Six dead after heavy rain lashes parts of Kerala, landslides triggered

Heavy rains have battered parts of Kerala, India, leading to at least six deaths and triggering landslides and widespread flooding. The deluge inundated low-lying areas, caused rivers and dams to swell, and prompted extensive rescue operations.

Four of the fatalities were attributed to separate landslides in the Idukki and Kottayam districts. In Kottayam, one of the deceased was identified as Josephine. Searches are underway for six individuals reported missing. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Services, police, the Coast Guard, and local administration are participating in these efforts.

Tragically, three children also drowned in separate incidents. A three-year-old boy drowned in the Kandamangalam river in Malappuram, while another four-year-old was swept away by a stream in Neerad. In Kottayam, an 11-year-old died after falling into a rainwater-filled pit at his home.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed ministers in charge of affected districts to remain on site to coordinate rescue and relief operations. The government is assessing the damage, with 17 houses reported destroyed and another 127 partially damaged. Meanwhile, in Assam, heavy floods continue to affect over 192,000 people, with the death toll rising to 82.