More than 150 dead, 187 missing after large landslides in Wayanad, Kerala

A series of large landslides caused by heavy rains struck Wayanad in the Indian state of Kerala at 03:00 local time (LT) on July 30, 2024. Revenue Minister K. Rajan’s office confirmed 54 deaths as of 12:36 LT, with over 100 people remaining missing. Rescue operations are currently underway, and over 250 people have been rescued according to the latest reports.

Massive landslides caused by heavy rains struck Wayanad in Kerala early on July 30, uprooting trees before crushing multiple homes and burying people in mud.

As of 12:36 LT (07:06 UTC), 54 deaths have been reported and over 100 people remain missing, as confirmed by Revenue Minister K. Rajan’s office.

Rescue operations have been hampered due to the collapse of the main bridge and destroyed roads, making the affected areas difficult to reach.

There were at least three landslides in the area, according to Rashid Padikkalparamban, a resident involved in the relief efforts.

The NDRF, army, and air force are currently engaged in the rescue operations in the affected regions.

The army was asked to build a temporary crossing after a bridge in the district that linked the affected forest area to the nearest town of Chooralmala was destroyed, forest minister A K Saseendran told reporters.

A relief camp has been established at the Kathirur Cyclone Shelter in Thalassery Taluk. Thalassery Tehsildar reported that 13 people, including 2 children, have already taken refuge in the camp.

In Iritty taluk, 5 families were relocated to their relatives’ homes following a rockslide near the Chavassery post office. Iritty Tahsildar further informed that approximately 50 families have been shifted to the homes of relatives due to the heavy rains, though no additional relief camps have been set up in the district beyond Thalassery Taluk.

The Nedumpoyil-Mananthavady pass road is blocked due to cracks, causing traffic disruptions.

“An IAS officer will be camping in Wayand to coordinate the rescue ops. 250 people were rescued and shifted to temporary shelter camps. We are airlifting stranded persons. All efforts are being taken by the govt for rescue ops,” said Kerala minister M.B. Rajesh.

Due to the continuing rainfall, the IMD has issued a Red alert for half the state of Kerala, the districts of Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Meanwhile, 4 other districts are under an orange alert forecasting heavy rains.

Updates

10:00 UTC, July 31

The death toll has increased to 151.

Nearly 1 000 people have been rescued and 187 remain missing, officials said on July 31.

References:

¹ Wayanad landslides LIVE updates: 54 killed, over 100 feared missing in Kerala hill station; relief operations delayed – The Hindu – July 30, 2024

² India landslides: at least 24 dead in Kerala with others missing, feared washed away – The Guardian – July 30, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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