Kerala Massive Landslide: 5 Dead, Many Feared Trapped

A massive landslide triggered by torrential rains on Friday left five people dead, with many others feared to be trapped.

Local authorities report that the incident happened in the Pettimudi division in Kannan Devan's tea estate at Neymakkadu in Idukki at 4 a.m. on Friday. The area has been witnessing torrential rains since Thursday night.

The landslide caused the powerlines to snap, affecting the communication lines in the area. The Periyavaram bridge has collapsed from heavy rain and flood.

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A Serious Situation

Revenue minister E Chandrasekaran said that "The situation is really serious."

Five people are confirmed dead, while ten people were rescued from the debris and are receiving treatment at Tata General Hospital in Munnar. Idukki Collector H Dineshan said some of the injured are in critical condition.

Twenty houses were reported to be damaged. Local authorities estimate that 80 people live in the area, and they do not know how many are trapped in the mud. Local officials said that a connecting bridge collapsed yesterday, making rescue operations difficult as the muddy terrain has slowed rescue teams down.

A 50-member special team trained to rescue victims from the fire was dispatched to the Idukki district in Rajamalai, where the mudslide happened. IAF helicopters to aid in the rescue were also requested to hasten the rescue and relief operations.

The mobile medical team and 15 ambulances were also sent to Idukki, with more if necessary, according to Health Minister KK Shailaja. She also ordered other hospitals to treat survivors.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is already in the landslide area. Another group, based in Thrissur, is also on its way to the incident site. The police, fire service personnel, and forest and revenue officials were given instructions to join the rescue efforts.

The landslide area is within the protected Eravikulam National Park vicinity, and only plantation laborers were allowed to stay.

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Red Alert in Kerala

A red alert of torrential rainfall in the state is expected until August 9, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

An orange alert was issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod until August 9.

Another landslide was reported in Sabarimala Hill Temple in Pathanamthitta.

Muthirapuzha River is also rising, causing floods in Munnar's low-lying areas, even in the Iddiki district.

The famous Shiva temple in Ernakulam district is flooded as the Periyar river swelled. Various dams have been opened, causing the water level in the Periyar river to increase.

The state disaster management announced that night travel had been banned in Idukki district, warning that several roads and highways had been closed due to the rains.

Annual Monsoon Rains

The rains are from the annual monsoon rains that generally hit South Asian countries from June to September. Since June this year, more than 550 people have died in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. More than 9.6 million have been displaced, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports.

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