Death toll from Southern Indian landslides climbs to 151

NEW DELHI

The death toll from the massive southern state of Kerala in India has risen to 151, officials said on Wednesday.

A massive search operation entered the second day on Wednesday in the Wayanad district of Kerala, where landslides took place on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

Other than several rescue agencies involved in the rescue operation, Indian Army and air force have been deployed to rescue the people.

An official in Kerala told Anadolu that the death toll stands at 151 and nearly 100 people are suspected to be missing.

“192 people are receiving treatment at different hospitals,” the official said, adding that a rescue operation is underway.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday it was a "heart-wrenching disaster" and an “entire area has been wiped out.”

The state government has also declared a two-day mourning period, and all “public functions and celebrations have been postponed.”

Indian Army’s Southern Command wrote on X late on Tuesday night that rescue “operations are in full swing as all services of the Armed Forces engage in extensive efforts along.”

“Over 700 individuals have been safely evacuated through a combination of improvised bridging and dedicated human effort,” it said.