Landslides and floods caused by incessant rain devastated the eastern hilly part of Malappuram district on Thursday, claiming six lives of an Adivasi family at Chettiyanpara near Erumamunda.
Five bodies were recovered in the morning. They were identified as Parambadan Kunhi, 56, Geeta, 29, Navaneet, 8, Nived, 3, and Mithun, 16. They were caught in the floodwaters when trying to escape from a landslide that took place near Adyanpara waterfalls. Their bodies have been kept at Mar Thoma Hospital, Chungathara. A search is on to find Kunhi’s son Subramanian, 30.
The Chaliyar and its tributaries have taken the brunt of the dozen-odd landslides that took place in the hilly forests of Nilambur on Wednesday night. The result was unexpected flooding of the streams, canals and rivers in the north-eastern part of the district.
Several small bridges across the canals have collapsed in the flooding. Roads at Nilambur and neighbouring areas have been inundated, disrupting vehicular access.
The water in the Chaliyar rose by over 10 feet, submerging its banks in Nilambur and Eranad taluks. Dozens of families have been evacuated.
District Collector Amit Meena declared holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis, in Nilambur and Kondotty taluks and the panchayats of Edavanna, Keezhuparamba, Urangattiri, Areekode and Pandikkadu.
