Wayanad Landslides | July 31 Highlights: Death Toll Over 165, To Rise Further; People In Landslide-Prone Areas Asked To Shift

• The death toll in the landslides of Kerala's Wayanad continued to rise rapidly on Wednesday, a day after the tragedy struck, with the fatality count standing at 167 at the time of last update in this report at 9:30 pm. As rains continued to lash various parts of Wayanad, the authorities on Wednesday directed people living in landslide-prone areas of the hill district to move to safer places at the earliest.

• After Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the Kerala government ignored the Centre's early warning that could have minimised losses, the state Chief Minister said in response that it was "not the time for blame game".

• Tiny makeshift bridges were erected over swollen rivers and excavators were engaged non-stop in removing piles of debris and boulders in the landslide-hit hamlets of Wayanad. Rescue operators, including Army personnel, NDRF, state emergency service personnel, and local people, were fighting against all odds to carry out the tough mission even as rain continued to lash several areas.

• In view of rainfall, educational institutes will remain closed in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur districts of Kerala on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department predicted that heavy rain would continue in Kerala till August 2 under the influence of an off-shore trough at a mean sea level along south Gujarat to Kerala coasts.

  Scroll on to take a look at all updates in Wayanad landslides since July 31 morning:
  

The death toll due to landslides in Wayanad has risen to 135, as per local media reports.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra put off their scheduled Wednesday morning visit to landslide-hit Wayanad after authorities informed them that they would not be able to land due to incessant rain and adverse weather conditions.

The Congress leaders said they would visit the district as soon as possible.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Priyanka and I were scheduled to visit Wayanad tomorrow to meet with families affected by the landslide and take stock of the situation."

"However, due to incessant rains and adverse weather conditions, we have been informed by authorities that we will not be able to land," he added. PTI

The Kerala Health Department on Wednesday announced that the death toll due the landslides has risen to 143.

District authorities in Kerala's landslide-struck Wayanad on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing following the massive tragedy, as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped.

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. PTI

Extremely heavy rain triggered a series of landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday, leaving at least 143 people dead and 186 injured. Many were feared trapped under the debris.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached Kerala's Calicut on Tuesday night to take stock of the relief work underway in Wayanad, where a series of landslides left at least 143 people dead and 186 injured, the Raj Bhavan said.

In a post on "X", it also said that Bose has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the rescue operations.

"Governor Bose has reached Calicut Airport on his way to the landslide hit Meppadi in the Wayanad Hills. He is in touch with the central and state agencies engaged in relief operations," it said.

The 73-year-old Bose, who is from Kerala, will be visiting hospitals and relief camps and also facilitate rescue and relief operations.

"He is in close touch with the Chief Minister of Kerala," the Raj Bhavan added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an ‘orange’ alert in Wayanad and neighbouring districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 31 and August 1. IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall for August 2. “Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31,” the IMD said.

Relief and rescue operation are underway in Wayanad's Chooralmala after a landslide broke out yesterday early morning claiming the lives of 143 people.

Soldiers of the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army preparing for the second day of rescue operations move out from their temporary shelter at local schools to calamity-hit areas in Meppadi, Wayanad.

The authorities in Kerala's landslide-struck Wayanad on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing following the massive tragedy as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped. The survivors recount their horror.

National flag was at half-mast at Kerala Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, as two-day mourning is being observed in the state after Wayanad landslide claimed 143 lives.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George's vehicle met with a minor accident near Manjeri in Malappuram district on Wednesday. She was travelling to Wayanad. She has suffered minor injuries and is being treated at Manjeri Medical College. ANI

Visuals from WIMS Hospital in Wayanad where the people who were injured in the landslides are undergoing treatment. The current death toll of the Wayanad landslides stands at 143.

Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster being loaded with bridging stores, at the Hindon Indian Air Force (IAF) Station, Ghaziabad (UP). Four columns from DSC Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations alongside NDRF and State rescue teams. Approximately 1,000 individuals have been rescued, and around 70 deceased individuals have been recovered. ANI

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 in Kerala's Wayanad district on Wednesday morning.

The rescuers could reach many inland areas, which were totally cut off, Wednesday morning only.

According to visuals aired on TV channels, at one place, army personnel could be seen breaking the tin roof of a house that was completely submerged in mud and using ropes to reach inside to retrieve the bodies of those trapped there.

