Heavy rain batters Kerala; woman killed in Idukki, holiday declared in 8 districts

Heavy rain continued to batter large parts of Kerala, particularly the central districts, early on Saturday, triggering landslides, flooding and widespread waterlogging.

A woman was killed after a landslide triggered by incessant rain buried a house at Adurmala in Kudayathoor, near Thodupuzha, in Idukki district. The deceased was identified as Sumathi, a resident of Mashikkallel House in Ward 7 of Kudayathoor.

Her body was recovered around 7 am after an extensive search operation that began in the early hours of Saturday. Her husband, Ravi, and their son, Ratheesh, sustained injuries and were rescued from the debris. The landslide struck around 2 am, completely burying and destroying the family's house.

At Mathayippara in Upputhara, another landslide hit a police jeep. Fortunately, the police personnel had stepped out of the vehicle moments earlier and escaped unhurt.

Two minor landslides were also reported at Nellappara in Karinkunnam, though no casualties were reported.

In Kottayam district, a landslide occurred near the Mankombu Temple area in Moonnilavu. Another landslide was reported at Payyanithottam in Poonjar. No casualties have been reported from either incident.

In Pathanamthitta district, landslides were reported from several hilly areas as heavy rain continued through the night.

Holiday for educational institutions
In view of the inclement weather, district collectors of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Idukki declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Saturday.

The holiday applies to schools, professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, coaching centres, special classes and madrassas. However, examinations and interviews scheduled earlier will be held as planned.

Orange alert in nine districts
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki districts, warning of very heavy rainfall between 12 cm and 20 cm within 24 hours.

A yellow alert has been issued for Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram, where rainfall between 7 cm and 12 cm is expected.

Flooding and waterlogging
Heavy rain triggered flooding and waterlogging across several districts, with Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta among the worst affected.

In Kottayam, the Mundakkayam Causeway Bridge was submerged after water levels rose sharply. Erattupetta town was inundated after the Meenachil River overflowed its banks. Several stretches of the Pala-Poonjar Road also went under water, disrupting traffic.

In Pathanamthitta, rainwater flooded the Ittiyappara bus stand in Ranni as heavy rain continued overnight.

In Idukki, overflowing streams and rivers inundated roads and residential areas at multiple locations. At Vandiperiyar, streams overflowed and water entered sections of the KK Road, though traffic remained unaffected.

In Adimali, floodwater submerged roads from Colony Mookku to Deviyar Colony, creating a dangerous situation for residents. Several houses were flooded. Water levels also rose sharply in the Chottupara stream at Vandiperiyar, while parts of National Highway 183 were submerged. A roadblock was also reported near Nellimala.

Several areas of Thodupuzha town remained waterlogged after continuous rainfall that began on Thursday evening. At Challavayal near Muttom, the overflowing Parappan Thodu inundated residential areas, trapping residents inside their homes. Flooding was also reported at Makkil Colony, Thottunkara and Kathara Colony in the Thodanganad-Challavayal region. Water flowed over the Edappally-Oorakkunnu bridge at Muttom.

River levels cross warning marks
Water levels in major rivers continued to rise due to incessant rainfall.

The Muvattupuzha River has crossed the warning level, while the Thodupuzha River has crossed the danger mark, prompting authorities to remain on high alert.

Traffic disrupted by landslides
Traffic was disrupted on several major roads in Idukki following landslides.

The Moolamattom-Vagamon Road was blocked after a landslide at Chelikkal Kavala near Elappally. The Vagamon-Ettumanoor and Vagamon-Upputhara roads were also closed due to landslides.

Another roadblock was reported on the Kattappana-Vazhavara Road after a landslip.