News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/30th July 2024
The tragic landslides that struck Kerala’s Wayanad district on July 30 have left a profound mark of devastation, with the death toll now rising to 63. Reports from the Kerala Revenue Minister’s office indicate that 116 individuals have been injured in this disaster. The massive landslides occurred in the early hours of the morning, severely affecting the hilly areas of Meppadi in Wayanad.
Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams working to retrieve body parts from the river and mud. These efforts have been challenging, as authorities struggle to determine if the fragments belong to single individuals or multiple victims. The scale of the disaster is still unfolding, with hundreds of people feared trapped in the aftermath.
The landslides, triggered by intense rainfall, have wreaked havoc across several villages, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. The affected areas have seen substantial destruction, with numerous houses demolished, water bodies overflowing, and trees uprooted. These landslides have severed crucial transport links and isolated many communities.
In response to the crisis, a significant rescue effort has been mobilized. An Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur has been deployed to Chooralmala to assist with rescue operations. Additionally, the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police and fire units are working relentlessly to evacuate stranded individuals and deliver aid.
The Kerala Chief Minister’s office has established a control room to oversee immediate relief and rescue operations. This initiative aims to streamline efforts and ensure that resources are effectively utilized to address the urgent needs of the affected population.
Climate experts have warned that extreme rainfall is expected to increase across India and the Western Ghats, including the region from Kerala to Maharashtra. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, highlighted that Kerala’s hilly and mountainous terrain makes it particularly susceptible to landslides during heavy rain events. Approximately half of Kerala consists of such high-risk areas with slopes exceeding 20 degrees.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached out to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to assess the situation and has assured the central government’s full support in managing the crisis. Former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his condolences, stating that over 70 lives have been lost in the disaster.
The monsoon season, which began in June, has historically brought severe rainfall to Kerala, often leading to flooding and loss of life. In 2018, Kerala experienced devastating floods that resulted in over 400 deaths and extensive damage to homes, forests, and infrastructure, with recovery costs running into billions of dollars.
As Wayanad grapples with this new crisis, the combined efforts of rescue teams, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations are crucial in mitigating the impact and supporting the affected communities during this challenging time.
