The death toll from the landslides, which occurred early Tuesday morning in Kerala’s Wayanad district, India, has risen to 108, with dozens more injured, according to state authorities.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the victims' families and announced a compensation of $2,400.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has called for a comprehensive action plan to address the recurring natural disasters, describing the devastation as "heartbreaking."
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that 108 bodies had been recovered by Tuesday evening, with dozens still missing. He indicated that they may have perished in three massive landslides that struck the Western Ghats region.
About 128 individuals were injured, and thousands have been relocated to shelters for safety. Vijayan described the calamity as one of the worst natural disasters the state has ever experienced.
Previously, the reported death toll was 93. Kerala's Minister of Taxes, M.B. Rajesh, stated that over 250 people had been rescued in the hours following the disaster, as reported by The Hindu. Local reports indicate that relief efforts are being hampered by the collapse of a major bridge in Wayanad.
Wayanad, known for its sprawling tea plantations, relies heavily on a large workforce for cultivation and harvesting. An anonymous local official revealed that several farms in the area suffered significant damage due to the landslides.
Images distributed by the National Disaster Response Force show rescuers transporting bodies on stretchers and navigating through mud and debris in search of survivors.
The Indian Army has deployed over 200 soldiers to assist local security forces and firefighters with search and rescue operations.
The state's disaster management authority anticipates more rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, further complicating the situation.
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