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.”
Kozhikode: Kerala experienced its “worst-ever” natural disaster in the hilly Wayanad district early on Tuesday as a series of devastating landslides, amid heavy rain, left at least 120 people dead, 98 others reported missing while around 160 people were being treated in a few hospitals in the affected district even as rescue operations continue to locate the missing and evacuate those marooned, officials said.
The worst-affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu and the locals from these areas who managed to escape are deeply shattered as hundreds of homes have been totally destroyed.
Tragic stories are coming out in large numbers from people who have lost their near and dear ones. A man broke out in tears as he said after the landslide occurred, he could only watch helplessly as his mother and his sister were washed away as he clung to a window for safety.
A woman said: “I have no idea of my sister and three children of hers. Till last night we were all together and now I have no clue where they are.”
“There are hundreds of people living at Mundakayil where I have been living for the past 24 years and I am deeply saddened as in this hospital, there is no one from my area where I live,” said a deeply upset Kunjumohammed, lamenting that he has lost his house and so has his daughter
“I hail from the Pothukalu area and this is going to be the worst-ever tragedy that Wayanad has witnessed. None has a clue of the number of lives that will be lost as the entire place looks ravaged by the landslide,” said a local who was in tears as he searched for his immediate family members at the hospital.
“It’s a tragedy which one cannot ever think about. Just imagine these people, including children, went to sleep last night and the tragedy struck. Many were swept away by nature’s fury. In Malappuram district, 16 bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar river. Dismembered body parts have also been taken out from the river. A team led by a Lt Colonel has helped people trapped in the Mundakayil market area were rescued using a ropeway which the Army set up,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
The landslides were reported to have occurred at around 2 a.m.
Due to the inclement weather, two Helicopters were unable to land in the affected landslide areas and are now waiting at Kozhikode.
The two helicopters arrived with men and materials for commencing rescue operations but will have to wait to land in the affected areas.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday morning after having discussions with top Kerala State Disaster Management Authority ( KSDMA) officials in the state capital city told the media that information about the landslide-affected areas was trickling in and at the moment it was a bit early to say more.
According to reports around 400 families are trapped in a few areas at Churalmala.
State Health Minister Veena George said all the available health officials in and around the district are being asked to join the operations as there are reports of several getting injured.
“We have started to ensure that all medical supplies are being transported to the affected areas and in the hospitals in the area. Medical teams from Kannur and Kozhikode will be reaching out to speed up treatment of the injured people. At the moment 70 injured are being treated at a few hospitals in Wayanad,” said Minister George.
Earlier, 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.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday. He assured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of comprehensive support from the Centre to manage the crisis.
The Prime Minister declared an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.