Drone Images, Video Show Widespread Destruction in India After Landslides Kill Over 165
CHOORALMALA, India – In the wake of devastating landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains, military officials in Kerala, one of India's most attractive tourist destinations, are intensifying their search-and-rescue efforts. The death toll has risen to over 165, with authorities reporting that nearly 1,000 people have been saved from hillside communities and plantations in Wayanad district. However, 225 individuals remain unaccounted for, marking this disaster as one of the most severe in the state since the 2018 floods, according to Reuters.
The landslides, which occurred early Tuesday, involved massive amounts of mud, water, and rolling rocks, submerging or sweeping away villagers while they slept. Drone footage captured on Wednesday revealed the extent of the destruction, showing soldiers and rescuers laboring through rain and muddy slush. The Southern Command Indian Army shared video on X (formerly Twitter) depicting emergency workers in Wayanad transporting materials from an aircraft and constructing a bridge over flooded waters.
Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, described the situation as "an unprecedented and painful disaster." He emphasized that "rescue operations in Wayanad are continuing at full scale," and efforts are underway to evacuate as many people as possible from the disaster area, while providing necessary medical treatment to those rescued.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) reported that an extensive 8 inches of rainfall was recorded within a 24-hour period on Monday, compounded by powerful wind gusts exceeding 30 mph on Tuesday. Similar heavy rainfall was forecast to impact Wayanad district on Wednesday.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the landslides, stating, "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured." The India Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alerts for several states in the region, with forecasts of "extremely heavy rainfall" continuing.
As the rescue operations continue and the full scope of the disaster unfolds, the resilience and determination of the rescue teams and the community remain crucial in the face of this catastrophic event.