Kerala: Idukki landslide toll rises to 43

Forest Minister K Raju, who visited the spot on Sunday, said the search would continue till all the missing persons are accounted for. “All agencies of the state and a 200-strong NDRF team are actively engaged in the search, which has been expanded now. Incessant rain and poor visibility have affected the search,’’ he said.

Many of the workers killed in the incident had relatives in Tamil Nadu and scores reached the spot from the neighbouring state after obtaining a two-day entry pass amid Covid restrictions. As the earthmovers rummaged through the debris, they eagerly looked for some sign of their dear ones.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has targeted the ruling CPM, saying that the compensation declared for families of the victims is not adequate.

On Saturday, the government declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those who died in the airport mishap in Kozhikode. And, the compensation declared for families of those killed in the landslide is Rs 5 lakh each.

Union Minister V Muraleedharan, who visited Rajamala, told the media that CM Pinarayi Vijayan should not “neglect the poor people”. “There should not be any discrimination in giving compensation,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister countered the allegation, saying the compensation is only an initial announcement and that the government would ensure all support for the victims.

With the rivers overflowing, fear has gripped the downstream towns in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts in central Kerala.