Death toll from India's landslides rises to 256: health ministry

The death toll from Tuesday's massive landslides in India's southern state of Kerala had risen to 256, with another 220 persons still missing, confirmed the state's health ministry on Thursday.

Within a span of two hours, three massive landslides hit the Meppadi area of Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday morning amid heavy rain as the people were still asleep. The tragedy was described as one of the most awful in recent times in the state.

One of the first villages hit by the landslides was Mundakai, where a massive boulder was swept away by the landslide and washed downstream to Churalmala Village. Local residents said that between Mundakai and Churalmala, approximately 80 homes were destroyed, with most being completely demolished. This means that many of the roughly 250 residents in the area have likely been killed by the landslides, with several still missing.

Government officials said that excavation equipment wasn't put in place until Wednesday due to the debris along the path and the bad weather.

Rescuers are currently working to clear the rubbles and searching for victims. Rescue dogs have also been deployed, but the chances of finding any survivors at this point are slim.

"So, on the third day today, the bridge is the biggest thing that is going to happen. In a couple of hours time, the bridge would be ready to be open to traffic, and once the bridge is open, then we would be able to push in more rescue effort and it will change the dynamics of this effort. There are a number of challenges. One is the weather, because the weather can turn anytime. It is dangerous for our own people to be going there and rescuing, so that is one. Secondly is the mud, which is covering everything. So, we could get people out initially, but now when we have to look for buried bodies, we don't know where to look. We have dogs. Dogs are looking for the smell, but otherwise it is a manual labor that is being put in. Now, when the bridge comes up, we may be able to push in excavators, etcetera. We can help speed up this process," said Major General V.T. Mathew, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area.

Thousands of personnel of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, the National Disaster Response Force, the state-level disaster management body, local police, doctors, medical teams, and other local administration officials have been put into service to carry out the rescue work, and also provide relief and succor to the survivors.

Some local residents are still desperately searching for their missing friends and family members, while others are beginning to flee the area. Some locals are returning to their homes to retrieve belongings they had to leave behind.

Officials are advising the best course of action now is for people to remain in the safety of the relief camps and not listen to any rumors.

The state government has set up relief camps to accommodate those rendered homeless after the natural tragedy. Over 3,500 people are rehabilitated in these relief camps.

Death toll from India's landslides rises to 256: health ministry

Death toll from India's landslides rises to 256: health ministry

Death toll from India's landslides rises to 256: health ministry

As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.

With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.

In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.

Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.

"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.

In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.

Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."

The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.

According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.

In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.

Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.

"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.

Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival