Landslides Hit Wayanad: Rescue Efforts Intensify

A massive landslide near Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala has caused a devastating situation, with rescue operations ongoing as of Thursday. The torrent of rain that triggered the landslide has already claimed at least 167 lives, left more than 200 injured, and over 191 people still missing.

Teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other local services have been working tirelessly through the debris in the affected areas. The government has set up two control rooms to handle distress calls from residents, with dedicated phone lines open for citizens to reach out for help.

To support the victims, the Kerala government is providing an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured. Additionally, Union Minister Nityanand Rai announced that ₹145 crore has been allocated for Kerala from the State Disaster Response Fund.

In response to this crisis, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi from the Congress party are heading to Wayanad to assess the situation. Their visit was initially planned for Wednesday morning, but heavy rain and bad weather forced them to cancel their landing for safety reasons.

Rahul Gandhi took to social media, expressing their disappointment and commitment to visiting as soon as conditions allow. He reassured the affected families that they will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide necessary assistance.

The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai, followed by another in Chooralamala, leading to widespread damage to homes, roads, and local infrastructure. The Indian Army has stepped up the rescue efforts by constructing a temporary 190-foot-long Bailey bridge to reconnect the fragmented areas.

As the death toll rises, the focus remains on finding the missing and providing relief and support to those in need. Identified casualties include a disturbing count of 96 victims, with post-mortem examinations already completed for a large number of the deceased. Rescue operations continue to be a priority for the response teams on the ground.