Wayanad landslides: Survivor recounts horror while speaking to OTV

Six days after the deadly landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which claimed over 350 lives, rescue efforts by Indian Army and NDRF continue to search for survivors. A resident from Punchiri Mattam recounted surviving the landslide that destroyed over 50 houses. Another person visiting Mundakkai village found his home unrecognizable.

Wayanad landslides: Survivor recounts horror while speaking to OTV

Wayanad landslides: Survivor recounts horror while speaking to OTV

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Though six days have passed since massive landslides hit Wayanad district in Kerala claiming more than 350 lives, several agencies including the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, police and volunteers are running against time to trace out lives trapped under debris and collapsed houses.

Speaking to the OTV team, which is in Wayanad for ground reporting, a landslide survivor from Punchiri Mattam recounted the horror and thanked God for his miraculous escape,

“I along with my other family members were asleep in our house when we heard a massive sound at around 12 in the midnight. 

Soon after I came out of our house and found the road connectivity had been snapped as it was covered with stones, mud and debris following landslides,” the survivor said.

 “There were more than 50 houses and one resort in the region and almost all of them have been destroyed due to the landslides. I think more than 200 people only from this region may have died in the tragic disaster. However, I am fortunate that I along with my family members survived the disaster,” he added.

A resident of Mundakkai village, who is staying in Dubai, visited his village a day after the landslide and to his surprise, he could not identify where his house was. 

"We came to know about the devastation when some friends called us. Most of the family members were sleeping and they first sensed some smell and the ground started shaking just like an earthquake... Later, they took shelter at a safer place," he said to OTV.

"Nothing is left. Even I cannot identify where my house was. Many people are still missing and we will not stay here even if it is my birthplace and have an emotional connection," he added.

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