At least 63 people have been confirmed dead and dozens are feared trapped following massive landslides triggered by heavy rains in Kerala, southern India. The landslides hit the hilly Wayanad district in the early hours of Tuesday.

Rescue operations are ongoing but are being hampered by continuous heavy rain and the collapse of a key bridge. State minister AK Saseendran told BBC Hindi that a full assessment of the damage may take several hours.

The Indian army has deployed over 200 personnel to support the search and rescue efforts alongside local security forces. Hospitals in the region are treating at least 100 injured individuals, and approximately 250 people have been rescued and moved to emergency shelters.

In addition to the 36 confirmed deaths in Wayanad, nine bodies have been recovered from the Chaliyar river, which flows into the neighboring Malappuram district. Wayanad, situated in the Western Ghats mountain range, is particularly vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon season.

The landslides have affected several areas within Wayanad, including Mundakkai, Attamala, Chooralmala, and Kunhome.