Wayanad Landslides: Death Toll At 148; Kerala Declares 2-Day State Mourning

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level review meeting for the coordination of rescue operations in Wayanad and discuss further steps in the direction as the landslides have claimed the lives of over 143 people so far.

Malappuram district police chief S Sasidharan said, "Today we conducted an in-depth search. We could find some 50 bodies or parts of bodies. The post mortem is going on. Tomorrow also we are going to search with NDRF and other police departments... We are trying to trace out the maximum number of bodies. We have requested the police surgeon to take samples for DNA analysis."

Wayanad landslides survivor Mustafa Ahmed told news agency ANI, "At around 1:40 AM, there was a loud sound and a house around 30 metres away from my room completely collapsed. Since we were not sleeping, we ran out immediately. Several people have been trapped in this incident. People from an entire village have been trapped. I have been rescued, it feels good."

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district and prayed for strength to the kin of those killed.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of many people due to landslides in Wayanad district of Kerala. May God grant peace to the souls of the departed and give strength to the bereaved families... I pray for speedy relief to those trapped and speedy recovery of the injured," Soren said in a post on X.

"If any migrant from Jharkhand has been affected by the landslide in Wayanad district of Kerala, please contact any of the numbers of Jharkhand State Migrant Control Room for help. The Government of Jharkhand is always at your service," Soren said, sharing toll free number 18003456526.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that all necessary cooperation is being provided by the state government for rescue and relief operations in neighbouring Kerala's Wayanad, which has been devastated by landslides.

The chief minister has deputed two senior IAS officers to coordinate with Kerala state authorities in these operations.

With a red alert all across Kerala and the devastating Wayanad landslides, schools and colleges across 11 districts in Kerala will remain shut on Wednesday - July 31.

All schools and colleges in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta will remain closed.

The death toll in the Wayanad landslides now stands at 123, news agency PTI reported citing government sources.

Kerala authorities have ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in the state till August 31 in view of heavy rains. Holidays have been announced for institutions in as many as 11 districts.

Visuals from the Chaliyar River in Nilambur Chooralmala area of Wayanad where a landslide occurred earlier today claiming the lives of 93 people.

Four tourists from North India travelled all the way to the hill district of Wayanad to enjoy its lush greenery and tranquility of nature but ended up trapped after massive landslides devastated the district in Kerala on Tuesday.

After flying into Bengaluru airport, the tourists had visited Coimbatore and Coorg before arriving in Wayanad a few days ago.

Two of them are now missing, and the other two are undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries sustained in the deadly landslides that struck the hamlets of mountainous Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Indian Coast Guard in Kerala and Mahe and ICG Stattion in Beypore have sent Disaster Relief teams to the areas impacted by the devastating landslides in Wayanad districts.

As per news agency ANI - "In response to the landslide disaster in Wayanad, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) District Headquarters (Kerala & Mahe) and ICG Station Beypore have dispatched Disaster Relief Teams (DRT) to the affected area. The teams are mobilized to provide immediate relief and support to the communities impacted by the disaster."

"The relief team comprises highly trained ICG personnel and a dedicated medical team. The team is equipped with essential disaster relief materials such as Rubber inflatable boats for rescue operations, Diesel-driven pumps to manage water and drainage issues, Life jackets for safety, Raincoats and gum boots for personnel protection in adverse weather conditions and other earth-clearing implements for clearing debris and accessing affected areas."

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a statewide mourning for two days. The announcement comes after the devastating landslides in Wayanad district claimed at least 106 lives.

The official period of mourning has been declared for July 30 and July 31, 2024.

The death toll due to the devastating Wayanad landslides has increased to 106. Officials and local media have added that hundreds remain missing and are injured due to the landslides.

Scientists and experts on Tuesday called for a landslide prediction mechanism and construction of safe structures for the vulnerable population after at least 57 people were killed in a series of landslides in Kerala.

Madhavan Rajeevan, former secretary of the Union Earth Sciences Ministry, said weather agencies can predict extremely heavy rainfall events, but whether that would trigger a landslide cannot be said with certainty.

"Heavy rainfall does not lead to landslides every time. We need a separate mechanism for landslide prediction. It is difficult but doable," Rajeevan told PTI.

The conditions that lead to landslides, including soil texture, soil moisture and slope are known, and it is important to put all this knowledge into an operational system, he said. "Unfortunately, we have not done that yet."

"When a river is in spate, we shift people to safer places. We can do the same thing if there is heavy and continuous rainfall. We have good science and good capability; we just have to convert that into practice," Rajeevan said.

