Meppadi ( Wayanad )The death toll from the two massive landslides that occurred early Tuesday morning amid heavy rains in Wayanad has risen to 120. The landslides took place in Churamalai and Mundakkai near Meppadi. Several houses in Churamalai were destroyed and swept away, leaving many people trapped in the disaster area.
The deaths of 93 people have been confirmed in the landslides at Mundakkai town and Churamalai. The Mundakkai region has been isolated after roads and bridges were washed away. The NDRF and rescue workers have reached the area. The death toll is expected to rise.
The first landslide occurred in Mundakkai town around 1 AM. The second landslide happened near Churamalai school at 4 AM while rescue operations were underway.
The state is in shock over the landslides in Wayanad. The landslides, accompanied by flash floods and massive boulders, have wiped out entire areas.
Many people are trapped in the region. Rescue operations are progressing intensively. The washed-away bridges and roads are making the rescue efforts challenging.
Around a hundred injured people are being treated in various hospitals. Due to the collapsed bridge from here to Mundakkai, it took hours for rescuers to reach the disaster site. The true picture of the damage and loss has yet to emerge.
Bodies of many who were caught in the landslides have floated kilometers away to Pothukallu in Nilambur, Malappuram, revealing the extent of the disaster. Many of the bodies were found in dismembered states. The bodies found in various parts of the Chaliyar River are believed to have come from Wayanad. The police, fire force and public representatives who reached Churamalai were faced with heartbreaking scenes.
The government has decided to airlift those trapped in remote areas due to landslides and mudslides. Two helicopters from the Air Force will arrive from Sulur in Coimbatore for this purpose. Teams from the Navy and Army will also reach Wayanad.
Around a hundred injured people are being treated in various hospitals. Due to the collapsed bridge from here to Mundakkai, it took hours for rescuers to reach the disaster site. The true picture of the damage and loss has yet to emerge
