Wayanad landslides: Survivors recount harrowing moments, Army, NDRF resume rescue operations

Wayanad (Kerala): The massive Wayanad landslides that levelled houses and buried lives underneath them have also scarred the survivors for life. With their near and dear ones gone and staring at an uncertain future, survivors recount their most traumatic experience ever that unfolded in the wee hours of July 30.

Speaking to PTI, Pranjeesh, a survivor from Mundakkai, says he heard a loud noise and the landslide occurred four times.

"Around 12:40 am, the landslide occurred. We heard a huge sound. Three members of my family were lost in the landslide that passed right in front of my house. Now, we are in a camp and safe. We are eight people. My mother's sister and her family were left behind," he said.

Prasanna, from Chooralmala, was in tears when she recounted her experience. The woman witnessed her sister and her family being swept away by the muddy water.

"I could only help my father. I carried him and ran towards the forest. I couldn't help my sister. I couldn't save her. Two of the children ran outside and got washed away. I could hear them screaming. Our house got washed away," Prasanna, in her late 40s, recounted the ordeal. Padmavathi, who is in her 80s, lost her daughter-in-law and is unsure who will care for her.

"She left me alone. Who will take care of me now. I am all alone," a sobbing Padmavathi said. Several persons and family members who were rescued are currently admitted to hospitals. The children who witnessed the devastating event are unable to sleep, haunted by the traumatic experience, Prasanna said. They wake up in the middle of the night, fearing a recurrence of the landslides.

Most of the people seeking shelter in the camps are from Attamala, Mundakkai and Chooralmala. They are deeply shaken by the tragic act of nature, struggling to process the reality of what happened.

These survivors are staying in one of the camps, St. Joseph High School in Meppadi. There are five more relief camps organised in Wayanad, which include schools, churches, anganwadis and other available resources. Authorities also mentioned that as more persons are rescued, additional relief camps will be organised.

Army resumes rescue operations

Rescue personnel commenced search and rescue operations on Wednesday in Wayanad. Units of the army, NDRF and other emergency service personnel deployed in Wayanad resume the search operations. Rescue workers were looking under collapsed roofs and debris of destroyed houses for victims and possible survivors of the landslides.

A Defence spokesperson said that soldiers of the 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army, camped at a local school in Meppadi, moved out to the calamity hit areas.

"Heading into Day2 of #RescueOperations: #WayanadLandslides Soldiers of 122 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army preparing for the second day of rescue operations move out from their temporary shelter at local school to calamity hit areas in #Meppadi #Wayanad. #WeCare," the spokesperson said on social media platform 'X'.

Meanwhile, several companies of the army moved from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru to Calicut by road and air, a Defence statement said.

The army companies included those experienced in disaster relief, medical teams, ambulances and other equipment, it said. Fears of mounting fatalities have been sparked by apprehensions that several people may still be trapped under the debris.

Massive landslides triggered by torrential rains struck the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha in the early hours of Tuesday, killing several people, including women and children.

Wayanad, a hill district in northern Kerala, is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls. With a population of about 8,17,000 people (as of the 2011 census), it is home to various cultures, including the indigenous tribal communities.

Kerala government collecting data on missing people

District authorities in Kerala's landslide-struck Wayanad on Wednesday started collecting data to determine the number of people missing following the massive tragedy, as rescue operations resumed to trace persons suspected to be trapped.

A special team at the District Emergency Operation Centre is compiling data on the number of people residing in the area, those found after the landslide, and the number of persons missing, a district administration official told reporters early Wednesday. The official said data on individuals is being collected by reviewing ration card details and other government documents.

Members of several families have reported that their loved ones remain untraced. The government has prioritised saving as many lives as possible, providing medical care to the injured, and relocating others to safer areas.

In Wayanad, 45 relief camps have been established, accommodating 3,069 people.

Wayanad, a hill district in northern Kerala, is known for its lush green forests, rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls. With a population of about 8,17,000 people (as of the 2011 census), it is home to various cultures, including the indigenous tribal communities.

(Inputs from PTI)