A local man, who went inside one such house, said he saw mud-covered bodies in sitting positions on chairs and lying down on cots. PTI

Army has again showed its valour under trying circumstances by rescuing at least 70 people from landslides-hit Wayanad district in Kerala.

In a statement, Army said, "In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, Indian Army columns along with NDRF, state rescue teams, Coast Guard, Indian Navy and IAF, have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Upto 1000 personnel rescued so far using man made bridge and human effort. Approx 70 dead bodies recovered by Army column Two additional Army Columns air lifted from Trivandrum by Indian Air Force Air Craft AN 32 & C 130 landed at Calicut at 10:30 PM last night. These columns commenced their onward journey to Wayanad at 6:45 AM today, with even an Army Officer on leave volunteering to join the mission."

On Wayanad tragedy in Kerala, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said, "We all have taken Wayanad situation seriously. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will visit there. Workers of our party are also helping in the ongoing rehabilitation work. It is a national disaster, and everyone should work together. I said this issue in Rajya Sabha yesterday and the Chairman (Rajya Sabha) and JP Nadda, from the government side, also promised that no stone will be left unturned for relief and rescue of people in Wayanad."

Dog squad on Wednesday joined the search and rescue operations underway in Wayanad's Chooralmala. Landslides that occurred in Wayanad yesterday, claimed the lives of 143 people.

The death toll has risen to 148 in landslides in Kerala’s Wayand, ANI reported on Wednesday.

At least 60 teams from Ezhimala Naval Academy reached Chooralmala In Kerala's Wayanad for rescue operation on Wednesday. A team headed by Lt. Commandant Ashirvad has reached. There are 45 sailors, five officers, 6 fire guards and a doctor in the group, said Kerala PRD (Public Relations Department).

Amid the rising death toll in Kerala's Wayanad, at least 500 to 600 personnel from Army, NDRF and police have joined hands in carrying out the rescue operations. So far, over 1,000 people have been rescued.

Union Minister George Kurien took stock of the area where landslides occurred yesterday and met the victims at the relief camps on Wednesday.

Survivors of Wayanad landslides tragedy recount their harrowing experience after miracously escaping from the jaws of death.

"We didn't sleep the whole night. They are asking us to leave this place as there is danger of landslide. We are poor people, don't even have bus fare. How will we go?" says a survivor Uma Bai. PTI

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday said," I had an opportunity to visit the relief camps and talk in detail to the victims who are staying there...this is one of the worst calamities that happened recently...I spoke to CM of Kerala, brought the issues to the notice of PM and Defence Minister. PM is fully committed to doing whatever is required for the rescue and relief operations...we are with the victims..."

Army on Wednesday saved lives of 19 civilians near Mundkayi village in landslides hit Wayanad district of Kerala.

In a statement, Army said, "Based on inputs from Kerala Government Forest Officials & Villagers, 122 Inf Battalion (TA) MADRAS, led by Sub Gijil, Sub Jayesh & Nb Sub Anilkumar along with 12 Jawans, rescued 19 civilians stranded in ElaResort & VanaRaniResort beyond Mundkayi village."

On Wayanad landslides tragedy Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday said, "This is a colossal tragedy. Whatever is possible to be done is being done by the agencies... the state agencies, defence forces, Army, Navy, Air Force, all agencies are involved. Our heart goes out to the people. I have decided, if possible, I will visit the areas, particularly the relief camps. I would like to endorse what our CM said that Kerala, even earlier in 2018, 2019 when it was hit by heavy floods, the people of Kerala stood to the occasion, and they had come forward... to deal with this kind of massive tragedy we need help from every side."

Indian Coast Guard is actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations for those affected by the landslide in Wayanad. ICG Disaster Relief Team Kochi and Beypore are on the ground, providing aid and support. Watch the visuals here.

On Wayanad tragedy Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "It is an extremely unfortunate natural calamity. MoS has already made a statement in both the Houses (of Parliament) and the government will provide whatever possible help to the victims."

The death toll due to landslides in Wayanad district of Kerala has mounted to 158. ANI

Amidst the Wayanad tragedy that has left 158 people dead and 186 injured, India Meteorological Department(IMD) on Wednesday issued 'orange' alert in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts.

