Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all government agencies have joined the rescue operations.
Published Jul 30, 2024 | 8:02 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 30, 2024 | 4:05 PM
Local residents said many people are feared trapped in the debris. (Screengrab)
Massive pre-dawn landslides that struck Meppadi, Mundakai Town and Chooraalmala in Kerala’s hilly district of Wayanad between 1 am and 4 am on Tuesday, 30 July are proving to be devastating.
As death toll climbs, over 60 have been declared dead so far.
Local residents said hundreds of people are feared trapped in the debris when the death toll was presumed to be around 8 on Tuesday morning.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said that Fire Force and NDRF teams have been deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.
District authorities said several families have been moved to various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.
Landslides were reported between 1 am and 4 am. (Screengrab)
Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts, according to a Facebook post by the KSDMA.
“Relief efforts are underway in the disaster-affected area of Churalmala, led by NDRF, Fire Force, Police, Forest Department, Revenue Department, Local Self-Government Department, and other government agencies,” Wayanad district Collector DR Meghashree told reporters.
“Volunteers and local residents are actively participating in the rescue operations alongside government agencies. All necessary arrangements have been made for the rescue efforts,” she added.
Helicopters from the Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore, too, are joining the search and rescue operations.
Rescue operations are being hindered by ongoing heavy rainfall.
In an earlier video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said that district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from Mundakkai area.
“Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places.” he said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations.
A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Thondernad village died in a landslide, according to the Wayanad district authorities.
The operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities, the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Forest Minister AK Saseendran has arrived at Chooralmala. Ministers Ramachandran Kadanapally, K Rajan, PA Muhammad Riyas, and OR Kelu, too, are expected to reach the district to coordinate the rescue efforts.
Vijayan added that in the wake of the landslides and other rain-related disasters in Wayanad district, the Health Department — National Health Mission — has opened a control room.
Vijayan said 250 members from Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF, and local Emergency Response Team are engaged in rescue operations in Churalmala. “Further instructions have been given to immediately bring additional NDRF teams to the location,” he said.
Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities over 9656938689 and 8086010833, the statement said.
Health Minister Veena George said that a state-level team led by NHM State Mission Director Dr Jeevan Babu will coordinate the health department’s activities locally.
The team includes Health Department Director Dr KJ Reena, Additional Director Dr Ritha, and NHM State Programme Manager Dr Bijo.
Control rooms have been set up in the health minister’s office and the Health Department Directorate.
– Health Minister’s office: 8075401745
– State control room: 9995220557, 9037277026, 9447732827.
Rescue efforts are likely to take a hit with the India Meteorological Department forecasting moderate to intense spell of rainfall with wind speed gusting to 50 kmph in Malappuram, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Idukki, Ernakulam, Wayanad, Kannur, Palakkad and Thrissur districts.
The IMD warned of waterlogging on major roads in many parts of low-lying area, and river banks could be expected. Uprooting of trees, partial damages to houses and huts and further chances of landslides and landslips could also be expected.
It issued a red alert in five districts, including Wayanad, on Tuesday. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
The weather department sounded an orange alert (heavy to very heavy rain) for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad.
The shutters of the Banasurasagar Dam, on the Karamanthodu river, in Wayanad were raised to release 8.5 cubic metres of water per second.
The authorities said 35 cubic metres of water will be released in a phased manner. People living downstream have been asked to remain cautious.
Meanwhile, various dams across the state were opened.
In a separate but related development, a landslide was reported from Vilangadu in the neighbouring Kozhikode district. Though there were no casualties, a few houses were damaged in the incident.
The Palakkad district administration imposed restrictions on travel through the ghat roads and entry to waterfalls.
Due to the possibility of landslides following heavy rainfall, restrictions were imposes on travelling through Nelliampathy and Attappadi ghat roads in the district.
Except for public transport, emergency travel by residents, and cargo transport in the estate area, all other travel is banned from 30 July to 2 August.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said rescue operation are underway to assist the affected people. He spoke to Vijayan and offered all possible help from the Centre.
“Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” he said on X.
Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured.
Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024
Expressing anguish over the landslides, Wayanad’s former MP Rahul Gandhi said he spoke to Chief Minister Vijayan and the district collector regarding the ongoing rescue operations.
“I will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad,” he said on X, and expressed hope that those trapped would soon be rescued.
He also urged UDF workers to aid the administration in rescue and relief operations.
I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon.
I have spoken to the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
Landslides are a grave concern during the monsoon season in Kerala, particularly in the hilly and mountainous regions.
The incessant rains can weaken the soil structure, triggering landslides that can devastate communities, block roads, and cause loss of life and property.
The KSDMA in its report on Extreme Rainfall Over Kerala in 2021, observed: “It is a fact that every year, the number of disaster events like extreme rainfall events and landslides are increasing in Kerala.”
A landslide is a rapid mass-wasting process that causes the downslope movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth material under the influence of gravity.
In another report that analysed a local body’s landslide susceptibility, assessment, and preparedness strategies, KSDMA observed, “Slope failures are very common along the hill ranges of Kerala, particularly during the monsoon period.”
It added: “In hilly regions, instability of slopes is one of the major natural hazards that cause losses to lives and property. The Western Ghats is the most prone physiographic unit for landslides.”
It also observed: “The nature of landslide and material involved vary from location to location and it is observed that it is not a single factor that causes the failure but the cumulative effect of many parameters led to disaster.”
(With PTI inputs).
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
