Landslides Devastate Kerala as Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Heavy Rains

On Wednesday, more than a thousand rescue workers continued their search efforts for a second day after multiple landslides, triggered by torrential rains, devastated southern India. The disaster, which struck Kerala’s Wayanad district, has claimed at least 166 lives and injured 186 others.

The landslides caused massive destruction, including flattened houses, uprooted trees, and destroyed infrastructure, complicating the rescue operations. Persistent rain has further hampered the efforts of the rescuers, who are working to free those trapped under the debris.

Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, described the event as one of the worst natural calamities the state has ever experienced. The landslides, which began early Tuesday, have resulted in significant damage to tea estates and villages.

As of the latest reports, 187 people are still missing, and only 77 bodies have been identified and returned to their families. The search and rescue operations involve over 1,167 personnel, including firefighters, soldiers, Coast Guard members, and the National Disaster Response Force.

In response to the crisis, the Indian Army is constructing a temporary bridge to replace the one destroyed in the worst-affected area. Rescue workers are navigating through extensive mud and floodwaters, using heavy machinery to clear the debris.

The air force is evacuating people using helicopters, and a device to detect human presence underground is being employed. Efforts are also being made to retrieve bodies that have been carried downstream to the Malappuram district.

Local reports indicate that over 5,500 people have been rescued, while more than 8,300 individuals have been relocated to 82 relief camps set up by the government. Authorities are providing essential supplies, including 20,000 liters of drinking water, and are establishing temporary hospitals to handle the influx of injured individuals.

The disaster has primarily impacted tea estate workers, and many homes and roads have been destroyed or rendered inaccessible.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning for continued heavy rains in Kerala, which is prone to such disasters due to its monsoon patterns and geographical location in the Western Ghats.

Climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll emphasized the increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall and urged a review of construction practices in landslide-prone areas. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and announced financial compensation for the victims’ families as the state continues to recover from this devastating event.