Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc In Kerala, Seven Deaths Reported

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seven people were killed in Kerala as incessant heavy rain wreaked havoc in many districts on Saturday. Flash floods and landslides were reported from various parts of the state, throwing normal life out of gear in many places.

In Kottayam’s Poonjar Thekkekkara Payyanithottam, a landslide destroyed a house, killing 24‑year‑old Josfin Johny and his mother Regina. In Idukki’s Adoormala, Sumathi from Kudayathoor died in a landslide, while in Kolahalamedu, soil collapse over a house claimed the life of Prabhakaran Nair from Vaikom.

In Malappuram, two children — Abdul Muhaini,3, and Adam Ayman,4, drowned in floodwaters. In Wayanad’s Padinjarethara, Benny died of electrocution while pumping water, and in Kollam’s Neendakara, the body of Radhakrishnan, who went missing after a boat capsized, was recovered.

Red Alert

The India Meteorological Department has declared a red alert in nine districts of the state. Rapidly rising water levels in dams due to torrential rains pose a serious threat. Six dams — Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta, Kallarkutty and Lower Periyar in Idukki, Peringalkuthu in Thrissur, Neyyar in Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangalam in Palakkad — are under red alert. Water levels in the Pamba and Manimala rivers are rising dangerously. As a precaution, tourism has been completely banned in several districts, and night travel in hilly regions has been restricted.

Six persons are missing following heavy rains in Kerala on Saturday, according to Chief Minister’s office.

An official release here said search operations were underway with the help of multiple forces, local body representatives, and residents to locate the missing persons. As many as 65 relief camps have been opened, sheltering 1,465 people, with arrangements in place to relocate more if needed.

Seventeen houses have been destroyed and 127 partially damaged.

Chief Minister V D Satheeshan is monitoring the situation along with the Revenue Minister, district coordination ministers, and local administrations as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc. He has also spoken with MLAs and public representatives from the worst‑affected regions.

Though rainfall eased in some areas by evening, rescue operations remain in full swing. Boats have been brought in from other districts, and water flow from dams is being closely monitored. Hill regions remain under strict alert. Kozhikode’s Anakkampoil recorded 340 mm of rain in 35 hours, while Wayanad’s Meppadi saw 177 mm. Authorities stress that the state is prepared to face any emergency.

The government has assured financial assistance to families of the deceased and to those who lost homes, crops, and livelihoods. Medical care for the injured will be ensured, with the Chief Minister and Disaster Management Authority urging strict adherence to official safety instructions.

Alappuzha District Collector Shaji V. Nair has assured that all emergency measures have been taken to counter the flood risk caused by heavy rains and water flow in Alappuzha and the neighboring districts of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. He stated that the district is fully prepared to ensure smooth drainage of floodwaters into the sea. The Collector made these remarks after personally inspecting the preparedness at the Thottappally spillway, the main route through which floodwaters from the eastern hills flow into the sea.

“There is no cause for concern,” assured District Collector Shaji V. Nair. He said 39 of the 40 shutters at the Thottappally spillway are operational, with 34 already opened. By Saturday evening, all 39 shutters were fully opened. While the water flow is currently moderate, it is expected to increase by evening. At Thanneermukkom bund, all 90 shutters have been opened, along with four shutters at Andhakaranazhi. Flood‑control works there began on Saturday morning itself. The Collector emphasized that all precautions have been taken to prevent water levels from rising in Kuttanad.

To review flood‑preparedness, a meeting of all relevant departments was convened on Saturday morning. The Revenue Department and other supervising agencies have been directed to treat Sunday as a working day to ensure smooth water flow and minimize flood risk. Relief camps are ready in all taluks, with two camps already functioning in the district. Residents along riverbanks have been issued cautionary advisories. Control rooms are active in every taluk, the Collector added.

Unrelenting torrential rains, resembling flood conditions, have caused widespread destruction across the state. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Kozhikode districts are gripped by flood fears, with landslides and heavy downpours hitting these regions the hardest. A severe crisis has unfolded in Ranni, Pathanamthitta, where the Pamba river overflowed, submerging residential areas and the town completely. Continuous heavy rainfall has heightened concerns in the region. In Kozhikode’s hill areas, including Engapuzha, and in Malappuram, the overnight cloudburst triggered flash floods and extensive damage. So far, seven people have lost their lives in the state due to rain‑related incidents and flooding.