The death toll in the flash flood that hit the Chokkad River in Kerala’s Pookkottumpadam has risen to three, with the bodies of a woman and two men who went missing in the incident recovered, officials said on Sunday.
The flash flood hit Kottappuzha at TK Colony in Pookkottumpadam around 5pm on Sunday. The latest body, that of a man, was recovered near Antonikkad. Search operations are continuing following reports that more people may still be missing. Police, Fire and Rescue Services personnel, volunteers and residents are jointly carrying out rescue operations for those stranded in the river. Search teams are also looking for people who may have been swept away in the flash flood. A large number of tourists were present at various locations along the river, from Olarvattom Canal to TK Colony, which are popular tourist spots. As it was a holiday, hundreds of people had gathered at Kettungal, Aanakkundu, Balawadippadi and other areas along the Koyipra foothills. However, several people remained stranded at different locations for a long time as they were unable to reach safety. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a rainfall alert, with seven districts, including Thiruvananthapuram and Idukki, under a yellow alert for Sunday. An orange alert was also issued for Idukki and Kottayam districts. (With ANI inputs)
After the water level rose suddenly, around 27 people stranded in the middle of the river were rescued by local residents and members of the Muhammad Suhail Treatment Aid Committee. Isolated heavy rainfall of up to 115.5 mm was expected over a 24-hour period.
Around seven people, including tourists and a local woman, were feared to have been swept away, according to preliminary information.
Earlier, the bodies of a woman and another man had been recovered.
Four people from Chokkad were reportedly stranded on rocks and trees near the Anganwadi, while rescue personnel and local residents continued efforts to bring them to safety. Earlier, the body of a man aged around 50 was recovered from the river at Muttikkund in Pottikkallu and shifted to the District Hospital.
