Over 200 dead in Wayanad landslides as Kerala ramps up rescue operations

In the aftermath of two massive landslides that struck Mundakkai and Churalmala in Wayanad district on July 30, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that rescue operations remain the top priority, with rehabilitation efforts to follow swiftly.

After chairing a high-level meeting with political leaders and state officials on Thursday, CM Vijayan praised the ongoing rescue efforts, particularly highlighting the Army’s role in constructing a Bailey Bridge to facilitate access to affected areas.

“Most of the trapped individuals have been rescued,” Vijayan said, acknowledging the challenges faced in bringing heavy machinery to the site. He emphasized that search operations will continue, especially in river areas, to locate any remaining missing persons.

The disaster has claimed over 200 lives, according to NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahidi.

Shahidi confirmed the death toll, adding that bodies were still being recovered on Thursday. He said that several teams of central forces are present at the affected sites to carry out rescue operations.

A coordinated response involving the Indian Coast Guard, Army, Navy, NDRF, and SDRF is underway in Vellari Village, one of the worst-hit areas. These teams are actively searching for missing persons and providing urgent aid to those affected.

Troops from the Army’s Madras Sappers constructed an improvised 100-foot bridge overnight and opened it to the public. This will further aid the rescue operations and assist in quickly evacuating stranded people.

CM Vijayan outlined the next steps in the government’s response, including the temporary relocation of rescued individuals to camps and rapid initiation of rehabilitation work.

He stressed the importance of providing psychological support to survivors and implementing measures to prevent epidemic outbreaks. The proper disposal of animal carcasses and re-issuance of lost documents and certificates are also part of the recovery plan.

A committee of four ministers will remain on-site to coordinate relief activities. The Chief Minister also requested media personnel to respect the privacy of those in relief camps by conducting interviews outside these facilities.