NEW DELHI, July 30 — The death toll in the multiple landslides that struck India's southern state of Kerala early today morning rose to 39 and hundreds are feared trapped under the rubble, local media reported.
Massive landslides brought on by heavy monsoon showers buried villages and cut off roads in Kerala’s hilly Wayanad district early on Tuesday, the German News Agency (dpa) reported, quoting The Hindu newspaper report.
The landslides struck in the Meppadi area even as people were still asleep. Rescue work was on, but was being hampered by continuous rain, said a local police officer to Xinhua over the phone.
At least 70 injured have been taken to hospital, according to Kerala Health Minister Veena George.
She feared the death toll could rise as many people were still trapped under the debris, and that it seemed to be a "massive tragedy".
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "distressed" by the landslides.
"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and promised all possible help from the Federal government.
Senior leader of the country's main opposition party the Indian National Congress Rahul Gandhi also expressed anguish at the natural tragedy, saying he hopes "those still trapped are brought to safety soon".
Besides the loss of human lives, hundreds of vehicles, houses and other properties were also buried under the rubble of the landslides, said local media reports.
— Bernama
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Rescuers carry the body of a victim at the landslide site after multiple landslides in the hills, in Wayanad, Kerala, India, on July 30, 2024. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
