A catastrophic landslide occurring at 2 am in midnight at Churalpara in Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday killed at least 19. The officials informed that the massive landslide in Wayanad hit the region in midnight and cut the area.
Kerala Chief Secretary V. Venu told local media, “Around 2 a.m., landslides took place at least two to three times. At this point, few affected areas are cut off. The weather is also adverse for NDRF teams to go to some of these affected areas. Everyone is on alert. We will carry out the rescue in a coordinated manner. We are still ascertaining about how many people are trapped. All options, including airlifting people, are being looked into to ensure rescue work is carried out.”
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The area hit by the landslide was ripped into two parts. Notably, Professional rescue operator and local people are working to trace people in the area as 400 families has been left isolated.
Meanwhile, Attamala, which has a good number of homestays, has been badly affected and the rescue operations have begun. Reports claim of tourist being trapped.
State Forest Minister A.K.Saseendran, who rushed to the spot said it was a bit early to assess the damages.
“At least 53 people are at a hospital here who have been injured and six bodies are there. At another hospital, there are 13 who are injured and admitted to a state-run hospital and six bodies are also there. We have started the rescue operations and are waiting for helicopters to arrive. A new ropeway is going to be erected soon and the Army will be building a temporary bridge also to rescue people who are trapped in the area after a bridge was swept away,” said Saseendran.
PM announces Ex-gratia following landslide in Wayanad
Announcing the Ex-gratia amounting to 2 lakh rupees for the next of kin of deceased and 5o thousand for injured, PM expressed his sorrow on ‘X’.
“Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there,” PM Modi posted on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday and assured him of all possible Central assistance following the massive landslides in the Wayanad district, in which 19 people have died.
