Death toll rises to 167; 191 still missing

KERALA LANDSLIDES: RESCUE OPS UNDERWAY, OVER 1,500 RESCUED

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The devastating landslides that struck Kerala’s Wayanad district have claimed 167 lives, with 191 people still missing, as rescue efforts intensified for the second consecutive day. The disaster, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in the hamlets of Mundakkai and Chooralmala, has left the region reeling from one of its worst natural calamities in recent memory.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the scenes in the affected areas as “devastating,” stating that both Mundakkai and Chooralmala have been “completely destroyed.” The landslides, which struck around 2 am and 4:10 am on Tuesday, caught residents off guard while they were sleeping, contributing to the high number of casualties.

A massive rescue operation is underway, involving over 1,000 personnel from various agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Navy, Air Force, state emergency services, and local volunteers. Despite challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain, rescuers have managed to save 1,592 people in a coordinated two-day effort.

The rescue teams are employing a range of tactics to reach those still trapped. Tiny makeshift bridges have been erected over swollen rivers, and in some cases, rescuers have formed human chains using ropes to ensure safe evacuation. Excavators are working non-stop to remove debris and boulders, while sniffer dogs trained by the Army are being deployed to detect people buried under the soil.