• By Nidhi Giri
  • Tue, 30 Jul 2024 12:23 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Wayanad Landslides: To aid the Wayanad landslide relief efforts, the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) has opened district and state-level media control rooms. The contact number is 0483-2734387. The state-level control room, located at the Secretariat, can be reached at 0471-2327628 or 2518637. At least 45 people have been reported dead so far after massive landslides struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday. Authorities suspect that the actual death toll may be significantly higher as many affected areas are inaccessible now. Hundreds of people are suspected to be trapped, according to reports from news agency PTI.

Kerala government has set up various helpline numbers to assist those affected by the landslide, the News Minute reported. The toll free number is 1077, while the district administration helpline numbers are:

-District Emergency Operation Centre - 04936 204151, 9562804151, 8078409770

-Sulthan Bathery Taluk Emergency Operation Centre - 04936 223355-220296, 6238461385

-Mananthavadi Taluk Emergency Operation Centre - 04935 241111-240231, 9446637748

-Vythiri Taluk Emergency Operation Centre- 04936 256100, 8590842965, 9447097705

READ MORE: Punjab: Jammu To Jodhpur Train Stopped At Firozpur After Bomb Threat; Squad Rushed To Spot, Search Underway

The massive landslides were triggered by torrential rains in the region. While teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and civil defence force were already involved in the rescue operations, the Indian Air Force and the Navy were slated to join the efforts. In videos published by the All India Radio Trivandrum through its X (formerly Twitter) handle, rescuers could be seen encountering swollen streams, apparently near the sites of the rescue operation.

READ MORE: Wayanad Landslide LIVE: Death Toll Climbs To 45, Hundreds Trapped; Drones, Police Dogs Deployed For Rescue Ops

Kerala Weather

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Tuesday as incessant rain continues to batter Kerala. The IMD forecasted heavy rain across Kerala on Tuesday, with particularly severe weather conditions expected from Central Kerala to North Kerala.

A red alert has been issued for the aforementioned northern districts, while an orange alert covers Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad. Additionally, a yellow alert is in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts with wind gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.