South India landslide kills many

A landslide caused by heavy rain has killed at least 38 people over the past two days in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, officials say.

A spokesman in the Nilgiri Hills area said 250 houses had been damaged by sand coming off the hills.

The relief effort has been hampered because roads to the area are blocked.

Monsoon rains cause severe flooding and often kill hundreds of people across India. It is common for the south to be affected at this time of year.

Officials say 600cm of rain have fallen in the Nilgiri Hills over the past three days. The worst affected areas are around the Coonoor and Ooty hill stations.

Rescuers found 24 bodies on Tuesday. Fourteen were recovered on Monday and eight injured people had been admitted to hospital, the spokesman said.

It is feared that more bodies will be discovered as the rescue operation continues.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has announced 100,000 rupees ($2,153) compensation for each of the families of the dead.

The Nilgiri Hills are a popular tourist destination, but none of those killed or injured were foreigners, officials say.