Kerala: Death toll at 63, 116 injured in landslides in Wayanad

The death toll in the landslides that struck the Meppadi area of Wayanad, Kerala, has reached 63, with approximately 116 people injured, according to the Kerala Revenue Minister’s office.

Three relief camps have been set up in Wayanad. Currently, 12 individuals are receiving treatment at Kalpetta Government Hospital, and 77 are at WIMS Wayanad. There have been 8 fatalities at WIMS, one each at Meppadi Community Health Centre and Vythiri Taluk Hospital. The Meppadi CHC is treating 27 injured individuals. Additionally, Bathery Taluk Hospital has reported 35 deaths, with 27 people undergoing treatment.

Kerala Forest Minister Saseendran has visited the affected area to evaluate the damage and oversee immediate response efforts. State Minister Ramachandran Kadannappalli will soon join the ground operations.

A delegation of state ministers from the Revenue, Public Works, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Departments is traveling by air from Thiruvananthapuram and is expected to arrive soon, according to the Kerala Chief Minister’s office.

Union Minister of State George Kurian is on his way to Wayanad to lead the relief and rescue operations. Under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he will coordinate with the National Disaster Relief Force, paramilitary forces, Kerala Government officials, and other agencies involved in the operation.

An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is being deployed to assist in the rescue efforts at Chooralmala, which was hit by landslides on Tuesday morning following heavy rains. The Chief Minister’s Office requested the Navy’s River Crossing team for assistance.

The Army and Air Force have also been mobilized for the rescue operations, which have been hindered by the collapse of a main bridge in Chooralmala.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions with top officials from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) regarding the situation in the landslide-affected areas of Wayanad.

Around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode have been dispatched to the site. Additionally, a team of 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy is being deployed, and two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur have been dispatched, according to Defense officials.