At least 19 people have been confirmed dead, and hundreds are feared trapped following a series of landslides triggered by persistent rainfall in the mountainous region of Kerala, a state in southern India. According to Indian media reports, the landslides struck near Meppadi and Chooralmala in Wayanad district around 2 AM local time on Tuesday (8:30 PM GMT Monday). Rescue operations are being hampered by ongoing heavy rainfall.
Indian media outlets report that the death toll, as reported by The Indian Express, has risen to 19, including at least two children. More than 200 soldiers have been deployed to the area, and two helicopters from the Indian Air Force have been mobilized for the rescue efforts. “Hundreds of people are believed to be trapped,” stated the armed forces in a press release.
According to The Hindu, an Indian newspaper that cited unnamed sources, many homes, vehicles, and shops have been inundated with mud and water. The main bridge in Chooralmala has also been destroyed, isolating many areas from access. The newspaper published images showing torrents of brown water raging among fallen trees, large boulders, and damaged buildings.
“The situation is serious. The government has mobilized all agencies for rescue efforts,” stated A.K. Saseendran, the state’s Minister of Forests, in an interview with Reuters. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “concern” regarding the events in Kerala and has spoken with the state’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to assure him of “all possible assistance.”
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Wayanad constituency in the Indian Parliament, also expressed his deep distress over the news of the landslides and hoped that those trapped would be rescued soon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is predicting more rain in the coming hours.
Monsoon rains in South Asia, occurring from June to September, provide relief from the summer heat and are crucial for replenishing water supplies, but they also lead to extensive death and destruction. The number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years, and experts indicate that climate change is exacerbating the problem.
This ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures in vulnerable regions.