PATHANAMTHITTA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Relentless monsoon rains and near-cloudburst events have unleashed widespread flash floods and landslides across Kerala, claiming at least 15 lives while seven people remain missing. More than 5,700 residents have been shifted to over 200 relief camps as the Pamba, Manimala and Meenachil rivers continue to flow above danger levels.
Pathanamthitta district has emerged as the worst-hit region, with Vadasserikkara recording an intense 339 mm of rainfall. Ranni and Ittiyappara witnessed severe flooding, with commercial areas submerged under up to 2.5 feet of water, leaving businesses devastated and destroying large quantities of merchandise. In Mallappally, floodwaters inundated the central bus terminal and market streets, disrupting transport and daily life.
Heavy rainfall also triggered flash floods along the Kakkattar river and caused soil slips on high-range routes towards Gavi, forcing authorities to suspend travel on forest and hill roads. Riverside settlements in Kozhencherry, Aranmula and Upper Kuttanad were evacuated as overflowing rivers rapidly inundated low-lying areas.
The floods have dealt a major economic blow ahead of Kerala’s Onam festival. Retail establishments in Ranni, Mallappally and Kozhencherry reportedly suffered losses running into hundreds of crores after festive stocks of textiles, electronics and groceries were submerged. Agriculture has also been hit hard, with thousands of acres of banana and paddy crops in Upper Kuttanad remaining underwater, threatening the pre-Onam harvest.
Statewide, more than 27 houses have been completely destroyed and nearly 200 partially damaged, forcing thousands of families into relief shelters. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, along with local volunteers, are continuing rescue operations using motorboats while distributing emergency supplies to marooned residents.
Reported by Melvin Mathew, State Bureau Chief (Kerala), Page 3 News Network.
