Rain: Lightning kills two in Thrissur, landslides in Idukki

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/THRISSUR/KOTTAYAM/KOZHIKODE: Continuous rainfall wreaked havoc in the high-range areas of Kottayam and Idukki districts, resulting in widespread destruction. In Thrissur district, lightning claimed two lives even as low-lying areas faced severe waterlogging and traffic congestion due to intense rains.
The rains led to flooding in Thrissur, disrupting traffic and inundating public institutions and residential areas.Inefficient pre-monsoon cleaning exacerbated the situation.
Mudslides near railway tracks halted rail traffic, detaining four trains. Heavy rains affected hospitals, with water entering Ashwini Hospital for the second time.
Unity Hospital and Malankara Hospital were also inundated. Emergency personnel rescued a stranded couple from a flooded road in Mundupalam and relocated residents whose homes were inundated.
City areas, including Chembukkavu, Ashwini Hospital Kokkala, Sakthan Thampuran Market, Railway Station, Punkunnam Hari Nagar, and Poothole, were severely waterlogged. Reports of flooding came from Chalakudy, Irinjalakuda, and Kodungallur. Kunnamkulam experienced unprecedented rainfall of 105 mm in just three hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued updated weather warnings, placing Thrissur, along with Malappuram and Kozhikode in the north, under a red alert on Saturday. Idukki, Palakkad, and Wayanad were issued an orange alert, while six other districts received a yellow alert.
Reports of landslides and uprooted trees came from the Poochapra and Kolappra areas of Idukki on Friday night. Although some houses and vehicles suffered damage, no casualties were reported. Crops were destroyed, and roads were blocked by large granite boulders falling from the hills.
Residents described the horror of witnessing the landslide, with massive stones and debris rushing down the slopes. One family narrowly escaped as rocks fell onto their house, prompting their relocation to a safer location.
Due to the threat of mudslides, traffic restrictions were imposed along the Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala state highway. Additionally, authorities advised caution to those residing along the banks of Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers following the opening of five shutters of the Malankara Dam in Idukki.
While Kochi experienced moderate rainfall, the Aluva region of Ernakulam district witnessed intense rains since Friday night.
As many as 30 relief camps have been set up across Kottayam district, accommodating a total of 537 individuals from 174 families. There are 27 camps in Kottayam taluk, and one each in Vaikom, Changanassery, and Kanjirappally taluks.
In Pathanamthitta, four relief camps have been set up providing shelter to 168 people from 45 families.
In Alappuzha, 59 relief camps have been established, providing shelter to approximately 6,768 individuals from 1,682 families. This includes 2,657 men, 3,052 women, and 1,059 children. The camps are distributed across various taluks: 28 in Ambalappuzha, 11 in Mavelikkara, eight in Karthikappally, four in Cherthala, five in Kuttanad, and three in Chengannur.
In Kozhikode, a minor mudslide occurred in Kariyathanpara, Koorachundu, on Friday night. A chicken farm run by a local was destroyed, along with crop loss. Nearly 200 arecanut palms were destroyed.