New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed anguish at the loss of lives in a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district following heavy rains.

The Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of those killed in the landslide.

Also Read | 'Condolences to the Bereaved Families': Amit Shah on Idukki landslide in Kerala: Live News Breaking And Coronavirus Updates on August 7, 2020.

Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured.

Five people were killed when a mound of earth caved in on a row of houses of tea estate workers at Pettimudi in the high range Idukki district early this morning as heavy rains pounded the area triggering the landslide.

Also Read | Idukki Landslide in Kerala: PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief as 14 People Die in Landslide, Announces Ex-Gratia of Rs 2 Lakh Each Next to Victims' Kin.

"Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families," the prime minister tweeted.

Praying for the early recovery of the injured, Modi said NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)