Besides, 'yellow' alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad.

No rain warnings have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

In a statement, Indian Navy on Wednesday said, "Based on the request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the Southern Naval Command dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel from INS Zamorin at Ezhimala to the landslide-affected site at 1430 hours on 30th July. The rescue team comprising skilled personnel along with medical team and necessary equipment reached the site at 2200h on 30th July. Additional teams have been kept standby for deployment at short notice and will be mobilised as required."

"An ALH detachment in SAR configuration was deployed from Kochi to Calicut at 0730h on 31 Jul 24 to augment the rescue efforts. The adverse weather conditions due to incessant rains poses challenges in the area. All out efforts are underway to provide immediate relief and support to the local populace impacted by the disaster," it added.

Army on Wednesday send its "specialised dogs" to trace out humans trapped inside debris in landslide hit areas of Kerala's Wayanad district.

In a statement, Army said, "One Bailey Bridge & 3 Search & Rescue Dogs airlifted from Delhi to Kannur. Under aegis of DSC Centre of Indian Army, these specialised dogs will support in searching Humans under the landmass."

Military personnel on Wednesday intensified search and rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad district, where landslides have claimed more than 100 lives, with the Army saying that it has recovered around 70 bodies so far and rescued nearly 1,000 people.

Extremely heavy rain triggered the landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad early Tuesday, leaving at least 132 people dead and more than 200 injured.

Four columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams, a senior Army official said.

Around 70 bodies have been recovered by the Army so far and approximately 1,000 people have been rescued, the official said. PTI

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said,"...This is a very heinous tragedy, the fact that Kannadigas lost their lives in this tragedy made it even more painful. The deceased Kannadigas will be given a compensation of Rs.5 lakh each...Already, two senior IAS officers of the state, NDRF team and Army teams are busy in the rescue work. Today Minister Santosh Lad is being sent to Wayanad to take charge of defense work. Saving lives of the victims is our first priority and our government is working hard to bring the Kannadigas in distress safely to Nadi."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday in Rajya Sabha said,"an early warning was given to Kerala govt on July 23 and again on July 24."

"An early warning was given to Kerala govt on July 23 and again on July 24. Earlier, several states, including Odisha and Gujarat used the Centre's early warning system to limit damages," he said.

"Nine NDRF teams were sent in Kerala in advance; Kerala govt did not evacuate people in time," he added.

"India among four countries that can provide warning on natural disasters at least 7 days in advance," he said.

"Nine battalions of NDRF were dispatched to Kerala on July 23, and three more on July 30," he said.

Shah said, "Wayanad losses could have been minimised had Kerala govt become alert following arrival of NDRF teams."

"Narendra Modi govt standing like a rock with Kerala govt and the people to deal with the Wayanad tragedy," he added.

Heart-rending wails of grief and despair were heard as family members identified and performed the last rites of their loved ones who died in the massive landslides in this district, where 158 people were people were reportedly killed and more than 200 were injured in the tragic incident.

People of all ages were seen crying inconsolably as they identified the bodies of loved ones, lined one after another in coffin refrigerators at the Meppadi Family Health Centre and the Nilambur Government Hospital, or took one last fond look at them.

Similar scenes were also seen where remains were buried or cremated close to one another.

The Wayanad district administration released images of several bodies being cremated side-by-side in wood- and gas-based cremation furnaces.

At the Meppadi Juma Masjid, a member of the mosque committee said arrangements have been made to bury the bodies.

"As and when the remains are identified and brought here, they will be buried. Arrangements for that have been made, Everyone is helping out," the committee member said. PTI

Over 180 people are missing while overn 300 houses were completely destroyed in the landslides that hit the Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas of the district in Kerala's Wayanad district, as per officials.

Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets in the early hours of Tuesday, killing several people, including women and children in Wayanad.

Picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in Kerala's Wayanad district now resemble a post-apocalyptic world with no traces of roads or streets after massive landslides triggered by torrential rains that struck early hours of Tuesday, killing dozens and leaving scores trapped or buried under silt and mud.

The worst-hit are tiny junction in Mundakkai and the moderate town in Chooralmala, which till Monday were dotted by shops and concrete structures, and are now wiped out of the map of Wayanad", as per witnesses.

