Tragedy in Wayanad: Search and Rescue Operations Underway

Rescue operations commenced in Wayanad following deadly landslides that have resulted in over 123 deaths and 186 injuries. Army units and various emergency personnel are searching for survivors amid collapsed structures. The disaster, fueled by torrential rains, has affected multiple hamlets, raising fears of increasing fatalities.

Rescue personnel launched search and rescue operations in Wayanad on Wednesday after devastating landslides killed more than 123 people and injured approximately 186 others.

Army units, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency service teams, have been deployed in the area to aid in the search for victims and potential survivors.

Efforts are concentrated under collapsed roofs and the debris of destroyed homes. A Defence spokesperson reported that soldiers from the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army have moved out to the affected zones from their temporary base at a local school in Meppadi.

'Heading into Day 2 of #RescueOperations: #WayanadLandslides,' the spokesperson shared on the social media platform 'X', indicating that the Territorial Army troops are continuing their operations.

Further reinforcements from the army, including disaster relief experts, medical teams, and emergency equipment, have been dispatched from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut by road and air, according to an official statement.

Concerns are growing that several people might still be trapped under the rubble, potentially increasing the death toll.

The landslides, triggered by intense rainfall, devastated the scenic villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha early Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of many, including women and children.

Wayanad, renowned for its verdant forests, rolling hills, and scenic waterfalls, is a hill district located in northern Kerala. With a population of around 8,17,000 (2011 census), it hosts various cultures, including indigenous tribal communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)