Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rains have triggered landslides, mudslides, and flash floods in several parts of Kerala. At least five people have died in these incidents, while two are still missing.
In view of the worsening situation, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has directed officials to review the situation hourly and take immediate action as needed.
Alert in Idukki and Kottayam
Following the Chief Minister’s directive, Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneshwari IAS held a meeting with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam to review the rains and the resulting situation.
SMS alerts have been sent to people in both districts regarding the weather. District administrations have been instructed to continuously monitor vulnerable areas and evacuate people if necessary.
A special Disaster Management Force team has also been sent to the Nilambur-Amrambalam area of Malappuram district, where five people were swept away by flash floods in the Kottapuzha River.
Group of five people swept away in the river
Five people from Wandoor went to bathe in the Kottapuzha River on Sunday evening. A flash flood caused the river’s water level to rise rapidly, and all five were swept away by the strong current.
A local rescued one person. Fire and Rescue Services recovered the bodies of two others. The search for the other two is ongoing.
A special Disaster Management Force team has been deployed to the area to assist in the search and rescue operation.
Woman dies in landslide in Kottayam
A 35-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu died and her friend was injured in a landslide that occurred in Velathussery near Teekoy in Kottayam district on Sunday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Sangeeta Arul Lal, a resident of Jawahar Nagar, Chennai. According to police, Sangeeta was returning from Vagamon with her friend. They were riding a scooter when a landslide fell on the road and hit her.
Her friend managed to escape but was injured and has been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Earlier on Sunday afternoon, three people who had stopped in a shed to escape the rain in Kottakambur, Idukki, were hit by a landslide. Around 3:30 pm, a large chunk of mud from the hill fell on the shed, burying all three.
Two people died in the accident, while a woman was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Heavy rain forecast for the next four days
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain for parts of Kerala for the next four days. Thunderstorms are also expected in some areas of the state on September 20 and 21.
On Sunday, the rain alert for Kottayam and Idukki was raised to orange. An orange alert means very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm, while a yellow alert is issued for heavy rainfall of 6 to 11 cm.
According to IMD data, the monsoon in Kerala has been weaker than normal this year. Between June 1 and September 17, the state recorded 28 percent less rainfall than normal.