Kottayam: Four persons of a family died at Vellikulam near Erattupetta on Wednesday night in a landslide which devastated their house at Vellikulam near Erattupetta.
Rosamma, 85, (Mami), of Kottarikkal, her daughter Molly, 49, grand daughters Alphonsa, 11, Tintu, 8, died in the landslide which virtually washed away their house made of asbestos. Though the fire force, police and the locals rushed to the spot and took the four to a nearby hospital they were declared dead, according to sources from the Erattupetta police.
Three members of the family who were injured in the accident including Binu, 38, son-in-law of Molly, and her children, Vineetha, 14, and Jomon, 16, were admitted to the hospital. Binu and Vineetha were seriously injured and Vineetha has been admitted to a private hospital.
Vehicular traffic along many roads from Kottayam and Idukki district were flooded.
Traffic in the Kottayam – Kumarakom, Vaikom – Thalayolaparampu, Pala – Erattupetta, Changanacherry – Alappuzha MC road were disrupted owing to the floods. Traffic towards Idukki district and main towns including Muvattupuzha and Thiruvalla were disrupted too.
Water entered more than 100 shops and 30 houses in Pala town after it was submerged. Rehabilitation camp of the Pala municipality was opened at the town where 14 families were accomodated.
Many among the families of Pala town were evacuated to safer camps. Vehicular traffic from Pala to Ponkunnam, Vaikom, Erattupetta, was totally affected.
