Friday, March 29, 2024

13 dead in landslide in Kerala after heavy rain, 52 feared trapped under debris

Heavy rains have increased the likelihood for debris flows, soil erosion and landslides.

At least 13 people have been killed after heavy rain caused a landslide in Kerala’s Idukki district early Friday morning. 

Fifty-two more people, who lived in 20 homes, are feared buried under the debris.

Officials say the landslide happened in the Rajamalai area of the district, which is around 25 km from the tourist town of Munnar. 

They said a connecting bridge was swept away yesterday, making access to the area difficult. Rescue teams have also been slowed by tough terrain.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted that a 50 member strong special task force team of the Fire Force has been dispatched to Rajamalai in Idukki for rescue efforts.

The torrential downpour and landslides have been wreaking havoc across Kerala in the past two days.

At least 2,334 people are in relief camps in various parts of the state. A total of 1,854 people were evacuated Thursday and at present there are 20 camps across the state, a senior official from SDMA said.

The torrential downpour and landslides have been wreaking havoc across Kerala in the past two days. Photo: Shaheen Abdulla/Maktoob

Six districts are on red alert for likely extremely heavy rainfall today.

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