Red alert in Kerala: Landslides, flash floods as heavy rain continues

At least four people have died after torrential rain triggered landslides, flash floods and widespread disruption across Kerala, with rescue teams continuing searches for people feared trapped beneath debris.

According to officials, two deaths were reported each from Idukki and Kottayam districts after exceptionally heavy overnight rainfall.

Landslides claim four lives

In Idukki district, a landslide at Adurmala in Kudayathoor near Thodupuzha buried a house, killing Sumathi, a resident of Mashikkallel House.

Her body was recovered around 7am after rescue teams searched through the debris. Her husband Ravi and son Ratheesh sustained injuries but were rescued after the house was destroyed around 2am.

In Kottayam district, another person died in a landslide at Poonjar, while search operations continue for a woman feared trapped beneath the debris.

Several other landslides were reported across Idukki and Kottayam. At Mathayippara in Upputhara, a landslide struck a police jeep, although officers escaped after stepping out of the vehicle moments earlier.

Minor landslides were also reported at Nellappara in Karinkunnam, and near Mankombu Temple in Moonnilavu and Payyanithottam in Poonjar.

Kerala government steps up disaster response

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the state government is coordinating rescue and relief efforts as heavy rain continues to affect several districts.

The Chief Minister said he held discussions with the Revenue Minister, Chief Secretary and district collectors following reports of landslides and mudslides.

The Revenue Minister will coordinate disaster management activities, while a meeting of district collectors has been convened to review the situation.

The government has placed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and other emergency teams on standby to handle any developing situation. Authorities have also been directed to ensure better treatment for the injured and speed up rehabilitation efforts.

Cloudburst brings record rainfall

Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose, Member Secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki received exceptionally heavy rainfall, with some areas recording up to 361mm in 24 hours.

Most of the rain fell between 10pm and the early hours of Saturday, triggering landslides, damaging houses and roads, and causing debris flows.

"It was essentially a cloudburst. Nothing else, nothing bigger," he said, adding that no river could safely contain such an intense volume of rainfall within a few hours.

Despite the severity of the weather, Kuriakose said timely alerts and increased public awareness helped keep casualties relatively low.

Pathanamthitta records extreme rainfall

Pathanamthitta recorded more than 300mm of rainfall within just two hours, according to District Collector Nizamudeen A.

The intense downpour caused the Pamba River to overflow, submerging parts of Ranni town under waist-deep floodwater.

Police, Fire and Rescue Services, revenue officials and local panchayat teams are carrying out evacuation and rescue operations.

IMD issues weather alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather alerts as heavy rain continues across the state.

An orange alert remains in place for Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki, with 12cm to 20cm of rainfall forecast within 24 hours.

A yellow alert has been issued for Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.

KSDMA said the heaviest rainfall is expected to shift towards northern Kerala, with districts from Thrissur to Kasaragod likely to receive significant rainfall through Sunday before conditions improve.

Schools closed in several districts

District administrations have declared holidays for schools, professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, coaching centres and special classes in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Idukki.

Scheduled examinations and interviews will continue as planned.

Flooding disrupts transport

Flooding and waterlogging have affected several towns across Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.

Mundakkayam Causeway Bridge was submerged, Erattupetta town flooded after the Meenachil River overflowed, and parts of the Pala-Poonjar Road went underwater.

In Pathanamthitta, floodwaters entered the Ittiyappara bus stand in Ranni, while overflowing streams inundated roads and residential areas in Thodupuzha and Adimali.

Several roads, including the Moolamattom-Vagamon, Vagamon-Ettumanoor, Vagamon-Upputhara and Kattappana-Vazhavara routes, have been blocked by landslides.

A major landslide near Machiplavu in Adimali blocked the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway. A car and a Taurus lorry were caught in the debris, forcing authorities to suspend traffic while rescue teams and district officials worked to clear the route.

Dam shutters opened, rescue teams on standby

Authorities have ordered additional water releases from the Malankara and Pambla dams after reservoir levels rose sharply.

Residents living near the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers and other low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert.

Nine NDRF teams have been pre-positioned in vulnerable districts, supported by around 10,000 Aapda Mitra volunteers, Civil Defence personnel and Fire and Rescue Services.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded areas and follow official weather advisories as rescue operations continue.

With inputs from ANI and IANS.