In New Delhi, the aftermath of severe landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Kerala has left at least 93 people dead and many more unaccounted for, as state officials reported on Tuesday. The landslides struck the hilly regions of Wayanad district early in the morning, catching residents by surprise or while they were asleep, leading to over 100 injuries that required hospital treatment.

Footage aired by Indian news agencies depicted destruction as homes, vehicles and even roadways were swept away by the rapid flow of muddy floodwaters. The situation has mobilized hundreds of personnel from the Indian army, air force, and disaster response teams to engage in rescue operations, but efforts are challenged by the destruction of key roads and a major bridge in the area due to floods. Compounding the difficulties, India's national meteorological office predicts further rainfall throughout the day.

According to the Kerala government, around 250 individuals have been rescued; however, many more remain missing, with some residents expressing fear that numerous people might be trapped in the villages. Local resident Raghavan Arunamala shared concerns with Reuters, while fellow resident Rashid Padikkalparamban recounted that at least three landslides began around midnight and confirmed that a bridge crucial for connectivity had been entirely washed away.

In response to the disaster, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered the deployment of drones and K9 units to assist with search and rescue. Wayanad, situated in the Western Ghats mountain range, is especially vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon, as it accommodates many families working within local tea and cardamom estates.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced government compensation of 200,000 Indian rupees (approximately $2,400) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 Indian rupees (around $600) for the injured. This devastating event marks the most severe disaster in Kerala since 2018, when flooding resulted in over 350 deaths. Rahul Gandhi, the opposition leader of the Indian National Congress, has called on the government to identify and map landslide-prone regions in Kerala, citing the rise in such incidents in Wayanad and across the Western Ghats, which previously experienced a landslide in 2019 that also resulted in multiple casualties.