Death toll from landslides in India’s Kerala state rises to 358

The death toll from landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the southern Indian state of Kerala has risen to 358, the government said on Monday.

LOSS OF LIFE RISES TO 358, MORE THAN 200 MISSING

According to India Today, Kerala state authorities have made a statement regarding the latest situation regarding landslides.

Authorities announced that the death toll from landslides caused by heavy rainfall has risen to 358. Authorities stated that search and rescue efforts are continuing into their fifth day and that they assess that there are still more than 200 missing in the affected area.

ARMY SENT SEARCH RADAR TO THE REGION

It was reported that the Indian army has sent search radars to the area to help find those trapped under the rubble. Congress Party MP Shashi Tharoor said in a statement that he wrote a letter to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah to declare a national disaster due to the landslides in the area.

200 HOUSES DEMOLISHED

In Kerala state, landslides occurred on July 30 due to heavy rainfall, severely damaging infrastructure and roads. 200 houses in the affected Chooralmala village were destroyed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on his X account, “My prayers are with the injured and everyone who lost their loved ones.” Authorities stated that Kerala was facing one of its worst natural disasters ever.

The Indian army had announced the deployment of 1,500 soldiers to the affected area on August 1. More than 8,300 people in the state were evacuated to relief camps due to the disaster. The Indian Meteorological Department warned that there would be more rain in some affected areas in the next few days.