Wayanad landslides: Death toll rises to 156 as rescue efforts continue
Wayanad: The rescue operations in the landslide-stricken Wayanad district of Kerala continued on Wednesday, as grim scenes unfolded with rescuers desperately searching for those trapped under the debris.
The landslides, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, have resulted in the deaths of at least 156 people, with many still unaccounted for.
District authorities are currently gathering data to determine the exact number of missing persons. Rescue teams, including the army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), resumed their efforts early in the morning.
Helicopters are being deployed to airlift injured individuals from the affected areas. The tragedy has left 197 people injured and has led to the establishment of 45 relief camps, providing shelter to over 3,000 displaced residents.
The Kerala government declared a state of mourning on July 30 and 31, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to the corporate sector to contribute to the relief and rehabilitation efforts, emphasizing the need for coordinated support. The Central Government, closely monitoring the situation, has assured all possible assistance.
For any distress calls, the Kerala government has set up control rooms reachable at 9656938689 and 8086010833.
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Karnataka: Four of family killed in roof collapse in Vijayapura amid heavy rain
Vijayapura (Karnataka) (PTI): Four members of a family were killed after the roof of an old rented house collapsed during heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in this district, police said on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Gurunath Badigera (35), his wife Jyoti Badigera (28), and their two children, Kalamma Badigera (13) and Kirti Badigera (9), they said.
The incident occurred at Moratagi village of Alamela taluk in Vijayapura district, police said.
According to police, the family had been staying in the old rented house while repair work was underway at their own residence. The incident occurred on Thursday night when the roof of the house collapsed due to the heavy rain and wind.
All four members of the family were asleep when the roof of the house suddenly collapsed on them, following which they got trapped under the debris and died on the spot, a senior police officer said.
Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and the police rushed to the spot and undertook rescue operations to retrieve the bodies.
Police said the incident took place under the jurisdiction of the Sindagi Police Station. Senior police officials visited the spot and inspected the area. Further investigation is underway.
