Thiruvananthapuram: Incessant heavy rainfall has triggered landslides and floods across Kerala, leaving three people dead in separate incidents in Idukki and Kottayam districts. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies searching for people feared trapped under the debris.
A woman, Sumati, was killed when a landslide struck Adoormala near Kudayathoor in Idukki district early on Saturday, flattening her house. Her husband and son were rescued by local residents and admitted to hospital with injuries.
In Poonjar of Kottayam district, Joseph lost his life in another landslide at Payyanithottam, while his mother is feared trapped beneath the debris. Search operations are continuing. In a separate incident at Vagamon in Idukki, Prabhakaran Nair was killed after a landslide destroyed his house.
Heavy rain has severely affected normal life in Idukki district. A police vehicle was damaged in a landslide at Upputhara, while the overflowing Pullakayar River inundated low-lying areas in Kokkayar, flooding at least six houses and forcing residents to move to safer locations.
Traffic has also been disrupted on several key roads, including the Kattappana–Vandiperiyar route, while waterlogging on National Highway 183 has affected vehicular movement. Authorities have opened the shutters of smaller dams in the district as a precautionary measure.
The water level in the Pampa River has risen sharply, prompting the opening of relief camps in Pathanamthitta district. Flooding and minor landslides have also been reported from Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts. Fishermen stranded in a fishing boat near Chaliyam in Kozhikode were rescued safely.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall across several parts of the state. Authorities have urged people living in landslide- and flood-prone areas to remain alert and follow official safety advisories.