Six killed as heavy rain triggers landslides and floods in Kerala
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Six people died in Kerala on Saturday after heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding across the state, causing widespread damage to houses, roads and agricultural land.
Kottayam and Pathanamthitta were among the worst-affected districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod as heavy rain continued, particularly in hilly regions.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan directed ministers to camp in different districts to oversee rescue and relief operations. The state also sought the Navy's assistance after two fishermen went missing at Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram. A Coast Guard vessel is already involved in the search.
Among the victims were Rejina Johny and her son Josefine, who died after a landslide buried their house at Poonjar in Kottayam. In Idukki's Kudayathoor, 69-year-old Sumathi was killed when a landslide struck her house, while her husband and son sustained injuries. Another Idukki resident, 72-year-old Prabakaran Nair, died after the wall of his rain-soaked house collapsed. Two children below the age of five died in Malappuram after slipping into streams near their homes.
Flooding was reported in Ranni and Aranmula in Pathanamthitta and Pala and Erattupetta in Kottayam, leaving several people stranded. Fishing boats and yachts were deployed to rescue residents.
Following a rise in the Pamba river, the Travancore Devaswom Board advised devotees to reconsider plans to visit the Sabarimala temple. Tourism destinations, especially hill stations, have also been closed until further orders, while travel to Wayanad has been restricted.
According to rainfall data, Wagamon in Idukki recorded 314 mm of rain and Thikkoy in Kottayam 277 mm in the 24 hours ending 7 am on Saturday. Despite the intense rainfall, Kerala recorded a 34 per cent deficit in southwest monsoon rainfall between June 1 and July 31.