Kerala Landslides: 24 Dead In Wayanad, Toll Likely To Rise; Army, Air Force, NDRF Part Of Rescue Op

Kerala Landslides: 24 Dead In Wayanad, Toll Likely To Rise; Army, Air Force, NDRF Part Of Rescue Op

PTI

Wayanad (Kerala), 30 July 2024 : At least 23 people were killed in a massive landslide at Churalpara in Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday, said officials here.

The landslides were reported to have occurred at around 2 am and the area was cut off.

Picturesque hamlets known for their beauty until Monday--Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha- are now a picture of gloom after landslides hit the areas, cutting them off from other places.

Vehicles washed away in floodwaters could be seen stuck in tree trunks and submerged here and there in many places.

Swollen water bodies changed their course and flowed through inhabited areas, resulting in more destruction.

Huge boulders, rolled down the hills and hindered the path of rescue workers.

Those engaged in rescue work could be seen shifting the dead and the injured into ambulances braving heavy rains.

As the landslides caused mass uprooting of trees and floodwaters washed away the green patches, the affected villages got a desert-like appearance in many places.

Of those killed, four people, including a child, died in the Chooralmala town of the district, while a one-year-old child of a family from Nepal died in Thondernad village, according to Wayanad district authorities.

Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected and cut off by the landslides, authorities said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all help after the landslides.

 10:28 30 Jul

NDRF teams, Army choppers, Ministers rush to Wayanad: State Government

State Revenue Minister K Rajan says one team of NDRF is working to clear the debris and create access as they progress towards Mundakkai, which has been totally cut off by devastating landslides.

 10:25 30 Jul

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi rings up Pinarayi to enquire about the situation

 10:22 30 Jul

PM Modi assures Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan of all possible help

 10:17 30 Jul

PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for next of kin of each deceased