Wayanad landslide death toll crosses 250-mark; Indian army rescues over 1000 people

Devastating landslides triggered by heavy rains have struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district, resulting in the deaths of at least 256 people and injuring over 200 others, Health Minister Veena George reported. The Army has rescued around 1,000 individuals, though over 190 remain missing.

The landslides, which hit Wayanad on Tuesday, severely impacted the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. In response to the crisis, a Command and Control Centre has been established in Kozhikode by the Army to coordinate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts.

Rescue operations resumed on the third day, with teams from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working tirelessly alongside other agencies. Each rescue team has been bolstered by the addition of dog squads to aid in locating survivors.

The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast more rain for Wayanad and other districts in the coming days. A red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod districts.