IMD issues red alert for 8 Kerala districts as heavy rains trigger landslides, floods; 6 killed | Thiruvananthapuram News

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala on Saturday, triggering landslides, flooding low-lying areas, swelling rivers and dams, and prompting authorities to launch large-scale rescue and evacuation operations in affected regions.According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), six people were killed in rain-related incidents across the state.Four of the deaths occurred in separate landslides in Idukki and Kottayam districts, where several others were rescued, the statement added.Search operations for the six missing people continued with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, the Coast Guard, local administration officials, public representatives and residents taking part in the efforts, the statement said.It added that 65 relief camps had been set up across the state, providing shelter to 1,465 people affected by the rains.According to news agency PTI, CM V D Satheesan said 17 houses were completely destroyed, while another 127 suffered partial damage in rain-related incidents.Two separate fatal landslides were reported in Idukki district.The deceased was identified as 65-year-old Sumathi, a resident of Adoormala near Kudayathoor. Her husband Ravi and son Ratheesh were rescued and admitted to a hospital, officials said.In another incident, Prabhakaran Nair (77) of Vaikom died after a landslide hit the house of his relative in the Vagamon area of Idukki district.A youth died, and his mother was trapped under debris after a landslide at Payyanithottam in Poonjar in Kottayam district.The deceased was identified as Josephine, son of Johny. His mother, Rejina Johny (46), was trapped under debris, officials said.Following the landslides and flooding, Satheesan directed ministers in charge of rain-hit districts to stay in their respective districts and oversee rescue and relief operations as heavy rains continued across the state.He reviewed the situation with ministers and district collectors.Landslides and flooding hit several parts of Idukki district.At Upputhara, a parked police jeep was damaged after a landslide, while heavy rains disrupted traffic at several locations.Vehicular movement on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway was affected following a landslide near Cheeyapara.Rising water levels in the Chottupara stream at Vandiperiyar caused waterlogging on National Highway 183, affecting traffic movement.In neighbouring Kottayam district, heavy rain triggered widespread flooding in Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Erumeli and Pala, inundating commercial and residential areas, disrupting traffic and prompting rescue operations.Four houses were damaged in a landslide at Teekoy village, but residents escaped unhurt, officials said.Around 2,500 chickens died after floodwaters entered a poultry farm at Pala in Kottayam.The poultry farm, owned by Jineesh Alex of Mulaykkal House, has been operating for the past 18 years.More landslides were reported from the hilly areas of Pathanamthitta district.Ranni MLA Pazhakulam Madhu, in a social media post, said heavy flooding had been reported in Ranni and adjoining areas.As floodwaters entered shops and houses, several residents were shifted to relief camps.Several areas in Ranni, Kozhencherry and Aranmula, located along the banks of the Pampa river, were cut off due to flooding.The district administration deployed boats to rescue people stranded in their homes, officials said.Besides the central Kerala districts, floods and minor landslides were reported in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod and Palakkad districts.Engapuzha town in Kozhikode was completely inundated after river water entered the area following heavy rainfall.Landslides were reported from several high-range areas of Kozhikode and Kannur districts, officials said.Traffic on ghat roads in Wayanad and Idukki was regulated following minor landslides in those areas.Kerala Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar said the government was fully prepared to deal with landslides, flooding and other rain-related emergencies.“We have already opened relief camps wherever required. Even if the intensity of the rain decreases, people living in high-risk areas will be shifted to camps as a precautionary measure,” he said.Shutters of dams in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kannur districts were opened following rising water levels.The shutters of the Thottappally spillway and barrages in Alappuzha district were also opened to prevent flooding.Sea incursion affected coastal areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, officials said.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall.An ‘orange alert’ was issued for Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts.Kerala State Disaster Management Authority member secretary Sekhar Lukose Kuriakos said exceptionally heavy rainfall in central Kerala had triggered landslides, mudslides and flooding in several districts.A ‘red alert’ denotes extremely heavy rainfall of over 204 mm in 24 hours, while an ‘orange alert’ indicates very heavy rainfall ranging between 115 mm and 204 mm.(With agency inputs)