DEADLY LANDSLIDES IN INDIA’S KERALA: DOZENS KILLED, HUNDREDS MISSING

Tue 30 July 2024:

At least 63 people have died and dozens are feared trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in Kerala, India. Rescue operations are ongoing but face significant challenges due to persistent rain and the collapse of a crucial bridge.

The landslides struck near Meppadi in Wayanad district around 2am on Tuesday (20:30 GMT on Monday), isolating at least four villages. P M Manoj, press secretary to the Kerala chief minister, confirmed 49 deaths so far, with the toll expected to rise. At least 70 others are injured and receiving treatment in district hospitals.

More than 200 soldiers, two Indian Air Force helicopters, police drones, and a dog squad have been deployed for the rescue efforts. The Indian Army stated, “Hundreds of people are suspected to have been trapped,” and a medical team is working to rescue approximately 250 individuals.

DEADLY LANDSLIDES IN INDIA’S KERALA: DOZENS KILLED, HUNDREDS MISSING

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Social media videos show muddy water rushing through streets and forested areas, destroying homes and stranding people and vehicles. Sandosh Kumar, a member of parliament from Kerala, described some areas in his district as “completely marooned.”

Local reports indicate that many houses, vehicles, and shops are buried in mud and water. The main bridge in Chooralmala has been destroyed, cutting off many areas.

State Forest Minister AK Saseendran told Reuters that the situation is serious and all agencies are engaged in rescue efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress over the events and assured Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of “all possible help.” Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who previously represented Wayanad in parliament, expressed anguish and hoped for the quick rescue of the trapped individuals.

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Continued Rain and Increased Alerts

Wayanad district and neighboring areas remain on alert due to forecasts of continued heavy rain. Schools and colleges in 10 of 14 districts have been closed. India’s meteorological agency predicts more rain in the coming hours.

Monsoon rains, spanning June to September, are essential for water replenishment and agriculture, supporting millions of farmers and ensuring food security for nearly two billion people in South Asia. However, these rains also cause destructive landslides and floods. The frequency of fatal floods and landslides has risen in recent years, with experts attributing this trend to climate change.

In 2019, a landslide in Puthumala, Wayanad, resulted in 17 deaths, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to such natural disasters.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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