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Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains have devastated tea plantations in southern India, killing at least 160 people, with most of the victims being agricultural workers and their relatives, according to a new report released on Wednesday. A report on Tuesday said 108 people had died.
Heavy rains in coastal Kerala for days triggered landslides on Tuesday, blocking roads leading to the disaster area in Wayanad district and complicating rescue operations.
The only bridge connecting the affected villages of Chooralmala and Mundakkai was destroyed and rescue teams were forced to carry bodies on stretchers using makeshift zip lines across the rising water.
The search for survivors is still ongoing
Public Revenue Minister K. Rajan’s office told the media that 160 bodies have been found so far, and large areas still need to be explored and searched on Wednesday to find survivors.
Kerala’s disaster management agency warned that further rain and strong winds were expected on Thursday and buildings in other parts of the state might be damaged.
Wayanad district is known for its hillside tea plantations that employ large numbers of seasonal workers. At dawn, two landslides hit several parts of the district in quick succession.
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