Wayanad, Kerala, has been struck by an unprecedented natural disaster, with the death toll from the recent landslides escalating to 173. The scale of the devastation, caused by two massive landslides early Tuesday, has shocked the nation, with more than 200 individuals currently hospitalised and 227 people still missing. The disaster has hit the region’s landscape hard, causing severe disruption and rendering rescue operations particularly challenging.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that over 1,500 individuals had been rescued in the past two days. Despite these efforts, the harsh reality of the situation is underscored by the difficulty in locating survivors as intermittent rain continues to hamper the rescue operations. Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been tirelessly working through debris and damaged structures to find any remaining survivors.

The landslides, which occurred at 2 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. on Tuesday, have led to widespread destruction in Mundakkai and surrounding villages. The impact has been catastrophic, with the death toll potentially reaching as high as 250 according to unofficial estimates. The district administration has confirmed that among the deceased, 23 are children. Rescue efforts have so far identified 96 bodies, with 75 of these already handed over to their families.

The Indian Army has been actively involved, with units constructing a Bailey bridge at Chooralmala, the site of the second landslide. The bridge is crucial for continuing rescue operations and is being supported by aerial surveys from Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters. A spokesperson confirmed that an IAF C-17 aircraft was used to transport the Bailey bridge from Delhi to Kannur, along with three search and rescue dogs from the Army.

In response to the disaster, the Kerala state government has issued a list of missing individuals, including a 14-day-old infant and an 85-year-old senior citizen. The list also includes several individuals from other states, such as Bobby Chauhan and Pinto Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh and Swadhin Panda from Odisha.

Chief Minister Vijayan addressed the media, highlighting the extensive efforts of the rescue teams and emphasising the scale of the operation. He remarked that the ongoing rescue mission reflects a concerted effort to save as many lives as possible amidst the challenging conditions. The landslides have been described as the worst natural disaster in the state since the 2018 floods, which claimed nearly 500 lives.

The sheer scale of the Wayanad landslides presents a severe challenge to rescue operations. The ongoing rain not only complicates the search efforts but also highlights the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies.

  Chooralmala, disaster management, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Kerala, Mundakkai, National Disaster Response Force, Pinarayi Vijayan, Wayanad