Wayanad Landslides: Karnataka Govt To Make 100 Houses In Worst-hit Areas, Rescue Efforts Continue | Top Updates

As search operations continue following the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala is grappling with one of the worst natural calamities in the state in recent years. The landslides, which occurred on July 30, have claimed the lives of 308 people and left hundreds more injured.

Here are the latest updates on the Wayanad tragedy:

Beneficiaries From Landslide-hit Regions of Wayanad to Receive Free Rations

The Kerala government on Saturday announced free ration to the people of Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions of Wayanad district. The people in Mundakkai and Chooralmala will receive the August month ration for free, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil said.

Currently, the ration is being provided free of charge to priority categories and at a fair price to non-priority categories, a PTI report said.

Kerala Governor Praises Coordination Between Central And State Governments

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan lauded the cooperation between the state and central governments for the ongoing rescue and relief work in Wayanad.

“…This is an hour of crisis, an hour of tragedy. All our focus is on rescue and relief. So far all the bodies have not been recovered. So rescue work is in operation. Wayanad presented a very brilliant example of the coordination between the central government and the state government…” he said.

24-Hour Control Room For Domestic Animals At Chooralmala

Domestic animals, including livestock, stranded in landslides will be tended to in a 24-hour control room set up by the Animal Welfare Department at Chooralmala. After giving the necessary treatment to the injured animals, the animal welfare department will hand them over to nearby dairy farmers willing to take over them.

Karnataka To Construct 100 Houses for Victims in Landslide-hit Wayanad: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday that the state government would construct 100 houses for victims of the landslide-hit Wayanad. “I have assured CM Shri @pinarayivijayan of our support and announced that Karnataka will construct 100 houses for the victims. Together, we will rebuild and restore hope,” Siddaramaiah said in an X post.

Kerala CPI(M) MLAs To Donate One-month’s Salary To Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund

Kerala CPI(M) MLAs will donate one month’s salary – Rs 50,000 – to CMDRF (Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund).

Army Assistance

The Indian Army’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation in Wayanad continues as recovery efforts progress. On August 2, rescue teams recovered four survivors and one deceased individual. An Army team, working alongside National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, searched a building near Mundakkai Mosque but concluded the operation at 9 p.m. without any new discoveries.

A review meeting led by the Inspector General of Police for North Kerala was held at 7 pm, finalising search plans for six designated zones to be addressed on August 3. Army’s efforts include the airlifting of specialized radar equipment to enhance deep search capabilities. On request from the Kerala government, one XAVER Radar and four Reeco Radars are being transported by Indian Air Force aircraft.

Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday rescued three people from Soochipara Falls to Chooralmala with the help of forest team and coast guard.

Navy Aids Rescue Efforts

The Indian Navy has deployed 78 personnel to assist in the ongoing rescue operations in the landslide-affected areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Kerala’s Wayanad district. The teams are working closely with disaster relief agencies and local authorities to search for survivors, clear debris, and recover bodies. One team has been stationed at a river base to ensure a continuous supply of material, food, and provisions to the affected people. A medical post has also been set up in Chooralmala to provide medical assistance to the injured.

The Navy’s efforts have been crucial in the construction of a Bailey bridge over the river, connecting the isolated regions of Chooralmala and Mundakkai. Additionally, an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) from INS Garuda conducted aerial reconnaissance to locate survivors and bodies in the hilly terrain, despite challenging weather conditions.

Mohanlal Visits Affected Areas

Actor and honorary Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlal visited flood-affected areas on Saturday. Speaking to reporters, he said, “We understand the gravity of the situation when we see it ourselves. There is a lot of mud, and we are not sure if people are still trapped inside. I thank everyone who is working on this from the bottom of my heart. This is one of the biggest tragedies India has ever seen. While we cannot recover what has been lost, we need to focus on how we can assist these people for their future.”

87 women and 30 children

The 308 dead include 87 women and 30 children, the district administration said on Saturday. In a statement, it further said that 143 body parts have also been recovered till date. Of the total dead bodies, 148 have been identified by relatives, it added. The administration also said that autopsies of 212 bodies and 140 body parts have been performed and 119 remains were handed over to next of kin.

