Wayanad landslide toll at 135: Rescue ops resume in morning as 128 missing; 132 hospitalised: Many people are still feared trapped in the debris

The Week, July 31, 2024:  The official death toll in the Wayanad landslides has reached 135 as of Wednesday morning. At least 128 are missing and efforts are on to find them, according to officials.  

At least 132 people were hospitalised at Dr Moopen's Medical College in Meppadi. A total of 98 people were rescued so far after the search and rescue operation resumed in the morning. Many were feared trapped under the debris.

Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams were airlifted to the affected  area.  The Indian Coast Guard has also dispatched disaster relief teams, who are equipped with rubber inflatable boats, diesel-driven pumps, life jackets, raincoats and gum boots.

Rescue operation underway after a landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rains, in Wayanad district, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 | PTI

The Army had on Tuesday rescued around 1,000 people using a temporary bridge after the permanent structure was washed away.

The state government has requested the Centre to deploy a 690-feet Bailey bridge. Up to 330 feet of the bridge was arriving from the Madras Engineer Group Centre, Bengaluru, by road while a 110-feet Bailey bridge was being airlifted from Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

Rescue agencies are racing against time to pull out survivors of a major landslide triggered by torrential rains in Kerala’s Wayanad district. 

Scores of people are still feared trapped under the debris as the landslides that occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday left a trail of destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha villages.

"Children who went to sleep last night, including infants, are among those who lost their lives in this disaster and are now buried under the earth. The floodwaters swept away many people. Sixteen bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar River in Pothukallu in Malappuram district (neighbouring Wayanad), and body parts were also found," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said at a media briefing in the evening.

Vijayan said 34 bodies have been identified and 18 of them handed over to their relatives. More than 3,000 people have been shifted to 45 relief camps set up in the district, he added.

Five ministers will reach landslide-hit Wayanad to coordinate the rescue operations. According to media reports, Ministers A.K. Saseendran and Kadannappalli Ramachandran are on their way to the district while three others will reach soon.

A team of Indian Army from Madras Regiment from its Headquarters in Wellington, Coonoor has already reached the spot, and another from Pangod in Thiruvanthapuram is on its way. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) too has already started rescue operations in Chooramala village, which is one of the worst affected areas.

The control room at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram has started functioning. People can access the control room and provide details.

The control room is operating under the direct control of the State Police Chief.

Phone: 9497900402, or 0471 2721566.

The Health Department—National Health Mission— has set up a control room in Wayanad. Those requiring emergency assistance can contact authorities at

Phone: 9656938689 or 8086010833

Deputy collector: 8547616025

Vythiri Tehsildar: 8547616601

Vythiri deputy tehsildar: 9447350688

Kalpetta joint BDO office: 9961289892

Assitant motor vehicle inspector: 9383405093

Fire department assistant station officer: 9497920271