Kerala rains: 3 killed, one missing as landslides, flash floods batter state
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Thiruvananthapuram: Three people were killed, one remains missing and thousands were displaced on Saturday as torrential rain triggered landslides and flash floods across Kerala's central and high-range districts, prompting large-scale rescue operations and emergency intervention by the state government.
The victims were identified as Sumathi of Mashikkallel, who died in a landslide at Adoor Mala in Kudayathoor, Idukki; Prabhakaran Nair, 72, of Vaikom, who was killed after a landslide struck a house at Kolahalamedu near Vagamon; and Josephine Jony, 24, who died when her house collapsed at Payyanithottam in Poonjar Thekkekara.
Search operations were underway for Josephine's mother, Regina, who is feared to be trapped beneath the debris. Two people were rescued alive from the landslide-hit area at Adoor Mala.
Pathanamthitta witnessed the worst flooding, with officials saying the situation bore an eerie resemblance to the devastating floods of 2018.
More than 330 mm of rainfall was recorded in parts of the district, causing the Pamba River to swell rapidly within hours and inundate large areas of Ranni and Konni.
Ranni town was virtually cut off after the Ranni-Vadasserikkara Road and the Arayanjilimannu causeway were submerged. Shops, business establishments and houses were flooded, causing losses estimated to run into crores of rupees.
With electricity supply disrupted across the area, residents took refuge on the upper floors of their homes before being evacuated by boat by Fire and Rescue Services personnel. Additional rescue boats were brought in from Kollam as evacuation operations continued in marooned panchayats.
Minor landslides were reported in several parts of Idukki, while several interior roads in the high ranges were severely affected, disrupting connectivity. Relief camps were opened at multiple locations to accommodate evacuated families.
As the rain emergency intensified, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan reviewed the situation and held telephonic discussions with Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, the Chief Secretary and district collectors of the affected regions.
He directed that disaster management operations be centrally coordinated by the Revenue Minister, who subsequently convened an emergency meeting of district collectors.
The Chief Minister said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Fire and Rescue Services and other agencies had been placed on full alert, with additional NDRF teams being deployed wherever required.
He also directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured, expedite rehabilitation measures and strengthen relief operations.
Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said the sudden flooding in Pathanamthitta was triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall exceeding 330 mm, describing the situation as one that developed with extraordinary speed.
He said additional rescue boats were being moved from Kollam to Pathanamthitta, while two state ministers were overseeing relief operations in Idukki.
The minister also warned that floodwaters from Pathanamthitta were expected to flow downstream into Alappuzha, where authorities have already issued a precautionary alert.
Anil Kumar said weather experts had described the scale and intensity of the rainfall as beyond normal prediction.
While expressing relief that the rain had begun to weaken, raising hopes of an improvement in the situation, he said the government would assess the losses suffered by traders in Ranni and provide appropriate assistance.
He also highlighted a broader environmental concern, noting that the carrying capacity of many of Kerala's rivers had been drastically reduced due to heavy deposition of sand and sediments.
The government, he said, would examine long-term measures to restore river channels and strengthen flood mitigation efforts.
The India Meteorological Department has issued Red Alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, warning of further extremely heavy rainfall.
The State Disaster Management Authority has urged people living along riverbanks and in landslide-prone areas to move to safer locations and avoid unnecessary travel.
With IANS inputs