Landslides in wee hours claim two lives in Kerala; several missing

Kottayam/Idukki: Two people have died and several others remain missing after torrential rain triggered multiple landslides in the hilly regions of Kottayam and Idukki in the early hours of Saturday, causing widespread destruction and disrupting rescue operations.

One body was recovered from the landslide site at Payyanithottam in Poonjar, Kottayam. The deceased has been identified as Johny's son. Search operations are continuing to trace Johny's wife, Gracy, who remains missing.

The landslide struck the Payyanithottam area at around 2 am with great force, completely washing away Johny's house. Gracy and her son were inside the house when the landslide occurred. Fire and Rescue Services personnel and local residents launched an intensive search operation at daybreak, leading to the recovery of the son's body. Efforts to locate Gracy are continuing.

The area has suffered extensive damage, with uprooted trees and landslides blocking several roads. Rescue operations have also been severely affected after Erattupetta town was inundated, preventing rescue teams and volunteers from reaching the affected areas quickly. However, search efforts have been intensified with the help of heavy machinery, including JCB excavators.

In neighbouring Idukki district, a woman named Sumathi was killed after a landslide struck a house at Adoormala in the wee hours of Saturday. Three members of the family were trapped under the debris. One member of the family escaped unhurt as he was outside at the time of the incident, while neighbours rescued the couple's son. However, Sumathi, who was trapped beneath the debris, was later found dead.

Officials said the disaster was triggered by incessant heavy rain that began around 9.30 pm on Friday and continued for several hours, causing widespread damage across the hill regions.

Public representatives are at the affected locations in Idukki, overseeing relief and rescue operations. Authorities have also issued a high alert for the district for the next three hours and urged people living in vulnerable areas to remain extremely cautious.