Besides these, 504 people were admitted to hospitals and of them 82 are undergoing treatment, the statement said. According to the district administration, around 218 people are missing. However, Kerala ADGP M R Ajith Kumar had on Friday said that approximately 300 people are still missing. The landslide has also displaced nearly 10,000 people.

Heroic Rescue

Search operations started early Saturday with more than 1,300 rescuers, heavy machinery and sophisticated equipment being deployed to look for survivors from the ravages of the landslides. In Wayanad, forest officers have been praised for their brave efforts in rescuing a tribal family stranded in the forest. On Thursday, a four-member team led by Kalpetta Range Forest Officer K Hashis undertook a dangerous trek to save a family from the Paniya community, including four toddlers aged between one and four. The family was trapped in a cave atop a hill overlooking a deep gorge.

Hashis described the rescue as perilous, involving slippery rocks and heavy downpours. The team encountered the mother and one child near the forest and learned of the others’ plight. Despite the family’s usual avoidance of outsiders, the officers managed to persuade them to leave their shelter. After feeding the children and securing the family, the team navigated back to safety. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan commended the officers’ bravery, highlighting their crucial role in saving lives amidst the crisis.

Search for Survivors

In another area of Wayanad, rescue operations faced setbacks despite advanced technology and significant efforts. On Friday, rescuers deployed radar systems and dogs to search for survivors under the debris from the landslide. A “blue signal,” indicating possible breathing, was detected, but the search was called off in the evening when it was concluded that no human life was present beneath the rubble.

The signal had been detected in an area where a house once stood in Mundakkai village. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the search would continue, with radars detecting even the slightest movements in the rubble. However, no concrete results were found by nightfall.

Centre Eco-Sensitive Draft

The Centre has issued a draft notification to declare around 57,000 square kilometer (sq km) of Western Ghats as an ‘ecologically-sensitive area’. The area includes 13 villages in Wayanad and around 10,000 sq km in the state of Kerala. News18 has exclusively accessed this detailed draft notification issued by the Centre on July 31, which proposed declaring nearly 36% of Western Ghats as eco-sensitive.

Citizens have been given 60 days to offer their comments to the Centre, following which the final notification will be published either state-wise or a combined order, the draft notification says. An area of 56,826 sq km in six states – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Gujarat – is proposed to be declared ‘ecologically sensitive’, bringing in a host of restrictions on commercial activity here. This will include 9,994 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in Wayanad, the document says.

Struggle in Relief Camps

The landslide has left many residents in Wayanad in dire conditions. Survivors in relief camps are struggling with the loss of their homes and loved ones. The disaster has displaced nearly 10,000 people across 91 camps, with 2,597 housed near Meppadi. The state government has mobilised support by establishing a Mental Health Disaster Management team to provide psychosocial support. This team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors working round-the-clock to aid both survivors and rescue workers.

Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts continue as authorities deploy advanced equipment and manpower to handle the aftermath of the landslide. A Bailey bridge built by the Army has facilitated the movement of heavy machinery to affected areas. GPS coordinates and drone imagery have been used to focus search operations more efficiently. Local and national support has poured in, including significant donations and aid from across the state.

Notably, a small but symbolic contribution came from Subaida, a teaseller from Kollam, who donated her savings to aid the relief efforts. Rescue operations are conducted by multiple teams, including police, Coast Guard, and Navy, focusing on riverbanks and downstream areas. Efforts are also being made to identify and recover bodies using advanced technology and search dogs.

Children Missing

Kerala General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, on Friday said at least 49 children have either been missing or dead in the devastating landslides that hit Wayanad district three days ago. Speaking to the media here, Sivankutty said the Government Higher Secondary School at Vellarimala has been completely destroyed by the natural disaster, while four other schools in the vicinity have also suffered major or minor damage.

“As per the reports, 49 children are either dead or missing. The Vellarimala GHSS has been completely destroyed. The GLPS Mundakkai has been partially damaged. Three other schools have also suffered minor damage,” he said. The minister added that many of the surviving children have lost their textbooks and certificates, among others, and the government will consider all these matters and help them after a discussion with the chief minister.

(With agency inputs)