India
40 feared dead as town swept away in landslide in Kerala; rescue Ops hampered by rain
New Delhi: At least 40 people are feared dead, and several others are missing after massive landslides hit the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Tuesday morning.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has deployed Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the affected area, where hundreds are believed to be trapped. Additional NDRF teams and two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps are also en route to assist.
Heavy rainfall has hampered rescue operations. At least 15 bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar River in Malappuram, with more feared to have been washed away. The police reported that more bodies are being retrieved from the river.
In Mundakkai, several houses, shops, and vehicles are buried under debris. A washed-away bridge has further complicated rescue efforts. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured that army assistance will be sought to build a temporary bridge, evacuate people by helicopter, and establish necessary arrangements at the disaster site.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi expressed concern over the landslide, offering condolences and prayers for the injured. He assured that the central government would provide all possible assistance and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased individual and Rs50,000 for those injured.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolences, expressing hope for the swift rescue of those still trapped and calling for coordination with all agencies to facilitate relief efforts.
