NE NEWS SERVICE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI/CHENNAI, JULY 30
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday described the Wayanad landslide disaster as one of the worst-ever witnessed in the state as the death toll touched 106 and 98 missing, is expected to go higher with many injured, buried or missing.
- PM speaks to Kerala CM to assure all possible assistance. announces ex-gratia from PMNRF
- Deeply anguished by Wayanad landslides, says Rahul Gandhi.
- ICG mobilises disaster relief teams to provide immediate relief and support
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announces Rs 5 crore aid and dispatches rescue teams
The worst affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu and the locals from these areas who managed to escape are shattered as hundreds of homes have been totally destroyed.
“The figure of the dead is not the final one as rescue operations are continuing. Till now 34 bodies have been identified and 18 have been handed over to relatives.
“The rescue operations will stop after dark. As many as 128 people have been injured and a few areas have been completely washed away as there were heavy rains in the affected areas for the last few days,” said CM Vijayan.
“It’s a tragedy which one cannot ever think of. Just imagine these people, including children, went to sleep last night and tragedy struck and 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 of the river.
“A team led by a Lieutenant Colonel has rescued people trapped in the Mundakayil market area using a ropeway which the Army set up,” added CM Vijayan.
“The first landslide occurred at 2 A.M. and then again at 4.10 A.M. The road connecting Mundakayil to Churalpara has been washed away. The river which was flowing in the affected area has branched out and is flowing in two directions, flooding homes,” said Vijayan.
“There will be more people trapped in the area and a massive rescue effort is presently on, in which numerous agencies including the three Defence forces, NDRF, the fire department and the police are doing their best and it will continue,” added Vijayan.
“After the tragedy struck, I received calls from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Governor A Bose. Each of them pledged their full support for the state,” said CM Vijayan.
He said there are around 3,069 people in various camps in the affected areas.
CM Vijayan said after hearing about the tragedy, contributions to the Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund have started pouring in from various quarters.
Meanwhile the Army team, after several hours of hard work, set up a temporary Bailey Bridge and was able to rescue numerous people who were trapped at Mundakayil area.
Late on Tuesday evening an IAF helicopter also arrived after it failed to arrive due to the inclement weather in the morning.
The injured people are now being transported to hospitals in the helicopter.
PM speaks to Kerala CM to assure all possible assistance. announces ex-gratia from PMNRF
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over loss of lives due to landslides in parts of Wayanad, Kerala. He has also spoken to Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Central Government in the wake of the prevailing situation there.
The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia from PMNRF of Rs. 2 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured.
The Prime Minister posted on X;
Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured.
Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024
“Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.”
The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X;
“The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announces Rs 5 crore aid and dispatches rescue teams
വയനാട്ടിലെ ഉരുൾപൊട്ടൽ ദുരന്തത്തിൽ ബാധിക്കപ്പെട്ട മലയാളി സഹോദരങ്ങളുടെ ദുഃഖത്തിൽ തമിഴ്നാട് പങ്കുചേരുന്നു.
രക്ഷാപ്രവർത്തനത്തിനും പുനരധിവാസത്തിനുമായി ഞങ്ങൾ 5 കോടി രൂപ നൽകുന്നു. IAS ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തിൽ രണ്ട് സംഘങ്ങളെ സഹായിക്കാൻ അയക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇത് കൂടാതെ, ഞങ്ങൾ ഡോക്ടർമാരും… pic.twitter.com/baFLhoiEUh
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 30, 2024
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a financial aid of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala government on Tuesday. Additionally, two senior IAS officers from the Tamil Nadu cadre have been assigned to aid in rescue and relief operations.
CM Stalin spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by phone, offering assistance for the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
IAS officers KK Sameeran and Johny Tom Varghese, the Ramanathapuram district collector, have been deputed to support Kerala’s relief operations, as hundreds remain feared trapped in the landslide debris. A rescue team comprising 20 firefighters led by a deputy director, a 20-member State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team, and a 10-member medical team has been dispatched to Wayanad.
ICG mobilises disaster relief teams to provide immediate relief and support
One column of Territorial Army has reached the mishap site at 12:30 PM#IndianArmy’s two relief columns with a strength of approx 200 individuals are underway to #Waynad.
Additional efforts based on the request of State government also being mobilised.… pic.twitter.com/P6QY5INHUh
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) July 30, 2024
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) district HQ (Kerala & Mahe) and ICG station Beypore dispatched disaster relief teams (DRT) on July 30, 2024, to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad, Kerala. The DRT comprising highly trained ICG personnel & dedicated medical team have been mobilised to provide immediate relief and support to the communities impacted by the disaster.
The teams are equipped with essential disaster relief materials such as rubber inflatable boats for rescue operations; diesel-driven pumps to manage water and drainage issues; life jackets for safety; raincoats and gum boots for personnel protection in adverse weather conditions and other earth-clearing implements for clearing debris & accessing affected areas.
ICG also dispatched food materials, drinking water, and other essential supplies to support the affected population. The distribution of these supplies is being coordinated with the district disaster management team to ensure efficient aid delivery. ICG is working closely with local authorities to mitigate the impact of this disaster.
Deeply anguished by Wayanad landslides, says Rahul Gandhi
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…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 30, 2024
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. Taking to his X handle, 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.”
Mentioning his discussions with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad District Collector, he said they assured him that rescue efforts 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,” he further wrote, advising all the United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to assist in the rescue and relief efforts.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his grief, saying, “Extremely pained by the landslides in Wayanad, where several people are reportedly trapped. My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved.” He urged the state and Central governments to “expedite relief and rescue operations and provide urgent medical help to the victims, in coordination with all the agencies.”
