Sudden Flash Floods and Landslides Claim Five Lives in Kerala's Malappuram District

Sudden torrential rain in forested upstream areas triggered severe flash floods in the Kottappuzha River near Nilambur in Kerala's Malappuram district, claiming at least five lives and leaving one person missing. The tragedy occurred at the TK Colony eco-tourism spot in Pookkottumpadam when a rapid surge of water caught visitors and local residents off guard along the riverbank. Although weather at the spot remained clear initially, water levels and river currents swelled dramatically within minutes due to heavy rain in the hills. Joint search operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, and local volunteers recovered five bodies from downstream stretches. Severe rain-triggered landslides and mudslides were also reported in neighboring Idukki and Kottayam districts, damaging infrastructure and blocking road traffic. Kerala government authorities issued warnings for vulnerable regions and ordered hourly disaster monitoring as teams continued searching for the missing individual.