Idukki Landslide: Death Toll Rises to 42, Rescue Ops on; Authorities to Take Help of Sniffer Dogs For Tracing

According to the government, 78 people were staying at the spot where the tragedy occurred. Though some people have been rescue, efforts are on to find the rest.

New Delhi: The death toll in the Idukki landslide rose to 42 on Sunday. Authorities have decided to take help of sniffer dogs to trace the persons buried under the debris, officials said today. According to the government, 78 people were staying at the spot where the tragedy occurred. Though some people have been rescued, efforts are on to find the rest.

The massive landslide that occured in the wee hours of Friday destroyed a row of 20 houses of tea estate workers in the high range Idukki district. The incident is said to have occurred when a huge mound of earth fell on the “row houses” and two children and five women were among the deceased, most of whom were plantation workers from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

NDRF chief in charge of south Indian state, Rekha Nambiar is leading the 55-member team which is entrusted with the search and rescue mission.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Idukki, Malappuram and Wayanad districts on Sunday. Incessant rains, landslides and opening of shutters of dams across rivers have caused rise in water level in rivers and streams in central Kerala.

Normal life of people living in low lying areas of Kottayam and Alappuzha has been affected with flood waters entering their homes.

Low-lying areas in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts are heavily impacted due to flooding. Hundreds of families have been shifted to relief camps from-low lying areas including Kumarakom and Kuttanad regions of Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, they said.

(With agency inputs)