Wayanad Landslide Highlights: Death toll mounts to 167; CM Vijayan junks Amit Shah’s claim, says no red alert sounded before disaster

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his concern over the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, where eight people, including three children, died. He stated that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing, with a second team on its way to bolster efforts. Shah extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

In response to a severe landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district, the state government has sought assistance from the Indian Army. According to PTI, a team from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, comprising 43 members—including a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers, and 40 soldiers—has been deployed to aid in the rescue efforts.

The landslide has caused extensive damage, destroying homes, swelling water bodies, and uprooting trees. Villages such as Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha have been isolated, with many residents stranded.

A red alert has been issued for the districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Kannur, as reported by Manorama.

The landslide has almost wiped out Mundakkai bazar. At least 40 houses have been buried under the landside. Many of these buildings were houses and quarters of estate workers.

According to Jilson, a staff at TreeValley Resort at Mundakkai, the first landslide happened between 2.30 am and 3 am on Tuesday. After the first incident, scores of families staying in the valley rushed to the resort. ``We have around 120 villagers who sought asylum at the resort. We don't know what happened to others in the village. Many of them have injuries. Available first aid has been administered to the most needy. The massive course of the debris has changed the direction of a river flowing here. Vehicles and houses have been washed away,’’ he said.

The region has several resorts, but tourists were not accommodated these days following a weather alert from Wayanad district administration,’’ he said.

Union Minister George Kurien says, "Since early morning itself, the PM was active, he was monitoring everything. He was taking stock of the situation and directed the Force, NDRF to reach there for immediate rescue actions. They have already moved from Kerala and outside Kerala, and all forces have been alerted...Air Force might have reached there now and Army is also reaching there. It is a hilly area and the problem is that reaching there is very difficult, a helicopter and other help are needed...State Government also requested the Centre and PM spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, together we will do the rescue work..."

At least 19 people have died following several landslides in the hilly region near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district. The area has been heavily impacted, with muddy water rushing through rocks and fallen trees, and numerous homes destroyed.

K. Babu, a member of the Mundakkai panchayat, reports that rescue efforts have not yet reached the village, which has been severely affected. The bridges and roads leading to the village have been washed away, leaving many people still trapped. Those who are safe in the village are doing everything they can to help, but so far, no one has been able to be evacuated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

At least four people have died, and several are feared trapped.

The Prime Minister spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to assure all possible assistance from the Centre after massive landslides hit Wayanad due to heavy rainfall.

Rescue operations are underway, involving 250 members from various emergency teams, and additional support from the Air Force with two helicopters. Health Minister Veena George stated that the Health Department has established a control room for emergency services.

Congress leader Priyanka Vadra Gandhi shared her concerns saying "I am deeply saddened to see the devastation caused by the massive landslide near Meppadi, Wayanad. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones. I hope and pray that everyone is brought to safety as soon as possible. I urge the government to take immediate action to expedite relief and rescue operations and request UDF workers to step forward to do all they can to be of support and comfort to all those affected by this tragedy."

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor expressed his concerns saying "Very concerned to help about the landslides in Wayanad. Praying for the safety of all those affected. Glad that rescue efforts are on the way, but urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to rush the NDRF there without today."

Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan said on Tuesday that rescue operators are yet to reach the landslide site in Mundakkai. A bridge leading to the village washed away. The NDRF team is engaged in erecting a temporary bridge and clearing the road. Two units of NDRF will be brought to Wayanad from Bengaluru and Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu by noon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the landslide, stating, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones, and my prayers are with the injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected.” He assured that the central government would provide all possible assistance in response to the situation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed profound sorrow over the massive landslides that struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday morning.

Extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families he said, "I am deeply anguished by the massive landslides near Meppadi in Wayanad. 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 will speak to Union Ministers and request them to provide all assistance possible to Wayanad."

Rahul also urged all UDF workers to assist the administration in the rescue and relief operations.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that all government agencies are involved in search and rescue operations following massive landslides in the Wayanad district, particularly near Meppadi. The landslides have left hundreds feared trapped. A one-year-old child from a Nepali family in Thondernad village has died. State ministers will be arriving to coordinate the rescue efforts, news agency PTI reported.

A massive landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district claimed the lives of ten people, including two children. Four victims, including a child, died in Chooralmala town, while a one-year-old from a Nepali family perished in Thondernad village.

The affected areas, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, were cut off due to the landslides.

UDF MLA T Siddique mentioned that plans are being made to airlift residents from the Mundakkai area.

Three bodies have been recovered in Munderi Utkurkuthikadav, located in Chaliyar, Malappuram. They are believed to belong to the individuals who went missing during the Chooralmala landslide, Manorama reported.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rainfall is expected at most locations, with occasional intense to very intense showers. Isolated thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are also likely over Kerala in the next 3 hours.