Kerala landslide : Death toll rises to 270; more than 220 still missing

Landslide death toll now rises to 165

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – ‘At least 270 people have died and over 200 were injured after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerela’s Wayanad. 1,592 citizens have been pulled out from under the rubble so far’, Health Minister Veena George said. The Army has rescued around 1,000 people and 220 people are still missing, as rescue operations entered the third day.

Three landslides struck Wayanad on Tuesday following heavy rain. Mundakai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages in the district were the worst affected due to the landslides. Relief operations are going on at war level and bad weather and rain are creating difficulties in rescue operations.

1. A control room has been set up at Kozhikode by the Army to provide essential commodities to the citizens.

2. In a social media post on ‘X’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible assistance from the Union Government. It has been announced by the Union Government, that the families of the deceased will be given Rs 2 lakh each and the injured will be given Rs 50,000.

3. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan chaired all-party meeting in Wayanad amid rising landslide casualties.

4. According to the information provided by the Meteorological Department, there were chances of another landslide as heavy rainfall continued in Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts in the next two days.

Helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been issued by the Government of Kerala.

5. District Magistrate of Wayanad D.R. Megashree has asked people living in Kurumbalakotta, Lakiti Manikunnu Mala, Muttil Kolpetta Colony, Kapikalam, Sudhangiri and Pozhuthana areas to vacate their homes due to heavy rains and possibility of landslides.

6. A temporary Bailey 85 feet long bridge in Chooralmala is being constructed by the Army’s Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group, the Army said in a post on X. This bridge can support 24 tons of weight. After the construction of the bridge, rescue operations will speed up as the bridge will allow heavy machinery to reach the spot.