(Via PTI)

Bodies of around 26 people trapped in the Wayanad landslide were found floating, kilometres away, in different parts of the Chaliyar River in Malappuram on Tuesday.

Man covered in mud, who clung on to a boulder with all his strength to survive the flood water in the landslide-hit Wayanad district in Kerala, has been successfully rescued.

Though he has been shifted to a hospital, no detail about his identity or health is known yet, news agency PTI reported.

Expertly trained dogs from the Army's elite canine unit of breeds such as Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and German Shepherds, which can smell human remains and even the faintest of breath buried deep under mud, are on their way to the landslide-ravaged Meppadi in Wayanad.

These dogs have been trained for several years at the prestigious Remount Veterinary Corps Centre (RVC) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, according to a news agency PTI report.

Based on a special request from the Chief Minister of Kerala, the Canine Squad of the Army, specially trained for operations in disaster areas, will be flown to Wayanad to sniff out signs of life so that people trapped deep under the mud at the landslide site can be rescued, and also to recover the human remains of those who were not fortunate enough to survive nature's onslaught.

Kerala: Indian Air Force helicopters carrying out rescue operation in Chooralmala area of Wayanad where a landslide occurred earlier today claiming the lives of over 93 people.

A local present in the area said, " We don't know how many people are buried under mud. It is the first time such an incident has happened here.

Emergency response teams including NDRF are engaged in search and rescue operations in the rain and landslide hit the Chooralmala area of Wayanad amid continuous rain.

Of the 93 bodies recovered so far, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said 16 were recovered from Chaliyar river at Pothukal, adding that "body parts were also recovered."

Many could be trapped inside or swept away, we will continue rescue efforts, Kerala CM Vijayan said.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said Kerala Bank has contributed Rs 50 lakh to the the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). The Chief Minister of Sikkim has pledged Rs 2 crore, and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has promised Rs 5 crore in aid, Kerala CM said

"In response to the disaster in Wayanad, the state has declared two days of official mourning. Public events and celebrations have been postponed. We request that the national flag be flown at half-mast as part of the mourning period," he said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said bodies of 34 of 93 people found dead in Wayanad landslides have been identified, adding that 18 of them have been handed over to families.

Wayanad landslide: 93 bodies recovered so far, 128 persons injured, says Kerala CM Vijayan.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit landslide-hit Wayanad on Wednesday morning, party sources said.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi condoled the loss of lives in the landslides and urged United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to provide all help to those affected.

The Kerala government has declared official mourning in the state on Tuesday and Wednesday after 84 people lost their lives in a landslide incident in Wayanad.

The Kerala Revenue Minister's office informed that the death toll has increased to 84 in the Wayanad landslide incident and a total of 116 injuries have been reported so far.

Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad in the 17th Lok Sabha, said he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who have assured him that rescue operations are underway.

Seventy people have died due to landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, 2 people rescued alive, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha.

However, as per Kerala Revenue Minister's office, 84 bodies have been recovered so far.

Visuals posted by social media handles of the situation in Wayanad shows the Kerala town devastated after multiple landslides and turned into a desert of mud and silt. While 84 bodies have been recovered, rescuers are finding it difficult to ascertain the exact number of casualties due to body parts being recovered from mud and river.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his state is committed to providing all possible help to the neighbouring state.

"Deeply saddened by the catastrophic floods in Wayanad. My heart goes out to the affected families. Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to Kerala in this challenging time. Let's stand united and strong," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.

Several dozens of people have lost their lives so far in the massive landslides that hit the hilly areas in Kerala's Wayanad district this morning. The landslides have left a trail of destruction behind, with several houses and infrastructure damaged, rivers swollen and trees uprooted.

Officials have said that incessant rains in the region have triggered landslides, adding that the southern state has recorded 372 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Union Minister of State George Kurian also said that a cloudburst took place in Kerala at around 1 am. "Early in the morning, PM Modi directed all forces and NDRF team to reach there and announced the compensation also. The rescue work is going on," Kurian said. READ FULL STORY

Death toll in Wayanad landslides has risen to 84, while a total of 116 injuries have been reported so far, Kerala Revenue Minister's office said. The death toll in Wayanad landslides is rising rapidly as rescuers are racing against time to pull out people trapped under silt.

State government sources cited in a news agency PTI report said that rescue operators are recovering body parts from the rivers and mud, making it difficult to ascertain the exact number of people killed in the tragedy.

