At least 93 people have been killed and dozens are still feared trapped after heavy rains triggered massive landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
The landslides struck hilly areas in Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.
Rescue operations are under way, but are being hindered by heavy rains and the collapse of a crucial bridge.
“The situation continues to remain very grave. The causalities may go up,” V Venu, the state’s top civil servant, told media.
The landslides are the worst disaster to hit Kerala since 2018, when deadly floods killed more than 400 people.
Officials say more than 200 army personnel have been deployed to assist security forces in search and rescue efforts.
Chief Minister Pinari Vijayan told a press conference that Tuesday’s “landslide has wiped out an entire area”.
Local hospitals are treating at least 123Â injured, and more than 3,000Â people have been rescued and moved to 45 relief camps, he said.
Apart from 65 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, 16 bodies have been found in the Chaliyar river, which flows into neighbouring Malappuram district. The body parts of a number other people have also been found.
Wayanad, a hilly district which is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.
The landslides have hit several areas in the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome.
Videos on social media showed muddy water gushing through unpaved streets and forested areas, washing away homes and leaving people and vehicles stranded.
Credit: bbc.com
