PM Narendra Modi expresses grief at loss of lives due to landslide in Kerala's Idukki district

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief at the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai area of Idukki district in Kerala on Friday. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, he said that the NDRF and the administration are working on the ground to provide assistance to the affected.

"Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected, tweeted PM Modi.

At least five people were killed while dozens were feared trapped after a landslide triggered by torrential rains occurred in a residential area in Rajamala. Around 80 tea estate workers are feared trapped in the area, said sources. 

Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020

As per reports, the landslide took place at Rajamala near Munnar, a popular tourist spot in the Idukki district. Superintendent of Police, Idukki said that the landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside and as many as three families are stranded there. 

"Around 82 people were living there in four labour camps. We are not sure many people were present there at the time of the landslide. NDRF hasn't reached the spot yet. Airlifting of marooned people is not possible right now due to bad weather," Kerala Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan told ANI. 

Meanwhile, Kerala CM 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 CM said.

As per ANI, the Chief Minister's Office has contacted the Indian Air Force to provide helicopter services to Rajamala for rescue operations. It is expected to be available soon.

Heavy rains in several parts of Kerala have triggered floods and landslides which have wreaked havoc in the region over the past few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on August 5 issued a red alert in Idukki, Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.