Wayanad landslides: Over 80 bodies recovered as rescue operations underway

On search and rescue operation in Wayanad, S Shankar Pandian, Deputy Commandant, NDRF, said, "Our teams are located at various locations in Wayanad. Even in Kozhikode, a landslide was suspected, NDRF team is deployed there. Already 3 teams of NDRF are in Wayanad. We are doing our best to carry out rescue efforts. We are facing difficulty in reaching interior parts in the landslide-affected area."

Canals overflowing, roads waterlogged, houses inundated in Kerala's Kozhikode as a result of heavy rainfall in the area.

Death toll rises to 63, a total of 116 injuries reported so far: Kerala Revenue Minister's office

The has been rising in the landslides that hit Kerala's hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, according to state government sources cited in a news agency PTI report, which added that rescue operators are recovering body parts from the rivers and mud, making it difficult to ascertain the exact number of people killed in the tragedy.

It is unclear whether the remains belong to a single person or multiple individuals, the source said. There are several women and children among the dead.

Additionally, hundreds are feared to be trapped, but the authorities have not confirmed the same.

A landslide in the Vilangad area of Kozhikode district has left one person missing, state's Information & Public Relations Department said, adding that search operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are ongoing.

"The landslide destroyed the Malayangad bridge and partially damaged four houses along the riverbank. As a result, 15 families are isolated, though no casualties have been reported. Residents along the riverbanks have been relocated," Information & Public Relations Department said.

Death toll rises to 57 in landslides in Wayanad, says a Kerala government source cited by news agency PTI. However, 49 bodies have been recovered so far, as per the Kerala government.

“The situation there is grim since early morning. We have had major landslides there. We are expecting a number of stranded people. About 49 bodies have been recovered so far. We are working towards mobilising more teams to conduct search and rescue,” said Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Secretary Sekar Kuriakose.

Following widespread destruction in the wake of massive landslides in Kerala's hilly Wayanad district, rescue efforts are currently underway, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency services as well as the Army and the Indian Air Force racing against time to reach trapped and injured survivors.

List Of Teams Deployed For Rescue Ops In Wayanad:

• Three teams of the NDRF were at the affected areas in Wayanad.

• Indian Army said that four columns including two columns of ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur, have been mobilised. The total strength of Army deployed so far for the rescue operation is approximately 225 including medical personnel, Indian Army said.

• The team, comprising a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, is equipped to provide critical assistance in the affected area.

• Besides that, the Army's engineering group will also reach Wayanad immediately for rescue and related operations in the landslide-hit areas, news agency PTI cited district administration.

• Two Air Force helicopters departed for Wayand from Sulur in Tamil Nadu in the morning.

• Additionally, 67 Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel, led by six officers, left for Wayanad from Kannur in two KSRTC buses with an ambulance and two truck loads of equipment, authorities said.

• Also, a naval team from the Ezhimala Naval Academy will also reach Wayanad to join the rescue efforts as per the request of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the CMO said.

• It further said that the CM suggested the use of drones and police dogs for rescue operations.

• From Kozhikode, a Territorial Army battalion and their medical team also left for Wayanad, it added.

Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu said a large part of Wayanad is cut off after multiple landslides and secure access to the area has not been established. He called the situation "very grave".

“The situation continues to be very grave. We have a situation where a large part of that region is still cutoff and we have not been able to establish secure access to that area. Although we have been in touch on the telephone with some people there and there are reports of several casualties in that region which remains cutoff,” he said.

Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed one each Mi-17 and ALH Dhruv choppers for rescue and relief operations in Wayanad, in coordination with Kerala government and NDRF officials.

More than 70 people have been killed in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The official death toll at the moment is 45.

A man, covered in mud, was seen desperately trying to stand by clinging to a huge boulder in gushing flood water, in one of the harrowing scenes from a landslide-hit hamlet in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday.

The man, suspected to have been washed away by the flood water, somehow got stuck between huge boulders but was unable to stand or swim to safety due to the thick marsh and strong currents.

The harrowing visuals of the man's attempt to survive amid scattered boulders in the floodwater came from Mundakkai village, where hundreds of people were reportedly trapped following the deadly landslides in the early hours of Tuesday triggered by heavy rainfall.

• What Happened In Kerala's Wayanad: Heavy rains triggered a series of massive landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday. The tragedy struck near Meppadi early on Tuesday. The picturesque villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha were cut off from other areas, leaving many stranded.

• Wayanad Landslides Current Death Toll: At least 45 persons have died with apprehensions of possible increase in fatalities due to many people feared trapped under the debris.

