Landslides Unleash Havoc in Kerala: 195 Dead, Many Still Missing

Four people were rescued in Kerala, India, following devastating landslides caused by heavy rain. The disaster led to 195 confirmed deaths, with nearly 200 still missing. The situation worsened as a key bridge was washed away. Rescue operations have accelerated with heavy equipment, drones, and additional rescue teams.

Four people were rescued from a house in India's Kerala state on Friday, three days after devastating landslides, as search operations accelerated following the construction of a key bridge. The heavy rains in the southern state's Wayanad district caused torrents of mud, water, and boulders. The landslides have resulted in 195 confirmed deaths, with nearly 200 still missing.

The disaster, the worst since Kerala's 2018 floods, had initially hampered rescue efforts after the washed-away bridge cut off access to Mundakkai, the worst-hit area. The army has now constructed a 190-foot bridge, enabling heavy vehicles to reach the disaster zone, and drones with earth-sensing technology are being deployed to locate buried bodies.

Authorities report that nearly 1,600 people have been rescued from hillside villages and estates, while 350 buildings have been damaged. Experts attribute the landslides to relentless rains weakening the soil over the past two weeks, setting the stage for the catastrophic landslides triggered by Monday’s rainfall.