Kerala Massive Landslides: What We Know So Far (image-twitter/INCKerala)

Heavy rainfall has triggered massive landslides in various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, and at least 55 people were dead in the early hours of Tuesday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has given directions to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad, and he announced that “the entire government machinery is actively involved in the efforts, with Ministers overseeing and coordinating the operations,” Chief Minister’s office said a post on X.

Read also: Massive Landslide In Kerala’s Wayanad: At Least 12 Died; Hundreds Trapped

• The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai Town at around 1 am during the heavy rain. While the rescue operation was in progress, the second landslide struck near Chooral Mala School at around 4 am.
• The schools, functioning as a camp, and nearby houses and shops were flooded with water and mud.
• Areas including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Pothukallu at Meppadi are included in the worst affected areas. As per the reports, several people are feared trapped under the debris.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.
• A hectic arrangement is made at St Mary College Sulthan Bathery where an emergency medical camp is set up on a war foot basis to address the Chooralmala-Mundakkai calamity. The bodies airlifted from Mundakkai would be brought to the helipad at St Mary’s College, Sulthan Bathery.
• Following the collapse of the bridge in Choral Mala Town, it has been reported that around 400 families have been stranded in the region. While this bridge was the only access to Attamala in Mundakki, its collapse has severely hampered the rescue operations.
• The full extent of the damage remains unknown due to the power supply being cut off.
• The district collector, the Police Chief, and Kalpetta MLA T Siddique have arrived at the site to coordinate rescue operations.
• The fire force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are already on the scene. Efforts are being taken to rescue the isolated individuals in the region.
• Two helicopters from Sulur Air Force Station are expected to reach Wayanad shortly and two teams of Kannur defense security have also been directed to move to Wayanad, the State Emergency operation center said.

Read also: Kerala’s Rain Conundrum: Priyanka Gandhi Urges Congress Workers To Help Affected

• The state health department has opened control rooms in the wake of landslides in the district. Health minister Veena George said that Vythiri, Mananthavadi, Kalpetta and Meppadi hospitals have been equipped for any kind of emergency. She also added that health workers are deployed and more are being bought in.