Wayanad Landslide Death Toll Surpasses 300; Relief Efforts Intensify

The death toll from the Wayanad landslides has surpassed the 300 mark, making it one of the most severe natural disasters in the state in recent years. The catastrophe, which struck on July 30, has also injured hundreds. The district administration reports that 143 body parts have been recovered and 148 bodies identified. About 218 people are still missing, and nearly 10,000 have been displaced. In response to the crisis, Kerala’s CPI(M) MLAs have pledged to donate one month’s salary, amounting to Rs 50,000 each, to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) to support ongoing relief efforts.

The Indian Army continues its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Wayanad. On August 2, rescue teams recovered four survivors and one deceased individual. Working with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army concluded a search operation near Mundakkai Mosque without any new discoveries. Specialized radar equipment is being airlifted to enhance deep search capabilities, with the Indian Air Force transporting one XAVER Radar and four Reeco Radars as requested by the Kerala government.

Rescue operations continue with advanced equipment and manpower. A Bailey bridge constructed by the Army is facilitating the movement of heavy machinery. GPS coordinates and drone imagery are being used to enhance search efficiency. Various teams, including the police, Coast Guard, and Navy, are focusing on riverbanks and downstream areas to locate survivors and recover bodies.

The Indian Navy has deployed 78 personnel to assist in rescue operations in Chooralmala and Mundakkai. Their efforts include clearing debris, recovering bodies, and providing medical aid. The Navy has built a Bailey bridge to connect isolated areas and set up a medical post in Chooralmala. An Advanced Light Helicopter from INS Garuda has also conducted aerial reconnaissance despite challenging weather conditions.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that his state will construct 100 houses for those affected by the landslide in Wayanad. He expressed his commitment to supporting Kerala’s recovery and rebuilding hope for the victims.

The landslide has severely impacted residents, with nearly 10,000 people displaced and residing in 91 relief camps. Survivors are facing difficult conditions, and the state government has established a Mental Health Disaster Management team to provide psychological support to both survivors and rescue workers. This team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors working around the clock.


Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty reported that at least 49 children are either missing or deceased due to the landslides. The Government Higher Secondary School in Vellarimala was completely destroyed, and four other nearby schools sustained significant damage. Many surviving children have lost their textbooks and certificates. The government is working on plans to assist affected students and schools.

The former Wayanad MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that Kerala has not witnessed such a tragedy in a single area before and he will be raising the issue in Delhi. “I have been here since yesterday. As I said yesterday, this is a terrible tragedy. We went to the site yesterday. We went to the camps, we assessed the situation there. Today, we had a meeting with the administration and the panchayat. They briefed us on the number of casualties they expect, the number of houses that have been damaged and their strategy. We have said that we are here to help in any way possible. Congress family would like to commit to build 100 plus houses here. I think, Kerala has not seen this type of a tragedy in one area, and I am going to raise it in Delhi and also with the chief minister here that this is a different level of tragedy and should be treated differently," said the Congress leader.

The Centre has issued a draft notification proposing to declare approximately 57,000 square kilometers of the Western Ghats as an ‘ecologically sensitive area.’ This includes 13 villages in Wayanad and around 10,000 square kilometers in Kerala. The draft notification, released on July 31, suggests that nearly 36% of the Western Ghats be classified as eco-sensitive, which would impose restrictions on commercial activities. Citizens have 60 days to comment on this proposal before the final notification is issued.