Thiruvananthapuram: A 50-year-old woman had a narrow escape after a massive boulder crashed into her house and pinned her beneath the debris during a rain-triggered landslide at Palukal near Parassala in the early hours of Friday.
Rescue Operation Lasts Over an Hour
The woman, identified as Rajakumari, sustained serious injuries to both legs. Fire and rescue services personnel, aided by local residents and an excavator, removed the boulder and pulled her from the rubble. She was later shifted to a private hospital in Karakonam.
Incident Occurs Around 5am
According to residents, Rajakumari had woken up at 4.30am to milk her cow and later went to the washroom attached to her house. Moments later, a huge boulder, believed to have been dislodged from a nearby hill following three days of heavy rain, came crashing onto the house.
The rock smashed through the washroom and adjoining portions of the building, trapping Rajakumari underneath. Hearing her screams, family members and neighbours rushed to the spot and attempted to rescue her. However, they were unable to move the boulder because of its enormous size and weight.
A fire and rescue services team soon arrived and launched a rescue operation. Using an excavator, rescuers managed to remove the boulder and pull the injured woman from the debris. She was administered first aid before being shifted to the hospital.
House Severely Damaged
Residents said the washroom section and several other portions of the house were completely destroyed in the incident. The house is located in a hilly area that has been receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days.
