2024 Wayanad landslides
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| Date | July 30, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 01:00–04:00 (IST) |
| Location | Wayanad district, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 11°29′15″N 76°9′18″E / 11.48750°N 76.15500°E |
| Type | Landslides |
| Deaths | at least 168[1][2][3] |
| Non-fatal injuries | at least 191[1] |
| Missing | at least 85[4] |
On 30 July 2024, multiple landslides occurred in Wayanad district, Kerala, India, resulting in at least 168 deaths and 191 injuries.[5][6][1] These are the deadliest landslides in Kerala's history.[1]
Background
[edit]Wayanad, a hilly district which is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during monsoon seasons.[6] Due to heavy rainfall in the area for the past few days the residents in the Punchrimattom, Attamala and Mundakkai areas were shifted by the local body authorities to relief camps on June 29th, Monday. Even though district administration issued alert, many residents of Chooramala area stayed in their houses as it was not marked as a landslide-prone area.[7]
Incident
[edit]The first landslide struck the village of Mundakkai at around 01:00 IST, followed by a second landslide in nearby Chooralmala to the north at around 04:00 IST. Approximately 400 families were stranded in Mundakkai and Attamala following the collapse of the only bridge connecting the settlements and Chooramala.[1] Overall, four villages, namely Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome, were affected by the landslides.[6]
At least 168[1] deaths and 191[1] injuries were caused by the landslides; most victims were workers on tea and cardamom estates located in the region and were likely asleep in their makeshift tents when the landslides struck.[6] Sixteen bodies were found in the Chaliyar river.[6][8]
Aftermath
[edit]State and national disaster relief teams are conducting rescue operations, hindered by strong river currents and heavy rains. The Indian Army has sent more than 200 personnel to the area to assist with search and rescue operations. Local hospitals treated at least 191 injured people and more than 3,000 people were rescued and sent to disaster relief camps.[5][6][1] Schools and colleges were closed in 10 of 14 districts.[9][6]
Response
[edit]Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced payments of ₹2 lakhs to relatives of the dead and ₹50,000 to each injured.[10]
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Member of Parliament for Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, spoke with Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and urged United Democratic Front workers to provide help.[11]
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin spoke with Vijayan regarding the landslides. The government of Tamil Nadu offered ₹5 crore for relief operations and sent medical and rescue teams.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Wayanad landslides: 133 dead, 481 saved, at least 98 missing". Onmanorama. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
In terms of fatalities, this is the largest landslide-related disaster to strike Kerala. So far around 400 families are stranded and over 191 are hospitalised. Death toll rises to 163. 5 dead bodies, 2 body parts recovered from Chaliyar River. Missing: 85.
- ^ "Wayanad Landslide Live Updates: At least 156 killed, nearly 200 injured after landslides near Meppadi". Indian Express. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Wayanad landslides: 123 people dead, 128 more in hospitals, rescue & relief ops on, says Kerala govt". Telegraph India. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wayanad landslides: 133 dead, 481 saved, at least 98 missing". Onmanorama. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Wayanad Landslide Live Updates: At least 156 killed, nearly 200 injured after landslides near Meppadi". The Indian Express. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "India landslides kill 120 and trap dozens". BBC. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wayanad landslide Hope and desperation as families wait for kith and kin". The Hindu.
- ^ "Wayanad landslides LIVE updates: At least 123 killed, several feared missing; Rahul Gandhi to visit relief camps on July 31". The Hindu. July 30, 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wayanad landslide news: Death toll rises to 80; Navy deployed to aid in rescue operations". Mint (newspaper). July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
The death toll from Tuesday's catastrophic landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district has tragically risen to 63, with 116 people reported injured, according to the Kerala Revenue Minister's office. Authorities have yet to confirm, but hundreds of people are feared to be trapped in the aftermath of the devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district.
- ^ "93 Killed In Wayanad Landslides, Kerala Braces For More Rain". NDTV. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wayanad landslides: Rahul Gandhi speaks with Kerala CM; urges UDF workers to provide all help". The Telegraph (India). Press Trust of India. July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ "Kerala landslides | Tamil Nadu chips in; to send relief team, assistance of Rs 5 crore". Deccan Herald. Retrieved July 30, 2024.