THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy overnight rain triggered landslides and floods inundating many parts of the state, leaving two persons dead and forcing hundreds to take shelter in relief camps. While a man was killed at Attapadi in Palakkad after a tree fell on his house, a woman from Wayanad died during the rescue operation. Another death was reported from Mannuthy after a man was electrocuted to death.
Many rivers, especially those in north Kerala, are in spate prompting authorities to open shutters of dams. Nilambur in Malappuram and hilly areas of Kozhikode, Kannur, Idukki and Palakkad are the worst affected.
The tourist destination of Munnar, Irikkur in Kannur district and the areas bordering the forest at Nilambur in Malappuram have been totally cut off from the rest of the state due to heavy flooding. Huge loss to crops was also reported from Kuttanad in Alappuzha.
A red alert has been sounded in four districts – Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Idukki. Flooding and landslide were reported from northern Kerala and Idukki with widespread losses in the latter.
The state government has called for a high-level meet to assess the situation. The state has decided to seek the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force.
A total of 1385 people have been taken to relief camps so far.
Heavy rains continued to lash Palakkad district of the state on Thursday. A holiday was declared for schools and colleges in the panchayats of Sholayur, Puduar and Agali in Attappadi.
A landslide has been reported in the interior forest of Nilambur in the wee hours of Thursday. Nilambur has been marooned and people are being shifted to safer places.
Myladi, Karimpuzha, Veliyamthodu, Janathappady areas have also been inundated while river Chaliyar is overflowing.
Another landslide has been reported at Mancheery colony near Karulaayi. People from Mancheery, Nedunkandam colonies have been shifted. Traffic to Chaliyar panchayat has been blocked.
Heavy rain blocks traffic in Eastern areas of Kottayam
Overnight rain wrecked damage in the Eastern parts of Kottayam district. With Meenachil, Manimala and Pampa rivers breached its banks, major roads leading to interior areas of High Ranges, including Koruthodu, Kokkayar Angel Valley, Edakadathi and Arayanjilimannu inundated disrupting the traffic along the routes.
Aayanjilimannu near Mukkoottuthara in Erumeli got isolated following a causeway across River Pampa submerged. Around 400 families in the area are reportedly stranded here. Similar is the situation in Angel Valley and Edakadathi areas near here, following Mookkanpetty – Angel Valley and Edakadathi causeways inundated. Traffic to Koruthodu, Kalaketty and Vandapathal near Mundakkayam also disrupted following Mundakkayam Causeway across River Manimala submerged.
Kokkayar Chappath is also underwater. The situation is alarming in Theekkoy, Velathussery, and Chamappara as the water level in Meenachil River has been dangerously increasing.
Meanwhile, low-lying areas in the Western parts of the district are under the threat of inundation following water level is on the rise in Meenachil and Manimala rivers.
Traffic blockages, waterlogged routes: Rain reports from Wayanad district
Wayanad district too received heavy downfall since Wednesday night. Several areas in Mnanathawady and Vythiri have been inundated. Due to landslide, traffic has been blocked in Kuttiyadi Ghat road. Kozhikode-Bangalore route has been waterlogged at Ponkuzhi near Muttanga thereby shutting the district from the neighbouring state. It is learnt that upto 80-meter water swamp has been reportedly formed at Ponkuzhi.
The disaster management authority has been directed to send 10 boats to Kurumathur in Taliparamba, Chengalayi, Sreekandapuram and Mayyil, in order to help the people in the waterlogged areas. A total of nine camps for 443 people from 119 families have been opened in Kannur district. More than 300 people are shifted to the rescue camps in Iritty region. In addition to this, 100 families were evacuated and shifted to relatives’ houses in the district.
The fisheries department has been directed to arrange the necessary boats in the coastal areas, in case of any calamities.