Heavy rain caused a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district early this morning, killing at least 13 people. Twelve others have been rescued so far and are undergoing treatment at Munnar's Tata General Hospital.
"The landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside. At least three families are stranded there," Superintendent of Police, Idukki said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Rajamala. "Police, fire, forest and revenue officials were also instructed to intensify rescue operations," the Chief Minister said.
Officials say the landslide happened in the Rajamalai area of the district, which can be hard to reach. Between 70 and 80 people lived in that area, officials also said, adding they did not know, at this point, how many were trapped. Forest officials and other emergency services personnel have reached the spot.
Communication links to the area have, however, been affected as power lines have snapped because of the rains.
