Kerala rains: Seven dead as floods and landslides trigger statewide crisis

Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rain continued to batter Kerala on Saturday, triggering deadly landslides, widespread flooding, rising river levels and dam water releases across the state, forcing large-scale rescue and evacuation operations while claiming at least four lives.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, while an orange alert remained in force for Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad.

As the situation worsened, district administrations declared a holiday for educational institutions in Wayanad on Sunday, while several competitive examinations were cancelled in rain-affected districts.

As per latest reports, a total of seven people were killed in rain-related incidents in Kerala. 

Among the victims were Sumathi (65) of Adoormala near Kudayathoor in Idukki, Josephine, a youth from Poonjar in Kottayam, his mother Rejina Johny (46), and Prabhakaran Nair (77) of Vaikom, who died after a landslide struck a relative's house in Vagamon.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan directed ministers in charge of rain-hit districts to camp on the ground and coordinate rescue and relief operations. He reviewed the situation with ministers and district collectors.

Ministers C P John, P C Vishnunadh, Mons Joseph and Anoop Jacob were assigned to oversee relief efforts in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki respectively, while the Revenue Minister was tasked with coordinating disaster management at the state level.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister AP Anilkumar said the government was fully prepared to deal with rain-related emergencies.

"We have already opened relief camps wherever required. Even if the intensity of rain decreases, people living in high-risk areas will be shifted to camps as a precautionary measure," he said.

Dams opened, rivers swell

The authorities opened the shutters of several dams across Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kannur following a sharp rise in water levels.

The Pazhassi Dam in Kannur raised its shutters to four metres, prompting authorities to issue warnings to people living along downstream riverbanks.

The Thottappally spillway and barrages in Alappuzha were also opened to ease flood pressure.

At Periyar, rising water levels submerged parts of the historic Aluva Siva Temple, while strong currents were reported at Pampa Triveni, where floodwaters inundated the sandbanks.

Fresh landslides, missing rescuer

Fresh landslides were reported from Thayyeni in Kasaragod district, where mudslides struck Vayikkanam and Ottakuzhi. No casualties were reported, but flash floods inundated Thayyeni town and caused the collapse of a church compound wall.

In Kannur's Pulingome, a rescue operation took a tragic turn after swimming coach Rajesh, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, was swept away while attempting to rescue a man identified as Xavier, who had become stranded on an islet at Meenthulli. Search operations for Rajesh were continuing.

Floods disrupt normal life

Floodwaters inundated homes, shops and roads across Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Mundakkayam, Erumeli, Pala, Ranni, Kozhencherry and Aranmula, prompting authorities to evacuate residents to relief camps.

Boats were deployed in Pathanamthitta to rescue people trapped inside flooded homes after the Pampa River overflowed.

In Kottayam, around 2,500 chickens died after floodwaters entered a poultry farm at Pala.

Traffic was disrupted at multiple locations following landslides and waterlogging, including on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway near Cheeyapara and NH-183 at Vandiperiyar.

Flooding and minor landslides were also reported from Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod and Palakkad, while Engapuzha in Kozhikode was submerged after river water overflowed into the town.

Vehicular movement on ghat roads in Wayanad and Idukki was regulated due to landslide threats.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said exceptionally heavy rainfall across central Kerala had triggered widespread flooding, mudslides and landslides, with rescue teams remaining on high alert.