As a result of heavy monsoon rains in India, landslides have struck tea plantations, claiming the lives of at least 93 individuals. Additionally, around 250 people have been successfully rescued from the mud and debris, according to officials.
The state of Kerala, situated along the southern coast, has been severely impacted by relentless downpours, leading to blocked roads in Wayanad district and hindering relief operations.
Addressing the media, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed, “93 bodies have been recovered so far. This is one of the most severe natural disasters our state has experienced.”
Furthermore, he mentioned that 128 survivors are currently receiving medical attention following their rescue.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on a social media platform, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones and prayers with those injured.”
Wayanad is renowned for its sprawling tea estates that adorn the hilly terrain and heavily depend on a large workforce for their operations.
Multiple estates in the district were struck by consecutive landslides in the early hours of dawn when most residents were asleep.
Images released by the National Disaster Response Force depict rescue teams navigating through mud to locate survivors and transport bodies using stretchers from the affected area.
The impact of the landslide is evident as houses are covered in brown sludge, and the force of the disaster has scattered vehicles, metal sheets, and other debris across the site.
The Indian Army disclosed that over 200 soldiers have been deployed to assist state authorities and fire departments in the ongoing search, rescue, and relief operations.
According to Kerala State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh, as reported by The Hindu newspaper, more than 250 individuals have been rescued thus far.
The Prime Minister’s office assured that families of the deceased will receive a compensation of $2,400 (200,000 rupees).
The state’s disaster management agency has forecasted additional rainfall and strong winds in Kerala on Tuesday.
– ‘Alarming rise in landslides’ –
Former Wayanad parliamentarian and current Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, expressed his distress to lawmakers regarding the extensive devastation caused by the landslides.
Pointing out the increasing frequency of natural disasters, he stressed, “Our country has witnessed an alarming rise in landslides in recent years. The need of the hour is a comprehensive action plan to address the growing frequency of natural calamities.”
The monsoon season from June to September brings relief from the scorching summer heat and plays a critical role in replenishing water sources.
These rains are vital for agriculture, supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers and ensuring food security for nearly two billion people in South Asia.
Nevertheless, they also bring about destruction in the form of floods and landslides.
Experts have observed a rise in fatal floods and landslides in recent times, attributing this trend to the exacerbating effects of climate change.
Kartiki Negi from the Indian environmental think tank Climate Trends highlighted, “The number of extremely heavy rainfall days have increased. The atmosphere is quite disturbed, leading to more extreme events occurring nowadays.”
In addition to climate change, the toll taken by such disasters is worsened by damming, deforestation, and development projects in India.
This month, India faced severe monsoon storms causing floods in parts of Mumbai and claiming the lives of at least 10 individuals due to lightning strikes in Bihar.
In 2018, nearly 500 casualties were reported in Kerala during the worst flooding the state had witnessed in almost a century.
One of the most devastating landslides in recent Indian history occurred in 1998 when heavy monsoon rains triggered rockfalls, resulting in the deaths of at least 220 people and the burial of the small village of Malpa in the Himalayas.
AFP.