Kerala Rains: 11 people killed in landslide near Munnar, many feared trapped

11 people were killed when a mound of earth caved in on a row of houses of tea estate workers at Pettimudi in the high range Idukki district early Friday morning as heavy rains pounded the area  triggering a landslide. Police sources told PTI that five bodies have been recovered. At least 70 people were suspected to be trapped under the soil, burying as many as 20 houses of plantation workers.

#WATCH 5 dead in landslide in Idukki's Rajamala, #Kerala; 10 rescued so far

Kerala CM has requested assistance from Indian Air Force for the rescue operation. pic.twitter.com/yWmwXHUxEz

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020

Police and Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and the district administration has asked hospitals in the region to stay prepared.The state Health department has dispatched 15 ambulances and a special medical team to provide medical assistance to those affected by the landslides in Idukki. Meanwhile, the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has contacted the Air Force seeking its helicopter for the rescue mission in Idukki.

An NDRF team has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Rajamalai, Idukki.

Police, Fire Force, Forest & Revenue officials have been instructed to join the rescue efforts.

Another team of NDRF, based in Thrissur, will soon reach Idukki.#KeralaRains

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 7, 2020