Rescue operations in the landslide-hit Wayanad region of Kerala entered their fifth day on Saturday, with over 200 people still reported missing. The tragic incident has claimed the lives of approximately 308 individuals, while 81 survivors are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that search and rescue operations in Wayanad are in their final stages. He acknowledged the difficulties encountered in identifying the deceased and body parts recovered from the Chaliyar River. To date, 148 bodies have been handed over to families, leaving 206 people unaccounted for. Sixty-seven bodies remain unidentified, and the local panchayats will conduct the final rites.
The education minister will visit schools affected by the disaster, and the education department will implement measures to ensure that the education of the children impacted by the disaster continues uninterrupted.
The search operations, involving a significant force of 1,419 personnel from the Fire Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Forest Department, Police, Indian Army, and volunteers from Tamil Nadu, are ongoing. K-9 squads and a medical team from Tamil Nadu are also participating in the rescue efforts, along with advanced equipment such as the Human Rescue Radar and drone-based radar.
In response to the devastating landslide, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state would construct 100 houses for the affected families. “I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope,” Siddaramaiah stated on X. The Congress party has also committed to building 100 houses for the survivors.
Actor Mohanlal, known for his contributions to the film industry and holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army, visited the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad and pledged ₹3 crore towards rehabilitation efforts. Donning his army uniform, Mohanlal visited the Army camp in Meppadi and engaged in discussions with officers. He also visited several affected locations, including Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom.
The Chief Minister’s office revealed that Pinarayi Vijayan contributed ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), while his wife, TK Kamala, donated ₹33,000. MLAs of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala have pledged to donate one month’s salary, amounting to ₹50,000, to the CMDRF.
The state government has established a ‘Help for Wayanad Cell’ to coordinate assistance from the global community in the form of land donations and house construction for the rehabilitation process. A Geetha IAS, Joint Land Revenue Commissioner, will lead the cell and coordinate these offers. The chief minister announced that a dedicated email ID (helpforwayanad@kerala.gov.in) and a call center with specific phone numbers (9188940013, 9188940014, 9188940015) have been created for donor communication.
