New Delhi: The death toll in the Wayanad landslide mishap continues to rise, as rescue personnel pull more people out of debris. At the time of writing this report, 150 people were reportedly dead and several injured. Many families say that their loved ones remain untraced, indicating that many more are still trapped waiting to be rescued from under the debris. Data collected by officials indicate that 91 persons are still missing.The rescue operations have resumed this morning in full swing, and helicopters are being deployed to airlift affected persons. The state government has set up 45 relief camps in Wayanad to accommodate 3,069 people.Rescue operations suffer as heavy rain continues to lash the disaster-hit Meppadi. Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams have been pressed into action by the Indian Coast Guard. Defence minister Rajnath Singh’s office said all-out efforts are being made by defence personnel to provide succour to the affected. Essential relief material is being airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, and Delhi, the defence ministry addedIn a high-level meeting, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the coordination with the central government agencies, the deployment of disaster response forces, health and safety precautions and the facilities in the relief camps, according to The Hindu.Neighbouring state, Karnataka, offered all possible help, with chief minister Siddaramaiah deputing two senior IAS officers to assist the Kerala government in rescue operations.The matter also figured in the parliament. Union minister of state for home affairs, Nityanand Rai, made a statement in Lok Sabha. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the situation and instructed Union Minister George Kurian to go and assess the situation in the affected areas. The Home Minister also spoke with the Kerala Chief Minister and said that they will get whatever resources they need from the central government,” Rai said.PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Wayanad on Wednesday, July 31. Until recently, Gandhi was Wayanad MP.Many people were feared washed away in the Chaliyar River flowing to the Nilambur region in Malappuram, news outlets have quoted officials as having said. As per the latest reports, 15 bodies were found in the river.Rescue operations in Wayanad. Photo: X (Twitter)/@PIBTvpmIndian Express has reported that K. Babu, a member of the Mundakkai panchayat, said that rescue efforts have not yet reached the village, which has been severely affected. “The bridges and roads leading to the village have been washed away,” he said.Just 50 meters away from home 💔A few neighbors are missing.. 😭 Visuals from Vilangad (Kozhikode District, Kerala).Fire force and police are unable to reach the location due to heavy rain and landslide. The entire area is isolated.#KeralaRains @AsianetNewsML… pic.twitter.com/roxjsj4tbs— AB George (@AbGeorge_) July 30, 2024PTI has reported that the first landslide struck the area at nearly 2 am. At around 4:10 am, the district was struck by another landslide.“Since we got to know of the incident, the government systems have joined together in the rescue operation. Ministers will visit Wayanad and lead the activities,” the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.“I have spoken to the Kerala chief minister and the Wayanad District Collector, who assured me that rescue operations are underway. I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts,” Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has posted on X, urging workers of the Congress-led coalition in the state, the United Democratic Front, to assist in rescue operations.The Union government will pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of those who have died and Rs 50,000 to those injured.This report is being updated as more information comes in.
