Early Tuesday morning, massive landslides struck several hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district, Kerala. Reports indicate that hundreds may be trapped, with 19 confirmed dead so far.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has mobilized Fireforce and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the affected regions, and an additional NDRF team is en route.

According to KSDMA’s Facebook announcement, two teams from the Kannur Defence Security Corps have also been dispatched to aid in the rescue efforts.

Local sources report that the ongoing heavy rainfall is exacerbating the rescue operations. Currently, 250 personnel from Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF, and Local Emergency Response Teams are engaged in the rescue operations in Wayanad’s Churalmala area. Another NDRF team has been directed to reach the site urgently.

The Health Department’s National Health Mission has set up a control room and issued helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833 for emergency support.