Page 34 - Kerala

Wayanad landslide forecast bulletins experimental: GSI after disaster

Amid reports that its warning system "failed" in landslide-hit Wayanad in Kerala, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Friday said its regional forecast bulletins for the district were experimental and issued once a day for ground testing. This process was a "part of building a prediction model", which will take 4-5 years to be ready for public use, a GSI official said. "GSI has started issuing regional landslide forecast bulletins on an experimental mode once a day for Wayanad district, Kerala. These are issued only to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) for ground testing since the onset of the 2024 monsoon. It is restricted only to SDMA and DDMA for receiving feedback," a GSI spokesperson told PTI. These forecasts are based on rainfall predictions provided by the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to prepare landslide thresholds, he said. Massi

After facing criticism, Kerala govt withdraws gag order on scientists

The gag order, issued on August 1, directed the scientific community to restrain themselves from sharing their opinions with media

Wayanad landslides: CM says 'nobody left to save'; death toll crosses 300

During a review meeting held in Kalpetta, Wayanad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that all those who are alive have been saved in the last three days

Death toll rises to 308 in Wayanad landslides, rescue operations underway

Rescue and relief operations coordinated by the Army, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration are underway

Wayanad landslides: 40 teams of rescuers commence search operations

Braving rains and adverse terrain, 40 teams of rescuers began search operations in landslide-hit Wayanad district on the fourth day on Friday, officials said. The search and rescue operations that got underway early morning received an impetus due to the completion of the 190-foot-long Bailey bridge that will enable the movement of heavy machinery, including excavators, and ambulances to the worst-affected Mundakkai and Chooralmala hamlets, they said. The 40 teams will conduct search operations in six zones of the landslides-hit areas -- Attamala and Aaranmala (first), Mundakkai (second), Punchirimattam (third), Vellarimala village (fourth), GVHSS Vellarimala (fifth), and riverbank (sixth). The joint teams will include personnel from the army, NDRF, DSG, Coast Guard, Navy, and MEG along with three locals and one forest department employee. In addition to this, a three-pronged search operation will begin, focusing on the Chaliyar River, according to the rescue plan devised by the ..

Kerala landslides: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka visit Wayanad

Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the landslide-affected area of Chooralmala here and a hospital and community health centre in Meppadi on Thursday afternoon. After visiting the spot, Gandhi in a Facebook post said witnessing the scenes of disaster and tragedy deeply pained his heart. "In these difficult times, Priyanka and I stand with the people of Wayanad. We are closely monitoring the relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided. The UDF is committed to extending all possible support. "The repeated incidents of landslides and natural calamities are extremely concerning. A comprehensive action plan is urgently needed," he said in his post. After reaching Chooralmala, Gandhi and his sister -- donning translucent blue raincoats -- crossed the temporary wooden walkway built there, witnessed the construction of the Bailey bridge and walked around the area braving the rain

Wayanad landslides: Massive rescue ops underway; 256 dead, 191 missing

Rain-triggered landslides struck Wayanad on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 256 people and leaving several hundred injured

Wayanad landslides: Death toll hits 173, Army intensifies search ops

Military personnel on Wednesday intensified search and rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad district where landslides have claimed more than 160 lives, with the Army saying that it recovered over 80 bodies and rescued nearly 1,000 people. Extremely heavy rain triggered the landslides in the hilly areas of Wayanad early on Tuesday, leaving at least 167 people dead and more than 200 injured. Another 191 people were missing. The Army has set up a Command and Control Centre headed by Maj Gen VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, along with Brig Arjun Segan at Kozhikode for coordinating Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, a senior official said. Brig Segan carried out a reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours of Wednesday and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation. The troops are conducting rescue operations along a six-kilometre stretch of landslide-affected areas. The troops forming

Kerala was given early warning on July 23: Amit Shah on Wayanad landslides

Wayanad landslide: At least 180 people still missing with many feared to be trapped under the debris of houses, shops and bridges that were completely destroyed in the landslides in Wayanad on Tuesday

Wayanad landslide toll mounts 160; disaster linked to 3 causes. 10 updates

Wayanad landslide: Officials fear that casualties are likely to increase as 180 people are still missing and many are feared to be trapped under the debris

Wayanad landslide: Death toll crosses 150, rescue underway and other updates

The death toll in the Wayanad landslide tragedy crossed 150 on July 31. Watch the video to know the latest updates.

