The death toll in the landslide incident which took place in Rajamala of Idukki has risen to 28, news agency ANI reported quoting Idukki District Information Centre on Sunday. A massive landslide on Friday morning flattened a line of houses of tea estate workers in the area. The landslide was triggered by incessant rains.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued red alert for rainfall at several districts in Kerala, including Idukki, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod. All these districts will face extremely heavy rainfall on August 9, that is over 204.4 milimeters of rain.

Orange alert was issued at six districts including Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad. These districts will experience very heavy rainfall throughout the day. 

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is  carrying out rescue operations in the Rajamala area where the landslide occurred. 

“Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. The state government will bear the expense of treatment of those injured due to the landslide,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced on Friday, reported ANI.