Rescue operations are underway in southern India following a series of devastating landslides that have claimed at least 151 lives, according to local law enforcement. Torrential rains have triggered the landslides, causing mud and water to sweep through tea estates and villages in the Wayanad district of Kerala state. The landslides, which began early Tuesday, have also resulted in injuries for 186 people, while 187 remain unaccounted for.
The landslides have caused significant damage, flattening houses, uprooting trees, and destroying bridges. Aijaz, a local police officer, reported that over 300 rescuers are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under the mud and debris. However, their efforts are being hampered by blocked roads and unstable terrain.
The first landslide was reported at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, with another following two hours later. Several areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala, have been isolated due to washed away roads and extensive damage to homes. Despite the challenges, efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources, according to Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s top elected official.
The landslides have also reached the town of Chooralmala, located 3.7 miles away from Mundakka, an area known for its susceptibility to disasters. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that over 300 houses were destroyed in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas.
In response to the disaster, more than 8,300 people have been relocated to 82 government-run relief camps. The government is ensuring the delivery of food and essential items to these camps, and has dispatched vehicles carrying 20,000 liters of drinking water to the affected areas. Temporary hospitals are also being set up to cater to the medical needs of the victims.
Most of the victims are reported to be tea estate workers. Local media showed footage of rescue workers navigating through mud and uprooted trees to reach stranded individuals. Authorities have mobilized helicopters and enlisted the Indian army to assist in rescue efforts, including the construction of a temporary bridge.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the landslides on social media, offering his condolences to those who have lost loved ones and announcing compensation for the victims’ families. Kerala, a popular tourist destination, is prone to heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. The state has been put on alert by India’s weather department due to incessant rains.
Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, noted that monsoon patterns are becoming increasingly erratic, leading to frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats. Koll also emphasized the need for authorities to monitor rapid construction activities in landslide-prone areas.