Pet cat's midnight cries save family of four from Kerala landslide

Alakode: A pet cat's unusual behaviour helped save a family of four from a devastating landslide that struck Chavarna at Kannur, Kerala in the early hours of Saturday.

The landslide occurred around 2.45 a.m., leaving the house of Nithya and her family severely damaged. According to the family, their pet cat, Sundari, began crying unusually around 3 a.m., waking everyone from sleep. Although they initially considered going back to bed, a loud noise was heard moments later as the courtyard and part of their house collapsed.

Realising the danger, the family rushed out of the house and fled through their compound to the road, escaping the landslide just in time.

Nithya's husband Jishnu, his mother Sheelamma and the couple's five-year-old son Adidev were also in the house. The family home has been left uninhabitable.

The debris from the landslide crashed onto the house of their neighbour, Martin, who escaped with minor injuries. Martin shouted to alert another neighbour, Binu, who woke up and attempted to flee. Binu sustained injuries after being struck by falling rocks and mud while escaping.

Officials said Martin's warning likely saved Binu's life. The houses belonging to both Martin and Binu were completely destroyed, but all three families managed to survive the disaster.

Chief Whip Apu John Joseph visited the affected area and showed the extent of the damage to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan through a live video call. The Chief Minister assured the MLA that necessary relief and rehabilitation measures would be taken.