Kerala’s Wayanad faces a severe crisis after a devastating landslide on July 30, claiming over 210 lives, displacing 10,000 people
As search operations continue following the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala is scrambling to cope with one of the worst natural calamities to hit the southern state in recent years. More than 210 lives have been lost, with close to 300 still missing. The landslide has also displaced nearly 10,000 people.
Here are the latest updates on the Wayanad tragedy:
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.
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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.
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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. Many survivors are overwhelmed by the scale of their loss and face an uncertain future.
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. With over 210 confirmed deaths and almost as many still missing, the situation remains critical.
ONGOING EFFORTS AND SUPPORT
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)
