Wayanad landslides leave 93 dead, Kerala braces for more rain

Multiple agencies, including NDRF, have joined the rescue ops in the hilly areas near Meppadi.

About 116 people are injured and have been admitted to hospitals in the district, media reports said.

The state's ministers are coordinating relief and rescue ops.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan this morning and assured all help to the LDF government.

He has also asked BJP chief JP Nadda to ensure that party workers assist in rescue op. The Prime Minister has also spoken to Union Minister Suresh Gopi, BJP's lone Kerala MP, in this connection.

"Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured. Rescue ops are currently underway to assist all those affected. Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @pinarayivijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister's Office has announced compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the calamity. Those injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has said he is "deeply anguished" by the calamity and expressed his condolences to families who lost their own. "I hope those still trapped are brought to safety soon," he said in a post on X.

Gandhi said he had spoken to the Chief Minister and the district collector, who assured him that rescue operations are underway. "I have requested them to ensure coordination with all agencies, set up a control room, and inform us of any assistance needed for the relief efforts," he said, urging UDF workers to assist the administration.

Among the affected areas are Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha, authorities have said. Many roads have collapsed and a bridge has been swept away and several areas have become unreachable, Health Minister Veena George told news agency ANI.

"We have to re-establish the connectivity. Helicopters will also be brought in, but the weather is bad."

The Chief Minister has announced that the state Health Department has opened a control room. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities on helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833.

He also held an emergency meeting in the wake of the landslides.

Amid the calamity, Kerala is bracing for more rain, as the weather office has issued a red alert for eight districts. This alert has been issued for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod districts. Four districts are under orange alert -- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.