Bhubaneswar, July 30: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep grief over loss of lives due to the massive landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to the massive landslides in Wayanad. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their near and dear ones and those who are still trapped. Wishing earliest rescue and recovery of all those trapped and injured," Pradhan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Saddened by the loss of lives due to the massive landslides in Wayanad.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their near and dear ones and those who are still trapped. Wishing earliest rescue and recovery of all those trapped and injured.

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 30, 2024

At least 54 people have died and hundreds are feared trapped after three landslides hit Wayanad district in four hours this morning amid heavy rain.

Multiple agencies, including NDRF, joined the rescue operations in the hilly areas near Meppadi in the district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all help to the LDF government.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia from PMNRF of Rs 2 lakhs to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

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