Over 80 dead, hundreds feared trapped, as massive landslides strike Kerala's Wayanad

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations.

Massive landslides struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district early on July 30, leaving hundreds feared trapped, over 110 injured and atleast 84 people dead.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that fire forces and NDRF have been deployed to the affected area.

Two teams of Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been instructed to move to Wayanad to assist in the rescue efforts.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and took stock of the situation in Wayanad. The Home Minister assured all possible help from the Centre government.

Kerala CM that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations.

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.

According to reports, the first landslide struck the area at nearly 2 am. Later, another landslide around 4.10 am.

Locals from the affected areas report that many people are feared to be trapped. Rescue operations are underway but are being hindered by ongoing heavy rainfall.