"Mundakkai is now wiped out from the map of Wayanad. Nothing is left here. You can see...there is nothing other than mud and boulders here. We could not even walk properly due to this thick mud...Then how do we search for our beloved ones buried beneath the ground?" news agency PTI quoted a man asking with teary eyes.

The Southern Naval Command dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel from INS Zamorin at Ezhimala to the landslide-affected areas in Kerala's Wayanad, officials said on Wednesday.

The regional meteorological department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in five districts, including Wayanad.

An Orange Alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, while a Yellow Alert is in place for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. No rain warnings are in effect for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi, speaking on Wayanad landslides, said: "We had a meeting with the CM and all the stakeholders in the rescue operation. It has been reiterated that all the rescue troops have the maximum number of people...on the ground...all the logistics that are required...everything is there. We are getting a lot of inputs regarding the location of stranded people and dead bodies. We will try to relocate the stranded people as early as possible."

(Via PTI)

Military personnel on Wednesday intensified search and rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad district, with the Indian Army saying that it has rescued nearly 1,000 people so far.

Four columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre, Kannur, and 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue operations along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams, a senior Army official said.

Around 70 bodies were recovered by the Army and approximately 1,000 people have been rescued, the official said. The death toll of Wayanad landslides, as per Kerala authorities, is 158 currently.

Houses in the 250-300 belt have been damaged, Commandant of Para Regimental Training Centre, Brigadier Arjun Segan said on Wednesday over Wayanad landslides, adding that there are some houses which are out of reach because of the concrete slabs.

"...The houses in the 250-300 belt have been damaged...All the casualties have been evacuated. But there are some houses which we are unable to reach because of the concrete slabs. Earth-moving equipment is used...I think the worst is over...," he told news agency ANI.

On the Wayanad landslide, LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said: "It is a huge tragedy in Wayanad and the military is doing a good job there. I think it is important that we support the people of Wayanad and I request the Govt to help the people of Wayanad. It is the second time this tragedy has taken place, this took place 5 years ago as well. It is clear that this area has an ecological issue, so this should be looked into and whatever hi-tech solution can be brought forward, will be good."

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has sent a message of condolence to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Wayanad landslides in which dozens have died and hundreds have been affected.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed on Wednesday that over 5,500 people have been rescued from areas of Wayanad that were hit by deadly landslides, in which over 150 people have lost their lives.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed on Wednesday that 144 bodies have been recovered from landslides-hit areas of Wayanad, adding that 191 people are still missing. The death toll given by Kerala health authorities for Wayanad landslides is 158.

Tiny makeshift bridges were erected over swollen rivers, ropes and ladders were used and excavators were engaged non-stop in removing piles of debris and boulders, with rescue missions continuing in the landslide-hit hamlets of Wayanad on Wednesday.

Rescue operators, including Army personnel, NDRF, state emergency service personnel, and local people, were fighting all odds to carry out the tough mission even as rain continued to lash several areas.

In Mundakkai, one of the badly affected villages, tiny bridges were erected using ropes and ladders to connect with the cut-off land and bring the people trapped there to safety.

There were tense moments when people, including women and children, were being brought to safer places through the narrow, makeshift bridges across gushing rivers.

In some places, rescuers formed human bridges using ropes to ensure the safe evacuation of people.

(with PTI inputs)

The Odisha government on Wednesday said the body of one of the two missing persons from the state has been found in landslides-hit Wayanad district of Kerala.

Two doctors from Odisha, Bishnu Prasad Chinara and Swadhin Panda, were missing since the landslides hit the southern state on Tuesday.

Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said, "The body belongs to Chinara. After formalities, arrangements will be made to bring the body to Odisha."

After Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the Kerala government ignored Centre's early warning that could have minimised losses, state Chief Minister said in response that it was "not the time for blame game".

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said no red alerts were sounded for Wayanad ahead of landslides which witnessed extremely heavy rainfall before disaster struck.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit landslides-hit Wayanad on Thursday and meet several families affected by the natural calamity, sources cited in a news agency PTI report said.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Wayanad Wednesday morning but they put off the visit as authorities informed them that they would not be able to land due to incessant rain and adverse weather conditions.

