Kerala: 63 People Killed And More Than 100 Injured In Landslide In Wayanad; Army, Navy & NDRF Pressed Into Rescue Operations

Wayanad (Kerala) July 30

The death toll in the massive landslide that took place in Wayanad district of Kerala  has gone up to 63. The figure is likely to go up further, as more bodies are believed to be trapped under several layers of mud and debris in the affected region.

122 persons injured in the mishap have been admitted to various hospitals in Wayanad.

Official sources said over 100 persons are reportedly missing. Defence sources in Kochi said a team of 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy are being deployed in the region.

Two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur in Coimbatore will be reaching Wayanad soon. Around 200 Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and the Terriorial Army Battallion in Kozhikode have also been dispatched to the site.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the landslides in Wayanad. In her message on social media, the President prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and the success of rescue operations. The Vice President also conveyed his wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured will be given 50 thousand rupees.

The Prime Minister also spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible assistance from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there. In a social media post, the PM said that rescue operations are currently underway to assist all those affected. The PM also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.