Wayanad Landslides: Death Toll Rises to 143; Educational Institutions Closed

in Kerala's Wayanad district, the death toll rose to 158

Wayanad Landslides: In the series of landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, the death toll rose to 158, and over 200 people were found injured. As per government data, 180 people were trapped under debris. The Army and multiple agencies are trying to save as many people's lives as possible.

Also Read: New FASTag Rules from August 1: KYC Updates and Vehicle Detail Linking

On Tuesday, within hours heavy rain led to destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages. Many of the people were swept away in the Chaliya River in Nilambur village - seven kilometres south of Mundakkai.

The landslides caused massive destruction to houses and roads, uprooted trees, and caused the water bodies to swell.

A series of deadly landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, triggered by heavy rains, have resulted in over 70 fatalities and numerous injuries. The landslides, which struck early Tuesday, have devastated roads and homes. Rescue efforts are underway with the support of various… pic.twitter.com/iErBjI49m7

— Jagran English (@JagranEnglish) July 30, 2024

The establishment of 45 relief camps in Wayanad, provides shelter for 3,069 people. According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), members of the fire and rescue, civil defence, NDRF, and local emergency response teams are associated with the rescue operations.

Also Read: Kamala Harris Challenges Donald Trump to Debate Ahead of US Elections 2024

At the site of the destruction, around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode are available. Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH, are also available at the rescue operations.

The postmortem of 116 bodies has already been done, according to the reports of Kerala health minister Veena George.

On Wednesday, July 31, all educational institutions will remain closed because of the disaster and constant rainfall. This has been declared over 11 districts - Kasaragod, Malappuram, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and reported Onmanorama.

“Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31,” the IMD said.

In Wayanad and neighbouring districts, The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

“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 wrote in a post on X.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad lawmaker Rahul Gandhi. United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp, also expressed grief over the devastating landslides.

“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,” Sharp posted on X.

Also Read: Flash Flood in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu Destroys Footbridge and Shops