At least six people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala on Saturday as the southwest monsoon gained strength, inundating roads, uprooting trees, damaging houses, and disrupting normal life across almost all districts.
Rainfall and Alerts
Padannakkad in Kasaragod recorded the highest rainfall of 13 cm until 5:30 pm. Seven districts from Thrissur to Kasaragod will be on orange alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall) on Sunday, while all other districts will be on yellow alert.
Incidents Reported
A tree fell on a temporary shed at Manalur in Thrissur, killing a 29-year-old man who was sleeping under it, according to a fire and rescue services official.
In Kozhikode, a 36-year-old woman and her seven-year-old son drowned in the Kuttiady River. The deceased were identified as Remya (36), a pharmacist from Kaitherimukku near Kuttiady, and her son Sivanand. Remya had gone to the river to wash clothes and reportedly entered the water to rescue her son, who slipped and fell in. Both were swept away by the strong current. Residents rescued Remya and rushed her to a hospital, but she could not be saved. Fire force deployed scuba teams to recover Sivanand's body as high water levels hindered rescue efforts.
Two siblings died and another boy sustained serious injuries after a retaining wall of a house collapsed at Sanchakkadavu near Adhur in Kasaragod. The deceased were Musammil (14) and his brother Munsir (9), sons of Abubacker and Saudha. Their neighbor Wahash (14) was admitted to a private hospital in Kasaragod. Police said the children had set up a small snack stall near a bus stop close to the wall. As Saturday was a holiday, they were at the shop. The wall, built using laterite stone, collapsed around 5 pm, trapping the children under debris. Residents rescued them and rushed them to a private hospital at Cherkala, but their lives could not be saved. Adhur police registered a case.
A 21-year-old man drowned in a pond at Pattimattom in Ernakulam around 5 pm. The deceased was Nabeel of Mayyanad, Kollam. He went to the pond with friends for a swim. His body was recovered about an hour later.
Members of a family at Atholi in Kozhikode had a narrow escape when a well adjacent to a house caved in, causing damage to the house.
Precautionary Measures
District collector D R Meghashree ordered the suspension of operations at all quarries in Wayanad and machine-assisted earth removal until further orders. Functioning of tourist facilities in vulnerable, disaster-prone areas has also been halted until further notice.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for districts from Malappuram to Kasaragod on Monday. No alert was issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
Rainfall Statistics
Kerala recorded 44% excess rainfall in the first six days of June until 8:30 am on Saturday, receiving 12 cm against the normal 9.8 cm. Kollam recorded a 44% deficiency, while all other districts recorded normal to large excess rainfall during the period.
IMD said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in parts of Kerala and Mahe from June 6 to 9. Additionally, widespread rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph is likely in Kerala until June 10.
Fishermen Warning
IMD cautioned fishermen to avoid fishing along the Kerala-Lakshadweep-Karnataka coasts until June 9 as strong winds of speeds reaching 40-60 kmph are likely along that region.
Central Water Commission Alert
The Central Water Commission issued a yellow alert for residents on the banks of the Manimala River after water levels rose on Saturday. Residents have been asked to remain cautious, avoid entering or attempting to cross the river, and stay prepared to relocate from flood-prone areas if instructed by authorities.
