KERALA, India – The monsoon season in India can be deadly for people who labor with their hands in the fields. The season typically runs from June until September and brings most of the rain needed for the agriculture and the economy for which many people still depend upon.
The rain has been falling for days in the Wayanad district of the Kerala state posing a threat to the people in the area. Overnight, water from the surrounding rivers and mountains was so heavy that it caused mudslides and floods that have wiped out make-shift homes in which the local farmers, who work on the tea-estates, live, reports the Associated Press.
At least 93 people are confirmed dead, 350 families are impacted, and 250 people have been rescued so far, according to Al Jazeera.
The Indian military has been mobilized to aid in the search and recovery of people who are still trapped. Torrential rain and mudslides have washed away existing roads and bridges making it difficult to help people who need it most.
“We are trying every way to rescue our people,” state Health Minister Veena George said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged approximately $2,388 to the victims’ families.
Climate Scientists say that the monsoon season has become more erratic because of climate change and the environmental problems caused by humans.
Some reference content courtesy of the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, the Internet, NDTV, YouTube, and BBC.
