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Kerala: Death toll in Idukki landslide rises to 15, state govt announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday while announcing ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to kin of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his condolences over deaths, announcing ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the kin of deceased.

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Massive rescue operation is currently underway in Idukki
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At least 15 people were killed and around 50 others are missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Kerala's Idukki district early Friday, officials said. 

The incident is said to have taken place in the wee hours on Friday when a huge mound of earth fell on the "row houses" belonging to tea estate workers at Pettimudi in Rajamala following heavy rains. Most of the deceased are said to be plantation workers from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

At least two children and five women were among the deceased. 

 heavy rains flattened a row of dwelling units of tea estate workers at Pettimudi in Rajamala in this high-range district

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to kin of the deceased, said the death toll in Idukki landslide has risen to 15. 

Addressing a press conference here, he said that the state govt has sought the help of the Air Force but adverse weather condition is not conducive for airlifting people.

"The death toll in Idukki landslide rises to 15. Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. The state government will bear the expense of treatment of those injured due to the landslide," Vijayan said. 

"Adverse weather condition is slowing down the operations to rescue people affected by landslide in Rajamala, Idukki. The state govt has sought the help of Air Force but adverse weather condition is not conducive for airlifting people," he added. 

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over deaths and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the kin of deceased.

"Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected," Modi tweeted.

"Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the landslide," PMO India tweeted.

Heavy rains in several parts of Kerala have triggered floods and landslides which have wreaked havoc in the region over the past few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red and orange alert for heavy rainfall for various districts in Kerala.It issued a red alert in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Wayanad districts for today.

(With ANI inputs)

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