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Wayanad landslides kill 158, with rescue operations ongoing. Heavy rains continue, hampering efforts to find survivors and provide relief.

Wayanad, a picture postcard district of the state of Kerala, covered in picture-postcard-like landscapes and lush tea estates, turned into a testament to the havoc nature can unleash. Massive landslides hit areas near Meppadi, a hilly area, on Tuesday, leaving an alarming death toll of 158, over 180 injured, and hundreds more feared trapped. This has sent multiple rescue agencies, including the Army, into overdrive to save as many lives as possible with the rain still pouring down.

The Disaster Unfolds

Within four hours, landslides swept through Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages, leaving a trail of destruction behind. The Chaliyar River, unable to bear the deluge, swept away many people, thereby compounding the tragedy. Visuals and videos doing the rounds on social media bring out the magnitude of the destruction clearly: uprooted trees, damaged homes, and blocked roads now characterize what earlier used to be a serene landscape.

The relief camps set up in the immediate aftermath sheltered 3,069 displaced persons in 45 camps. District authorities are involved in the collation of data to determine the number of missing persons by using ration card details and other government documents. The process is quite meticulous and lays before us the severity of the situation and the imperative of well-coordinated action.

Mobilizing Resources: The Rescue Effort

The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, declared two days of state mourning and is personally supervising the rescue operations. He called for a meeting with senior officials and ministers stationed in Wayanad to discuss progress. At the same time, the day-two rescue operation is continuing with forces from the Army, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and emergency services. These personnel are scouring the mangled remains of houses, looking under fallen roofs and debris for victims and survivors.

The Army’s effort in this exercise has been invaluable, with 225 personnel pressed into rescue operations. More companies have been relocated from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut to supplement the forces on the ground. The Army in an incredible feat, rescued over 1,000 people by constructing a makeshift structure following the washout of a major bridge that connected Chooralmala and Mundakkai.

However, rescue operations are highly challenging. Continuous heavy rainfall is posing a threat, with chances of further landslides. The weather department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in Wayanad and other districts, including Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod. 

National and Regional Support

The response to the disaster spilled out beyond the boundaries of Kerala. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced assistance of Rs 5 crore towards the efforts of the Kerala government. The Prime Minister’s Office has also committed Rs 2 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased, reflecting national solidarity in the face of this tragedy.

Not deterred by the grim situation, rescue teams and local authorities are still showing their resilience and resolve. Helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 have been issued to facilitate the affected. Arrangements to render medical care, food, and shelter continue. Even Kerala Health Minister Veena George met with a minor accident on her way to Wayanad, thus pointing to the hazardous conditions that even those who were providing aid braved.

Way Forward

While Wayanad wrestles with this disaster, the spirit of collective action and humanitarian aid is no doubt palpable. The disaster not only mobilized extensive rescue operations but also brought into focus preparedness and resilience building in disaster-prone regions. Quick responses by the State Government, supported by neighboring States and national agencies, reflect a synchronized move toward crisis management.

While rescue and relief operations may be the mainstay in the coming days, concern will also be felt toward the long-term rehabilitation process of the affected communities. The road to recovery will indeed be grim, but there is a sense of hope despite the ruins if one looks at the collective efforts being made by the government, rescue agencies, and the community.

The tragic landslides in Wayanad stand to remind us of the unpredictability of nature and the paramount requirement for strong disaster management systems. As rescue operations are underway, the country is standing with those in Wayanad, extending its support and prayers for their recovery and strength.

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