The death toll in the series of landslides which hit Wayanad in the early hours of Tuesday has reached 151.
Almost 211 people are reported to be missing, while thousands are hurt or displaced. Rescue operations are underway.
Wayanad district has been experiencing torrential rain for the past three days ( from July 28) , with rivers in spate and low-lying areas inundated.
Around 1.30am on Tuesday, a massive landslide occurs near Mundakkai in Meppadi grama panchayat. Gushing waters and debris sweep away almost the entire village.
Another landslide strikes around 4am (trigger spot yet to be ascertained). River Iruvazhinji gets diverted, resulting in flash floods washing away Chooralmala village, which is 3km away from Mundakkai. Bridge connecting Chooralmala with Mundakkai and Attamala destroyed, stranding hundreds.
Muddy water and debris flow through Soochippara and merge with River Chaliyar located on the border of neighbouring Malappuram district. Around 32 bodies were recovered from the Chaliyar in Pothukal and Chungathara panchayats in Malappuram.
The Meppadi region received a rainfall of 572 mm in the 48 hours preceding the landslide.
An infant being rescued by the National Disaster Relief Force team from the landslide-affected Mundakkai in Wayanad.