International Desk

At least 45 people were killed and several others are feared dead as a series of massive landslides, triggered by incessant heavy rains, struck the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district today, officials said.

There were apprehensions of more casualties as many people feared being trapped under the debris or were feared to have been washed away in local rivers.

The disaster struck, catching the sleeping victims off-guard at around 3am.

Bolstered by army helicopters and naval personnel, disaster management and rescue personnel raced against time to pull out survivors.

Wayanad district collector Meghasree D R said the latest toll stood at 45.

She said 36 deaths have been reported from Chooramala village alone and nine bodies swept away by Chaliyar River were recovered in Malappuram.

The bodies of the deceased are being taken to various hospital morgues for identification and autopsy.

Of those killed, four people, including a child, died in Chooralmala town of the district. A one-year-old child of a family from Nepal died in Thondernad village, according to the Wayanad district authorities.

Hundreds are feared to be trapped in the landslides, but officials have not confirmed this as yet.

Chooramala, Mundakkai, Attamala, and Noolpuzha are four villages worst hit and cut off by the landslides, authorities said.

The landslides left a trail of destruction, with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen, and trees uprooted, hampering rescue operations.

Rescue teams worked hard defying huge boulders and many uprooted trees blocking roads to evacuate those stranded. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the state government have deployed disaster response teams from the police and the fire force to affected areas.