Porni Banerjee | ৩০ জুলাই ২০২৪ ১১ : ৫৩Porni Banerjee

At least 40 people have died and hundreds of them are feared to have missing after massive landslides devastated the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday morning. The disaster happened as heavy rainfall continues in Kerala.

A huge team of Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, and NDRF forces have been pressed into service of rescue operation immediately after the mishap. An additional team of NDRF along with Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have also been deployed in the affected area. However, complete damage of a bridge has obstructed rescue activities.

Many people were feared to have swept away in the Chaliyar River flowing to the Nilambur region in Malappuram, officials said. In addition, several houses, shops and vehicles were also buried under the debris in Mundakkai. 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured all necessary assistance for rescue and evacuation of people and establish arrangements at the disaster site.    

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences over the tragic incident. He announced a financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. He also assured that the central government would provide all possible assistance in response to the situation.  

“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones, and my prayers are with the injured.”

On the other hand, Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed his grief for the bereaved families, saying, “I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad...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 will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad. I urge all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations.”

##Wayanad##Kerala##landslides