Indian authorities said, Friday, that heavy monsoon rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala have caused a major landslide and floods that forced the evacuation of more than 22,000 people, Reuters reported.
In addition, 22 people have died in Kerala due to the torrential monsoon rains.
Moreover, the disaster forced the closure of Cochin International Airport, the busiest airport in the tourist state.
Seasonal monsoon rains from June to September cause deaths and mass displacement across South Asia every year but they also deliver more than 70% of India’s rainfall and are crucial for farm output and economic growth.
Located along the banks of the Periyar river, the airport will be shut until at least 1500 IST (0930 GMT) on Sunday, although the Indian Navy has opened an airfield at a naval base for use by commercial flights, officials said.
Kerala was hit by devastating floods last August that killed more than 200 people and affected more than 5 million. Those floods, dubbed the worst to hit the state in nearly a century, caused billions of dollars of damage to fields, homes and other infrastructure.
A few dozen people are feared trapped after a major landslide in Puthumala village in the hilly district of Wayanad. Rescuers have recovered seven dead bodies and the state government is planning to airlift rescue equipment to the area, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
“All arrangements have been put in place to deal with the disaster,” Vijayan said.
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