Wayanad: Massive landslides kill 45 people and trap dozens in Kerala

Around 45 people have died and dozens are believed to be trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

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

Rescue efforts are underway but are hampered by heavy rains and the collapse of a key bridge.

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

Health Minister Veena George said at least 70 injured people were being treated in local hospitals. So far, around 101 people have been rescued.

District Collector DR Meghasree told reporters that besides 36 deaths confirmed in Wayanad, nine bodies were floated down the Chaliyar river in neighbouring Malappuram district.

Wayanad, a hilly district in the Western Ghats, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.

The landslides have hit several areas in the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome.

Videos on social media showed muddy water rushing through dirt roads and forested areas, washing away homes and stranding people and vehicles.

A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, cutting off the two towns from the outside world and making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the trapped families.

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

State and national disaster management teams are conducting rescue operations and army personnel are expected to arrive in the area soon. Some locals have also been helping.

Mr Saseendran also said that the Army and Air Force had been asked to evacuate trapped families and build a temporary bridge.

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

“I saw a man trapped in the rubble calling for help. Firefighters and rescue workers have been trying to reach him for the past few hours,” he said.

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

Wayanad district and its adjoining areas are on alert due to forecast of heavy rains.

Schools and universities were closed in 10 of 14 districts.

In 2019, 17 people died when a landslide hit Puthumala in Wayanad, about 10 kilometers from the currently affected areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of the federal government’s support in the relief efforts.

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