India: at least 25 dead in floods and landslides

(ANSA-AFP) - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCTOBER 17 - At least 25 people have died due to landslides and floods due to the torrential rains that hit the south-west of India. Local authorities have announced this, while rescue workers continue to search for possible survivors.

    In the state of Kerala, many residents remained dark and isolated following the rains that began to intensify on Friday evening, swelling the waterways and flooding the streets. At the moment there are 11 lifeless bodies recovered in the district of Idukki, another 14 in the district of Kottayam. Thousands of people have been evacuated and at least 100 camps have been set up, the head of the Kerala government, Pinarayi Vijayan, said in these hours.

   Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via Twitter and guaranteed that the authorities will do whatever it takes to help the affected populations.

According to the forecasts, meanwhile, the torrential rains should subside by tomorrow, in northern India, however, strong rains are expected for the next two or three days.

(ANSA-AFP).