Kerala rains: 50 tourists, including foreigners, stranded in Munnar resort

State tourism minister said that all the tourists at Plum Judy resort in Munnar were safe and the army’s help has been sought to clear the road in Kerala.

Over 50 tourists, including 24 foreigners from Russia, Saudi Arabia and other countries, were stranded in their resort in Munnar in Kerala’s Idukki district since Wednesday as a landslide, caused by the heavy rains lashing the state, damaged the approach road.

People stranded at a flooded junction following a flash flood, triggered by heavy rains, in Kerala. (PTI File Photo)

State tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran told news agency PTI that all the tourists at Plum Judy resort at Pallivasal in Munnar were safe and the army’s help has been sought to clear the road. He also spoke to some of the trapped people and assured them of all help.

Officials said that the tourists will be shifted to a safer place, while the resort management has been asked to provide food and other necessary amenities to the tourists free of cost.

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

The matter came to light after a video posted by one of the affected tourists was telecast by a local television channel .

At least 26 people, including 11 in Idukki, died in the heavy rains which have caused floods and landslides in various places across the state.

(With agency inputs)