Wayanad landslides: 176 dead; army searches for missing.
On Wednesday, fresh reinforcements arrived, bolstering the ranks with the arrival of Brigadier Arjun Seagan, the Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his distinguished team. Their presence marked a pivotal moment, bringing renewed energy and strategic insight to the operation. Brigadier Seagan, known for his extensive experience and leadership in elite forces training, along with his skilled team, immediately set to work, integrating seamlessly into the ongoing mission. Their expertise and dynamic approach promised to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the deployment, elevating operational readiness.
Wayanad: A day after the massive landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad district, the situation remains dire with rescue teams working tirelessly amidst harrowing scenes of devastation. The landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, have led to widespread destruction, with the death toll reaching 176 on Wednesday, and 98 people still reported missing.
The worst-affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Pothukalu. Locals who managed to escape are deeply shocked by the scale of the destruction, as entire homes have been wiped out and communities displaced.
Fresh Army Forces Arrive for Rescue Operations
On Wednesday, fresh forces arrived to bolster the ongoing rescue efforts, including Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the PARA Regiment Training Centre, and his experienced team. They swiftly took charge of the Control Centre at Mepaddi, situated about 12 kilometers from Churalmala, one of the most severely impacted sites.
Four Relief Columns from the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Centre and the 122 TA Battalion (MADRAS) commenced operations at 6 a.m. The teams were organized into two composite units to conduct joint rescue missions and assist in the recovery of deceased individuals. Their efforts also included setting up a Bailey Bridge at Churalmala.
Additionally, two Columns, including a medical team from the 91 Infantry Battalion, arrived in Kozhikode late Tuesday night before moving to the affected areas. This team is led by the Commanding Officer of the 23 Maratha Light Infantry. They are planning the construction of a 170-foot bridge, with additional bridge equipment expected to arrive by the afternoon.
The Commandant of the MEG Centre will oversee the critical bridge activity and is expected to arrive later in the day. A Bailey Bridge from the ESD Delhi Cantonment is being airlifted to Kannur by a C-17 Globemaster, with Captain Puran Singh of the Kannur Defence Security Corps coordinating the operation. Bridge materials are being transported to Wayanad in 17 trucks, while sniffer dogs and handlers from Delhi have arrived in Kannur and are en route to the affected regions.
On Tuesday night, the combined defense forces rescued over 1,000 individuals and recovered 70 bodies. As rescue operators continue to search rivers and mud for additional victims, the exact number of fatalities remains difficult to ascertain, with several women and children among the deceased. Many people are feared trapped, though authorities have not yet confirmed these reports.
Government and Relief Efforts Intensify
Under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kurian will coordinate with National Disaster Relief Force personnel, paramilitary forces, Kerala Government officials, and other agencies to manage the crisis.
A team of 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy has been deployed, and two helicopters from the Air Force station in Sulur have been dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts. The landslides have caused severe damage, destroying houses, swelling water bodies, and uprooting trees.
Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages are among those affected and isolated by the landslides. Rescue teams from the Army, Air Force, Navy, NDRF, police, Fire Force, and local volunteers have been engaged in operations throughout Tuesday night and resumed early Wednesday morning, combing through destroyed homes in search of survivors.
Relatives of the missing are anxiously waiting in Mundakayil, hoping for news of loved ones as the rescue teams work through the debris. The persistent rain continues to hinder efforts, with the area covered in a slurry of mud and boulders. Police have restricted access to Wayanad to prevent road congestion, which is impeding the movement of rescue vehicles.
On Wednesday, additional trained personnel are joining the rescue operations to expedite the efforts.
National and Regional Support
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and urged the central government to provide all necessary assistance to Kerala. In a statement on social media, Yechury lamented the unprecedented scale of the disaster and called for a robust response.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to review the situation and assured him of full support from the central government. Shah’s assurance included all possible help to manage the crisis.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also pledged support, announcing the immediate dispatch of a team to aid in the rescue and relief operations. Tamil Nadu will provide Rs 5 crore for relief activities and send a team of 20 personnel from the state Fire and Rescue Services, 20 from the state disaster response force, and 10 doctors and nurses.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed solidarity with Kerala, emphasizing Karnataka’s commitment to providing all possible help during this challenging time. Siddaramaiah conveyed his condolences to the affected families and pledged support for relief efforts.
Additional Impact and Measures
In Kozhikode, a landslide has resulted in a missing person, damaged houses, and the destruction of a bridge and roads in the Vilangadu and Malayangadu areas. NDRF personnel are actively searching for the missing individual, while the Malayangadu bridge’s destruction has cut off 15 families from the main area.
Expertly-trained Army dogs, including Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and German Shepherds, are being deployed to Meppadi in Wayanad to assist in locating trapped individuals and recovering human remains. These dogs, trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, are specially equipped for disaster operations.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for eight districts in Kerala due to heavy rainfall, including Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod. The red alert underscores the severe weather conditions contributing to the ongoing crisis.