Wayanad landslides claim 45 lives, PM Modi expresses ‘concern’, announces ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh | 10 updates

Wayanad Landslides: Heavy rains caused a series of massive landslides in the hilly regions of Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday, resulting in at least 45 deaths.

Here are the top 10 updates:

1. District Collector Meghasree D R reported that the current death toll has reached 45. She confirmed that 36 of these deaths occurred in Chooralmala due to the landslides, while nine bodies swept away by the Chaliyar River have been recovered in Malappuram.

2. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has announced that Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on-site, and another NDRF team is on its way to provide further assistance.

3. A Defence PRO announced on Tuesday that a team of 43 personnel, led by the Second-in-Command from the 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS, has been deployed to support the ongoing rescue operations. The team includes a Medical Officer, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 40 soldiers, all equipped to provide crucial assistance in the affected areas.

4. The operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities, Chief Minister Vijayan said in a statement issued by his office.

5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident and said he spoke to Cihef Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all possible help from the Centre to the state. The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

6. In a post on X, Modi said, “Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there [sic].”  

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7. Health Department - National Health Mission has opened a control room and issued helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 for emergency assistance. Two Air Force helicopters, Mi-17 and an ALH, will depart from Sulur at 7.30 am. Rescue operations will be coordinated. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities through these two numbers -- 9656938689 and 8086010833 -- the statement said.

8. Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts, according to a Facebook post by the KSDMA. Locals from the affected areas report that many people are feared trapped.

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9. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, “All hospitals including Vaithiri, Kalpatta, Meppadi and Mananthavadi hospitals are ready. All the health workers arrived for service during the night. More teams of health workers will be deployed in Wayanad.”

10. Earlier, in a video message, UDF MLA T Siddique said that district authorities were drawing up plans to airlift people from Mundakkai area. "Currently, we have no complete information about those missing and dead in the landslides. Many areas have been cut off. NDRF personnel are trying to reach those places," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)