By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, July 30 (Bernama) -- Massive landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 70 people in the Wayanad district of India's Kerala state on Tuesday.
The death toll is likely to rise as many people remain trapped under mud and debris.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy rains for the disaster-hit hill district and the neighbouring areas of Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur.
Although landslides during the monsoon season are common in several parts of India, the scale of the Wayanad disaster has shocked people.
Eleven bodies, some with missing limbs, were recovered from various parts of the Chaliyar river in Malappuram, local media reported.
Travel has been affected in Kerala due to the rains and landslides.
A team of five ministers has been sent to Wayanad to oversee ongoing relief efforts, state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Indian military and National Disaster Response Force personnel were deployed to assist in rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Kerala chief minister and assured all possible help from the central government in the wake of the disaster.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in the Indian Parliament, expressed his shock over the devastation and demanded higher compensation for the victims and bereaved families.
-- BERNAMA
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