Wayanad: Massive landslides kill 93, trap dozens in Kerala

At least 93 people have been killed and dozens more are still feared trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Landslides hit hilly areas of Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rescue operations are currently underway, but are being hampered by heavy rains and the collapse of a vital bridge.

“The situation is still very serious. The casualties may rise,” V. Venu, the state’s top civil servant, told the media.

The landslides are the worst disaster to hit Kerala since 2018, when deadly floods killed more than 400 people.

Officials said more than 200 military personnel have been deployed to assist security forces in search and rescue efforts.

Local hospitals are treating at least 129 injured people, and about 250 people have been rescued and taken to rescue camps so far.

In addition to the 65 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, 16 bodies were found in the Chaliyar river, which flows into the neighbouring Malappuram district. Body parts of a few others were also found.

Wayanad, a mountainous region that forms part of the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.

Landslides hit several areas in the region, including Mundakay, Atamala, Choralmala and Konhom.

Videos circulating on social media showed muddy water flowing through unpaved streets and wooded areas, sweeping away homes and stranding people and vehicles.

A bridge linking Choralmala, Mundakai and Attamala collapsed, isolating the two places and making it difficult for rescuers to reach trapped families.

At least three landslides hit the area around midnight, destroying the bridge, resident Rashid Padikalparamban told Reuters news agency.

National and state relief teams are carrying out rescue operations. Many local residents have also offered assistance.

Mr. Finau said a small team had managed to cross the river and reach the stranded areas. He added that more resources were needed, but strong river currents were making it difficult for rescuers to cross the river.

He said air relief operations were also delayed due to heavy rains.

Raghavan C Arunamala, a local resident, described the horrific scenes.

“I saw a man trapped in the rubble screaming for help. Firefighters and rescue workers have been trying to reach him for the past few hours,” he added.

Local media reports said people were flocking to hospitals in search of loved ones.

It is believed that about 350 families were living in the affected areas, where a number of tea and cardamom plantations are located.

Most of the victims are people working in real estate and were likely sleeping in their makeshift tents when the landslides struck.

Wayanad and adjoining areas remain on alert as heavy rains are forecast.

Schools and colleges have been closed in 10 of the 14 districts.

In 2019, 17 people died after a landslide hit Puthumala area of ​​Wayanad, about 10 kilometres from the currently affected areas.

Tuesday’s tragedy also played out in India’s parliament, where Vice President Jagdeep Singh Dhankar – the leader of the upper house – called it a “very painful situation.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a former MP from Wayanad, is scheduled to visit the area on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter that he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of the federal government’s help in relief efforts.

Modi also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,388; £1,857) to the families of the victims and 50,000 rupees to the injured.