Heavy rains, landslides continue to wreak havoc in Kerala: Death toll rises

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Kerala continues to face severe weather conditions with heavy rains battering the State. As the rain continues to lash out leaving normal lives out of gear, seven people died across the State. Several houses have also been damaged due to landslides. According to Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), more than a thousand electric poles collapsed and several transformers were damaged in the heavy rains. 

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, moderate rain accompanied by strong winds up to 50 kmph is expected in several districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, in the next few hours.

Death toll rises to seven 

O Molly (42) , wife of Satheesan of Tholikkode Parappara, who was travelling in a car died as a banyan tree fell on top of the car in which she was travelling. The incident took place Aaramkallu, near Vazhayila on the Perurukada-Nedumangad road, Thiruvananthapuram around 7.30 pm.  Her friend, who was driving the car, is undergoing treatment at the Medical College Hospital.Molly was trapped in the completely broken car for a long time.

Six others had lost their lives in the incessant rains on Tuesday alone.

At Kannambra near Vadakkancheri, a mother and son sleeping inside their house died as the wall of the house collapsed down. The deceased are identified as Sulochana (54) and her son (Ranjith). 

At Pathanamthitta, TC Reji (49) of Mepral, found dead electrocuted in a large puddle formed in the rain in front of a church near his house. 

In Wayanad, Sudhan (32) of Cheeyambam, died as he was electrocuted from a broken electric line. At Mahe, Thazhe Kuniyil Chandrasekharan (62) of Olavilam, drowned as he fell into a canal near the road at Olavilam. 

Tragedy struck in Mankulam, Idukki, where a young man named Saneesh (23) drowned in a river. Flooding caused traffic disruptions in the Wayanad-Kalpetta Bypass, following a hill collapse during the night's heavy downpour. The road was waterlogged and impassable due to debris including rocks, stones, and mud.

Emergency services including police and firefighters quickly responded, using JCB to clear the road and restore traffic on the bypass. A landslide at Palchuram on the Kannur-Wayanad road also caused severe disruptions to traffic.

In Pallikkara, Ernakulam, a house collapsed due to a landslide. Fortunately, Jomon and his family, the residents of the house were unhurt even though they were present during the incident. "The incident happened around 10:30 last night. We were just about to have dinner when we heard a noise and saw the hillside moving. We immediately rushed out. If we had been five minutes late, we wouldn't be alive today," said Jomon.

Kerala has been witnessing the heaviest amount of rain of this monsoon season as incessant fury of rain affecting normal lives in many parts of the state. It has been raining without a respite for days in Northern Kerala causing widespread damages. According to IMD, the districts which received more rain during this latest spell are Thrissur, Idukki and Kozhikode. 
Heavy rains will continue till August 3 due to low pressure likely to form in Bay of Bengal on 19th, IMD sources said. In the coming days, Idukki and Central Kerala would receive more rains, they said. The state authorities continue to be on alert as the inclement weather persists, urging residents to stay cautious and prepared for further adverse conditions.