45 dead, dozens trapped in India landslides

By Imran Qureshi in Bengaluru & Ashraf Padanna in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, July 30: Around 45 people have been killed and dozens are feared trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

The landslides struck hilly areas in Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rescue operations are underway, but are being hindered by heavy rains and the collapse of a crucial bridge.

"We will be able to assess the extent of the damage only after a few hours," state minister AK Saseendran told BBC Hindi.

State Health Minister Veena George said local hospitals were treating at least 70 injured people. Around 101 people have been rescued so far.

District collector DR Meghasree told reporters that apart from 36 deaths confirmed in Wayanad, nine bodies had floated in the Chaliyar river into neighbouring Malappuram district.

Wayanad, a hilly district which is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.

The landslides have hit several areas in the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome.

Videos on social media showed muddy water gushing through unpaved streets and forested areas, washing away homes and leaving people and vehicles stranded.

A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, isolating the two places and making it difficult for rescue personnel to reach trapped families.

Rashid Padikkalparamban, a resident, told Reuters news agency that at least three landslides had hit the area around midnight, washing away the bridge.

State and national disaster relief teams are conducting rescue operations, and army personnel are expected to reach the area soon. Several locals too have been helping out.

Saseendran also said the army and air force have been asked to airlift trapped families and to erect a temporary bridge.

Raghavan C Arunamala, a local, described the horrifying scenes unfolding in the area.

“I saw a man trapped in the debris shouting for help. Firefighters and rescue workers have been trying to reach him for the last few hours," he said.

“We fear hundreds of people are trapped inside the villages," he added.

Wayanad district and neighbouring areas are on alert due to the forecast of heavy rains.

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

In 2019, 17 people had died after a landslide hit Puthumala in Wayanad, around 10km from the areas currently affected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured the federal government's help in relief efforts.

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