Wayanad landslides: Survivors recount horror as death toll touches 158

Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams are being airlifted and disaster relief teams have been dispatched by the Indian Coast Guard after a series of landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday. Extremely heavy rain triggered a series of landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday, leaving at least 123 people dead and 128 injured. Many were feared trapped under the debris. "As a tragic disaster struck at Wayanad in the wee hours, Indian Armed Forces swung into immediate action and 300 military personnel were moved forthwith to commence rescue operations. During the day, additional columns of Army, naval teams and helicopters from the Air Force were mobilised to assist the rescue and relief efforts," the defence minister's office said on X. "All out efforts are underway as additional troops, heavy engineering equipment, rescue dog teams and other essential relief stores are being airlifted by service aircraft from ..

CM Siddaramaiah urges corporates to donate for Kerala landslide victims

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday appealed to the corporate world to contribute generously for the relief and rehabilitation of people hit by massive landslides in Wayanad district in neighbouring Kerala. In a message to the corporates, Siddaramaiah exhorted them to help rebuild the affected areas through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. "The scale of the disaster necessitates a coordinated and generous response from all sectors of society, particularly from corporate entities that have always been pillars of support in times of need," the CM said in his letter. He further said Karnataka is specifically looking for financial support to facilitate the logistics of relief operations and rebuilding efforts and food supplies, especially non-perishable food items and clothing. Underlining that this was an opportunity to stand together and make a significant impact, Siddaramaiah said the involvement and contributions of the corporates will not only .

Kerala seeks Rs 24,000 crore special financial package from Centre

Kerala has sought a Rs 24,000 crore special financial package from the Centre, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He also said that Andhra Pradesh has sought Rs 15,000 crore for developing state capital Amravati and Rs 17,144.06 crore for various sectors, including Polavaram irrigation projects. In addition, he said Bihar has also requested for about Rs 785 crore for various projects. "A letter dated 27th June 2024 was received from the Finance Minister of Kerala in which the State Government of Kerala has requested for a special financial package of Rs 24,000 crore for the state," the minister said. In addition, a request for a special capital investment support of Rs 5,000 crore was also made for developing the Vizhinjam Port region in Kerala. Chaudhary further said request has also been received from Andhra Pradesh for financial support for various sectors, including Polavaram irrigation projects (Rs 17,144.06 crore

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 landslide: Toll rises to 45, Army deployed for rescue op. Updates

Wayanad landslide updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala CM on the crisis and assured of all the help from the Centre

Wayanad landslides: Death toll touches 50, many injured, rescue ops o

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations in the wake of massive landslides that struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district, leaving hundreds feared to be trapped. A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Thondernad village died in a landslide, according to the Wayanad district authorities. The operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities, Chief Minister Vijayan said in a statement issued by his office. He added that in the wake of the landslides and other rain-related disasters in Wayanad district, the Health Department -- National Health Mission -- has opened a control room. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities through these two numbers -- 9656938689 and 8086010833 -- the statement said. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that Fireforce and

Wayanad landslides: Rahul speaks with CM; urges UDF workers to provide help

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, and urged UDF workers to provide all help to those affected. Rahul Gandhi said he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who have assured him that rescue operations are underway. Landslides hit the hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, leaving 23 people dead. In a post on X, Kharge said he is extremely pained by the landslides in Wayanad, where several people are reportedly trapped. "My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved. I urge the State and Central Governments to expedite relief and rescue operations and provide urgent medical help to the victims, in coordination with all the agencies," the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said. Congress leaders and workers should put in all t

Rains, thundershowers likely in several states within next few hours: IMD

IMD has issued a yellow warning for eight districts in Kerala while also issuing a high-wave and wind warning for the coastal state

Two parallel inaugurations for one bridge: CPI(M), Cong tussle over credit

The opening of the Adoor Kadavu bridge in Kerala's Kannur district has sparked a political struggle between the ruling CPI(M) and Congress, with both parties gearing up for the inauguration