Shah, Vijayan spar over warning on landslide

Death toll rises to 167

After the devastating landslides that struck early Tuesday morning in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, officials have confirmed a death toll of 167.

The landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala, Wayanad, have resulted in 167 confirmed deaths. According to sources from the Department of Information and Public Relations (PRD) Control Room in Wayanad, 96 victims have been identified, which includes 77 men, 67 women, and 22 children.

Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on 166 bodies and 49 body parts. A total of 75 bodies have been handed over to relatives.

Rescue operations have brought 219 individuals to hospitals; 78 are still receiving treatment, while 142 have been moved to relief camps. In Wayanad, 73 people are hospitalised, and five in Malappuram.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Kerala government could have minimised the losses in Wayanad if they had become alert after the Central government’s warning about potential landslides and the risk of people’s lives which the state chief minister refuted.

Shah added that irrespective of the party politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government will stand with the people of Kerala.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha Union Home Minister Shah said, “Early warning was given, that is why on July 23, we sent 9 teams of NDRF and three more were sent yesterday. Had they become alert the day the NDRF teams landed, a lot could have been saved. But this Vijayan is the time to stand with the government and the people of Kerala. Irrespective of the party politics, the Narendra Modi government will stand with the people of Kerala.”