At least 106 people have been killed in a massive landslide in southern India, local authorities in the affected state of Kerala said. About 100 people are also considered missing.

Rescue teams were on the job searching for survivors under the rubble of destroyed homes, authorities and local media reported. Some affected areas were initially cut off from the outside world.

The landslides struck early Tuesday (local time) in the state of Kerala as people were sleeping in their homes. The mass of earth slammed into villages believed to be home to hundreds of people. Images showed massive destruction — destroyed homes, piles of debris, uprooted trees, swept away vehicles.

Heavy monsoon rains have fallen in the region in recent days, softening the ground. More than 120 injured people are being treated, according to authorities in Kerala. The state’s Health Minister Veena George announced the construction of a temporary hospital to provide basic care on site and to stabilize the injured until they can be transferred to other hospitals.

The rescue was difficult

The army and navy are supporting rescuers at the site in Wayanad district, he said. But rain has hampered rescue efforts. For example, aerial rescue has proven difficult because of bad weather and helicopters have reportedly been unable to land. The area is difficult to access, with key bridges also being washed away.

Sniffer dogs are being used. The footage also shows rescuers stretching ropes across fast-flowing, muddy rivers to save people. Heavy rain is forecast in the area over the next 24 hours.

Dozens of migrant workers working on tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in the area could not be contacted, Malayalam Manorama news portal reported. Mobile networks in the area were initially down.

There are also tourist resorts in the area. According to media reports, 250 people were trapped in one department. Landslides hit three places in the state of Kerala, Mepaddi, parts of Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Further details were initially unknown.

Indian politicians express their condolences

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote Rescue operations were underway to help all those affected, he added. Modi also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about 2,200 euros) for the families of the victims and 50,000 rupees for each injured person.

Floods and landslides are an annual part of the monsoon season, which lasts from May to September in India. The rains are vital for crops and agriculture, but they can also threaten human life.

“Our country has witnessed an alarming increase in landslides in the last few years,” opposition politician Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament. The grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has called for action against the natural disaster. He is due to travel to the affected areas on Wednesday.

Deaths also occurred in neighboring Pakistan.

Heavy rains have also caused death and destruction in neighboring Pakistan. As rescue workers and disaster control authorities on the ground told the German Press Agency, a total of more than 20 people have been killed in several parts of the country since Monday.

Thousands of tourists are trapped in the mountains in the north of the country, according to a provincial government spokesman. Rescue workers are on their way to free people from towns that are now inaccessible.

Help from Brussels

To mitigate the devastating impacts of extreme weather conditions, the EU has pledged €2.4 million in humanitarian aid to Bangladesh, India and the Philippines. The funds are intended to benefit the most affected communities. India and Bangladesh will receive half of the aid, with another €1.2 million reportedly earmarked for the Philippines.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240730-930-188296/6