Deadly floods, landslides sweep southern Indian state of Kerala | DW News

At least 22 people have died and reports say a dozen are missing in southern India after heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides. The Indian Army has sent teams to help the rescue operation in the coastal state of Kerala. Thousands of people have been forced from their homes. The Kerala state government says over a hundred relief camps have been set up. A human chain passes the bodies pulled from the mud. The heavy rains in the Indian state of Kerala started on Friday and caused landslides. Forcing thousands to flee to safety as the mudslides swallowed homes and loved ones. The Indian Airforce had to use helicopters to reach some affected areas which were cut off completely by road. Swollen rivers, swept away houses, built too close to their banks. Building and development over wetland and forest areas has made the state more vulnerable to flooding. And as waters subsided, local people were distraught at the damage, and shopkeepers struggled to salvage what they could. The India