Tragedy has struck the southern Indian state of Kerala, where landslides have claimed the lives of at least 73 people and left many more missing. The disaster occurred in the Wayanad district, a popular tourist destination known for its tea and cardamom estates.
Heavy rainfall on Monday triggered the landslides, which swept through the tea estates and nearby villages, catching residents off guard. Many of the victims were estate workers and their families who were asleep in makeshift tents when the disaster struck.
Rescue operations are underway, with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force involved in the efforts. So far, 250 people have been rescued, but many more are still missing. The state government has established a shelter camp and deployed medical teams and ambulances to assist in the relief efforts.
The landslides are the worst disaster to hit Kerala since 2018, when heavy floods killed almost 400 people. The state government has requisitioned rescue columns of the Indian Army’s 122 Infantry Battalion (TA) MADRAS to assist in rescue efforts.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in parliament, has expressed his condolences and urged the union government to extend all possible support to the affected people.
The situation is grim, with many families affected and several people still missing. The Kerala government has promised to do everything possible to support the affected families and restore normalcy in the region.
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