Landslides in Southern India

In Kerala, India, a series of devastating landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains have resulted in at least 151 fatalities, with 186 individuals injured and 187 still unaccounted for. Rescue efforts involving hundreds of workers and the Indian Army have managed to save nearly 1,000 people, but ongoing heavy rainfall has hindered operations. The landslides struck the Wayanad district, a popular tourist destination, destroying homes, uprooting trees, and isolating several areas including Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Authorities have mobilized helicopters for rescue and are setting up temporary hospitals, while also sending essential supplies to affected regions. Climate experts note that increased rainfall and unpredictable monsoon patterns contribute to the growing frequency of such disasters in the Western Ghats. This incident marks the worst natural disaster in Kerala since the catastrophic floods of 2018.