Major landslides in Waynard Kerala leaves 100s dead as rescure operations continue

 

At least 106 people have died due to landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, early Tuesday morning. The mountainous region experienced three consecutive landslides over four hours, isolating large areas. Over a hundred people are still trapped under the debris. Due to damaged roads, rescuers have been unable to reach many areas, and heavy rainfall has hindered aerial rescue efforts. Consequently, the administration fears that the death toll may rise. The Meteorological Department has indicated that heavy rains will continue in Kerala, with forecasts suggesting that the downpour may persist until Thursday, August 1. This heavy rain is expected to hamper rescue operations.

Near Meppadi in Wayanad, the local police, administration, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are conducting rescue operations along with the army. The Indian Army has reported that 225 soldiers are engaged in the rescue efforts, with 140 more on standby in Thiruvananthapuram, ready to be airlifted if needed. Kerala's Health Minister Veena George has announced that the Navy is also involved in the rescue operations. So far, 250 people have been rescued and relocated to temporary shelters. The most affected areas are Mundakai, Churalmala, Attamala, and Nulpuzha. Many roads have been washed away, and a bridge has collapsed, preventing rescuers from reaching several locations. The adverse weather has also made aerial rescue operations impossible.

Minister Veena George told ANI, "Efforts are being made to restore communication channels quickly. Helicopters have been brought in, but the bad weather is hindering their use for rescue operations." She added that 70 people have been injured and are receiving treatment in hospitals. Various videos of the incident have emerged, showing the picturesque valleys and tea gardens devastated, with trees uprooted and carried away by muddy waters, houses collapsing like toys, and cars trapped under boulders. In some places, boulders blocking the roads have made it impossible for rescue teams to proceed by vehicle.

What caused this disaster? The administration attributes the landslides to continuous heavy rainfall in the area. In the last 24 hours, Kerala received 372 millimeters of rain. According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall of 16 to 50 millimeters per hour is considered very heavy. Over the past 24 hours, Kerala has experienced an average hourly rainfall of 15.5 millimeters, leading to the landslides in the mountainous region of Wayanad district early in the morning.