At Least Six Killed As Heavy Rain Batters Kerala, Landslides Hit Idukki And Kottayam
At least six people have died after heavy rain triggered landslides and widespread flooding across several parts of Kerala on Saturday, prompting large-scale rescue operations.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), four of the deaths occurred in separate landslides in Idukki and Kottayam districts. Search operations are continuing for six people who remain missing.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, the Coast Guard and local authorities have been deployed for rescue efforts.
Extreme Rainfall Batters Kerala: 8 Districts On Red Alert, 3 Killed, Several Trapped Amid Landslides
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said 17 houses were completely destroyed while 127 others suffered partial damage due to the heavy rain and landslides.
He directed ministers in charge of the affected districts to remain on the ground and oversee rescue and relief operations. The chief minister also held a review meeting with ministers and district collectors to assess the situation.
Among those who lost their lives in the landslides were 65-year-old Sumathi from Adoormala and 77-year-old Prabhakaran Nair from Vaikom. Another victim in Kottayam was identified as Josephine.
Meanwhile, three children died in separate drowning incidents amid the heavy rain. In Malappuram, three-year-old Abdul Muhain drowned after falling into the Kandamangalam River near Thiruvali, while four-year-old Adam Aiman was swept away by a stream at Neerad.
