The death toll from recent landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district has now risen to 148, according to a statement from the Kerala State Revenue Department released on Tuesday. However, a different tally provided by Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the Para Regimental Training, indicates a slightly higher figure. "150 deaths have been recorded so far," Brigadier Seagan stated, adding that "around 200 to 250 individuals have been rescued."

In a crucial addition to the ongoing search and rescue efforts, a dog squad has been deployed in the landslide-affected area of Chooralmala in Wayanad. This deployment came shortly after the area suffered from a devastating landslide on Tuesday.

The tragedy struck particularly hard on July 30th, when two enormous landslides occurred in the early morning, impacting the hilly regions of Meppadi panchayat. The villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha were among those most severely affected by these events.

This region has been subjected to continuous heavy rainfall over the last two weeks, exacerbating the situation. The landslides have caused significant destruction, with rivers and their tributaries overflowing, altering their courses, and flooding through the villages.

To address this dire situation, rescue teams from various branches of the armed forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively participating. Notably, 60 teams from the Ezhimala Naval Academy were dispatched and arrived early this morning at Chooralmala to aid in the rescue efforts, demonstrating a coordinated response to this natural disaster.

The rescue team in Kerala's Wayanad district, as reported by the Kerala Public Relations Department, is comprised of a diverse group of responders including 45 sailors, five officers, six fire guards, and a doctor, all under the leadership of Lt Commandant Ashirvad.

Brigadier Arjun Seagan, Commandant of the Para Regimental Training, shared with ANI the challenging conditions faced by the rescue teams. "Rescue operations have been ongoing since yesterday morning. Yesterday, due to bad weather conditions, the rescue teams were not able to rescue a lot of people. Around 500 to 600 personnel from the NDRF team, army, state police, forest officials, and volunteers have been carrying out the rescue operations today," he explained.

Further detailing the efforts underway, Brigadier Seagan emphasized the critical work being done to restore infrastructure that has been destroyed. He noted that efforts were particularly focused on reconstructing a bridge that had been washed away. "We are trying our best to build the bridge again so that we can move the earth-moving equipment inside and to make the digging process easier. We have been doing the process manually as of now. As soon as the weather conditions become better, we will start airlifting the people," he stated.

Adding to this narrative of resilience and response, the Southern Command of the Indian Army provided an update via its social media platform, X, on Wednesday morning. They confirmed that up to 1,000 individuals have been rescued in the ongoing operations, marking a significant milestone in the disaster response effort.

The situation in Kerala's Wayanad district has prompted an extensive multi-agency rescue effort. The Southern Command of the Indian Army highlighted this coordination in a post on their social media, stating, "In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF, State rescue teams, #CoastGuard, #IndianNavy and #IAF, have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Upto 1,000 personnel rescued so far using a man-made bridge and human effort. Approx 70 dead bodies recovered by Army column."

The response included significant contributions from the Indian Air Force as well. "Two additional Army Columns airlifted from Trivandrum by Indian Air Force Air Craft AN 32 & C 130 landed at Calicut at 10:30 PM last night. These columns commenced their onward journey to #Wayanad at 6:45 AM today, with even an Army Officer on leave volunteering to join the mission," detailed the post, indicating the urgency and dedication among the military personnel.

The disaster struck with little warning, with the first landslide reported at approximately 1:30 am in Mundakkai in Mepadi panchayat, followed by a second landslide around 4 am on Monday. The resulting devastation was compounded by the Iruvazhinji River being diverted, leading to flash floods that obliterated the Chooralmala village, sweeping away houses, uprooting trees, and causing widespread displacement.

Rescue operations saw a critical breakthrough on Tuesday evening when stranded individuals in Mundakkai were finally evacuated. This was made possible after the Army constructed a makeshift bridge across the river, connecting Mundakkai with Chooralmala and Attamala, demonstrating the resilience and resourcefulness of the rescue teams in the face of overwhelming natural adversity.

The aftermath of the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district continues to reveal its grim toll, as neighboring Malappuram district faces similar devastation. "Houses were buried and trees uprooted in the area and bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar river in Pothukal village in Wayanad’s neighbouring district of Malappuram. The Chaliyar River originates in Chooralmala and flows behind Mundakkai and then goes via the Soochipara Falls to reach Pothukal," reports indicate, showing the widespread impact of the natural disaster.

Further details provided from various locations along the river paint a heartbreaking picture. According to local reports, "bodies of people who were washed ashore and recovered from the banks of dead bodies were recovered from the ghats of Iruttkuthi, Ambittanpotty, Kunippala, Njettikulam, Machikai, Bhoodanam, Vellilamad, Munderi and Panangayam."

The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing, with the Kerala Revenue Department compiling data from area hospitals. "The bodies of 75 victims have been identified so far," the department noted, adding that "postmortem procedures of 123 dead bodies have been completed and of these bodies of 62 victims have been identified and released to their families so far."

The toll in Malappuram is also severe. "The bodies of 83 victims have been identified so far. Postmortem procedures of 143 dead bodies were also completed. Of these, 32 bodies are kept in Nilambur District Hospital. 25 body parts at Nilambur and the post mortem of all the body parts are completed," it reported. The demographic details of the deceased were also shared, revealing that "out of the deceased at Nilambur, 19 are male bodies, 11 are female bodies and two small children. At the CHC Meppadi, the deceased include 47 male and 44 females."

In response to the recent disaster in Kerala, several injured individuals were quickly transported to medical facilities for care. In Wayanad, the victims are being treated at WIMS Hospital in Meppadi, the Government Hospital in Kalpetta, the Taluk Hospital in Vythiri, and the Taluk Hospital in Bathery. Meanwhile, in Malappuram, additional medical aid is being provided at Kondotty Taluk Hospital and the Manjeri Government Hospital.

Amidst these rescue efforts, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced substantial relief measures. "45 relief camps have been set up in Wayanad and over 3000 people have been rehabilitated there," stated Vijayan, highlighting the extensive efforts to support the displaced and injured residents following this calamity.