Wayanad Landslides: Death Toll Rises To 143; Rahul Gandhi Cancels Their Visit

The three massive landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district have resulted in the deaths of over 143 people and left nearly 200 injured. The landslides, which struck amid heavy rainfall, have caused widespread destruction in the hilly areas near Meppadi, uprooting trees, destroying homes, and swelling water bodies, significantly hampering rescue efforts.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue in isolated places in Kerala on July 31 and August 1, with further heavy rains predicted for August 2. The national flag was flown at half-mast at the Kerala Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram on the final day of the state’s two-day mourning period.

“On behalf of @UNinIndia, we are deeply saddened by the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all affected, in solidarity with first responders undertaking courageous relief efforts,” tweeted Shombi Sharp, the UN’s Resident Coordinator to India.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) reported that multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire and rescue services, civil defence, and local emergency response teams, are actively engaged in rescue operations. The Indian Army has deployed around 200 personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode, while two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH, are assisting with the efforts. Over 120 rescued and injured individuals are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that postmortems have been completed for 116 bodies. In light of the ongoing disaster and continuous rainfall, all educational institutions in the affected districts will remain closed. A holiday has been declared in 11 districts, including Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta.

The IMD has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Wayanad and neighboring districts, indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 31 and August 1, with strong surface winds expected on July 30 and 31.

The Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) reported that two persons from Odisha are missing in the landslides. “The state government is in regular communication with the Kerala government in view of the massive landslide where many lives were affected in Wayanad. As per the information received from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, two rescued Odia people are under treatment while two others are still missing,” the CMO posted on social media.

In Nilambur village, seven kilometers south of Mundakkai, bodies of several victims washed downstream by the floods were recovered from the Chaliyar River. Disturbing videos of the disaster have also surfaced on social media. Local officials indicated that most of the victims were tea estate workers living in small homes along arterial roads or at the base of plantations.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting to coordinate rescue operations, assessing the ongoing efforts and reviewing coordination with central government agencies, disaster response forces, health and safety measures, and relief camp facilities. He expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and stated that 3,069 people are currently sheltered in 45 relief camps in Wayanad, with five ministers overseeing the relief and rescue operations.

Condolences have poured in from across the country, including from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad lawmaker Rahul Gandhi, and United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp.

In addition, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were scheduled to visit Kerala’s Wayanad amidst the disaster of the three ladslides, to measure the situation in the afflicted area and to meet the families affected by the landslide, had to cancel their visit due to the worsening weather conditions.

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