Rescue and relief operations are underway following a series of devastating landslides at Chooralmala in Wayanad district, Kerala. The death toll has climbed to 316, with authorities expressing concern over the fate of 220 people still missing.
"Rescue operations in Wayanad are continuing in full swing. Our land has never experienced such painful sights before," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. The Wayanad district administration confirmed the deaths of 158 people in the calamity.
During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the chief minister provided an update: 144 bodies have been recovered, including 79 men and 64 women. "Currently, 191 people are still missing," he added.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Vijayan earlier in the day expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The chief minister described the scenes in Mundakkai and Chooralmala as devastating, stating, "Both these areas have been completely destroyed."
Despite the overwhelming devastation, rescue efforts are progressing well. "In the two-day rescue operation, 1,592 people were rescued. This is the achievement of a coordinated and extensive mission to save so many people in a short span of time," Vijayan noted.
In the first phase, 206 people from 68 families in nearby areas were relocated to three camps. "This includes 75 men, 88 women, and 43 children," the chief minister said. The ongoing rescue mission has saved 1,386 people stranded or trapped in their homes.
Among them, 528 men, 559 women, and 299 children were shifted to seven camps. Additionally, 201 people were rescued and taken to hospitals, with 90 currently undergoing treatment.
In Wayanad district, there are now 8,017 people in 82 relief camps, including 19 pregnant women. "There are eight camps in Meppadi, where 1,486 people from 421 families are currently staying," Vijayan said.
Rescue teams, including the Army, Navy, and NDRF, are working collectively to find survivors, unearthing debris and searching through the remains of houses destroyed or buried in the landslides.
An army statement indicated that around 1,000 people were rescued from the affected areas by Tuesday night. The Air Force is conducting aerial reconnaissance to coordinate search and rescue operations.
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of the Udupi Diocese has expressed profound sorrow and grief over the devastating landslide tragedy in Wayanad, Kerala, India, on August 1, 2024, which has claimed numerous lives and left many more missing.
Describing the tragedy as "heart-wrenching," Bishop Lobo offered condolences to the families of the deceased and injured and comfort to the affected families. He urged the faithful of the Udupi Diocese to offer special prayers for the victims and their families during Sunday Mass on August 4, calling for solidarity and support for those affected.
“We are deeply pained by this unprecedented disaster and stand in solidarity with the people of Wayanad,” Bishop Lobo said. “We pray for the comfort and strength of the affected families during this difficult time.”
The Udupi Diocese has announced plans to send a team to Wayanad to assist with relief efforts and to collect donations and aid materials. Bishop Lobo also urged the government and relief agencies to expedite rescue operations and provide the necessary support to those affected.
The landslides, which occurred between 2 am and 4:10 am on Tuesday, caught many people off-guard while they were sleeping, resulting in a high number of casualties.
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