Over 256 people have died and around 200 are still missing after massive landslides struck the hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad. The Indian Army has rescued over 1,000 people and over 190 people are still missing, according to the media reports.
The three landslides struck Wayanad on Tuesday following heavy rain. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages in the district were the worst affected due to the landslides.
A temporary Bailey bridge in Chooralmala is being constructed by the Army’s Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group. An all-party meeting, chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will be held in Wayanad on Thursday.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more rain for Wayanad and several other districts over the next couple of days. A red alert for heavy rain has been issued for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 as compensation for the injured.
The Health Minister Veena George said, ‘At least 1,500 army personnel have been deployed for the rescue operation’. Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that the Kerala government did not act promptly on the central government’s warning about potential landslides.
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