Wayanad Landslides: Death Toll Reaches 167 Amidst Rescue Operations, Political Accusations

The landslides in Wayanad, Kerala have claimed 167 lives. While rescue operations continue, political leaders exchange accusations over the management of weather warnings. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan defends state efforts against Union Home Minister Amit Shah's criticism.

After devastating landslides struck early Tuesday in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, officials confirmed a death toll of 167. Among the victims were 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children, according to sources from the PRD Control Room in Wayanad.

Authorities have conducted post-mortem examinations on 166 bodies and 49 body parts. A total of 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives. Rescue operations brought 219 individuals to hospitals; 78 remain under treatment, and 142 have moved to relief camps. Currently, 73 people are hospitalized in Wayanad and five in Malappuram.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan affirmed that rescue operations continue at full scale, with 1,592 people rescued so far. In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the state ignored weather warnings, Vijayan emphasized that it is not the time for blame games and defended the state's response to the disaster.