A devastating series of landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Wayanad district of Kerala has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 84 lives, with fears that many more are trapped beneath the debris. The landslides, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, took sleeping villagers by surprise, leaving several villages severely damaged and cut off from the outside world.
Among the affected areas are Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, where homes and infrastructure have been destroyed. Rescue agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and the Navy, are working relentlessly to reach survivors amidst difficult weather conditions and treacherous terrain.
An Indian Army column reached the landslide site at Chooralmala by midday, with soldiers being ferried across a swollen river via ropes to assist in the rescue efforts. Despite the challenging conditions, rescue teams are racing against time to locate and extract any remaining survivors.
Reports from the site indicate that the number of casualties could rise further as rescue workers are recovering body parts from the rivers and mud, making it difficult to accurately determine the extent of the devastation. There are several women and children among the deceased.
The Kerala government has declared two days of state mourning in response to the tragedy and has requested assistance from the defence forces to augment the rescue operations. A 43-member team from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS has been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. Two Indian Air Force choppers from Sulur Air Force Station have been dispatched to the affected area to rapidly evacuate stranded people.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting the widespread destruction of homes and other property. The state government is working closely with rescue agencies and local authorities to provide necessary support and assistance to the affected communities.
