Wayanad landslides: 19 killed, dozens still missing in Kerala district

As many as 19 people have died after massive landslides struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district early on Tuesday, July 30, leaving hundreds of people suspected to be trapped.

Kerala revenue minister K Rajan has earlier confirmed that so far eight people lost their lives in the landslides that struck Meppadi, Mundakkai Town and Chooral Mala in Wayanad district.

“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on social media platform X. Modi added that he had assured Kerala’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of “all possible help” with the situation.

Former Congress MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi said he was “deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad”.

Rahul Gandhi added that he will speak to Union ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad.

Pinarayi Vijayan said all government agencies have joined rescue operations in connection with landslides in Wayanad district.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed to the affected area, with an additional NDRF team en route to Wayanad.

Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts, according to a Facebook post by the KSDMA.

A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Thondernad village died in a landslide, according to the Wayanad district authorities.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement issued by his office, said the operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities.

Pinarayi Vijayanadded also said in the wake of the landslides and other rain-related disasters in Wayanad district, the health department – National Health Mission – has opened a control room.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon… 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… I urge all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities through these two numbers – 9656938689 and 8086010833 – the statement said.

Locals from the affected areas report that many people are feared to be trapped. Rescue operations are being hindered by ongoing heavy rainfall.

Onmanorama reported that while the rescue operations were ongoing, a second landslide struck near Chooral Mala School at around 4am. The school, functioning as a camp, and nearby houses and shops were flooded with water and mud. At least five were killed in the landslides.

Local media reported that around 400 families have been stranded in the region following the collapse of the bridge in Chooral Mala Town.

Many people have been injured, and several vehicles have been washed away, Onmanorama reported.