Metbeat News Desk

Severe torrential downpours triggered by a low-pressure formation over the Andaman Sea have caused widespread destruction across Kerala. Heavy rains, sudden river surges, and mudslides have claimed nine lives across three districts. Search and rescue operations are actively underway in Malappuram to locate missing individuals.

Following the weather escalation, a Yellow Alert has been issued for six districts: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has instructed officials to conduct hourly assessments to monitor the evolving situation.

Malappuram: Flash Floods at T.K. Colony Claim 5 Lives

In eastern Malappuram, an unexpected flash flood swept through Kottappuzha at T.K. Colony in Pookkottumpadam on Sunday afternoon around 5:00 PM.

Victims: Paranna Paramban Muhammed Kutty (65) and Mangadan Anas (27), both residents of Tirur, died on Sunday. Three more bodies were recovered on Monday morning, bringing the death toll in Malappuram to five.

Rescue operation at tragedy site Malappuram. Photo: PTI

Missing Individuals: Police identified those reported missing as Raheem (Karuvarakundu), an associate who was with the deceased Anas, Sajjad (Koottakkunn Kuppanath, Wandoor), Rafeeq (Chettiyarammath Karuppath), and Sajitha (a local resident from T.K. Colony who went to the riverbank to wash clothes).
Instagram Tourist Hub Risks: T.K. Colony has gained widespread popularity on Instagram for its picturesque natural beauty. Authorities noted that tourists arriving from other regions are often unaware of the forest terrain dynamics and frequently ignore safety warnings issued by local residents.
Mass Rescue Efforts: Hundreds of weekend tourists and locals were gathered along river stretches from Valarvattam Canal to T.K. Colony, Kettungal Anakundu, Balavadi Padi, and Koyipra foothills. Local residents acted swiftly to rescue 30 individuals trapped in the middle of rising river waters.
Search Operations: Operations were temporarily suspended at 9:00 PM on Sunday due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. Joint search efforts resumed on Monday morning led by Nilambur DySP Rafeeq, Kalikavu-Pookkottumpadam Police Inspectors V. Manoj Kumar and Abdul Kareem, Forest Deputy Ranger Divakaran (Chakkikkodi), and the Nilambur Fire Force. Recovered bodies have been moved to Nilambur District Hospital.

Landslides Claim 4 Lives in Idukki and Kottayam

Heavy rain and hill slope instability triggered fatal mudslides:

Idukki (Vattavada): Mud and rocks collapsed onto a farm shed at Kottakamboor during heavy rainfall on Sunday afternoon. Balakrishnan (47) and Chinnu (38) were trapped beneath the debris and succumbed to injuries before rescue teams could save them. Balakrishnan’s wife, Mariyamma, sustained serious injuries. The deceased leave behind grieving families; bodies were shifted to Adimali Taluk Hospital.
Kottayam (Teekoy & Poonjar): Sangeetha Arun Lal (35), a tourist from Jawahar Nagar, Chennai, died near Velathussery on the Erattupetta–Vagamon route when a mudslide fell onto her rented scooter as she returned from Vagamon. Her female companion escaped with injuries. In Peringulam (Poonjar Thekkekkara), 80-year-old Joseph died when soil collapsed directly onto his residence at around 7:30 PM. His sons, Jimmy and Dennis, were hospitalized with injuries.

Metbeat Weather Forecast: Showers to Continue

According to Metbeat Weather, the intensification of rainfall across Kerala is driven by the low-pressure system over the Andaman Sea, which continues to pull moisture over the region.

District Outlook: Satellite observations indicate heavy rain . See live satellite picture click here