Kerala Battles Torrential Rain: Landslides Cause Severe Disruptions

A landslide has struck Kozhikode's Vilangad area, causing one person to go missing and multiple displacements. The NDRF is actively engaged in rescue operations, while heavy rainfall continues to trigger further landslides and flooding across various districts in Kerala, prompting multiple weather alerts.

In Kozhikode, Kerala, one person has been reported missing due to a landslide in Vilangad area on Tuesday morning. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting search and rescue operations in the region as Wayanad district grapples with landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.

The landslide has destroyed the Malayangad bridge and partially damaged four houses along the riverbank, isolating 15 families. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Residents along the riverbanks have been relocated to safer areas.

In another incident, a landslide on the Kaithapoyil-Anorammal-Valliyad road buried around 80 meters of the road, leading to the evacuation of seven families. Landslides in Pashukadav area of Kuttikkad Maruthonkara village in Kozhikode district have also caused widespread disruption. Floodwaters have inundated streets, homes, and shops.

Rising water levels in the Kadantara river have prompted evacuations in Preakkandod, Mukkam, and Peetikappara regions. Two shutters of the Kakkayam Dam were raised by four feet due to increasing water levels.

Residents along the Kuttayyadi river have been advised to exercise caution as heavy rainfall has raised water levels in the Poonur, Mahe, Kuttayyadi, Chaliyar, and Cherupuzha rivers to dangerous levels. Vigilance is urged in these areas.

Severe rainfall has led to restrictions on visitor access to tourist spots and halted quarry operations in the district. Currently, 854 people from 196 families are residing in 41 relief camps across Kozhikode district, while others have sought refuge with relatives.

In total, 24 relief camps in Kozhikode Taluk are sheltering 298 people. Additional camps have been set up in Vadakara Taluk (21 people), Koilandy Taluk (161 people), and Thamarassery Taluk (374 people).

Speaking on the search and rescue operations, NDRF Deputy Commandant S Shankar Pandian stated, 'Our teams are located at various locations in Wayanad. In Kozhikode, where a landslide is suspected, an NDRF team has been deployed. Three NDRF teams are in Wayanad, and we are facing challenges reaching interior parts.'

Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu reported that over 80 bodies have been recovered in the landslide-affected regions of Wayanad. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in eight districts and an orange alert for four other districts.