Heavy rains within the southern Indian state of Kerala have triggered large landslides which have killed not less than 24 folks and should have trapped dozens extra.
A landslide occurred within the hilly areas of Wayanad district within the early hours of Tuesday.
Rescue operations are underway however have been hampered by heavy rain and the collapse of a key bridge.
“We will assess the extent of the harm solely in a couple of hours,” state minister AK Saseendran instructed BBC Hindi.
Mr Saseendran mentioned native hospitals have been treating not less than 66 injured, including that hospital employees have been amongst these lacking within the landslide.
Wayanad is a hilly area that’s a part of the Western Ghats and is susceptible to landslides throughout the monsoon season.
Landslides occurred in a number of areas of the district, together with Mundakkai, Attamala, Chorollmala and Kunhome.
A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, quarantining the 2 locations and making it troublesome for rescuers to achieve stranded households.
State and nationwide catastrophe response groups are conducting rescue operations. Some locals have additionally been serving to.
Sassendran additionally mentioned the military and air drive had been requested to airlift stranded properties and construct a short lived bridge.
Wayanad district and adjoining areas are on alert as heavy rain is forecast.
Faculties and schools have been closed in 10 of the state’s 14 districts.
In 2019, a landslide occurred in Puthumala in Wayanad, which at the moment affected an space of about 10 km, killing 17 folks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (previously often known as Twitter) that he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and warranted the federal authorities of serving to in aid efforts.
Modi additionally introduced a compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,388; £1,857) to the households of the victims and 50,000 rupees to the injured.
Further reporting by Ashraf Padanna in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
