Kerala Landslides: State Events Postponed, 24 Dead and Major Rescue Operations Underway

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has postponed all state public events scheduled for Tuesday after landslides claimed 24 lives in Wayanad. Rescue operations are ongoing with aid from NDRF and Civil Defence. Injuries are reported at 70, and a control room has been set up for public assistance.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the postponement of all state government public events scheduled for Tuesday following landslides in Wayanad that claimed the lives of at least 24 people. According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, the landslides occurred in the Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk, at around 3:49 am on July 30.

As per officials, the massive landslides left around 70 people injured. Health Minister Veena George stated that the government is doing everything to rescue those affected. "We have received 24 bodies in different hospitals, and around 70 people are injured. We have ensured proper treatment for them. Teams of NDRF and Civil Defence are present, and a Navy team will arrive soon. A bridge in the area has also washed away," George said.

Officials reported that an Army Engineering Group will be urgently deployed for rescue operations in the landslide-affected area. The Madras Engineering Group (MEG) from Bangalore will implement alternative arrangements following the bridge collapse. This decision follows discussions between the Revenue Secretary and Major General VT Mathews under the Chief Minister's directive. Additionally, police drones and the dog squad have been deployed for search and rescue efforts.

The district administration has set up a special control room at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The public can provide information to this 24-hour control room, which operates under the state police chief's direct control. Contact numbers: 9497900402 and 0471 2721566. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

PM Modi also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assuring all possible help from the Centre. Furthermore, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his anguish over the situation and communicated with the Kerala Chief Minister and the Wayanad District Collector.

(With inputs from agencies.)