Kerala Rain: Officials say the landslide happened in the Rajamalai area of the district.
Heavy rain caused a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district early this morning, killing at least 13 people. Twelve others have been rescued so far and are undergoing treatment at Munnar's Tata General Hospital.
"The landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside. At least three families are stranded there," Superintendent of Police, Idukki said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Rajamala. "Police, fire, forest and revenue officials were also instructed to intensify rescue operations," the Chief Minister said.
Officials say the landslide happened in the Rajamalai area of the district, which can be hard to reach. Between 70 and 80 people lived in that area, officials also said, adding they did not know, at this point, how many were trapped. Forest officials and other emergency services personnel have reached the spot.
Communication links to the area have, however, been affected as power lines have snapped because of the rains.
Here are the updates on Kerala rain:
Rahul Gandhi Tweets Condolences After 15 Killed In Kerala Landslide
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has tweeted condolences to the families of those killed by a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district on Friday. Mr Gandhi, who is the Lok Sabha MP for Wayanad district in the state, which has also received heavy rainfall, appealed to the state to rescue those still trapped.
"My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the landslide in Munnar, Kerala. I request the state government to bring those trapped to safety. I urge all Congress workers to assist in rescue and relief work," Mr Gandhi tweeted.
"The central and state governments should provide immediate assistance to the poor plantation worker families," he said in a second tweet.
In a post on his Facebook account, Mr Gandhi expressed concern for his constituency and said he was "closely tracking the situation over there".
Centre Assures Help To Kerala After Idukki Lanslide Deaths
Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Friday spoke to Kerala Chief Secretary Dr Vishwas Mehta over Idukki landslide incident and assured him of all possible help. The minister expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the incident.
"Pained by the loss of lives in Kerala flood. My condolences to their family members. Learnt about the stranded tea estate workers in Munnar, NDRF and GoI will extend support to the state to rescue them," he tweeted.
"Pained," Tweets PM As 13 Die In Kerala LandslidePM Narendra Modi today expressed grief on loss of lives in Kerala's Idukki in a landslide incident. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected," PM Modi said.
"Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the landslide," he added.
Operation underway in Chanderi
Operation on the Chaliyar river, Munderi, Malappuram to supply food items for the families of opposite side of the river. (Picture: NDRF)
Alert issued for heavy rainfall in various districts of Kerala
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red and orange alert for heavy rainfall for various districts in Kerala. Red alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Wayanad districts for today.
Kerala: Meenachil river overflows due to heavy rains in Poonjar town of Kottayam district.
A 50-member strong special task force team of the Fire Force has been dispatched to Rajamalai in Idukki for rescue efforts, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
5 dead in landslide in Idukki's Rajamala, Kerala; 10 rescued so far.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also tweeted that an NDRF team had been deployed, with a second team - based in nearby Thrissur - also on its way.
Five persons lost their lives and 10 others were rescued after a landslide, triggered by torrential rains, occurred in a residential area in Rajamala of Kerala''s Idukki district on Friday, police said.
Red alert for extremely heavy rainfall warning issued for Idukki, Malappuram and Wayanad till August 11.
Landslide In Rajamala In Idukki District, Several Estate Workers Feared Trapped
Torrential rains pounded Pettimudi in Rajamala in the high range Idukki district, triggering a landslide early Friday morning with several estate workers of a tea plantation feared trapped. Communication links to the area have been affected as the power lines have snapped in the rains, reports PTI.
Landslide In Kerala's Munnar, Area Hard To Reach, Say Officials
Heavy rain and flooding caused a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district early Friday morning. Officials say the landslide happened in the Rajamalai area of the district, which can be hard to reach.
Read Here Kerala CMO has requested assistance of Airforce to provide helicopters for the rescue efforts in Munnar.
Rain and landslide disrupt the normal life of people in Kurichiyarmala area of Wayanad. Two houses have been damaged so far in the region.
Kerala: Streets waterlogged in Malappuram's Nilambur area, due to continuous rainfall.
Shiva temple in Aluva submerged in water as the water level rises in Periyar River following incessant rains.