Wayanad Landslides Updates: Death Toll Crosses 160; Schools, Colleges Declared Holiday In Kerala

In one of Kerala's worst natural disasters, over 150 people have died and hundreds are injured due to massive landslides in Wayanad. Rescue operations resumed on Wednesday, with agencies racing against time to find survivors. With many still trapped, fears of more fatalities remain high. Post-mortem have been completed for 129 individuals.

The first landslide struck at 2 a.m., followed by another at 4:10 a.m., causing severe damage to homes and livelihoods. Areas like Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala are isolated, with roads washed away. The Vellarimala GVH School was completely buried under debris.

Rescue Operations and Relief Efforts

According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), fire and rescue teams, civil defence, NDRF, and local emergency response teams are involved in the rescue operations. Around 200 Indian Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and 122 TA Battalion from Kozhikode are also on-site. Two Air Force helicopters, a Mi-17 and an ALH, are coordinating the rescue efforts.

Over 120 rescued and injured persons are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Wayanad. Kerala health minister Veena George confirmed that postmortems of 116 bodies have been completed.

The army and Kerala Fire Force constructed a temporary bridge on Tuesday night to evacuate those stranded after the original bridge was destroyed. The operations had been halted on Tuesday night due to adverse weather conditions but resumed on Wednesday morning.

Holiday For Schools, Colleges

Due to the disaster and continuous rainfall, all educational institutions will remain closed on Wednesday, July 31. A holiday has also been declared in 11 districts including Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert for Wayanad and neighbouring districts predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on July 31 and August 1. Heavy rainfall is also expected on August 2. "Strong surface winds with speeds reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala on July 30 and 31," the IMD stated.

Government Response

Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting to coordinate rescue operations. During the meeting, he assessed the rescue efforts and reviewed coordination with central government agencies. He also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

"The state government is in regular communication with the Kerala government regarding the massive landslide where many lives were affected in Wayanad," said Odisha CMO on Tuesday. "As per information from KSDMA, two rescued Odia people are under treatment while two others are still missing," they posted on X.

Condolences from Across the Nation

Condolences poured in from across the country including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp said: "On behalf of @UNinIndia, we are deeply saddened by the devastating landslides in Wayanad."

Bodies of several victims washed downstream by floods were found in Chaliyar River waters near Nilambur village - seven kilometres south of Mundakkai. Horrifying videos of the disaster surfaced on social media showing the extent of devastation.

Local officials reported that most victims worked in tea estates living along arterial roads or at plantation bases. Many areas remain isolated as roads have been washed away making access difficult for rescue teams.

The chief minister noted that five ministers are coordinating relief efforts with central agencies ensuring health precautions at relief camps housing over 3,000 people across Wayanad alone.