Early this morning, heavy landslides struck the hilly areas of Wayanad in Kerala, causing the deaths of at least 54 people. Officials confirmed that the landslides were caused by nonstop rain, with the state receiving a record 372 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
A massive rescue operation is underway with teams from various agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). So far, about 250 people have been rescued and moved to temporary shelters near Meppadi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and promised full support from the central government. He has also directed BJP chief JP Nadda to ensure that party workers assist in the rescue operations. The Prime Minister’s Office announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for those injured.
JP Nadda stressed the government’s priority to rescue those trapped and recover the bodies of the deceased. “PM Modi spoke with the Kerala Chief Minister and gave his assurance. Support from central agencies for relief has reached there. Work is being done in coordination with the state government. Right now, the main goal is to recover the bodies and save those who can be saved,” Nadda stated.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has deployed fire forces and additional NDRF teams to the affected areas. Despite continuous heavy rain making the situation worse, rescue teams are working hard to reach Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha, where many people are feared to be trapped under the debris.
Due to the ongoing heavy rains, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. An orange alert has been declared for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad.
As Kerala faces this severe natural disaster, efforts are focused on providing relief and ensuring the safety of those affected by the landslides.
