Thiruvananthapuram, India – Torrential rainfall triggered a series of landslides in the southern state of Kerala, claiming the lives of at least 99 individuals. Rescue operations are now in progress to assist those who may be trapped under debris, as confirmed by local authorities.

The floods also left 148 people injured in the Wayanad district of Kerala, struck during the monsoon peak on Tuesday. Emergency personnel from the Indian armed forces have mobilized helicopters to support the search and rescue efforts amidst the incessant downpours that devastated entire communities in the mountainous region. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office reported the extensive involvement of all levels of government in managing and coordinating the rescue operations.

Civil officer Amal Kabeer of the Kerala police anticipates a rise in the death toll as dozens are reported missing, according to local disaster response officials. Images and videos circulated on social media depicted submerged railway tracks, blocked highways strewn with boulders, and vehicles entangled in uprooted trees as muddy rainwater flooded through the towns and villages of Wayanad, a prominent tourist destination.

With over 200 homes swept away in the landslides, Latheef P.S., a volunteer teacher assisting in the search efforts, expressed the challenges of locating individuals amidst the widespread devastation. The fragile hill settlements surrounding Wayanad, known for their tea plantations, bore the brunt of the disaster, leaving many workers unable to evacuate as their residences were destroyed.

The calamity in Kerala, where over 400 lives were lost in landslides and floods in 2018, has reignited concerns over the escalating risks posed by natural disasters. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi urged for a comprehensive strategy to address the surging frequency of such catastrophes in ecologically vulnerable regions during a parliamentary session.

As the state grapples with the aftermath of the floods and landslides, local media reported the destruction of numerous bridges, isolating smaller communities and complicating rescue efforts. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall in Wayanad and surrounding districts, further challenging ongoing relief operations.