Wayanad Landslide Tragedy: Death toll climbs to 143
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): The death toll in the Wayanad landslide tragedy climbed to 143 on Wednesday, with several injured and trapped, according to the State Health Department.
Relief and Rescue Operations Underway
Relief and rescue operations are underway in Wayanad's Chooralmala after a landslide broke out yesterday. The massive landslide wreaked havoc in the region as houses and roads were damaged, trees uprooted and water bodies swelled, hindering rescue operations.
Weather Warnings
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on July 31 and August 1." The weather department has predicted heavy rainfall for August 2. Additionally, it said, "Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31."
State Observes Mourning
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the national flag is at half-mast at the Kerala Legislative Assembly as a two-day mourning period is observed in the state following the Wayanad landslide that claimed 143 lives.
Union Minister Assesses Relief Operations
On Tuesday, Union Minister George Kurian reached Wayanad to take stock of ongoing relief operations, where he interacted with senior officials of the NDRF, CRPF and Army officials. He also visited a relief camp at Kalpetta at 11 pm. "Reached Wayanad hit by a massive landslide and took stock of relief ops. Interacted with senior officials of NDRF, CRPF and Army officials. Visited a relief camp at Kalpetta at 11 pm," Kurian wrote in a post on X. NDRF Commander Akhilesh Kumar has said, "We rescued injured victims from Mundakkai village yesterday. We fear victims might be trapped in collapsed buildings... Till 10 pm last night, we rescued 70 people, after which we had to stop because of bad weather and rain... Since many teams are working, we cannot give an exact number of deaths, because we only know about the dead bodies our team has recovered... People have been given shelter in a resort and a mosque on the other side of the river. Since rainfall is going on, there are chances of another landslide."
(With ANI inputs)
