Massive landslide kills 45, shuts down dozens in Kerala

About 45 people have died and dozens are feared to be trapped after heavy rains caused landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Landslides hit the hilly areas of Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rescue operations continue, but are hampered by heavy rains and the collapse of an important bridge.

“We will be able to assess the extent of the damage after a few hours,” state minister AK Saseendran told BBC Hindi.

State Health Minister Veena George said local hospitals are treating at least 70 injured people. About 101 people have been saved so far.

District collector DR Meghasree told reporters that apart from the 36 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, nine bodies floated down the Chaliyar river into neighboring Malappuram district.

Wayanad, a mountainous region that is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.

Landslides have hit many areas in the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome.

Videos on social media showed muddy water flowing over unpaved roads and forested areas, flooding homes and leaving people and cars stranded.

A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, separating the two areas and making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the trapped families.

Rashid Padikkalparamban, a resident, told Reuters news agency that there were at least three landslides in the area around midnight, washing away a bridge.

State and federal disaster relief teams are carrying out rescue operations, and military personnel are expected to reach the area soon. Many local people have also been helping.

Mr. Saseendran also said that the army and the air force have been asked to airlift the stranded families and build a temporary bridge.

Raghavan C Arunamala, a local, described the shocking scenes that unfolded in the area.

“I saw a man trapped in the rubble screaming for help. Firefighters and rescuers have been trying to find him for the past few hours,” he said.

“We are afraid that hundreds of people are trapped in the villages,” he added.

Wayanad district and neighboring areas are on standby due to the forecast of heavy rains.

Schools and colleges are closed in 10 out of 14 districts.

In 2019, 17 people died after a landslide in Puthumala in Wayanad, about 10 km from the current affected areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) that he spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured the union government's help in the relief efforts.

Mr Modi also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,388; £1,857) to the families of the victims and 50,000 rupees to the injured.