Wayanad landslides: 123 dead, armed forces deployed; IMD predicts more rain
According to the latest information, a total of 250 people have been evacuated from the landslide affected areas of the hilly district
 "Wayanad landslides: 123 dead, armed forces deployed; IMD predicts more rain")
The death toll due to massive landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad on Tuesday jumped to 123 during the ongoing search and rescue operation by the officials.
According to the latest information, a total of 128 people have been injured and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Over 250 people have been evacuated from the landslide affected areas of the hilly district.
Latest updates on Wayanad landslide:
1) Earlier in the morning, it was reported that Wayanad district’s Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages had been cut off due to the landslides that were triggered by the torrential rains.
2) Union Minister of State, George Kurian, is on his way to the northern Kerala district to lead relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have spoken with the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the disaster and assured of all the help from the Centre. The PM’s office has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
3) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi also held talks over the incident earlier in the day.
Rahul-Priyanka to visit Wayanad tomorrow
4) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the former Lok Sabha MP from the Wayanad constituency, will visit the disaster-hit region on Wednesday. He will be accompanied by his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party sources said.
5) While the Indian Army and Air Force have already been mobilised for search and rescue operations, an Indian Navy team from the Ezhimala Naval Base in Kannur is also on its way to assist in the rescue operations at Chooralmala town.
6) The main bridge in the town has collapsed due to the landslide, posing challenges to the rescue effort. At least 200 Army personnel are involved in the rescue operations.
Team of specialist navy swimmers on site
7) Earlier, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had sought help from the Navy's River Crossing team for the relief work. In response, the Defence PRO had informed that 30 specialist swimmers from the navy have also been deployed for the mission.
8) Two choppers -- a Mi-17 and one ALH Dhruv -- of the Air Force are being used for the relief operations.
9) Kerala’s neighbours -- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu -- have also assured of all possible help to assist in the relief work.
IMD puts Wayanad on 'red alert'
10) The India Meteorological Department has predicted up to very heavy rainfall for the district today (July 30), followed by chances of up to heavy rainfall in the coming days ahead, which could hamper the rescue efforts. Wayanad is on a ‘red’ alert today, which indicates the possibility of over 20 cm of rainfall in a region during a period of 24 hours.