N S Sajith
A DEVASTATING landslide occurred in Wayanad, a high-range district in North Kerala, in the early hours on July 30th, leaving 108 people dead and hundreds injured. So far, 52 bodies have been taken to the primary health centre in Meppadi, and 41 have been identified. The death toll is likely to rise given the number of missing people. Several bodies and body parts have been found floating in the Chaliyar River, which flows into the adjacent district of Malappuram. Many bodies and body parts have been kept at the government hospital in Nilambur. The postmortem process has started, and DNA tests will be conducted to identify the bodies.
The massive landslide shook Chooralmala in Mundakkai near Meppadi between 2 AM and 4 AM, and the flash flood devastated many villages, leaving houses and schools in rubble. Rocks, mud, and water fell on people sleeping in their homes, and many bodies are feared to be buried in the debris.
Rescue operations faced setbacks as a bridge connecting the area collapsed. Rescuers used ropes to reach ground zero. Fire and rescue personnel, along with the army, navy, and coast guard, managed to evacuate more than 100 people from Mundakkai. IAF aircraft landed and airlifted many. A makeshift bridge was also installed by the defense team.
Survivors said that almost all houses in Mundakkai were demolished in the landslide, and many people are yet to be traced. State government and central forces are coordinating the rescue efforts. NDRF personnel from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have reached Meppadi. A 130-member army team also left for Meppadi from Wayanad. The meteorological department forecasts that heavy rain will continue in Wayanad for the next three days. PWD minister P A Muhammad Riyas, revenue minister K Rajan, forest minister A K Saseendran, tribal affairs minister O R Kelu, and Ramachandran Kadannappali are coordinating the rescue and rehabilitation work in the area.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that 45 rehabilitation camps have been opened and 3,069 people have taken shelter in these camps. Defense personnel reached Mundakkai marker and evacuated all injured. This is the deadliest tragedy the state has ever witnessed. The epicentre of the landslide is not in the residential area, the chief minister said. He also appealed for donations to the CMDRF.
or reload the browser
