'Everything got over in a flash...' Chooralmala landslide survivor recalls tragic July 29 night

Jayan, a resident of Chooralmala in Kerala, recounted the harrowing events of July 29, when a landslide and subsequent flash flood devastated his hamlet. 

At 1:30 am, Jayan was awoken by a loud noise and rushed outside to find floodwaters surging near his house. He witnessed people screaming for help.

"There was no power or light. We saw people screaming for help on the other side of the flood waters, but no one could reach near him as slush and rapid waterflow prevented any from going near them," Jayan said.

Jayan and his family, casual laborers, had gone to bed at 9:30 pm, unaware of the impending disaster. They, like many others, thought the initial landslide at 1:30 pm would be the only one and had returned to bed, hoping those seeking help would be safe. However, at 3:30 am, a louder noise signaled the arrival of a more massive landslide, which swept away houses and people.

"Everything got over in a flash. Huge boulders and mud with extreme force had taken away all the houses where people earlier cried for help. We did not know what to do as what we saw was nothing but mud, water, and debris flowing in front of us," he said.

The area, once teeming with life, was transformed into a river of slush and debris, with no signs of life remaining. 

Jayan, who managed to stay safe, reported that 11 members of his wife's family are missing. Only three bodies have been recovered so far, including a child found in the Chaliyar river in Nilambur, Malappuram district.

Jayan, visibly distraught, has been waiting in the area, examining each recovered body, hoping to find information about his missing family members. 

His wait may continue for several days as rescuers dig through the mud and debris, searching for the dead and potential survivors. 

"I am waiting here, hoping that we will get some information about our missing family members," Jayan said.

Many others, like Jayan, are anxiously waiting to catch a last glimpse of their loved ones swept away by the flash floods.

PTI