Kerala: Landslide Death Toll in Wayanad Rises to 48, 122 injured

Wayanad- The death toll in the massive landslide that hit Wayanad district in Kerala has risen to 48, with officials saying the number is likely to go up further.

According to reports, over 100 people are still missing, with at least 122 injured in the incident. The Army, Navy, and NDRF have all responded to the rescue operations, with 30 specialist swimmers from the Indian Navy being dispatched from Kochi.

Two helicopters from Air Force Station Sulur in Coimbatore are also on their way to Wayanad, with around 200 Army personnel from DSC Centre Kannur and the Terriorial Army Battallion in Kozhikode dispatched to the site. The rescue operations are continuing, and the death toll is expected to rise in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the aggrieved families. In a social media post he wrote: 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 Pinarai Vijayan and also assured all possible help from the Centre in the wake of the prevailing situation there.

Meanwhile Leader of Opposition and Ex MP Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi shared a post where he wrote: "The devastation unfolding in Wayanad is heartbreaking. I have urged the Union government in Parliament to extend all possible support, including increased compensation and its immediate release to the bereaved families. Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in recent years. The need of the hour is a comprehensive action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in our ecologically fragile regions."