The death toll in the massive landslide in Munnar happened on Friday, has risen to 22 today. Five bodies were recovered on Saturday amid hostile weather.

As many as four lanes of plantation workers, a club and an estate canteen were washed away in the landslide. Authorities and local residents feel that nearly 86 migrant employees from Tamil Nadu settled in the area are missing.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)'s search of several others who are trapped under the mounds of rocks and soil is underway. Inaccessibility by road is the biggest challenge faced by the rescue workers and the marooned people. The 11 people who were rescued earlier are under treatment in various hospitals.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alert for heavy rainfall for various districts of Kerala. Red alert is in place for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Wayanad districts for Saturday.