At
least 19 people have been killed with hundreds feared trapped after a series of landslides triggered by relentless rain struck a hilly region of India’s southern state of Kerala.
Indian media outlets said the landslides hit around Meppadi and Chooralmala in the district of Wayanad at about 2am on Tuesday (20:30 GMT on Monday), and that rescue efforts were being hampered by continued heavy rain.
The Indian Express put the death toll at 19, including at least two children.
More than
200 soldiers were deployed to the area, and two Indian Air Force helicopters had been mobilised for the rescue effort.
“Hundreds of people are suspected to have been trapped,” the armed forces said in a statement.
Citing unnamed officials, the Hindu newspaper said many houses, vehicles and shops had been submerged in mud and water. Chooralmala’s main bridge was also destroyed, according to the Indian Express, with many areas cut off.
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