The landslides that struck Wayanad three days ago resulted in the loss of over 275 lives. However, the Kerala Revenue Department officially confirmed 167 deaths. The engineering unit of the Indian Army made steady progress in erecting a temporary Bailey Bridge in the landslide-affected Chooralmala area.

Temporary makeshift bridges were constructed over swollen rivers and excavators tirelessly removed debris and boulders in the affected hamlets. Rescue operations were ongoing, with the Army, NDRF, state emergency services, and local volunteers working against all odds despite continuous rain.

In several locations, rescuers formed human chains using ropes to ensure the safe evacuation of residents. In more perilous areas, people were transported across a raging river on wooden platforms.

The Army recovered over 80 bodies and rescued nearly 1,000 people. Post-mortem examinations were completed on 166 bodies and 49 body parts, with 75 bodies handed over to their families. Of the identified victims, 77 were men, 67 women, and 22 children, with the gender of one individual yet to be determined.A total of 219 people were taken to hospitals from the disaster site. Of these, 78 were still receiving treatment, while 142 were transferred to camps after initial care. Currently, 73 individuals were being treated in Wayanad and 5 in Malappuram.

Following the landslide, 1,386 people, including those stranded and trapped in their homes, were rescued. The Air Force conducted aerial reconnaissance to aid in the coordination of search and rescue efforts.

The landslides struck between 2 am and 4.10 am on Tuesday, catching many residents off guard while they were asleep, leading to the high casualty count.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the landslides. “The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the landslides in parts of Wayanad,” the PM’s office stated in a post on X. The post further mentioned that the injured would receive Rs 50,000.