Wayanad: Death toll mounts, may rise further as missing people add to worries

The death toll in Tuesday morning’s landslides in Wayanad mounted to 333, but authorities fear the disaster may have claimed more people as about 280 people are still said to be missing.

The army and NDRF personnel, which are operating in teams with impeccable coordination, rescued four members of a family who survived the rain fury at Padavettikunnu near Chooralmala. The teams are scanning the area with thermal scanners for any signs of life while stepping up their rescue efforts.

The Bailey Bridge between Chooralmala and Mundakkai, sites of the worst landslides, built by the army personnel in double-quick time, will remain in use till the government builds a permanent structure.


Madras Engineering Group (MEG) constructed the 24-tonne capacity bridge and opened it to the public on Thursday as it is critical for people’s movement and transportation of relief materials and medicines. The army authorities praised Maj Seeta Shelke and her team of the MEG for building the 190-ft long bridge in a record 16 hours, in a post on X.

Thiruvananthapuram corporation announced Rs 2 crore to CM’s disaster relief fund.

The authorities decided to cremate 74 unidentified bodies at a public crematorium in Wayanad.

Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said Kerala never witnessed a tragedy in one area as devastating as the one in Wayanad this time. “I will raise this issue with both the Union and State Governments, as this tragedy demands a unique and urgent response. Our immediate focus is on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.” The Congress, he added, would build about 100 houses.