Kerala landslide: Death toll rises, hundreds trapped
Around 116 people were injured and undergoing treatment at various hospitals nearby
Wayanad: Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu said that over 108 bodies were recovered as rescue operations continued in the landslide-hit regions in Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday.
According to the State Revenue Minister's office, around 116 people were injured and undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the district.
A total of three camps have been setup in Wayanad. 12 people are undergoing treatment in Kalpetta Government Hospital and 77 are in WIMS Wayanad. 8 deaths were reported in WIMS and one each in Meppadi Community Health Centre and Vythiri Taluk Hospital. 27 injured people are undergoing treatment at Meppadi CHC. 35 were reported dead and 27 are undergoing treatment at Bathery Taluk Hospital.
Meanwhile, Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran reached the affected area to assess the damage and coordinate immediate response measures, state minister Ramachandran Kadannappalli will be soon joining the efforts on the ground.
In addition, a delegation of state ministers of Revenue, Public Works, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Departments are travelling by air from Thiruvananthapuram and are expected to reach the site soon, as per the Kerala chief minister's office.
Kerala Minister MB Rajesh said that the state government is coordinating with various agencies to carry out rescue efforts on a "war footing."
"The chief minister is closely monitoring the operation. He has sent a team of ministers to Wayanad. An IAS officer will be camping in Wayand to coordinate the rescue ops. 250 people have been rescued and shifted to temporary shelter camps. We are airlifting stranded persons. All efforts are being taken by the government for rescue ops" the Kerala minister said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions with top Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) officials on the situation in the landslide-affected Wayanad areas.
"Evaluated the ongoing relief and rescue operations at Chooralmala, Wayanad, following the severe landslide, in a visit to the Kerala SDMA office," Vijayan said.
An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is being sent to the district in Kerala to assist in the rescue operations at Chooralmala that was hit by landslides on Tuesday morning, following torrential rains.
The Navy team is being despatched, at the request of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who sought the help of the Navy's River Crossing team, according to the Chief Minister's Office. Army and Air Force have also been mobilised for the rescue operations in the area, which have been hampered as a main bridge has collapsed in the town of Chooralmala.
The Kerala Chief Minister's Office said that police drones and a dog squad will be deployed for search and rescue efforts as instructed by the Chief Minister. District Collector DR Meghashree said that a platoon of the Army has reached Churamala for rescue operations.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army chief and directed to mobilise forces for assistance and rescue in landslide-hit area and that army teams have reached the ground.
Around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur, 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode despatched to the site. A team of 30 specialists swimmers from Indian Navy being deployed. Two helicopters from Air Force station Sulur has been despatched, as per the Defence officials.
Earlier report:
Bengaluru: Early morning landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala are likely to have trapped hundreds of people, the country's armed forces said in a statement Tuesday.
"Hundreds of people are suspected to have been trapped," the statement said, adding that around 225 soldiers had been deployed to the Wayanad area to assist with search and rescue efforts.
Heavy rainfall has significantly damaged the main bridge in Chooralmala, hampering rescue efforts.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has mobilised teams from the Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the affected areas.
Bodies recovered
An additional NDRF team and two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps are en route to assist in the rescue operations.
The heavy rainfall has complicated rescue missions. At least 15 bodies have been recovered from the Chaliyar River in Malappuram, with more bodies being fished out by the police.
Numerous houses, shops, and vehicles are buried under debris in Mundakkai. The washed-away bridge to the site has further impeded rescue operations.
Financial help
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre after massive landslides hit Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday as heavy rainfall continued in Kerala.
The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and the injured will be given Rs 50,000, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.
At least four people have been killed and several are feared trapped after massive landslides hit Wayanad.
In a post of X, the Prime Minister said that he was distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad and the
"Distressed the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue operations are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there," PM Modi posted on X.
PM Modi spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all help from the Centre.
The Prime Minister also spoke to Union Minister Suresh Gopi about the prevailing situation, sources said.
The PM also spoke to BJP President JP Nadda and asked him to ensure BJP karyakartas do whatever they can to assist in the relief efforts.
The Prime Minister also spoke to Minister George Kurien about the landslides.
Hospitalised
According to WIMS Medical College, 48 people are under treatment and four bodies have been received by them so far.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, landslides occurred in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk, at around 3.49 am on Tuesday.
250 members of the Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF, and Local Emergency Response Teams are involved in the rescue operation in Wayanad's Churalmala. An additional team of NDRF has been directed to reach the spot immediately, the officials said.
Rescue operations
Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17, and an ALH, will also be coordinating the rescue operations, the Chief Minister's Office said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured all possible rescue operations to be coordinated in the landslides in Wayanad.
"Since the incident government systems have been working in a unified manner. Ministers will reach Wayanad and lead the activities," the Kerala Chief Minister said in a statement.
Emergency health services
Health Minister Veena George said the Health Department has opened the district-level control room early in the morning. 8086010833 and 9656938689 can be contacted for emergency health services.