Landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains have struck tea plantations in southern Kerala state and killed at least 63 people, with at least 250 others rescued from mud and debris, officials said.

Kerala

A once picturesque region in India's southern Kerala state has been devastated by multiple landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains. The landslides, which occurred in Wayanad district, have resulted in the tragic death of at least 63 people. Rescue operations are ongoing, with over 250 individuals already rescued from the mud and debris by authorities including the police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the fire force.

The Army has also deployed over 200 soldiers to assist in the rescue efforts, although efforts are being hampered by unstable terrain, destroyed roads, and a collapsed bridge. Injured survivors have been transported to hospitals for treatment. Eyewitness accounts describe the harrowing experience of people being swept away by the landslides, as attempts to save their loved ones were met with tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered full support from the federal government in a social media post, while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has called for the development of an action plan to identify landslide-prone areas. Monsoon rains frequently cause heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides in Kerala between June and September. The state previously experienced one of its worst floods in 2018, which resulted in nearly 500 fatalities.



At least 63 killed, dozens trapped after landslides in India's Kerala

A once picturesque region, now in ruins. Multiple landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains have swept away villages in Wayanad district. It happened in the early hours on Tuesday, trapping people in their homes while they slept. Search and rescue teams have been trying to reach the hundreds believed to be trapped under the mud and debris. We fear that the gravity of this tragedy is much more than these numbers. Rescue operations are being carried out on a bar footing. Police, NDRF, fire force and various agencies are actively involved in rescue operations. The army has deployed more than 200 soldiers to help teams from the state emergency service. But the unstable terrain, destroyed roads and a collapsed bridge are hindering efforts. Several injured people have been taken to hospital. There were about five to eight people with me. They were all swept away. I saw them being swept away. I don't know what's happened to them. I don't know if they're alive or if they've been rescued. I carried my mother on my shoulders. In a social media post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged full support from the federal government. Opposition leader and former MP from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi, has called for an action plan to map landslide-prone areas. Heavy rains, flooding and mudslides are common in Kerala during the monsoon season from June to September. In 2018, nearly 500 people were killed in the state in one of the worst floods on record.

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