• Rescue Operations: The Indian Army, NDRF, Air Force and several other government agencies are conducting rescue operations at war footing in Wayanad after landslides. Meanwhile, two more landslides were reported in Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala, however, no casualties are feared.

Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has demanded immediate compensation to next of kin of those affected.

On Wayanad landslides, Union MoS George Kurian said that a cloudburst happened in Kerala at around 1 am. "Early in the morning, PM Modi directed all forces and NDRF team to reach there and announced the compensation also. The rescue work is going on,” Kurian said.

On Wayanad landslide, Kerala Minister MB Rajesh said, "We fear the gravity of this tragedy is much more. Rescue operations are being carried out by various agencies on a war footing. We have sought help from the Army which will reach the affected area soon. The CM is closely monitoring the operation. He has sent a team of ministers to Wayanad. An IAS officer will be camping in Wayand to coordinate the rescue ops. 250 people rescued and shifted to temporary shelter camps. We are airlifting stranded persons. All efforts are being taken by the government for rescue ops."

Frantic phone calls made by people desperately pleading for help after being trapped under destroyed houses and piles of debris highlighted the intensity of the deadly landslide.

Television channels aired heartwrenching phone conversations of several people crying and pleading to be rescued, as they were either trapped in their houses or had no way to travel due to washed-away bridges and flooded roads.

In one such conversation, a woman, apparently a native of Chooralmala town, was heard crying aloud, saying someone in her house was trapped under marsh and debris and they could not pull her out.

"Someone, please come and help us. We have lost our house. We don't know whether Nausheen (apparently a family member) is alive. She is trapped in the marsh. Her mouth is full of marsh and sand. Our house is in the town itself," news agency PTI quoted the woman as saying.

On Wayanad landslide, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "...It is a very serious situation. I hope and pray that more lives will not be in peril. We need to get to action on the ground as soon as possible..."

At least 45 people, including some children, died while hundreds were feared trapped after massive landslides struck hilly areas in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday morning.

Devastating Landslides In Wayanad In Pics

Death toll rises to 45 in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad: District officials.

While the official death toll in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad has risen to 36, sources cited in reports say that at least 43 have died in the tragedy so far.

Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan's office said teams of NDRF, Fire, Police and Revenue department are on the ground, adding that around 101 people have been rescued till now.

"Shelter camp set up at Bathery St Mary’s SKMJ School in Kalpetta. Medical teams and ambulances are present and food and clothing are also arranged. There is a requirement for earth excavators," K Rajan's office said.

Police drones and dog squads will be deployed for search and rescue efforts as instructed by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "An Army Engineering Group will be urgently deployed to Wayanad for rescue operations and related activities in the landslide-affected area. The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bengaluru will arrive to implement alternative arrangements after the bridge collapse," Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

The death toll in Wayanad landslides has gone up to 43, as per sources.

Malayangadu Bridge was swept away by a landslide on the Vilaangadu side, Congress MP from ,Vadakara, Shafi Parambil said, adding that four houses have been damaged and 12 families are stranded with the bridge gone. One person is missing, he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Army chief and asked him to mobilise forces for assistance and rescue in landslide-hit Wayanad. Army are on the ground.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in a Facebook post that two Air Force helicopters will depart for Wayanad from Sulur soon to take part in the search and rescue operations.

According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.

There are tourists from other states stranded or missing in Wayanad after landslides. State Control room numbers have been launched for the same:

-9995220557,

-9037277026,

-9447732827

Kerala Minister Veena George said so 24 bodies in different hospitals have been received while many are injured, adding that the state government is "exploring everything possible to rescue people".

"It's very unfortunate that early this morning around 3 am, massive landslides occurred in Wayanad, and rescue operations are going on. We are exploring everything possible to rescue the lives of our people. So far, we have received 24 bodies in different hospitals, and many are injured, they are under treatment. We have opened control rooms in health department and police department. The CM is himself monitoring entire situation in the state and he is giving instructions. We have sent more medicines to Wayanad," said Kerala Minister Veena George.

Two more landslides were reported in Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala, however, no casualties are feared.

(With inputs from Shahina K from Outlook)

IMD issued Red alert for four districts - Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kasaragod. Orange alert has been issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad

Seven more bodies were found in the downstream in Malappuram district, as informed by the local MLA PV Anwar. Now the death toll is 31, however, it is yet to be officially informed.

Stationary watchman stopped train no. 16526 between Valathol Nagar-Wadakancheri due to heavy rain and waterlogging on track.

The following trains are partially cancelled today due to heavy water logging reported between Valathol Nagar and Wadakanchery.

