18 killed in Kerala flood, landslides

At least 18 people were killed in flooding caused by heavy rains and landslides in hilly areas of southern Indian state of Kerala as rescue workers recovered more bodies from the debris today.

Kerala's Revenue Minister K Rajan said rescue workers today recovered 15 more bodies from the debris of the landslides that hit various places of Idukki and Kottayam districts in the state on Saturday, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Idukki District Collector Sheeba George said three bodies were recovered from Kokkayar in the district today, a hilly region which was heavily hit by yesterday's landslides.

"The search is on for five more missing persons," she said. 

Photo taken from Twitter

Officials said the bodies of three children were buried under slush and recovered after an intense effort. The children, aged eight, seven and four, were found holding on to each other, officials said.

At Koottickal in Kottayam district, a family of six -- including a 40-year-old man, his 75-year-old mother, 35-year-old wife and three girl children aged 14, 12 and 10 years died as their house was swept away in the landslide.

Bodies of three of them were recovered yesterday and the three others were found by the rescuers today.