Entire Family Lost to Devastating Landslide In Vaithiri Thalippuzha

Yunus has been waiting outside the Meppadi CHC for three days. He rushes to every passing ambulance, hoping it carries his loved ones. He is not alone; his close relatives are also present. Seven family members, including his parents, were lost in a landslide.

Yusuf, Yunus's father, was a well-known Congress worker in Vaithiri Thalippuzha. Yusuf and his wife Fatima had gone to their daughter's house in Churalmala for a wedding celebration. Ruksana, their daughter, was five months pregnant. They were preparing to return home when the disaster struck.

Yusuf had taken his younger granddaughter, Juhi, with him to Ruksana's house. Ruksana's husband Munir, their children Amal Nishant and Hijaz Roshan, and Munir's father were also caught in the landslide. Ruksana's body was found on Tuesday, while Munir's body was discovered in the Chaliyar River. There is no information about the others.

The entire area where their house stood has been completely destroyed. Yusuf was beloved by the residents of Thalippuzha and would always help those in need, according to his brother Sulaiman. "He was the one who took care of everything in the family," Sulaiman told OneIndia Malayalam with tearful eyes.

Meanwhile, forest department officials managed to rescue six lives after eight hours of intense effort. Four officials rescued a family of five living in the Sankettam area near the Soochipara waterfall. Krishnan, his wife Shanthi, and their four children had been living in a mud hut inside the forest.

The family went into the forest due to a lack of food. Shanthi and one of her sons encountered a forest officer while searching for food. The officer understood their situation after questioning Shanthi and returned home with them.

The forest department officials immediately set out to bring the family members who were warming themselves near a fire out of the forest. This timely intervention saved their lives.

Yusuf was also the Secretary of the Mahall Committee for a long time. His dedication to helping others made him a cherished figure in his community. The loss of Yusuf and his family members has left a significant void among those who knew them.

The search for the remaining missing persons continues as authorities work tirelessly to locate them amidst challenging conditions. The community remains hopeful but deeply affected by this tragedy.