Landslides in India caused by heavy monsoon rains hit tea plantations, leaving at least 108 people dead. Approximately 250 others were rescued from the mud and debris.
The state of Kerala on the southern coast has been severely affected by continuous heavy rainfall, with blocked roads hindering relief efforts in the Wayanad district.
“This tragedy has resulted in the loss of 108 lives,” stated Pinarayi Vijayan, the state’s chief minister. “This is one of the worst natural disasters Kerala has ever faced.”
Additionally, 128 people were hospitalized for treatment after being saved, according to Vijayan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones and prayers to the injured via social media.
Wayanad is known for its tea estates, which were hit by landslides early in the morning while most residents were asleep.
Images from the National Disaster Response Force show rescue teams searching for survivors and carrying bodies out of the disaster zone.
Homes were covered in mud, with debris scattered around the area due to the force of the landslides.
The Indian army deployed over 200 soldiers to assist state security forces and fire crews with search and rescue operations.
Families of the deceased will receive compensation of $2,400 (200,000 rupees), as per Modi’s office.
More than 3,000 individuals are staying in emergency relief camps in Wayanad district, according to Vijayan.
Despite continued rainfall and strong winds, Vijayan urged the public to stay prepared and heed any warnings of potential disasters.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted the alarming increase in landslides, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive action plan to address the growing frequency of natural disasters.
Monsoon rains in the region from June to September are crucial for agriculture and water supplies but also bring devastation in the form of landslides and floods.
The frequency of fatal floods and landslides has risen in recent years, with experts attributing the trend to climate change.
Intense monsoon storms in India this month have caused flooding in Mumbai, while lightning in Bihar claimed at least 10 lives.
Nearly 500 people died in floods around Kerala in 2018, marking the worst flooding in the state in almost a century.
In 1998, heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide in the Himalayas that resulted in at least 220 fatalities in the village of Malpa, making it India’s worst landslide in recent decades.
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