Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday, 31 July that 167 had died but several reports indicated that the toll was over 200.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 10:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 10:28 PM
Aerial view of Chooralmala-Mundakkai
What was a picturesque landscape last week is now a vast swathe of slush. South First brings you a report from ground zero as Wayanad struggles to pick up its pieces amid tales of loss and the fight to survive.
After the nightmare of the heavy rain and landslides that struck Wayanad district in the early hours of 30 July, Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Attamala habitations are beyond recognition.
Rescue workers are combing through mud and debris in the hope of tracing missing people. Migrant workers from other states who were working in the tea and cardamom estates in the area appear to be in shock, with some vowing they will go home and never return.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday, 31 July that 167 had died and 200 people sustained injuries. Over 7,000 people have been evacuated from the landslide-hit areas so far. But reports indicate that the death toll has already crossed 240, as of 10 pm on Wednesday.
Landslide hit Chooralmala
Thirty-two people were reported missing from Cherattukunnu Nagar in Mundakkai; rescuers managed to save 26 of them, who were shifted to Chooralmala through a temporary bridge that allowed only one person to cross at a time. Twenty-four of the rescued have since been shifted to the Attamala camp.
Brigadier Arjun Segan, Commandant of the Para Regimental Training Centre (who is overseeing the Control Centre coordinating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) told South First,
Brigadier Arjun Segan
“Compared to the first day (30 July), our efforts greatly improved today. It’s because, on the first day, our efforts were hampered by adverse weather conditions. The focus now is to construct the Bailey bridge. Once that is done, we will be able to bring in more volunteers as well as equipment including earth movers to the affected area and scale up the rescue-search operation.”
Aerial view of Wayanad landslides
The 190-foot long bridge is expected to become operational by the morning of 1 August.
The sound of helicopters and the hum of machinery drown out the voices of rescue workers.
Access to the affected areas is hampered by the large mass of debris swept up by the river in spate. Roads are so damaged that transporting equipment and personnel is proving a daunting task.
Besides, heavy rain has continued, and a forecast of heavy rain and wind of 50 km per hour speed was issued even on Wednesday night. Rescue teams comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), armed forces, police and fire service crossed the Chaliyar River to reach Mundakkai. The temporary bridge constructed on 30 July evening allowed rescue personnel to reach the affected area speedily.
Construction of Bailey Bridge in progress as of 31 July.
Rescue workers evacuated the Vanarani estate and Eala estate in Vellarimala, southwest of Meppadi in Wayanad. Equipped with advanced equipment and specially trained sniffer dogs, the rescuers will comb through the debris on 1 August.
An earthmover was brought to Mundakkai on Wednesday from across the Chaliyar River. This has greatly facilitated the rescue operation, which till then was being conducted by workers manually sifting through debris.
Arrival of an earthmover at Mundakkai
Raja, who has been working in tea plantations in the area, away from his home in Rajasthan, told South First, “In the early hours of 30 July we heard a thunderous sound. We awoke by morning to see that the entire village of Mundakkai had just been wiped off.”
Raja from Rajasthan
Raja is part of a 100-member group of workers from Rajasthan. He said he had worked on the plantation for two years, but would now go back to home and never return.
Ramesh Singh, a resident of Guna in Madhya Pradesh, said he still could not understand it; the transformation was so drastic.
“I arrived here two weeks ago to take up work on the plantation. On 30 July when I arrived at Mundakkai, I saw heaps of mud and debris.” He said rescue workers were moving him elsewhere because his current place of residence in Attamala is no longer safe and prone to landslide.
Survivors are still taking stock of family and friends. Lakshmanan, whose home is one km away from the affected area, said the region had witnessed landslides earlier too, and lives were lost in such incidents in the past as well.
“This time, what has happened is of a different magnitude. Houses were swept off, families have disappeared. I lost 12 friends,” he said.
Murali, a resident of Soochipara, near Meppadi, told South First, “I think about 100 houses between Soochipara and Mundakkai were washed away. Some bodies were fished out from the Soochipara waterfall. This is a national disaster.”
Majeed, a survivor of Wayanad landslides
Majeed, a survivor of the devastating landslide, is reeling from the loss of his loved ones and friends. He is heartbroken over the destruction of Mundakkai and parts of Chooralmala, once a picturesque haven for tourists.
“It was a heavenly destination, renowned for its lush greenery and captivating hills. The area was always bustling with visitors during peak season. Now, this is the tragic fate that has befallen Mundakyi and Chooralmala,” Majeed lamented, his voice filled with dismay and sorrow.
Suresh, a resident of Mundakkai, said, “On 30 July as the Chaliyar River flooded, I moved my family and we escaped. I lost friends.”
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Three Governors, a Union Minister, state ministers and MLAs have been arriving at the affected areas, relief camps and hospitals.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan visiting the survivors
Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Union Minister of State George Kurian, state ministers GR Anil, Veena George, VN Vasavan, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, MK Raghavan, MP, MLAs Ramesh Chennithala and AP Anilkumar were among those visiting the district on Wednesday.
On August 1, an all-party meeting will be held at the Wayanad collectorate chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Political leaders and officials will meet to coordinate disaster relief.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas and compiled by Dileep V Kumar)
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