In a tragic incident, two persons died and two went missing after a five-member group was swept away by a flash flood in the Kottapuzha River in Nilambur, Kerala, on Sunday. The incident occurred near TK Colony in Pookkottumpadam around 5 pm amid heavy rains in several parts of the state.
According to police, the group from Vandoor had entered the river for a bath when the water level suddenly rose following a flash flood, sweeping all five away.
According to news agency PTI, a local resident managed to rescue one of the youths, following which Fire and Rescue Service personnel launched a search operation. After nearly an hour of searching, the body of one youth was recovered from the Muttikkund area.
Another body was later recovered from Ayanikkund, downstream, during the night. Search operations for the two missing persons continued with the help of local residents despite poor visibility due to darkness. The recovered bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan directed officials to assess the situation on an hourly basis. Following his directive, Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari IAS convened a meeting with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam to review the situation.
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Vigneswari also directed officials to deploy a special team of the Disaster Management Force in the area. The District Collectors were instructed to assess the situation and take necessary measures, including evacuation wherever required.
Multiple People Missing Across Several Districts
A massive landslide and flash floods wreaked havoc in Kottakambur, Vattavada in Kerala’s Idukki district, on Sunday. At least six people were killed, while several others, including tourists, were feared missing after being swept away by the floodwaters.
According to Jagran.com, four people from Chokkad were stranded on rocks and trees near an Anganwadi. A search operation is underway, as more people are feared missing following the flash floods. Rescue workers and local residents are working together to search for those still unaccounted for.
After the water level suddenly rose, around 27 people who were stranded in the middle of the river were rescued by local residents and members of the Muhammad Suhail Treatment Assistance Committee. However, many others remained stranded at various locations for extended periods as they were unable to reach safety
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said thunderstorms were likely at isolated places in Kerala from September 20 to 21. A yellow alert was issued for five districts in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Wayanad and Kannur.
SMS alerts regarding the weather conditions were also issued in Idukki and Kottayam districts.