Landslides in Wayanad, Kerala: 148 Dead, 1000 Rescued
In Kerala’s Wayanad district, landslides have caused significant devastation. The Kerala State Revenue Department reported 148 deaths, while Brigadier Arjun Seagan mentioned 150 deaths and around 200-250 rescues.
Two massive landslides struck Meppadi panchayat early on July 30, affecting villages like Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Continuous rainfall over the past two weeks led to rivers swelling and changing course, causing widespread destruction.
Rescue teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and NDRF are working tirelessly. A team from the Ezhimala Naval Academy, led by Lt Commandant Ashirvad, arrived to assist. Brigadier Seagan noted that bad weather initially hampered rescue efforts, but around 500-600 personnel are now involved.
The Southern Command of the Indian Army reported that up to 1,000 people have been rescued. Additional Army Columns were airlifted from Trivandrum to Calicut to aid in the operations.
The landslides caused the river Iruvazhinji to divert, resulting in flash floods that washed away Chooralmala village. Houses were buried, trees uprooted, and people swept away. A makeshift bridge was constructed to rescue stranded individuals.
Bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar River, which flows from Chooralmala to Pothukal. Postmortem procedures have been completed for 143 bodies, with 83 identified so far.
Several injured individuals were taken to various hospitals in Wayanad and Mallapuram. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that 45 relief camps have been set up, housing over 3000 people.
Doubts Revealed
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its beautiful hills and forests.
Landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of rocks and soil slide down a hill or mountain. They can be very dangerous and cause a lot of damage.
Brigadier Arjun Seagan -: Brigadier Arjun Seagan is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. He helps lead and organize rescue operations during emergencies.
Indian Army -: The Indian Army is the part of India’s military that fights on land. They also help people during natural disasters like floods and landslides.
Navy -: The Navy is the part of the military that operates in the sea. They help protect the country and also assist in rescue missions during emergencies.
Air Force -: The Air Force is the part of the military that uses airplanes and helicopters. They help in rescue operations by flying people to safety.
NDRF -: NDRF stands for National Disaster Response Force. They are a special team in India that helps during natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and landslides.
Meppadi panchayat -: Meppadi panchayat is a local government area in Wayanad, Kerala. It is one of the places affected by the landslides.
Kerala Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state in India. Pinarayi Vijayan is the Chief Minister of Kerala.
Relief camps -: Relief camps are places where people can stay safe when their homes are damaged or destroyed. They get food, water, and shelter there.
