damaged bridge.”
“Additional resources will be sent by the Central Government, as required. The situation is being monitored by the Central Government at the highest level. Both control rooms of the Ministry of Home Affairs are monitoring the situation 24×7 and providing all possible assistance to the state,” Kurian said.
“I would like to assure the people of Kerala that the Modi Government is committed to providing all possible assistance to the State Government for the rescue of the people affected by the landslide in here,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pinarayi Vijayan said steps were taken to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad promptly following the devastating landslide.
He announced that the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with Ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations.
A control room has been established to provide immediate relief and rescue assistance following the tragic landslide at Chooralmala, Wayanad.
The Chief Minister also visited the office of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations at Chooralmala in Wayanad, where several died following the severe landslide.
A delegation of five ministers has been assigned in Wayanad to address the aftermath of the recent landslide and oversee ongoing relief efforts, the Chief Minister said in a post on X.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has already reached the affected area to assess the damage and coordinate immediate response measures, he said.
Minister Ramachandran Kadannappalli reached the spot to join the efforts on the ground. In addition, the Ministers of Revenue, Public Works, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Departments also reached the spot.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan said “Landslide in Wayanad has been devastating & heart wrenching. Rescue operation is challenging as the area has been secluded from the rest. The UDF extends full support & cooperation to Govt. I have cancelled all my prgm & is heading towards the disaster-hit area.”
About 131 injured people were admitted to various hospitals and 90 persons were missing in connection with the tragic incident, official sources said.
As many as 70 houses were fully damaged, Vellaramala GVHSS school was partially damaged and several shops were fully or partially damaged in the impact at Chooralmala town.
Only 42 bodies have been identified and 20 post-mortem were conducted, so far, official sources said.
About 63 bodies were kept in the Community Health Centre( CHC) at Meppadi and the remaining 4 bodies were kept in a private hospital at Meppadi and 48 bodies were kept at Nilambur district hospital in Malappuram district.
A temporary bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai was constructed by the Military around 1730 hrs while airlifting of the first group of injured and old people was conducted by Indian Airforce around 1800 hrs.
Three ways of evacuation of the people began from Munadakai. People were evacuated through ropeway, temporary bridges, and helicopters from Chooralmala in the evening.
The search and rescue operations under the NDRF, Military personnel from Kannur, Pangode and Chennai, Naval force from the Indian Naval Academy are still going on.
Sources said 22 school students of GVHSS, Vellaramala, were also missing out on the total strength of 582 students studying in one to plus two in this incident. School authorities informed that they were trying to contact all the students through teachers, but no response for 22 students, so far.
Suspected that some of the mobile phones of the students were not functioning due to lack of battery charge or loss of the mobiles which was the cause of not attending the call from school authorities.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said an army team led by a Lieutenant colonel crossed the nearest river and reached the Mundakkai market area from where several stranded people are being rescued.
Several bodies and body parts were found from the Chaliyar river in the nearest Malappuram district, he added.
The first landslide occurred at 2 AM on Tuesday. The second landslide happened at 4.10 AM. Many places in the area including Meppadi and Mundakai Churalmala were isolated and the Churalmala and Mundakai road was washed away.
The Vellarmala GVH School has been completely buried under mud. The damage to homes and livelihoods is huge, he added.
Stating that 45 relief camps have been opened in Wayanad, he said 3069 people were shifted to various camps. A total 118 camps are functioning across the state. A total of 5,531 people have been accommodated on these campus.
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