THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Incessant heavy rainfall triggered landslides, flash floods and widespread disruption across central Kerala on Saturday.The incident has left at least two people dead, several others feared trapped under debris, and prompted large-scale rescue operations in multiple districts, news agency ANI reported.The worst-hit district was Idukki, where landslides claimed two lives in separate incidents.At Adoormala, a landslide buried a house, killing Sumathi.Her husband Ravi and their son were rescued by neighbours and admitted to a hospital in Thodupuzha with injuries.Officials said the family’s house was completely destroyed, news agency PTI reported.In Vagamon, another landslide struck a house, killing Prabhakaran Nair, a native of Vaikom.Rescue teams were continuing operations to recover his body.Authorities said search operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police and revenue officials were underway in the affected areas.
More people feared trapped
Rescue teams were also searching for people feared trapped under debris in Kottayam district after a landslide buried a house at Payyanithottam in Poonjar.Heavy rain caused widespread flooding in Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal and Erumeli, inundating residential areas and disrupting road connectivity.Rescue personnel, assisted by local residents, evacuated families stranded on the upper floors of their homes, while rising water levels forced authorities to suspend vehicular movement in several areas.Floodwaters also submerged the Koottickal and Mundakkayam causeways after the Manimala and Pullakayar rivers overflowed.
Landslides disrupt highways
The continuing downpour triggered multiple landslides across Idukki, severely affecting transport.A major landslide near Machiplavu in Adimali on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway brought traffic to a standstill after a car and a Taurus lorry were caught in the debris.The Kattappana-Vazhavara Road was blocked by another landslide, while overflowing water from the Chottupara stream caused waterlogging on National Highway 183 at Vandiperiyar.Vehicular movement was also disrupted at Nellimala.At Upputhara, a parked police jeep was damaged after a landslide.Authorities also opened the shutters of several minor dams in Idukki following the continuous rainfall.
Flood situation worsens
The overflowing Pullakayar River submerged the Kokkayar low-level crossing, inundating around six houses. The affected families were shifted to safer locations.Fresh landslides were also reported from hilly areas of Pathanamthitta district.Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu said river levels had reached dangerous levels in Ranni and surrounding areas, with floodwaters entering several houses and commercial establishments.
IMD issues red alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast continued heavy rainfall across Kerala and issued a red alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, warning of very heavy rainfall.An orange alert has been issued for Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.District administrations declared holidays for schools in several districts, while authorities advised people living in landslide- and flood-prone areas to remain alert as rescue and relief operations continued.(With agency inputs)
