At least 151 people have died and about 186 others were injured, even as rescue operations continue, after a series of landslides hit Kerala’s Wayanad district amid heavy rain on Tuesday. The landslides hit several areas in the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala and Kunhome, Reuters reported.

Hundreds more are feared trapped with government agencies carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas. Several families have reported that their loved ones remain untraceable. The rescue efforts are being hindered by heavy rain and the collapse of a crucial bridge.

Videos on social media showed muddy water gushing through unpaved streets and forested areas, washing away homes and leaving people and vehicles stranded.

The Indian Army has deployed about 300 personnel for search-and-rescue efforts in Wayanad, while 140 are on standby in Thiruvananthapuram in case the need arises.

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Kerala has been battered by incessant rain in the region, with blocked roads complicating relief efforts. The state recorded 372 mm rainfall in 24 hours before three landslides hit Wayanad district in four hours.

The weather department has predicted more rain for Wayanad and several other districts over the next couple of days. This alert has been issued for Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod districts. Four districts are under orange alert — Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured all help to the LDF government. He has also asked BJP chief JP Nadda to ensure that party workers assist in rescue work.

The Prime Minister’s Office has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the calamity. Those injured would be given Rs 50,000.

The Kerala CM told a press conference that Tuesday’s “landslide has wiped out an entire area”.

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According to visuals aired on TV channels, in one place, Army personnel could be seen breaking the tin roof of a house that was completely submerged in mud and using ropes to reach inside to retrieve the bodies of those trapped there.

A local man, who went inside one such house, said he saw mud-covered bodies sitting on chairs and lying down on cots.

“The deceased persons might be sitting or lying down when the tragedy struck them in the wee hours of Tuesday,” he told PTI.

NDRF Commander Akhilesh Kumar stated on Wednesday morning, “… We rescued injured victims from Mundakkai village yesterday. We fear victims might be trapped in collapsed buildings… Till 10 pm last night, we rescued 70 people, after which we had to stop because of bad weather and rain… Since there are many teams working, we cannot give an exact number of deaths, because we only know about the dead bodies our team has recovered… People have been given shelter in a resort and a mosque on the other side of the river. Since rainfall is going on, there are chances of another landslide…”

The landslides have left a trail of destruction with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen and trees uprooted. The picturesque villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha have been cut off from other areas, leaving many stranded.

The state Health Department has also opened a control room. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities on helpline numbers 9656938689 and 8086010833.

The landslides are the worst disaster to hit Kerala since 2018, when floods killed more than 400 people.

(With inputs from agencies)