Wayanad Landslides : Rescue Operations Ongoing; Death Toll Surpasses 200
01.08.2024: (Wayanad, Kerala) Rescue operations continue in full force as the death toll from the devastating landslides in the Chooral Mala and Mundakkai areas near Meppadi, Wayanad district, has exceeded 200. The challenging terrain has complicated rescue efforts, but personnel from various forces are determined to locate the missing and aid survivors.
Key Updates:
- Rescue Efforts: Personnel from the Army, Defence Security Corps (DSC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Forest and Fire and Rescue Service are working tirelessly, using rescue equipment, including earth movers, to sift through the debris. Volunteers are also assisting in these efforts.
- Casualties and Injuries: The landslides, triggered by extremely heavy rain early on Tuesday, have left at least 167 people dead and over 200 injured. Another 191 individuals are still reported missing. So far, 1,592 people have been rescued and moved to various hospitals, with 99 currently under treatment.
- Government Response: The Kerala Government has established two control rooms to handle distress calls from citizens. The numbers are 9656938689 and 8086010833.
- Compensation Announced: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Additionally, Union Minister Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha that ₹145 crore has been disbursed to Kerala from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Political Repercussions:
- Dispute Over Warnings: The Centre and Kerala government have exchanged criticisms over the handling of advance weather warnings and the disaster response. In Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Kerala government failed to accurately assess the severity of the situation, despite the Centre dispatching nine NDRF teams to the state on July 23. Shah asserted that had the state heeded the warnings, the situation might have been different.
- State’s Rebuttal: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan countered Shah’s statement, claiming that the NDRF teams were dispatched at the state’s request due to the intensifying monsoon. Vijayan emphasized that the state government had proactively moved an NDRF unit to Wayanad in anticipation of the disaster.
Support and Aid:
- Community Efforts: Local communities and volunteers are playing a crucial role in supporting the rescue operations and providing aid to those affected.
- Relief Measures: Efforts are ongoing to provide relief and support to the displaced and injured, ensuring they receive the necessary medical and humanitarian assistance.