New Delhi, July 30 (EFE).- Dozens of people have died and hundreds were trapped after massive landslides caused by heavy rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala, a local official said on Tuesday.
At least 89 people are confirmed to have died following a series of massive landslides, triggered by heavy rains, occurred early Tuesday in the mountainous district of Wayanad, sweeping away houses, roads, and a crucial bridge.
Efforts were ongoing to rescue hundreds of people who remain trapped in the affected region due to road blockages and landslides, local government spokesperson Pratheesh Mony told EFE.
«Rescue operations are being carried by the National Disaster Response Force and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority,” Mony added.
A 200-member army team is also involved in the rescue efforts. However, continuous rainfall has hampered the rescue and search operations, he said.
Local media broadcast footage showing excavators removing fallen trees and debris in the affected area.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert on Tuesday for heavy rains in Wayanad and neighboring areas, warning of rainfall up to 204 millimeters in 24 hours.
One of the worst-hit areas is Chooralmala village, which was struck by three consecutive landslides and remains cut off. At least 36 people died in the village.
Several senior officials have traveled to the affected region to assess the damage and coordinate response efforts.
“A delegation of five ministers has been assigned in Wayanad to address the aftermath of the recent landslide and oversee ongoing relief efforts,” Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised «all possible help» from the central government and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh ($2,388) for the families of the deceased.
“Distressed by the landslides. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” he said.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi described the devastation in Wayanad as “heartbreaking,” highlighting that India has seen “an alarming rise” in landslides in recent years.
“The need of the hour is a comprehensive action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities in our ecologically fragile regions,” he added.
The intense rainfall comes during the monsoon or rainy season, which in India and other South Asian countries occurs between May and September and often causes significant human and material losses. EFE
Daa-hbc/pd/bks/ks