1) Train No. 16305 Ernakulam - Kannur Intercity Express will be short terminated at Thrissur.

2) Train No. 16791 Tirunelveli - Palakkad Palaruvi Expres will be short-terminated at Aluva.

3) Train No. 16302 Thiruvananthapuram - Shoranur Venad Express will be short-terminated at Chalakkudy.

Kerala health minister Veena George has confirmed 24 deaths so far. She said over 70 are injured.

Prime Minister Narenadra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

Destroyed houses, swollen water bodies and broken branches of uprooted trees were seen at the high-range villages of Kerala's Wayanad, hit by massive landslides on Tuesday morning.

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

Vehicles that were washed away in floodwaters could be seen stuck in tree trunks and submerged and there in many places, a news agency PTI report said, adding that's swollen water bodies changed their course and flowed through inhabited areas, resulting in more destruction. READ FULL REPORT

The NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on at war footing, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wayanad landslides, adding that a second team of the NDRF is on its way to further strengthen the response operation.

Wayanad landslide: Union Minister George Kurien said that PM Modi was "active since early morning and was monitoring everything". He was taking stock of the situation and directed the Force, NDRF to reach there for immediate rescue actions, Kurien said.

All forces have been alerted, he said, adding that Air Force might have reached there now. "It is a hilly area and the problem is that reaching there is very difficult, helicopter and other help are needed...State Government also requested the Centre and PM spoke to the Kerala CM, together we will do the rescue work...," he added.

Indian Army said that hundreds of people are feared to be trapped after landslides in Meppadi area o Kerala's Wayanad, adding that four columns including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur, have been mobilised.

The total strength of Army deployed so far for the rescue operation is approximately 225 including medical personnel, Indian Army said.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said on X, "Extremely pained by the landslides in Wayanad, where several people are reportedly trapped. My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved. I urge the State and Central Governments to expedite relief and rescue operations and provide urgent medical help to the victims, in coordination with all the agencies. Congress leaders and workers should put in all their efforts to provide every possible assistance to the people. Coordinate with doctors, paramedics and kindly follow up with the agencies to support the victims of the tragedy."

Union Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda expressed grief over Wayanad landslides, directing Kerala BJP chief K Surendran to reach the spot at the earliest.

The BJP national chief appealed to all workers of the party to reach the spot and help in relief work.

Wayanad district Collector Meghasree DR informed that the shutter of Banasura Sagar dam, on the Karamanthodu river, was opened and warned those living downstream and in low-lying areas to be cautious.

Earlier, in a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said that district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from Mundakkai area.

"Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places," he said.

On the landslides of Wayanad, PM Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all help from the Centre. PM Modi also spoke to Union Minister Suresh Gopi about the prevailing situation.

PM also spoke to BJP President JP Nadda and asked him to ensure BJP karyakartas do whatever they can to assist in the relief efforts, Sources cited by news agency ANI said.

Four companies of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - one from Karnataka, one from Tamil Nadu and the rest from Kerala - are on the way to the mishap spots in Kerala's Wayanad.

Sources told Outlook that around 100 people are isolated in Tree Valley resort in Mundakkai, Wayanad.

So far 53 people are have been brought to the Medical College at Meppady in Wayanad.

(With inputs from Shahina K for Outlook)

Death toll in Wayanad landslides rises to eight including three children, said the District authorities.

A flood-like situation has been triggered in several areas in Kerala including in the Chimmony forest area in Thrissur.

According to the Kerala Chief Minister's Office, 250 members of Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF and Local Emergency Response Team are involved in the rescue operation in Wayanad Churalmala. An additional team of NDRF has been directed to reach the spot immediately.

According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that Fireforce and NDRF teams have been deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.

Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts.

According to district authorities, five, including two children, confirmed dead in landslides in Wayanad.

Taking stock of the situation, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations in the wake of massive landslides that struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district, leaving hundreds feared to be trapped.

In light of the incident, the National Health Mission has opened a control room and issued helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 for emergency assistance. Two Air Force helicopters Mi-17 and an ALH will depart from Sulur at 7.30 am. Rescue operations will be coordinated.

Fireforce and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.

Hundreds of people were feared trapped after massive landslides struck hilly areas in Kerala's Wayanad district. The incident happened near Meppadi early on Tuesday.

Massive landslides hit the hilly areas Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday, claiming the lives of over 148people and injuring 186 others. With this, the LDF government in the state declared a two-day statewide mourning period.

The landslides, triggered by incessant rainfall, also affected the neighbouring regions of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur among others, with Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha villages being cut off from the region. READ FULL REPORT Here