At least 93 people have lost their lives, and dozens are feared trapped after severe landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, triggered by heavy monsoon rains. The disaster struck early Tuesday morning, affecting several hilly areas.
Rescue efforts are ongoing but face significant challenges due to persistent heavy rains and the collapse of a vital bridge. V Venu, Kerala’s top civil servant, stated, “The situation remains very grave. The casualties may increase.”
This disaster is the worst to hit Kerala since the 2018 floods, which resulted in over 400 deaths. Over 200 army personnel have been deployed to support rescue operations alongside local security forces.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in a press conference that the landslide had “wiped out an entire area.” Local hospitals are treating 123 injured individuals, and more than 3,000 people have been relocated to 45 relief camps. In addition to the 65 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, 16 bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar river, which flows into the neighboring Malappuram district.
Wayanad, located in the Western Ghats mountain range, is highly susceptible to landslides during the monsoon season. Areas such as Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Kunhome have been severely impacted.
Videos on social media show muddy waters flooding streets and forested areas, washing away homes and stranding people and vehicles. A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala collapsed, isolating these areas and complicating rescue efforts. Rashid Padikkalparamban, a local resident, reported that at least three landslides occurred around midnight, destroying the bridge.
Both state and national disaster relief teams, assisted by local residents, are conducting rescue operations. Venu mentioned that a small team managed to cross the river to reach isolated areas but emphasized the need for more resources due to the strong river currents hindering rescue operations. Air-relief efforts were also delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Local resident Raghavan C Arunamala described the scene as terrifying, recounting how a man trapped in the debris had been calling for help for hours as firefighters and rescue workers struggled to reach him. People are flocking to hospitals, searching for missing loved ones.
Approximately 350 families lived in the affected regions, many working on tea and cardamom estates and residing in makeshift tents that were destroyed by the landslides. Wayanad and nearby areas remain on high alert due to the forecast of continued heavy rains, leading to the closure of schools and colleges in 10 out of 14 districts.
In 2019, a landslide in Puthumala, Wayanad, resulted in 17 deaths, highlighting the region’s vulnerability. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a former MP from Wayanad, plans to visit the district on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating he had spoken with Chief Minister Vijayan and assured federal support for relief efforts. Modi also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured.