Kerala – the southern state of India experienced deadly floods as heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages – killing more than 20 people.
Numerous households were washed away and people got stuck in the district of Kottayam in Kerala state.
A viral video from the affected area showed bus passengers being rescued after their vehicle was swamped with floodwater.
Continuous hefty rainfall in Kerala had led to lethal landslides. However, the Indian military has joined rescue efforts.
With the help of helicopters supplies and personnel have been flown to areas where people have been trapped under debris by the landslides, officials said on Sunday.
In just one tragic moment, people lost their lives, families and friends. A family of six – including a 75-year-old grandmother and three children – were confirmed dead after their home in Kottayam was swept away.
Apart from that, the dead bodies of another three children- aged eight, seven and four – were also found buried under the debris in Idukki district, where the search continued for at least five other missing people.
Fishing boats are being used to evacuate survivors stuck in Kollam and other coastal towns, as sections of road have been swept away and trees uprooted.
Reports show the number of people missing is more than dozens. People fear – there is a possibility that the death toll could rise further.
In addition to this, local residents have also joined hands with the joined rescue teams on Sunday to help remove mud, rocks and fallen trees from affected areas as the search for survivors continued.
Refuge centres have been established in several areas across the state.
Landslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall are very common in Kerala. Here, wetlands and lakes that once acted as natural safeguards against floods have vanished because of increasing urbanisation and construction.
