A tragic landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, claimed nearly 250 lives and left at least 186 injured, plunging the nation into deep sorrow. The landslide, triggered by incessant rainfall over the past few days, occurred in the early morning hours, catching many residents off guard and leading to widespread devastation. Wayanad, known for its picturesque landscapes and lush green hills, has often been at the mercy of heavy monsoon rains. However, the intensity of the recent downpours has been unprecedented, causing massive soil erosion and landslides in various parts of the district. The landslide struck a remote village nestled in the hilly terrain..
Response and Relief Efforts
Rescue operations were launched immediately after the Wayanad landslide. All searching parties from the army, NDRF promptly responded to the rescue. Indian army deployed 300 personnel for rescue while 120 were on standby in Thiruvananthapuram in case the need arose. Helicopters and heavy machinery have also been deployed to assist in the operations. Still, the incessant rain and the risk of further landslides in Waynad have added to the challenges faced by the rescue teams.
At least 200 natives remain untraceable after the catastrophic Wayanad landslide, The health department has opened a control room. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities on the helpline. In Waynad 45 relief camps were also established where more than 3000 people took shelter in the moment of catastrophe. The Kerala state government has declared mourning on 30 and 31 July in the region and has announced compensation for the families of the victims.Â
Official reactions on Wayanad Landslide
PM Narender Modi spoke with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan assuring help to the LDF government and he also spoke with the BJP chief JP Nadda assuring that party workers assist in relief efforts. The PM also expressed his condolence to the family of the victims and announced ex gracia of Rs 2 Lakh to the next kin of decrease and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
As rescue operations continue, the focus now shifts to providing immediate relief to the survivors, ensuring their safety, and rebuilding the lives shattered by this tragedy. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the resilience of the people of Wayanad and the support from across the nation offer a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.
Politics of Death
India’s Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, on Wednesday, expressed his condolences to the families of the injured and deceased, stating that ‘there should be no politics’ on this issue. In the Rajya Sabha, Shah announced that the central government had warned the Kerala administration about the heavy rainfall and landslides on July 23. He also mentioned that they dispatched nine NDRF units to Kerala on July 23 due to fears of a landslide. He questioned, ‘What did the Kerala government do? Why did the Kerala government not evacuate people?’
Shah further emphasized that the central government spent Rs 2000 crore to build a system and sends alerts to every state, which are also available on the website. He cited examples of states like Odisha and Gujarat, where they issued early warnings, resulting in zero or minimal casualties in disaster management.
A massive landslide struck the Wayanad district of Kerala, claiming at least 256 lives and leaving more than 200 injured. More than 200 individuals remains untraceable while more than 1000 rescued by army. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted ‘heavy to very heavy rainfall’ in isolated areas.
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