A devastating landslide struck Kerala’s Wayanad district in southern India on July 30, 2024, claiming at least 8 lives and leaving hundreds feared trapped under debris. The disaster, triggered by heavy monsoon rains, has also resulted in at least 70 people being injured and hospitalized. Among the confirmed fatalities is a child, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the catastrophe.The landslide has caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of a bridge and the isolation of approximately 400 families. Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, expressed grave concern that the death toll may rise further as rescue operations continue in the affected hilly areas.Rescue efforts are being severely hampered by ongoing heavy rainfall and partially blocked roads. In response to the crisis, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has mobilized a multi-agency rescue operation. Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed to the affected areas, with additional NDRF teams en route. The Indian military has also been called upon, with two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps assisting in the rescue efforts.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is actively coordinating the response, assuring that all government agencies are involved in the search and rescue operations. State ministers have been dispatched to lead rescue activities in the hilly district. The state government has also opened a control room for emergency assistance, providing helpline numbers (9656938689 and 8086010833) for those in need.The severity of the situation is underscored by the weather department’s issuance of a red alert for Wayanad district and orange alerts for eight other districts, forecasting continued severe and extremely heavy rainfall. This ongoing inclement weather not only complicates rescue efforts but also raises concerns about the potential for further landslides in the region.
Key points
- A massive landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district has resulted in at least 8 deaths and hundreds feared trapped.
- Heavy monsoon rains triggered the disaster, causing multiple landslides and a bridge collapse.
- Rescue operations are ongoing but hindered by continuous rainfall and blocked roads.
- Kerala’s government has mobilized a multi-agency rescue effort, including NDRF, Fireforce, and military personnel.
Contradictions👾Earlier reports mentioned 5 deaths, while the latest update indicates at least 8 fatalities, showing the evolving nature of the situation.
