Thiruvananthapuram: Torrential rains battered Kerala on Saturday, triggering a landslip in Munnar that claimed the life of a middle-aged man. The downpour also caused widespread damage and led to rising water levels in rivers and dams, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to revise weather alerts across several districts.

The landslip occurred late Saturday night near the Botanical Garden on the national highway. A section of the hillside gave way, burying part of the road and trapping a passing motorist. The deceased was identified as Ganeshan (58), a driver from Anthoniyar Colony in Munnar. His body was shifted to the Munnar Government Hospital for post-mortem and other formalities.

The IMD has forecast continued rainfall over the next five days. Strong winds reaching 50–60 kmph are likely over the weekend. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea along the Kerala–Karnataka–Lakshadweep coasts from Saturday to Wednesday due to rough conditions.

Alerts

• Red alert: Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur
• Orange alert (Very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm): Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
• Yellow alert (Heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha

Waterlogging in Kochi
Incessant rain threw life out of gear in Kochi on Saturday with several roads witnessing waterlogging. Heavy waterlogging was seen on Stadium link Road while passengers had a tough time reaching and getting out of the Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway station as the road to he facility remained inundated. Key spots such as Vyttila Janatha Road, Edappally Toll Junction and premises of Vyttila Mobility Hub were also inundated.

Infopark Expressway and stretches of Palarivattom-Pipeline Road also remained under water in the afternoon. Several pocket roads in the city also witnessed waterlogging, making it difficult for both motorists and pedestrians.

As many as 19 houses in Ernakulam district were damaged in heavy rain in the past two days, according to official figures. Ten houses suffered damage on Saturday, and nine on Friday. Since the onset of the monsoon on May 24, a total of 336 houses were damaged in the district. Of them, eight were totally destroyed.

Two relief camps were opened in the district. Seven families are residing at the camp opened in Kochi taluk on June 18 while one family, comprising a man, two women and two children, were shifted to the second camp opened at Paliyam GHSS, Chendamangalam in Paravur taluk on Saturday.

In Kozhikode, overnight rains and strong winds uprooted trees and damaged houses and vehicles. Power lines were brought down, leading to electricity disruptions. Similar damage was reported from Kottayam, Palakkad, and Kannur districts.

Authorities have opened the shutters of the Banasura Sagar dam in Wayanad and the Aliyar dam in Palakkad due to rising water levels. Residents downstream have been advised to stay alert.

The Irrigation Design and Research Board (IDRB) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) have also issued alerts for rivers where water levels have risen dangerously. These include the Manimala, Achankovil, and Pamba rivers in Pathanamthitta; Vamanapuram in Thiruvananthapuram; Pallikkal in Kollam; and Thodupuzha in Idukki. People living along riverbanks have been urged to remain cautious and avoid entering or crossing swollen rivers under any circumstances.