Kerala floods, landslides: 4 killed, central districts battered

Four people have died in Kerala due to heavy rains, including a woman who was killed after a landslide buried her house in the high-range Idukki district on Saturday (August 1), while incessant heavy rain triggered floods and fresh landslides across central Kerala, with several feared trapped under debris in Kottayam district, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Sumathi, a resident of the Adoormala area in Kudayathoor, near Thodupuzha in Idukki district. Debris from a landslide struck her house in the early hours of Saturday, the district administration said.

Neighbours managed to rescue her husband Ravi and the couple's son Ratheesh. Both sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital in Thodupuzha. Authorities said the family's house was destroyed in the landslide.

Sumathi's body was recovered after a search operation carried out by personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, and revenue officials.

Mother and son die

A youth, identified as Joseph (24), son of Johny, and his mother Rejina Johny (46) were buried under debris in a landslide at Payyanithottam in Poonjar in Kottayam district.

Even though Joseph was rescued, he succumbed to injuries while being shifted to the hospital. The body of Rejina was recovered at around 10.30 am.

In another incident, a person identified as Prabhakaran Nair died after a landslide hit a house in the Vagamon area of Idukki district.

Officials said that Nair, a native of Vaikom in Kottayam, was sleeping in one of the bedrooms of his relative's house when the landslide took place.

Following an hours-long search, his body could be recovered, officials said.

Govt fully prepared: Revenue Minister Anilkumar

Kerala Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar on Saturday said the government was fully prepared to deal with landslides, flooding, and other rain-related emergencies.

Addressing reporters at Malappuram, he said relief camps had already been opened in vulnerable areas and authorities had been instructed to shift people living in high-risk locations as a precaution.

The minister said weather forecasts indicated that rainfall was likely to ease in the southern districts by around noon, although heavy rain was expected to continue in northern Kerala.

Anilkumar said, on the directions of Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob had been deputed to coordinate relief operations in the landslide-hit areas of Idukki and Kottayam.

Also Read: Kerala: Heavy rains cause landslide; orange alert in 6 districts

The minister said the government had begun advance preparations after receiving weather forecasts two days ago warning of five days of continuous rain. Another meeting of district collectors was scheduled on Saturday to review the evolving situation, he added.

Giving an update on casualties, the minister said two deaths had been confirmed in Idukki district.

"The victims are 65-year-old Sumathi of Kudayathoor, who died in the Adoormala landslide, and 77-year-old Prabhakaran of Kolahalamedu near Vagamon, who was killed after the earth caved in on him.

Referring to the landslide in Kottayam district, the minister said the body of Joseph Johny (24) had been recovered from the debris at Payyanithottam in Poonjar.

Debris from landslide blocks road

In another incident, a person was reportedly trapped after a landslide hit a house in the Vagamon area of Idukki district. Rescue operations were underway, officials said, adding that traffic in the area came to a standstill after debris blocked the road.

Meanwhile, at Mathayippara in Upputhara, a parked police jeep was damaged in a landslide. Luckily, the police personnel had got out of their vehicle minutes earlier and were unhurt.

Also Read: IMD issues orange alert for 11 Kerala districts as heavy rain lashes state

With the Pullakayar river overflowing, the Kokkayar low-level crossing (chappath) has been submerged. Around six houses were inundated in the surrounding area, and the affected families were shifted to safer locations, officials said.

Authorities said several other landslides were reported from different parts of the district. Heavy rain disrupted traffic at multiple locations as well.

The road between Kattappana and Vazhavara was blocked following a landslide, while rising water levels in the Chottupara stream at Vandiperiyar led to waterlogging on National Highway 183. The road at Nellimala was also blocked, affecting vehicular movement.

Shutters of minor dams opened

Authorities have announced the opening of the shutters of minor dams in the district. In the neighbouring Kottayam district, heavy rain triggered widespread flooding in Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, and Erumeli, inundating residential areas, disrupting traffic, and prompting large-scale rescue operations.

One of the three shutters of the Moozhiyar dam in Pathanamthitta district was opened on Friday to regulate the flow. In Idukki district, the shutters of the Pambla, Kallarkutty, and Malankara dams were also opened as a precautionary measure following a rise in water levels.

Authorities have advised people living downstream of the dams and along riverbanks to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local officials.

A house was buried under debris in a landslide at Payyanithottam in Poonjar, where two persons are feared trapped. Search and rescue operations were continuing to trace them.

Also Read: IMD issues orange alert in six Kerala districts amid heavy rain

Erattupetta town witnessed a sudden rise in water levels overnight, forcing authorities to halt vehicular traffic. Several houses in Erattupetta, including those in Nadakkal and Murikkoly, were inundated.

Rescue personnel, assisted by local residents, evacuated people stranded on the upper floors of their homes to safer locations. Traffic in the area remained completely disrupted, according to officials.

Alerts issued for several rivers

The Kerala Irrigation Department on Saturday issued orange and yellow alerts for several rivers across the state following a sharp rise in water levels due to incessant rain.

An orange alert has been issued for the Muvattupuzha river at the Thodupuzha station in Ernakulam district, the Kallada river at the Punalur station in Kollam district, the Meenachil river at the Pala station, the Manimala river at the Manimala station in Kottayam district, the Pampa river at the Kurudamannil station, and the Achankovil river at the Kalleli station in Pathanamthitta district.

A yellow alert has been issued for the Muvattupuzha river at the Kakkadassery station in Ernakulam district.

The department advised the public not to enter or attempt to cross any of the rivers under alert and urged people living along the riverbanks to remain vigilant.

Residents in flood-prone areas have also been asked to be prepared to move to safer places if directed by the authorities.

Manimala and Pullakayar rivers overflow

In Koottickal and Mundakkayam, water levels continued to rise after the Manimala and Pullakayar rivers overflowed. The Koottickal causeway and low-level crossing were submerged, while water entered several houses.

Traffic was also affected after the Mundakkayam causeway went under water.

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More landslides were reported from the hilly areas of Pathanamthitta district.

Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu, in a social media post, said heavy flooding had been reported in Ranni and adjoining areas. He urged people to remain cautious as river water levels had risen to dangerous levels and said floodwaters had entered several houses and shops.

Flooding in several districts

There was flooding and waterlogging in several districts caused by heavy rain, with Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki among the worst affected.

The Mundakkayam Causeway Bridge in Kottayam was submerged by rising water levels. Many parts of the Pala-Poonjar Road were waterlogged, disrupting traffic.

IMD issues red and orange alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall in parts of Kerala, prompting authorities to keep rescue teams on alert and advise people in vulnerable areas to remain cautious.

The IMD issued a red alert predicting very heavy rain in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts.

Also Read: Heavy rains batter Kerala; 2 dead, IMD issues orange, yellow alerts

An orange alert has been issued for Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts.

District administrations announced holidays for schools in several districts, considering the forecast of heavy rain on Saturday.

(With agency inputs)