Multiple landslides triggered by torrential rains in southern India have killed 93 people and left many others feared trapped under the debris
At least 108 people have died, including children, after heavy rains triggered a series of landslides in southern India.
More than 120 people have been injured and are receiving hospital treatment.
The treacherous weather also destroyed homes and a bridge in the hilly villages in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
Rescuers are continuing to pull survivors out from under the mud and debris. Their efforts have been hindered by blocked roads and unstable terrain.
The first landslide struck at approximately 2am local time (8.30pm GMT), with a second coming at 4am (10.30pm GMT).
More than 5,000 people have been moved to relief camps across Kerala.
According to the state’s chief minister, roads have been washed away, towns have been cut off, and a school was completely buried.
“This is one of the worst natural calamities Kerala has ever witnessed,” a statement read.
“The government is working relentlessly to ensure the safety of the people and to mitigate damage.”
Most of those killed in the landslides were tea estate workers.
Rescuers have made their way through mud and uprooted trees to reach those who have been stranded. Vehicles have been swept off roads and were seen stuck in a swollen river.
“We are trying every way to rescue our people,” state Health Minister Veena George said.
Search teams are using specially-trained police dogs, drones and helicopters to find survivors.
Temporary hospitals and mobile mortuary services have been set up to cope with the number of dead and injured.
In a post on social media platform X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad.”
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” Modi wrote. He announced compensation of $2,388 (£1,857) to the victims’ families.
India’s weather department has put Kerala on alert as the state has been lashed by incessant rains.
Kerala, one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, is prone to heavy rains, flooding and landslides. Nearly 500 people were killed in the state in 2018 in one of the worst floods.
The Indian Meteorological Department said the state has had heavy rainfall over its northern and central regions, with Wayanad district recording up to 28cm of rain in the past 24 hours.
A 2013 report by a federal government-appointed committee said that 37% of the total area of the Western Ghats mountains should be declared as an eco-sensitive area and proposed restrictions on any form of construction.
The report’s recommendations have not been implemented so far because state governments and residents opposed it.
India regularly has severe floods during the monsoon season, which runs between June and September and brings most of South Asia’s annual rainfall.
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