At least forty-five dead and hundreds presumed buried by landslides

Early morning landslides in the southern Indian state of Kerala have left at least 45 people dead, according to a new tally by local authorities on Tuesday, July 30.

D.R. Meghasri, an official in the state’s Wayanad district, where the bridge collapse is hampering rescue efforts, said 116 people had been taken to hospital for treatment. The newspaper quoted local minister M.P. Rajesh as saying that more than 250 people had been rescued so far. Hindus. While state Health Minister Veena George had earlier in the day told the Press Trust of India that hospitals were also attending to the disease. “many wounded”.

The armed forces also said in a press release that hundreds of people may have been buried. The document states: “Hundreds of people may be trapped.” He said about 225 soldiers have been deployed in Wayanad district to help in the search and rescue efforts for survivors.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, It was interacted onwrite it to him “Thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones.” This is for him “Prayers for the wounded”He also assured the Chief Minister of Kerala, “All help is possible” To deal with the situation.

Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad in the previous session of Parliament, said that “With deep sadness” In disaster. “I hope all those trapped will be quickly moved to safety.”he added.

More rain is expected.

Many of the injured in the disaster have already been shifted to a district hospital for treatment. The Kerala Disaster Management Agency, which said fire brigades and state security forces were involved in search and rescue operations alongside the army, warned that more rain and strong winds were expected during the day.

The monsoon season that hits South Asia from June to September provides a respite from the summer heat and is essential for replenishing water reserves. But it also brings floods and landslides, causing material damage and many deaths, which have become increasingly important in recent years, especially due to climate change.

Dams, deforestation and development projects in India are also factors that exacerbate human losses.

Severe monsoon-related storms had already hit the country earlier in the month. Parts of the major city of Mumbai were flooded, while lightning killed at least 10 people in the northeastern state of Bihar.

In Kerala, at least 25 people were killed in floods and landslides in 2021. In 2018, nearly 500 others lost their lives during the state’s worst recorded floods in more than a century.