More than 50 dead in huge Kerala landslides

KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 50 people have been killed in landslides induced by heavy rains in India’s southern state of Kerala on Tuesday, media reports say.

Officials in Wayanad district, where the landslides occurred, confirmed the death toll to The Hindu. Scores of people are said to be trapped in the affected hilly areas.

The BBC quoted state minister AK Saseendran as saying: “We will be able to assess the extent of the damage only after a few hours.”

With over 70 people reportedly wounded, rescue efforts are being impeded by heavy rains and the collapse of a key bridge.

TV footage showed collapsed houses, swollen water bodies and uprooted trees dotting the villages struck by massive landslides.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs2 lakh for the next of kin of the dead.

Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other political leaders and assured all possible assistance to the state government.

The premier wrote on X: “Distressed by the landslides in parts of Wayanad. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured...”

PAN Monitor/mud