Tuesday’s disaster is the worst incident in Kerala since the 2018 floods, which killed nearly 500 people and was termed the state’s ‘flood of the century’…reports Asian Lite News
The death toll from a series of landslides that struck Wayanad on Tuesday has risen to over 173, however, the unofficial toll stands at 250 with at least 191 people reported missing. Hundreds have been injured, and thousands have been displaced.
With hundreds trapped under the debris and fears of more deaths, rescue agencies resumed operations early on Wednesday to locate the remaining survivors. Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi-Choormala Road is under progress, including the induction of certain earthmoving equipment to the other side of the stream utilising air effort.
Military personnel intensified search and rescue operations, with the Army saying that it has rescued nearly 1,000 people. Multiple agencies are working together to provide critical assistance to those affected.
Harrowing scenes of dead bodies in sitting and lying positions inside destroyed houses could be seen as rescue operations resumed in the landslide-devastated Mundakkai hamlet. The rescuers could reach many inland areas, which were totally cut off, on Wednesday morning only.
A Defence spokesperson said that soldiers of the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army, camped at a local school in Meppadi, moved out to the calamity-hit areas.
Meanwhile, several companies of the army moved from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut by road and air, a Defence statement said.
The army companies included those experienced in disaster relief, medical teams, ambulances, and other equipment, it said. Fears of mounting fatalities have been sparked by apprehensions that several people may still be trapped under the debris.
Notably, massive landslides caused by heavy rains hit the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha early Tuesday, destroying several houses, swelling water bodies, uprooting trees, and wiping entire villages off the map.
Heart-wrenching scenes and phone conversations of people crying and pleading to be rescued, trapped in their houses, or stranded were seen after the landslides left a trail of death and destruction in the hill district. Most of the victims were asleep when the landslides struck between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Huge boulders and uprooted trees rushed down from Mundakkai to Chooralmala, causing severe damage. The heavy water surge from the hilltop altered the small Iruvazhinji river, flooding everything along its banks. Several houses were destroyed, a temple and a mosque were submerged, and a school building was severely damaged.
A special team at the District Emergency Operation Centre is compiling data on the number of people residing in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, a district administration official told reporters early Wednesday. The official said data on individuals is being collected by reviewing ration card details and other government documents.
As many as 45 relief camps have been established in Wayanad, accommodating 3,069 people. Meanwhile, an orange alert has been issued for the districts of Wayanad, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod due to extremely heavy rainfall.
Aerial view of Chooralmala in Kerala’s Wayanad district where a landslide wreaked havoc.
Wayanad, a hill district in northern Kerala, is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls. With a population of about 8,17,000 people (as of the 2011 census), it is home to various cultures, including the indigenous tribal communities.
Tuesday’s disaster is the worst incident in Kerala since the 2018 floods, which killed nearly 500 people and was termed the state’s ‘flood of the century.’
A high-level meeting at the Wayanad Collectorate decided to set up a medical point and oxygen ambulance at the control room at the landslide-hit Chooralmala. A senior officer will be in charge of the control room. Doctors and other health workers will be pooled in from four cooperative hospitals in Kozhikode and Thalassery.
A health team will be deployed at the newly constructed temporary bridge. Drinking water facility will be arranged for the rescued people. Lighting will be ensured at Chooralmala.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister K Rajan, ministers Mohammed Riyas, AK Saseendran, V Abdurahiman, K Krishnankutty, GR Anil, Ramachandran Kadannappally, OR Kelu and special officer to coordinate disaster management activities Seeram Sambasiva Rao.
Powerlines were restored upto the Chooralmala telephone exchange and Chooralmala town, the KSEB has informed. The board suffered losses to the tune of Rs 3 crore at Chooralmala and Mundakkai, according to preliminary estimates. 3.5 km high tension lines and 8 km low tension lines under the Meppadi electrical section were fully damaged.
Connection disrupted at about 1000 households. Two teams led by sub-engineers have been deployed for restoration activities. Uninterrupted power supply has been ensured to the Meppadi Government Hospital and WIMS Hospital.
