Landslides in Kerala India Have Killed At least 80 People and Trapped Hundreds

Landslides in Kerala India Have Killed At least 80 People and Trapped Hundreds

At least more than 80 people have died and hundreds are feared trapped after relentless rain triggered a series of landslides in a hilly area of Kerala, India, according to authorities. The landslides struck near Meppadi in Wayanad district around 2am on Tuesday (20:30 GMT on Monday), isolating at least four villages and hindering rescue efforts due to ongoing heavy rain.

"So far, we have received more than 80 bodies in different hospitals," Kerala’s Minister of Health Veena George told the Press Trust of India news agency. She added that at least 70 people were injured and are being treated in district hospitals. Over 200 soldiers have been deployed to the area, and two Indian Air Force helicopters, along with police drones and a dog squad, have been mobilized for the rescue effort. 

"Hundreds of people are suspected to have been trapped," the Indian Army said in a statement, adding that a medical team has been sent as efforts continue to rescue approximately 250 stranded individuals. 

Sandosh Kumar, a member of parliament representing Kerala, told the ANI news agency that some flooded areas in his district are "completely marooned," making rescue operations increasingly difficult. 

The Hindu newspaper reported that many houses, vehicles, and shops have been submerged in mud and water. The main bridge in Chooralmala was destroyed, according to the Indian Express newspaper, cutting off many areas.

"The situation is serious. The government has mobilized all agencies for rescue operations," state Forest Minister AK Saseendran told Reuters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the events in Kerala on X, stating that he had spoken to the state’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of "all possible help."

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who previously represented the Wayanad constituency in parliament, said he was "deeply anguished" by the news of the landslides and hoped for the swift rescue of those trapped.

India’s meteorological agency is predicting more rain in the coming hours.

Monsoon rains from June to September provide relief from the summer heat and are essential for replenishing water supplies. They are crucial for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of farmers, as well as food security for nearly two billion people in South Asia. However, they also bring destruction in the form of landslides and floods. 

The frequency of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years, with experts attributing the worsening situation to climate change.