Wayanad Landslides Highlights: Toll rises to 108, at least 128 people injured, says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Congress MP KC Venugopal says, "...We decided to go to Wayanad as early as possible. But the rescue operation is going on...We do not want to disturb that. So, we thought we would go through Mysuru, but now we have got reports that Mysuru airport weather airport is also not good. We are exploring the possibilities, it maybe postponed for a day or two but we will go..."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday, “The catastrophe has resulted in the loss of 108 lives, with 128 individuals injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals”

A survivor Mustafa Ahmed says "At around 1:40 AM, there was a loud sound and a house around 30 metres away from my room completely collapsed. Since we were not sleeping, we ran out immediately. Several people have been trapped in this incident. People from an entire village have been trapped. I have been rescued, it feels good..."

The death toll rose to 123 in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, PTI quoted Govt sources

Team Commander, SI Sanjay Soni, NDRF, told ANI, "The search operation started this morning...We connected the search operation and we recovered some diseased body and their parts...The operation will resume tomorrow morning at 07:00. Three diseased bodies and some body parts are recovered...We are going to search the area that is around 78 km ahead of the area which we searched today..."

Fire Officer, Chooralmala, Rakesh says, "The landslide occurred very early in the morning today. Many houses have been washed away and 800 people are trapped...We made a temporary bridge and evacuated 700 people...We plan to stop the rescue for today..."

Massive landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, caused by heavy rains, killed at least 93 people on Tuesday. This tragedy brings back memories of previous natural disasters in the state. In the August 2018 floods, known as Kerala's 'flood of the century,' 483 people lost their lives. The disaster not only caused loss of life but also destroyed property and livelihoods, prompting the Centre to declare it a "calamity of severe nature." More than 1.45 million people from 391,000 families were relocated to relief camps.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin talked with Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday about the landslides caused by heavy rain. He promised full support from Tamil Nadu for rescue and relief efforts and said he would send a specialist team to help. Stalin also instructed Tamil Nadu officials to provide ₹5 crore for relief work and to send a rescue team with fire, disaster response personnel, and medical staff to Kerala. He mentioned that one of the landslide victims was a 34-year-old construction worker from Tamil Nadu named K Kalidas. Stalin expressed sorrow over the death and announced ₹3 lakh in compensation for Kalidas's family.

Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, condoled the lives lost in the landslides that hit the Meppadi area of Kerala's Wayanad.

Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon offered condolences and prayers for the grieving families. Further, he wished the injured people a speedy recovery.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar condoled the loss of lives in the landslides that hit the Meppadi area of Kerala's Wayanad.

ANI

Wayanad Landslides LIVE updates: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says “Additional Kaniv 108 ambulances have been brought in. 3,069 people are in relief camps in Wayanad alone. Five ministers are coordinating the efforts. Due to adverse weather conditions, people were relocated, and an orange alert was declared. A dog squad will be arriving for the rescue operations. Authorities' instructions must be followed precisely. The local administration has been directed to ensure that drinking water, food, and other essentials are provided to those in the camps. The IG of the Northern Range, DIG, and the Additional DG of Law and Order will coordinate the operations. Everyone must avoid situations where people are merely spectators at disaster sites. Control rooms have been established under various government departments. I have instructed that officials in essential services be prepared and on standby due to the heavy rain conditions.”

Wayanad Landslides LIVE updates: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan says, "Following the disaster, both the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi, along with other party leaders, have offered their assistance and assured that we will collaborate to address this crisis.”

Wayanad Landslides LIVE updates: In a press conference on Tuesday evening, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan stated, “321 members of the Fire Force have been deployed in Wayanad, and Army services have been activated. A 60-member NDRF team has arrived in Wayanad, with an 89-member team from Bengaluru en route."

Wayanad Landslides LIVE updates: Addressing a press conference about the landslide in Kerala that occurred early Tuesday morning, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated, "We have arranged the best possible treatment for the injured. Many people are still trapped under the debris. We have opened 45 relief camps in Wayanad and a total of 118 camps across the state, accommodating 5,531 people. The fire force, NDRF, and police are working together. Various divisions of the Army and Navy are coordinating the rescue operations."

Wayanad Landslides LIVE updates: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says "The landslide in Wayanad is a heart-wrenching disaster. There was extremely heavy rainfall. An entire area has been wiped out. We have recovered 93 bodies so far, but the numbers may change. There are 128 people receiving treatment for injuries. Many who went to sleep last night have been swept away."

Expressing grief over loss of lives due to landslide, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah promised all possible help to Kerala to deal with the situation. “We are going to stand with the people of neighboring Kerala in such a difficult time. Our government will provide all necessary assistance to Kerala,” he posted on X

Wayanad landslides LIVE updates: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday regarding the landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

- Stalin assured Vijayan of Tamil Nadu's full support in the rescue and relief efforts.

- He announced the immediate dispatch of a team to assist Kerala.

- The Chief Minister directed Tamil Nadu authorities to release ₹5 crore for relief activities in Kerala.

- He also instructed officials to send a rescue team to aid in the efforts.

- Stalin conveyed his condolences and sympathies to Vijayan over the loss of lives due to the natural disaster.

- An official release stated that Tamil Nadu will extend all necessary support.

Wayanad landslides LIVE updates: The Kerala Health Minister's Office announced that temporary hospital facilities will be established at a mosque and madrasa in Chooralmala, Wayanad, to support the ongoing relief efforts.

Wayanad landslides LIVE updates: BJP leader V Muraleedharan expressed deep sorrow over the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad calling it a tragic incident.

He extended his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and voiced concern for over 100 individuals still unaccounted for. Talking to news agency ANI, he mentioned that the Prime Minister has communicated with the Kerala Chief Minister, offering full support, and noted that both the Army and IAF are engaged in rescue operations.

Another landslide has been reported from Vilangad area of Kozhikode district. One person is missing and the NDRF as launched search operations. 15 families are isolated, but no casualties have been reported.

Malayangad bridge was destroyed and four houses along the riverbank were partially damaged. Residents along the riverbanks have been relocated.

Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Secretary Sekar Kuriakose told PTI that the region has faced major landslides in the past and the current situation is grim. "About 49 bodies have been recovered so far. We are working towards mobilising more teams to conduct search and rescue,” said the official.

Speaking in Parliament, Congress and Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) members demanded that the landslides in Wayanad be declared a national disaster.