Ranni: A family in Ranni was rescued from a flooded house after one of them logged onto Facebook Live to send out an SOS message.
Jeffy Jacob from Thottaman posted a distress video on Facebook Live on Wednesday morning after Ranni and surroundings were inundated overnight by the River Pampa. He was seen on the first floor of the house.
Jeffy’s family and many of his neighbours were marooned in their houses after the water level rose in the river and its tributaries after midnight. Rescue workers in boats have relocated all of them to safety. The water level is alarmingly rising.
The flash floods were caused by the opening of the shutters of the Anathode reservoir linked to the Sabarigiri hydroelectric project. The eastern stretches of the Pathanamthitta district, including Sabarimala, are still receiving heavy downpour. The Ranni town has been completely cut off.
The Ranni town has been submerged. The bus stand, KSRTC station and the government hospital have been flooded. The Punaloor-Moovattupuzha state road and the Ranni bypass road have turned into rivers. Many of the houses and commercial establishments are under water. And the water keeps rising.
Gracy Chuzhukunnil was electrocuted after water rushed into her house at Ittiyappara.
