In India’s southern state of Kerala, landslides are believed to have killed at least 106 people and stranded hundreds more, according to local media on Tuesday.
In the Wayanad district, heavy monsoon rains buried entire villages and obstructed roads, the Hindu newspaper reported. According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, thus far at least 125 individuals have been admitted to the hospital and eight bodies have been found.
George warned that rescue operations were being hampered by the unrelenting rain, thus the death toll was certain – increase.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media platform X.
Footage of the area showed homes caked in thick mud, and sludge and debris transforming the landscape. At least 250 people had been rescued, state officials said.
India’s army said it had deployed more than 200 troops to the area to assist state security forces and rescue crews.
“Hundreds of people are suspected to have been trapped,” the military said in a statement.
Although monsoons are an annual occurrence, scientists say climate change is increasing the devastation caused in the rainy season. Deforestation and development projects in India have also exacerbated the problem. Earlier in July, fatal floods and landslides struck India’s northeast.
