Rescue operations continue in Wayanad, death toll nears 300
Rescuers raced against time under harsh conditions to search for survivors trapped in collapsed buildings, two days after massive landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad district, with the death toll (Unofficial figures) climbing to nearly 300 on Thursday. With above 200 people missing, the toll is expected to rise further.
While some unconfirmed reports suggested 276 fatalities, Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan confirmed that the landslides have killed at least 190 people. According to the Wayanad district administration, the dead include 27 children and 76 women. More than 225 others have been injured, mostly in the worst-hit areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, he said.
Rescue efforts have been hindered by a combination of challenges, including treacherous terrain due to destroyed roads and bridges, and a shortage of heavy equipment, making it difficult for emergency personnel to clear mud and huge uprooted trees that fell on houses and other buildings.
Rajan, who is in the disaster-struck region coordinating the rescue efforts, said 1,300 personnel from various agencies and the armed forces carried out joint search-and-rescue operations in the area, braving the rains, winds and difficult terrain and without the help of heavy machinery.
He also said that 9,328 people have been relocated to 91 relief camps in the district.
Of these, 2,328 people from 578 families displaced due to the landslides at Chooralmala and Meppadi have been moved to nine relief camps, he said.
Political leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, visited the displaced people, expressing solidarity with them.
“The first priority is rescuing the victims of the Wayanad tragedy,” Vijayan said after an all-party meeting here.
He said the rescue operation, with the coordinated efforts of various forces, elected representatives, officials and voluntary organisations and the local people, will continue.