Kerala Landslides Cause Over 165 Deaths

Rescue operations are underway in Kerala, India, as soldiers and emergency responders race against time to locate survivors after devastating monsoon landslides claimed 166 lives. The landslides struck the hilly region of Wayanad early Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of homes, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure. Authorities reported that more than a dozen bodies were recovered overnight, but many remain unaccounted for, with over 300 rescuers facing significant challenges due to blocked roads and unstable terrain. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one villager, Jayesh, describing the terrifying moment when the landslides occurred. He reported that nine members of his family are still missing, highlighting the personal toll of the disaster. Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaos and fear as residents were jolted awake by the sounds of collapsing structures, with some unable to assist their neighbors trapped beneath the debris. The Indian Meteorological Department noted that Wayanad received approximately 28 centimeters of rain in the 24 hours leading up to the landslides, exacerbating the situation. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that several areas, including Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala, remain largely inaccessible due to washed-out roads, complicating rescue efforts. Experts warn that human activities, particularly construction in ecologically sensitive areas, are increasing the vulnerability of hilly regions to landslides. Additionally, changing monsoon patterns and intensified rainfall in short periods are contributing to the growing frequency of such disasters in the region.