Landslide Catastrophe in Kerala: Over 90 Dead, Villages and Estates Buried

A violent landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday claimed at least 93 lives. Triggered by heavy rains, it smothered tea estates and villages, primarily affecting tea estate workers and families. Rescue operations are underway amidst challenging conditions, with more rain predicted. It's the worst disaster since the floods of 2018.

A devastating landslide hit southern India's Kerala on Tuesday, killing at least 93 people after heavy rain triggered torrents of mud, water, and boulders across tea estates and villages in Wayanad district. The disaster struck after relentless rainfall on Monday night, primarily affecting tea estate workers and their families.

Television footage showed rescue workers battling through uprooted trees and flattened structures, with muddy waters and boulders complicating efforts. One rescue scene featured a man trapped in chest-high mud, illustrating the dire situation. Officials reported that 100 families were stranded, though 250 individuals were rescued so far.

Army engineers were tasked with constructing a temporary replacement bridge after the existing one was destroyed. The state's chief minister confirmed ongoing rescue efforts and lamented the severity of the disaster. With continued heavy rain forecasted, the region braces for more challenges, recalling the deadly floods of 2018.