Landslides leave more than 100 dead in southern India

Multiple landslides prompted by heavy rainfall in India’s southern state of Kerala yesterday left more than a hundred people dead, dozens injured, and many others trapped under debris.

- STUTI MISHRA

The landslides devastated the hillside villages of Wayanad district, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Rescue efforts have been ongoing but bad weather has severely hampered progress, leaving hundreds still feared trapped, officials said.

Health minister Veena George said significant infrastructure damage, including collapsed roads and a bridge that was swept away, was making several areas inaccessible. “We have to reestablish connectivity. Helicopters will also be brought in, but the weather is bad,” she told news agency ANI.

The scale of the disaster is yet to be fully ascertained, with authorities confirming at least 93 deaths by yesterday afternoon 4.30pm local time (noon GMT). The local Asianet TV channel put the unofficial toll at 107. Around 116 people were hospitalised with injuries. Videos from the scene showed relief workers navigating through debris and uprooted trees, while muddy water flowed through the remains of destroyed homes.