Wayanad District
A severe tragedy has struck Kerala’s Wayanad district, where at least 84 people have died, and hundreds are feared trapped following three landslides within a span of four hours amid relentless heavy rain. Rescue operations are underway with multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other forces, actively involved in the efforts in the hilly areas near Meppadi.
The state revenue minister’s office reported that around 116 people have been injured and admitted to hospitals across the Wayanad district. State ministers are actively coordinating relief and rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his support by speaking to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assuring all possible assistance from the central government. The Prime Minister also requested BJP chief JP Nadda to mobilize party workers to aid in the rescue operations. Modi expressed his distress over the landslides in a post on X, conveying condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured. The Prime Minister’s Office has announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Former Wayanad MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his deep anguish over the calamity, extending condolences to the affected families and expressing hope for the swift rescue of those still trapped. He confirmed that he had spoken to the Chief Minister and the district collector, who assured him of ongoing rescue operations. Gandhi has called for coordination with all agencies and the establishment of a control room to manage relief efforts, urging UDF workers to assist the administration.
Several areas, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, are among the worst affected. Infrastructure damage is extensive, with many roads collapsed, a bridge swept away, and several areas becoming inaccessible. Health Minister Veena George highlighted the urgency of re-establishing connectivity, noting that helicopters would be deployed despite adverse weather conditions.
The state Health Department has set up a control room for emergency assistance, accessible via helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833. Meanwhile, Kerala is preparing for further rainfall, with the weather office issuing a red alert for eight districts: Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod. Additionally, an orange alert is in place for four districts: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.
