Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1: A woman was killed in a landslide in Kerala's Idukki district after incessant rain triggered landslides and flooding across several parts of the State on Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Sumathi, a resident of Adoormala. According to the district administration, debris from a landslide crashed into her house during the early hours of Saturday.
Her husband, Ravi, and their son were rescued by neighbours after sustaining injuries. Both were admitted to a hospital in Thodupuzha for treatment.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Fire and Rescue Services later recovered Sumathi's body following a search operation.
In another incident, a person was reportedly trapped after a landslide struck a house in the Vagamon area of Idukki district. Rescue operations were in progress, while traffic came to a standstill after debris blocked the road.
The overflowing Pullakayar River submerged the Kokkayar low-level crossing (chappath), inundating around six houses in the surrounding area. The affected families were shifted to safer locations, officials said.
Authorities reported several other landslides from different parts of Idukki, with heavy rain disrupting road traffic at multiple locations.
In Kottayam district, Erattupetta town witnessed a sharp rise in water levels overnight, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement. Several houses in Nadakkal, Murikkoly and other low-lying areas were flooded.
Rescue personnel, assisted by local residents, evacuated people stranded on the upper floors of their homes to safer places. Traffic in the area remained completely disrupted, officials said.
Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu, in a social media post, said severe flooding had been reported in Ranni and nearby areas. He urged residents to remain vigilant as river water levels had risen dangerously, causing floodwaters to enter several houses and commercial establishments.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala, prompting authorities to keep disaster response teams on alert and advise people living in vulnerable areas to exercise caution.