Jharkhand man killed in Wayanad mudslide; CM Satheesan to visit site

Wayanad (IANS): A devastating landslide in Kalladi, Wayanad, has claimed the lives of three people—including a man from Jharkhand—while five others are missing, triggering a massive rescue operation in the region.

Kerala Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar announced that rescue teams will launch a comprehensive, zoned search on Wednesday to trace the five missing individuals.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will brief the media following the weekly Cabinet meeting in the state capital before heading immediately to Wayanad. He expects to reach the disaster site around 1 p.m. today.

The Casualties and Missing Persons

Following a late-night inspection of the affected area on Tuesday, Minister T. Siddique confirmed the casualties to reporters. Authorities have identified the victims and those still trapped:

• Deceased: Anmol (Jharkhand), Chandrabhan (Madhya Pradesh), and Vikas Kumar (Bihar).
• Missing: Vikram, Rahul, Mohammed Imran, Rakesh, and Asraruddin Ansari.
• Injured: Two people are currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where Dileep remains in critical condition.

The victims are all migrant workers from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. In a heartbreaking scene at the site, the wife of the missing worker, Rahul, waits desperately for updates.

Intensive Zoned Rescue Operations Underway

Minister Anil Kumar termed the incident an “extremely painful tragedy,” adding that the government had finalized all monsoon preparedness measures well ahead of the rainy season. Rescue teams reached the spot immediately and worked through the night under favorable weather conditions.

To streamline the search, authorities are implementing a strict strategy today:

• Scientific Assessment: Experts will divide the landslide site into four zones for a targeted search.
• Advanced Tracking: Handler teams will deploy cadaver dogs, alongside local volunteers, to locate the missing.
• Site Restriction: The administration has restricted public entry to the site on Wednesday to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and facilitate the operation.
• Infrastructure Recovery: Emergency crews will immediately begin restoring damaged road connectivity to the area.

The government has also confirmed it will arrange to send the bodies of the deceased back to their respective native states.

Rahul Gandhi Expresses Grief, Urges Local Support

Former Wayanad MP and current Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed deep distress over the tragedy via his social media accounts.

“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected,” Gandhi wrote.

He noted that rescue teams are making every possible effort to reach those trapped, while actively appealing to Congress and United Democratic Front (UDF) workers to provide immediate assistance to the affected families.

“Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy,” he added.