Latest news Landslides in India: At least 45 dead and many injured
After heavy rainfall in southern India, the death toll from landslides has risen to at least 45 and many more are feared trapped. Rescuers have been deployed to search for survivors under the rubble of destroyed houses, officials and local media reported.
The landslides occurred early Tuesday morning (local time) in the state of Kerala while people were sleeping in their homes. The masses of earth hit villages where hundreds of people reportedly live. Pictures showed great devastation - destroyed houses, piles of rubble, uprooted trees, washed away vehicles.
Local authorities in the affected district of Wayanad reported that 36 bodies had already been found. In a neighboring district, nine more bodies had been discovered that had been washed away, reported the broadcaster India Today.
At least 100 people have been rescued so far, said the health minister of the state of Kerala, Veena George. According to reports, around 70 people have been taken to hospitals with injuries.
More deaths feared
Hundreds of people may still be trapped under the masses of earth in the hilly area, wrote the newspaper "The Hindu". Rain hindered the rescue teams, the minister added. Rescue teams were therefore brought to the site by helicopter. The region was difficult to access, partly because an important bridge had been washed away. Sniffer dogs are being used. Heavy rainfall is forecast for the region over the next 24 hours.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and my prayers are with the injured." Rescue operations were underway to help all those affected, he added. Modi also announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees (about 2,200 euros) for the relatives of the victims and 50,000 rupees for each injured person.
Floods and mudslides are an annual feature of the monsoon season, which lasts from May to September in India. The rain is vital for plant life and agriculture, but can also be life-threatening for people.
