7 Dead in Idukki, Malappuram Landslides; Kottayam on Alert

Malappuram: Five bodies have been recovered from among those who went missing in a flash flood in the Kottappuzha river at the TK Colony in Pookkottumpadam, Nilambur. One more person is yet to be found. The deceased have been identified as Mangadan Anas Yaseen of Edarikkode in Kottakkal, Muhammad Kutty of Tirur, Kuppanath Sajjad of Wandoor and Rahim of Karuvarakundu, local media reported.

The bodies were recovered during search operations conducted last night and this morning by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Fire and Rescue Services and other volunteers. Two bodies were found this morning.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will visit TK Nagar in Pookkottumpadam today. He is expected to reach the area around 2.30 pm and pay his last respects to those who died in the accident.

The flash flood occurred around 5 pm yesterday at Ularvattam Kadavu and in the river near TK Colony in Pookkottumpadam, along the border of Chokkad and Amarambalam panchayats. Three people who were swept away were rescued.

Although there was no rain near the river at the time of the accident, heavy rainfall in the forest area caused a sudden increase in the water level and current in the river. The area attracts many tourists who visit after seeing videos on social media. The rocky river also poses a high risk of accidents.

A large number of tourists were present at various locations along the river, from Olarvattom Canal to T.K. Colony, which are popular tourist spots. As it was a holiday, hundreds of people had gathered at Kettungal, Aanakkundu, Balawadippadi and other areas along the Koyipra foothills.After the water level suddenly rose, around 27 people who were stranded in the middle of the river were rescued by local residents and members of the Muhammad Suhail Treatment Aid Committee.However, several people remained stranded at different locations for a long time as they were unable to reach safety.

After the water level suddenly rose, around 27 people who were stranded in the middle of the river were rescued by local residents and members of the Muhammad Suhail Treatment Aid Committee.

In Malappuram district, Angadipuram recorded 11 cm of heavy rain. Nilambur AWS received 5 cm. Manjeri and Nilambur main station recorded 3 cm each, while Karipur Airport recorded 1 cm.

Landslide in Idukki

Meanwhile, two people were reported dead, and another critically injured after a landslide struck Kottakamboor in Vattavada, Idukki, on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 5 pm near a house along the Kadavari route while the victims were cleaning garlic. The deceased have been identified as Balakrishnan and Chinnu, both natives of Kottakamboor. Balakrishnan's wife survived the incident with injuries. Meanwhile, the other person sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Adimali Taluk Hospital by ambulance.

Speaking to ANI, Devikulam MLA F Raja said, “This afternoon in Vattavada, workers were engaged in farming when heavy rain began to fall. Seeking shelter, they moved into a nearby shed. Moments later, a landslide occurred from behind the shed, burying the structure under mud and debris.”

“There were three people inside at the time; two of them were trapped beneath the soil, while one person was rescued and has since been admitted to the hospital. The bodies of the two deceased individuals have been brought to Munnar and will be transferred to the Adimali Taluk Hospital following the inquest procedures. The post-mortem and related formalities will be conducted tomorrow,” he further added.

Another major landslide struck Pazhampallichal in Adimali, where five families had a narrow escape after they moved to another house just before the debris and floodwaters hit the area.One house was completely destroyed in the incident.

In Idukki district, Udumbannoor AWS recorded 13 cm of rainfall. Peerumedu received 11 cm. Both Idukki main station and Vattavada AWS recorded 5 cm each, while Sengulam Dam AWS got 4 cm. Places like Thodupuzha, Vellathooval AWS, and Anayirankal Dam AWS got 3 cm each. Munnar and Kundala Dam AWS recorded 2 cm each, and Myladumpara recorded 1 cm.

IMD issues yellow alert in six districts, CM orders hourly assessments

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for six districts in Keralam, forecasting isolated heavy rainfall in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur on Monday. Read more here.

In view of the flood-like situation across the state, the CM has directed that the situation be assessed on an hourly basis. Following the directive, Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari IAS convened a meeting with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam to review the situation, according to the CMO. Additionally, SMS alerts regarding the weather conditions have been issued in Idukki and Kottayam districts. The District Collectors have been instructed to assess the situation and take necessary measures, including evacuation wherever required.

Rain situation in other districts

In Thrissur district, Athirappalli AWS received 11 cm of heavy rainfall. Kunnamkulam, Irinjalakuda, and Lower Sholayar AWS recorded 4 cm each, while Vadakkancherry got 3 cm. Vellanikkara, Chalakkudy, Munakkal AWS, and Peechi AWS received 2 cm each.

In Palakkad district, Mannarkkad AWS recorded 7 cm of rainfall. Palakkad main station and Mannarkkad main station got 6 cm each. Pattambi and Malampuzha Dam AWS received 5 cm each. Thrithala recorded 3 cm, while Parambikulam and Mangalam Dam AWS recorded 1 cm each.

In Kozhikode district, Kunnamangalam AWS recorded 7 cm of rain. Urumi AWS received 3 cm. Kozhikode main station got 2 cm, while Vadakara AWS and Vilangad AWS recorded 1 cm each.

In Ernakulam district, C.I.A.L. Kochi recorded 6 cm of rainfall. Aluva main station and Aluva AWS received 5 cm each. Perumbavur, Kalamassery AWS, and Odakali AWS got 3 cm each, while Choondy AWS recorded 1 cm.

In Pathanamthitta district, Konni main station and Ulanad AWS recorded 5 cm each. Laha AWS got 4 cm, and Venkurinji AWS received 3 cm. Kunnathanam AWS got 2 cm, while Kurudamannil and Konni ARG recorded 1 cm each.

In Kannur district, AMS Kannur recorded 5 cm of rainfall. Kannur main station, Thalassery, Pinarayi AWS, Cheruvanchery AWS, and Chemberi AWS received 2 cm each, while Ayyankunnu AWS got 1 cm.

In Thiruvananthapuram district, Palode AWS and Pirappancode AWS recorded 4 cm each. Thattathumala AWS got 3 cm, and Thiruvananthapuram Airport received 2 cm. Thiruvananthapuram city and Airport Chacka ARG recorded 1 cm each.

In Kollam district, Punalur and Kollam main station recorded 3 cm of rainfall each. Paripalli AWS got 1 cm.

In Alappuzha district, Mavelikkara, Mancompu, and Nooranad AWS recorded 2 cm of rainfall each. Haripad received 1 cm.

In Kottayam district, Kanjirappally recorded 2 cm of rain, while Kottayam main station received 1 cm. Muliyar AWS in Kasargod district recorded 2 cm of rainfall.

In Lakshadweep Union Territory, Minicoy island recorded 5 cm (48.9 mm) of rain. Other islands recorded lighter amounts: Kiltan (21.2 mm), Androth (20.0 mm), Agathi (1 cm / 13.4 mm), Kavaratti (10.6 mm), Kalpeni (2.4 mm), and Amini (0.5 mm), according to the data shared by Lakshadweep Disaster Management Authority (LDMA).