The death toll from the massive landslides triggered by heavy rains in Kerala’s Wayanad district has risen to 54, state authorities said on Tuesday. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a “war footing.”
Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran confirmed the number of casualties following the landslides that struck the Meppadi area in the early hours of Tuesday.
Kerala Minister M.B. Rajesh told ANI that 250 people have been rescued and relocated to temporary shelters. “We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more. Rescue operations are being carried out by various agencies on a war footing. We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon,” Rajesh said.
“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,” he added
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased.The injured will receive Rs 50,000.
“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,” PM Modi said on X.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and former MP from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi, extended his condolences to the bereaved families and assured all possible assistance.
“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,” Gandhi posted on X.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said that the landslides occurred around 3:49 AM on Tuesday in the Meppadi area. The India Meteorological Department has forecast extremely heavy rain throughout the day.
Earlier, Saseendran told Reuters that the army had been roped in to construct a temporary bridge after a bridge linking the affected area, which includes tea and cardamom estates, to the nearest town of Chooralmala was destroyed.
An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is being dispatched to assist in the rescue operations at Chooralmala, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
“Evaluated the ongoing relief and rescue operations at Chooralmala, Wayanad, following the severe landslide, in a visit to the Kerala SDMA office,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
District Collector DR Meghashree said that an Army platoon has arrived in Chooralmala for rescue efforts.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has directed the Army chief to mobilize forces for assistance in the landslide-hit area. Around 200 army personnel from the DSC Centre Kannur and the 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode have been sent to the site. A team of 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy and two helicopters from the Sulur Air Force Station are also aiding the rescue operations, defence officials said.
(With input from agencies)
