Over 180 Dead in Major Landslide in India... Hundreds Isolated

Approximately 10㎢ Area Covered with Thick Soil Layers

The death toll from a massive landslide caused by monsoon heavy rains in southern India has risen to 180.

Landslide damage site in Kerala, India. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to local media including the daily Times of India on the 31st (local time), at least 180 people have died so far due to the landslide that struck hillside villages near Mepati town in the Wayanad district of Kerala the previous day. The death toll was initially estimated at around 30 immediately after the landslide, but it has increased over time. The Times of India cited recent figures, reporting that 196 people were injured and hundreds remain stranded, with an estimated 98 missing.

The landslide occurred after a record-breaking 572mm of heavy rain fell in the affected area on the 29th and 30th. The first landslide happened around 1:15 a.m. the previous day, followed by a stronger second landslide.

As a result, about 10 square kilometers of the area were covered with thick soil debris. Authorities have been conducting rescue and search operations for two days, but are facing difficulties due to continuous heavy rain and weakened ground. According to state authorities, about 3,000 residents in the Wayanad district are currently housed in 45 relief camps.

Kerala is considered a region vulnerable to floods and landslides in India. Unregulated development has also been pointed out as one of the causes of frequent disasters. According to state government statistics, about 900 people have died in Kerala since 2017 due to heavy rains and landslides. During the 2018 major floods, 483 people died across the state.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.