The death toll of Kayathar residents trapped in the Rajamala landslide in Kerala has increased to 22 with four more bodies identified on Sunday.
In Kerala’s Idukki district landslide 48 people have been killed and the struggle.
Twelve people have been rescued and sent to Munnar’s Tata General Hospital for treatment.
This landslide occurred due to heavy rains over the last three days, that also led to the disruption of power and communication network.
Social worker Parthasarthy said “We have information that at least 84 people lived in the settlement. Most of them are from neighboring Tamil Nadu. And there was also a canteen to cater to their needs at the settlement.”
More than 70 people were living in the area. “How many are still strapped under the mud, we don’t know,” said local official.
Kerala CM Pinaryai Vijayan said that the rescue operation and relief efforts are going on. A 50-member strong special task force of the state fire service that has been equipped for night-time work is among those sent.
An NDRF team has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Rajamalai, Idukki.
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
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 7, 2020
An NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team has reached the landslide site.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Kerala till Sunday. Night travel has been banned in Idukki district, PTI reported.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted that he was pained by the loss of lives due to the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
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.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 7, 2020
