The devastating landslides in Wayanad have claimed over 275 lives, with the Kerala Revenue Department officially confirming 167 deaths so far. The Indian Army’s engineering unit is making significant progress in constructing a temporary Bailey Bridge in the Chooralmala area, which was severely affected by the landslides.
In response to the disaster, makeshift bridges have been built over swollen rivers, and excavators have been working tirelessly to clear debris and boulders from affected areas. Rescue operations continue, involving the Army, NDRF, state emergency services, and local volunteers, despite ongoing heavy rainfall.
Rescuers have formed human chains using ropes to evacuate residents safely and used wooden platforms to transport people across dangerous rivers. The Army has recovered over 80 bodies and rescued nearly 1,000 individuals. Post-mortem examinations have been completed for 166 bodies and 49 body parts, with 75 bodies returned to their families. Among the identified victims, 77 are men, 67 are women, and 22 are children, with the gender of one victim still undetermined.
A total of 219 individuals were hospitalized, with 78 still receiving treatment and 142 transferred to camps after initial care. Currently, 73 people are being treated in Wayanad and 5 in Malappuram.
In the aftermath of the landslides, which occurred between 2 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. on Tuesday, a total of 1,386 people have been rescued, including those trapped in their homes. The Air Force has conducted aerial reconnaissance to support search and rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who died in the landslides. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 as part of the relief effort.
