Wayanad Landslide Deaths: Kerala Announces Two-Day Morning
Kerala government announces two days official mourning in the state after at least 84 people lost their lives in the devastating landslide in the Wayanad district. The death toll is likely to increase further.
The Kerala government has declared official mourning on Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31.
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“The state government has declared a two-day mourning period starting today, and all public functions and celebrations have been postponed,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced.
Additionally, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Red Alert‘ for extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala until July 31. A red alert has been issued to districts for Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargode districts.
The landslide was triggered due to the heavy rainfall in the early hours of Tuesday. The Kerala Revenue Minister has 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.
The rescue operation in the region is in progress. The Indian Army column reached the landslide site at Chooralmala by noon. Using ropes, soldiers are ferried across the river to the isolated region.
Union minister of State George Kurian is heading to Wayanad to lead relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Kerala Forest Minister Saseendran reached the affected area to assess the damage and coordinate immediate response measures.
Read also: “Devastation In Wayanad Is Heartbreaking”: Rahul Gandhi In Lok Sabha On Kerala Landslides
Around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode were dispatched to the site. Two helicopters from Air Force station Sulur have also been despatched, as per the Defence officials.
Due to the heavy rain in the region, the first landslide struck Mundakkai Town at around 1 am. While the rescue operations are progressing, a second landslide struck near Chooral Mala School at around 4 am.
