Deadly Landslides Devastate Kerala: Scores Perish, Many Still Missing

Tuesday 30 July 2024 - 16:00

In a catastrophic turn of events, the southern Indian state of Kerala has been struck by massive landslides, resulting in at least 93 fatalities and leaving dozens more trapped beneath the rubble. The disaster, which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, has primarily affected the hilly areas of Wayanad district, known for its vulnerability to such calamities during the monsoon season.

V Venu, Kerala's top civil servant, painted a grim picture of the situation, stating, "The situation continues to remain very grave. The casualties may go up." This sobering assessment underscores the magnitude of the disaster, which is being described as the worst to hit Kerala since the devastating floods of 2018 that claimed over 400 lives.

The state government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has mobilized significant resources to address the crisis. More than 200 army personnel have been deployed to bolster the efforts of local security forces in search and rescue operations. However, these efforts are being severely hampered by persistent heavy rains and the collapse of a crucial bridge, further isolating affected areas.

In a press conference, Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the extensive damage, noting that the "landslide has wiped out an entire area." The human toll of this disaster is staggering, with local hospitals treating at least 123 injured individuals, while more than 3,000 people have been evacuated to 45 relief camps.

The devastation has been widespread across Wayanad district. In addition to the 65 confirmed deaths in Wayanad itself, 16 bodies have been recovered from the Chaliyar river, which flows into the neighboring Malappuram district. Tragically, body parts of other victims have also been discovered, hinting at an even higher death toll.

The affected areas include Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Kunhome, all part of the Western Ghats mountain range. Social media footage has captured the horrifying scenes of muddy water surging through unpaved streets and forested regions, destroying homes and leaving people and vehicles stranded.

The collapse of a bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has severely complicated rescue efforts, isolating these areas and making it challenging for emergency personnel to reach trapped families. Rashid Padikkalparamban, a local resident, reported to Reuters that at least three landslides had struck the area around midnight, resulting in the bridge's destruction.

State and national disaster relief teams are working tirelessly alongside local volunteers in rescue operations. However, as Mr. Venu pointed out, while a small team has managed to cross the river to reach cut-off areas, strong currents are impeding further crossings. The adverse weather conditions have also forced the postponement of air-relief operations.

The human impact of this tragedy is heart-wrenching. Raghavan C Arunamala, a local witness, described distressing scenes: "I saw a man trapped in the debris shouting for help. Firefighters and rescue workers have been trying to reach him for the last few hours." Local hospitals are inundated with people desperately searching for their loved ones.

The affected regions, home to numerous tea and cardamom estates, housed nearly 350 families. Many of the victims are believed to be estate workers who were likely asleep in makeshift tents when the landslides struck.

As the rescue efforts continue, Wayanad district and neighboring areas remain on high alert due to forecasts of continued heavy rainfall. As a precautionary measure, educational institutions in 10 of Kerala's 14 districts have been closed.

This is not the first time Wayanad has faced such a calamity. In 2019, a landslide in Puthumala, approximately 10 km from the currently affected areas, claimed 17 lives.

The disaster has drawn national attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a former MP from Wayanad, scheduled to visit the district on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also responded to the crisis, announcing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken with Chief Minister Vijayan and assured federal government support for relief efforts. The Prime Minister has announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,388; £1,857) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured.

As Kerala grapples with this tragic event, the focus remains on rescue and relief efforts, with hopes that more survivors will be found and that the state can begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.