41 dead in Kerala landslide, hundreds stranded

41 people, including a child, have died in massive landslides in the hills of Kerala, India; Hundreds of people are feared to be trapped.

These casualties occurred in Meppadi, Mundakal Town and Churalmala in Waynard district on Tuesday morning, Reuters reported.

State Forest Minister AK Sasendran said that 66 injured persons are undergoing treatment in various local hospitals.

The District Disaster Management Committee has issued a red alert due to landslides in various parts of Wenara. Mundakal and Atamala areas have been cut off due to the collapse of a bridge at Harka Ban. Waynar district is separated from other districts by road.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that all government agencies are working in the search and rescue operation.

"State ministers are going to the hill district to lead the rescue operation and coordination will be ensured in this operation," Pinarayi said in the statement.

He said that the National Health Mission has opened a control room to deal with landslides and other rain-related disasters.

Pinarayi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called him and assured him of all help.
India's Prime Minister's Office said Narendra Modi was "shocked" by the landslide casualties. He announced to provide Rs 2 lakh to the families of each victim and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the relief fund.

Firefighters and members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to the spot, NDTV wrote. Two teams of Kanpur Defense Security Corps joined the rescue operation.

Two Air Force aircraft also joined the rescue operation, The Daily Hindu reported, adding that the rescue operation was hampered by reduced visibility and heavy rain. Locals say that many people are still trapped.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in the central and northern districts of Kerala on Tuesday. The agency has issued a red alert in five districts of the state including Waynar.