69 tourists stranded in Munnar as heavy rains, landslides damage roads

Fresh flash floods hit most parts of Kerala, leaving 69 tourists, including 24 foreigners, stranded at a private resort in Idukki’s Pallivasal, near Munnar.

Heavy rainfall caused flash floods and landslides in several parts of the state.

The tourists to Munnar have been stranded for the past two days as the road leading to their resort was damaged in a landslide triggered by heavy rains, officials said. The stranded foreign tourists are from countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Oman, the officials said.

“All the tourists of Plum Judy resort at Pallivasal in Munnar were safe,” said Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

The minister assured the foreign tourists at the resort of assistance.

Also Read | Navy put on alert as heavy rains lash Kerala, claims over 26 lives 

Concerned over the safety of the stranded tourists, authorities have been directed to shift the tourists to a safer place, the officials said.

 Meanwhile, the state government have asked the resort management to provide food and other necessary amenities to the stranded tourists free of cost.

 “The tourists will be shifted to Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) hotels once the road is cleared,” P Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, said.

The matter came to light after a tourist put out a video of their plight which was telecast by a television channel.

Weather Alert: Heavy rains lash Delhi, Noida, Gurugram; traffic affected 

At least 28 people have been killed in Kerala, including 11 in high-range Idukki in landslides.

On Thursday, the United States Consulate in Chennai had issued a travel alert and advised the US citizens to avoid visiting areas caused by flash floods and landslides in India.

(With inputs from agencies)