Wayanad landslides: Number of dead rises to 256, over 200 missing

Mangalore Today News Network

Wayanad August 1, 2024: At least 256 people have died and over 200 were injured after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerela’s Wayanad, 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. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages in the district were the worst affected due to the landslides.

A Command and Control Centre has been set up in Kozhikode by the Army for coordinating Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, PTI reported. The Health Minister said, "At least 1,500 Army personnel have been deployed for the rescue operation. We have deployed forensic surgeons."

Wayanad landslides: Latest developments

1. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that thousands of people are in relief camps and were in mental trauma. "I visited the hospitals and camps. Our priority is to provide psychological support and focus on controlling contagious diseases," she added.


2. A temporary Bailey 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.

3. An Indian Air Force plane carrying another set of a 110-feet Bailey bridge and three search and rescue dog teams have landed in Kannur to aid in the search operations.

4. An all-party meeting, chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will be held in Wayanad on Thursday.

5. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit the relief camps in Wayanad on Thursday.

6. An NDRF personnel was quoted by ANI as saying that there were chances of another landslide as heavy rainfall continued in the district. Helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been issued.

7. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more rain for Wayanad and several other districts over the next couple of days. A red alert for heavy rain has been issued for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts.

8. Several countries, including the US, Russia, China and Iran, expressed condolences over the deaths due to landslides.