At least 166 people killed in southern India landslides

Hundreds of rescue workers searched through mud and debris on Wednesday from multiple landslides that have killed at least 166 people in southern India, police said.

The deaths occurred after torrential rains triggered torrents of mud and water that swept through tea estates and villages.

Another 186 people were injured by the landslides that hit hilly areas in Kerala state’s Wayanad district early on Tuesday, flattening houses, uprooting trees and destroying a bridge, said police officer Aijaz, who uses one name.

More than a dozen bodies were found overnight, Mr Aijaz said, as more than 300 rescuers worked to pull out people stuck under mud and debris, but their efforts were hampered by blocked roads and unstable terrain.

The first landslide occurred at 2am on Tuesday, followed by another two hours later.

Several areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, were isolated, and roads were washed away causing immense damage to homes, said Kerala’s top elected official, Pinarayi Vijayan.

“Efforts to locate missing persons continue with all available resources,” their statement said.

Mundakka is in an area highly prone to disasters. However, the gushing soil, gravel, and rock reached the town of Chooralmala, six kilometres (3.7 miles) away.

Mr Vijayan said more than 3,000 people have been moved to relief camps.

The government is ensuring the delivery of food and essential items to the relief camps.

Authorities sent vehicles carrying 20,000 litres of drinking water to the disaster area.

Temporary hospitals are being set up, the statement said on Tuesday night.

Local media reported that most of the victims were tea estate workers.

Television footage showed rescue workers making their way through mud and uprooted trees to reach those who had been stranded.

Vehicles swept off the roads were seen stuck in a swollen river.

Authorities mobilised helicopters to help with rescue efforts and the Indian army was roped in to build a temporary bridge.

“We are trying every way to rescue our people,” state health minister Veena George said.

In a post on social media platform X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad”, a hilly district that is part of the Western Ghats mountain range.

“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” Mr Modi wrote.

He announced compensation of 200,000 rupees to the victims’ families.

India’s weather department has put Kerala on alert as the state has been lashed by incessant rains.

Downpours have disrupted life for many, and authorities closed schools in some parts.

Kerala, one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, is prone to heavy rains, flooding and landslides.

Nearly 500 people were killed in the state in 2018 in one of the worst floods.

The Indian Meteorological Department said the state has had heavy rainfall over its northern and central regions, with Wayanad district recording up to 28 centimetres (11 inches) of rain on Monday and Tuesday.

“Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased,” said Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

“As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats.”