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:
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".
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.
#Watch Kerala: Meenachil river overflows due to heavy rains in Poonjar town of Kottayam district. pic.twitter.com/UxaSyVSSpu
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
A 50-member strong special task force team of the Fire Force has been dispatched to Rajamalai in Idukki for rescue efforts. They have been equipped for night-time rescue activities: Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister https://t.co/zkKqy5YB92 pic.twitter.com/4teoy6NRQR
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
#WATCH 5 dead in landslide in Idukki's Rajamala, #Kerala; 10 rescued so far
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
Kerala CM has requested assistance from Indian Air Force for the rescue operation. pic.twitter.com/yWmwXHUxEz
An NDRF team has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Rajamalai, Idukki.
- Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 7, 2020
Police, Fire Force, Forest & Revenue officials have been instructed to join the rescue efforts.
Another team of NDRF, based in Thrissur, will soon reach Idukki.#KeralaRains
Kerala: 5 people have lost their lives in a landslide at Rajamala in Idduki district; rescue operation underway.
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
Kerala Health Minister has said that a mobile medical team & 15 ambulances sent to the incident site. pic.twitter.com/yzxiRpfuyZ
#Kerala Red alert for extremely heavy rainfall warning issued for Idukki, Malappuram and Wayanad till 11 August. pic.twitter.com/ZJybEcLLdI
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
#Kerala : Rain and landslide disrupt the normal life of people in Kurichiyarmala area of Wayanad. Two houses have been damaged so far in the region. pic.twitter.com/6srhmJmSmP
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
Kerala: Streets waterlogged in Malappuram's Nilambur area, due to continuous rainfall
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
(Visuals source: National Disaster Response Force) pic.twitter.com/EPqLOoMLfV
#WATCH Shiva Temple in Aluva submerged as the water level increases in Periyar River following incessant rainfall#KeralaRains pic.twitter.com/3cG0FpI0mW
- ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020
