Kerala landslides death toll rose to 151 and hundreds went missing

The death toll rose to 151 people due to a catastrophic series of landslides triggered by heavy rains in Wayanad district, Kerala. Hundreds of people are injured and missing due to the deadliest landslides.

The multiple landslides buried homes uprooted trees and blocked roadways. It has resulted in extensive damage in Wayanard. Rescue crews are working nonstop to find and save people buried under the debris.

எப்பா மோடி இதுக்காச்சும் நிதி கொடுப்பீங்களா.. இல்ல ஓட்டு போடாதவங்களுக்கு ஏன் கொடுக்கனும் சொல்வீங்களா #Wayanad #WayanadLandslides #WayanadRains pic.twitter.com/0NyVWF4h9q
— மெட்ராஸ் பையன் (@madraspaiyan_) July 31, 2024

About 300 members of the Indian Army reached Wayanad to help rescue personnel. However, 140 army officers are on standby in Thiruvananthapuram in case of emergency.

According to Indian media reports, rescue teams have recovered 120 people today from debris and they are receiving treatment in hospital.

This deadliest weather disaster happened on July 30, 2024, when rain-induced landslides hit 350 families living in Wayanad. Several trees of tea and cardamom in the affected area worsened the situation further by uprooting along the landslide flow and burying people underneath.

#WayanadLandslides

In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF, State rescue teams, #CoastGuard, #IndianNavy and #IAF, have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Upto 1000 personnel rescued so far using man made bridge and… pic.twitter.com/BhNnEWibHc
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) July 31, 2024

State Chief Minister’s spokesman, P.M. Manoj reported that the death toll rose to at least 151 people in the aftermath of Kerala landslides. According to P.M. Manoj, 187 people are still missing.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of more heavy rains in Kerala. It issued orange alerts for Wayanad and surrounding districts for heavy rainfall today and August 1, 2024.

Rainfall Warning: Kerala & Mahe 31st July 2024

वर्षा की चेतावनी: 31 जुलाई 2024 को केरल और माहे में :#weatherupdate #rainfallwarning #Kerala #IMDWeatherUpdate @moesgoi @ndmaindia @DDNational @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/vC9xfWx3H4
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) July 31, 2024

Click here to read the updates on Ethiopia landslides in Gofa that killed 229 people

Kerala government has closed educational institutions in 11 districts including Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Others include Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta.

The catastrophic landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district were due to the deadliest combination of climate change, unstable landscape, and widespread deforestation.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) released a report last year on Kerala’s climatic vulnerability. It is home to ten of the top 30 landslide-prone districts in India. Wayanad comes at thirteen number which shows how vulnerable the area is to such calamities.