The southern Indian state of Kerala is reeling from devastating landslides that have resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life.
The de@th toll has surged past 158, with a staggering 187 people still unaccounted for. Rescue efforts, temporarily halted on Tuesday night, resumed with renewed vigor on Wednesday morning.
This disaster is the w0rst to hit Kerala since the 2018 floods that claimed over 400 lives. As a mark of respect, the Indian flag is flying at half mast in government buildings, and the state has declared two days of official mourning.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the calamity as having “wiped out an entire area” in Wayanad district’s Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions. With neighboring areas on high alert for heavy rain, schools and colleges remain closed in 12 out of 14 districts.
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A massive joint rescue operation is underway, involving the army, navy, air force, NDRF, police, and fire department.
Over 3,000 people have been rescued and relocated to 45 relief camps.
Air force helicopters conducted search and rescue operations on Tuesday evening to evacuate stranded individuals in Mundakkai, which was inaccessible due to the disaster.
A small team of rescue workers has managed to reach the affected area, offering a glimmer of hope in this dire situation.