As many as 158 people have died and over 200 injured in the massive landslides that hit the northern Kerala district of Wayanad a day ago, with the numbers expected to increase as rescuers unearth debris, the district administration said on Wednesday.

The 158 dead include 18 children, it said.

It also said that 86 bodies were identified and post-mortem of 147 were completed.

Out of 52 body parts recovered, the post-mortem of 42 was completed, it said. Of the 158 bodies, 75 were handed over to relatives or next of kin, it further said.

It also said that 213 people were admitted to hospitals from the disaster-hit areas and of them 97 are still undergoing treatment.

On Wayanad landslides rescue ops, an NDRF officer said that those who were in condition to walk and slightly injured were rescued today, adding that 2.5 teams were sent to Mundakkai and half of the team was in Chooralmala for rope rescue.

In view of rainfall, educational institutes will remain closed in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur districts of Kerala on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department predicted that heavy rain would continue in Kerala till August 2 under the influence of an off-shore trough at a mean sea level along south Gujarat to Kerala coasts.

Amid rising death toll in Wayanad landslides tragedy, Home Minister Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Wednesday that Kerala was alerted on July 23 and July 24 over a possible natural disaster and that the state could have minimised losses had it taken centre's warning seriously.

Assuring full support to the Kerala government from the Centre, Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that nine battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were dispatched to Kerala on July 23, and three more on July 30. 

"An early warning was given to Kerala government on July 23 and again on July 24... Earlier, several states, including Odisha and Gujarat used the Centre's early warning system to limit damages," Amit Shah said.

"Nine NDRF teams were sent in Kerala in advance; Kerala govt did not evacuate people in time," the Home Minister said, adding that "India is among four countries that can provide warning on natural disasters at least seven days in advance." READ FULL REPORT

As devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad claimed the lives of several dozens of people, BJP leader Tejasvi Surya slammed the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha for failing to address the issues of landslides and floods in the district during his tenure as the Wayanad MP.

The Bengaluru South MP said, "In the last 1,800 days since Rahul Gandhi was the MP from Wayanad, he has not raised the issue of landslides and floods even once in the Assembly and in the Parliament." READ FULL STORY

Death toll in Wayanad landslides rises to 160, says Public Relations Department, Kerala government.

(Via ANI)

Death toll in Wayanad landslides has risen again to 164, including 89 males and 74 females, said the State Revenue Department.

The Wayanad district administration has confirmed 167 deaths in landslides shook several hamlets on Tuesday.

As rains continued to lash various parts of Wayanad, the authorities on Wednesday directed people living in landslide-prone areas of the hill district to move to safer places at the earliest.

People living in landslide-prone areas and in places that have experienced landslides in previous years should be cautious, district Collector D R Meghasree said.

In a statement, she mentioned places like Kurumbalakotta, Lakkidi, Manikunnumala, Sugandhagiri, and so on, and urged people there to exercise extra vigil.

(with PTI inputs)

Visuals of search and rescue operations at landslide-affected Chooralmala in Wayanad. The death toll stands at 167.

Tamil Nadu's main opposition AIADMK on Wednesday said it would provide Rs 1 crore to neighbouring Kerala, reeling under the impact of massive landslides in Wayanad district in which the death toll has increased to 167.

AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said his party would contribute Rs 1 crore to Kerala to support people affected by heavy rainfall and landslides. The AIADMK would also send relief materials to the neighbouring state, he added.

On Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's postponed visit to landslides-hit Kerala town of Wayanad, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya told news agency ANI: "Why haven't they gone till now? They gave the excuse that chartered planes won't be able to land there. Our Union Minister George Kurian has been on the ground there for the last 3 days. He is supervising the rescue and relief operation on the direction of the Prime Minister. George Kurien's plane can land, but 'Yuvraj' and Priyanka ji's plane cannot land? This shows their commitment to the people who elected them..."

The Wayanad district administration confirmed 167 deaths in the landslides that occurred in Mundakkai and Chooralmala on Tuesday morning. Of these, 96 people have been identified: 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children. The gender of one deceased person remains unknown, as per Wayanad district administration.

Earlier, at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that 191 people are still missing.

Officials reported that post-mortem examinations were conducted on 166 bodies. Additionally, 61 body parts were recovered, with 49 sent for post-mortem examination. Seventy-five bodies have been returned to their relatives.