Heavy rain claims nine lives in Kerala, six missing; landslides, floods leave widespread destruction

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At least nine people were killed as torrential rain that began on Friday night triggered landslides, flash floods and drowning incidents across Kerala. A mother and her son were among those killed in a landslide, while two children drowned in separate incidents. Fishing boats capsized at sea, leaving two people missing each off Muthalapozhi and Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, and one person missing off Thangassery in Kollam. In Kannur, another person was swept away by the current in the Kanjirappuzha river.

Rivers overflowed, causing severe flooding in many parts of the state. Landslides were reported from Kottayam, Idukki and Kannur, while floodwaters cut off parts of Ranni in Pathanamthitta district. Authorities opened around 10 dams, and traffic was restricted or suspended on several hill roads and mountain passes.

According to official figures, 17 houses were completely destroyed, while 127 houses suffered partial damage. Nearly 100 vehicles were also damaged. A total of 1,465 people have been shifted to 65 relief camps. Authorities remain on high alert from Kasaragod to Pathanamthitta. However, there has been criticism that weather warnings were not issued in time.

A landslide struck Payyanithottam in Poonjar Thekkekara, Kottayam, at around 2.30 am, killing Regina (48) and her son Josephin (28) after their house was swept away. The family's head, Johnny, escaped because he had stayed overnight at a neighbour's house. Their other two sons, Jomit and Somit, were staying with relatives.

An 11-year-old boy, Milan, died after falling into a water-filled pit dug for a water tank at Vakathanam in Kottayam. Milan was the son of Shiju.

Landslides were reported at four locations in Koottickal and Poonjar Thekkekara panchayats, while the Meenachil and Manimala rivers overflowed, flooding Pala, Ettumanoor and nearby areas.

Two children died after being swept away by overflowing streams in Kondotty and Vandoor in Malappuram district. The victims were Mohammed Adam Aiman (4), son of Abdul Hameed and Nadira of Kondotty, and Abdul Muhayin (2), son of Alappuzha native Abdul Muneer.

In Kolahalamedu, Idukki, Prabhakaran Nair (72) from Vaikom was killed after a huge mound of earth collapsed onto a house he was visiting. His sister Leelamani, who was in another room, escaped unhurt. Family members said Prabhakaran Nair had a hearing impairment and could not hear the sound of the landslide. Another landslide at Adoormala in Kudayathoor claimed the life of Sumathi (69). Her husband Ravi and son Ratheesh were rescued by the locals.

In Wayanad, Benny (57) died of electrocution while pumping water into a fish pond. In Thrissur, Sasidharan (75) died after falling into a stream at Mathilakam. Floodwaters also entered several parts of Guruvayur town.

In Kannur, V.P. Hanifa (46) went missing after being swept away by the current in the Kanjirappuzha river while attempting to retrieve coconuts.

As the Pamba River remains in flood, the Travancore Devaswom Board has advised devotees to avoid visiting Sabarimala unless absolutely necessary. Traffic restrictions were imposed on the Thamarassery Churam Road following landslides. Several towns, including Villiappally and Engapuzha in Kozhikode, were flooded. In Palakkad district, four houses were destroyed due to the heavy rain. The Pamba, Manimala and Achankovil rivers overflowed, while landslides were reported at Thoombakkulam and Kokkathode in Konni.

In Kollam, the Kallada and Shankili rivers overflowed. The Muvattupuzha and Periyar rivers also breached their banks, causing widespread damage in Ernakulam district. The historic Aluva Siva Temple was partially submerged.

Exams postponed

Due to the heavy rain, examinations scheduled for Sunday at Mahatma Gandhi University and Sree Narayana Open University have been postponed. The State Eligibility Test (SET), which was scheduled to be held on Sunday, has also been postponed to a later date.

Rainfall recorded
Idukki: 213 mm
Pathanamthitta: 162 mm
Malappuram: 158 mm
Kottayam: 133 mm