Landslides in India, triggered by heavy rains that hit tea plantations, killed at least 108 people on Tuesday (30/7), while at least 250 others were rescued from mud and debris.
The southern coastal state of Kerala has been battered by heavy rains, with roads to the affected area in Wayanad district blocked, complicating relief efforts.
“This disaster has resulted in the loss of 108 lives,” the state’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said in a statement.
“This is one of the worst natural disasters Kerala has ever experienced,” he added.
Another 128 people have been hospitalized after being rescued, he said.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and my prayers are with those injured,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on social media platform X.
Wayanad is known for its tea plantations that stretch across its hilly countryside, and relies on a large number of casual labourers for planting and harvesting. Several areas of the district were hit by two successive landslides before dawn, when most residents were asleep.
Images published by the National Disaster Response Unit showed rescue crews struggling through mud to search for survivors and carry bodies on stretchers out of the area.
Houses were covered in brown mud as the destructive force of the landslide threw cars, zinc roofs and other debris around the disaster site.
The Indian Army said it had deployed more than 200 of its personnel to the area to assist state security forces and firefighting crews in search and rescue efforts.
PM Modi's office said the families of the victims would receive compensation of $2,400 (200,000 rupees).
Vijayan said that more than 3,000 people have taken shelter in emergency relief camps around Wayanad district.
Heavy rain and strong winds lashed Kerala on Tuesday, and Vijayan urged people to “be prepared and heed warnings” for more potential disasters in the future.
“Everyone must be willing to follow the instructions given by the authorities and not ignore them,” he added. (ns/uh)
