Heavy rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala have triggered massive landslides that have killed at least 24 people and may have trapped dozens more.
A landslide occurred in the hilly areas of Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.
Rescue operations are underway but have been hampered by heavy rain and the collapse of a key bridge.
“We will be able to assess the extent of the damage only in a few hours,” state minister AK Saseendran told BBC Hindi.
Local hospitals were treating at least 66 injured, Mr Saseendran said, adding that hospital staff were among those missing in the landslide.
Wayanad is a hilly region that is part of the Western Ghats and is prone to landslides during the monsoon season.
Landslides occurred in several areas of the district, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chorollmala and Kunhome.
A bridge connecting Chooralmala to Mundakkai and Attamala has collapsed, quarantining the two places and making it difficult for rescuers to reach stranded families.
State and national disaster response teams are conducting rescue operations. Some locals have also been helping.
Sassendran also said the army and air force had been asked to airlift stranded homes and build a temporary bridge.
Wayanad district and adjoining areas are on alert as heavy rain is forecast.
Schools and colleges have been closed in 10 of the state’s 14 districts.
In 2019, a landslide occurred in Puthumala in Wayanad, which currently affected an area of about 10 km, killing 17 people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that he had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured the federal government of helping in relief efforts.
Modi also announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,388; £1,857) to the families of the victims and 50,000 rupees to the injured.
Additional reporting by Ashraf Padanna in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
