Rescue teams in India's Kerala state are racing against time – and relentless monsoon rains – to search for survivors after landslides swallowed tea plantation communities, killing at least 243 people. Torrential downpours turned roads into rivers and destroyed a critical bridge, forcing workers to use a makeshift zip line to evacuate bodies over raging floodwaters.
The worst-hit areas in Wayanad district remain cut off, with helicopters grounded due to severe weather. Survivors describe hearing a 'roar like thunder' before mud buried entire neighborhoods early Tuesday. 🌪️
'Every minute counts,' said one rescue volunteer, as crews dig through debris with shovels and bare hands. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged federal support, calling the disaster 'heart-wrenching.'
The tragedy highlights climate vulnerabilities in South Asia, where monsoon patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable. Stay tuned for updates as rescue operations continue.
