Published Sep 20, 2026 | 7:18 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 20, 2026 | 7:18 PM
The shed was hit by a mudslide, burying the three under soil and other debris.
Two members of a family were killed while another was injured in a sudden mudslip caused by heavy rains in Idukki district’s Vattavada on Sunday, September 20.
The deceased have been identified as Balakrishnan and his sister Meenakshi. Balakrishnan’s wife Mariyamma sustained injuries in the incident and has been shifted to the government hospital in Devikulam, Munnar for treatment.
According to reports, the incident happened around 3 pm in the evening on Sunday at Kottakkamboor in Vattavada.
Balakrishnan, Meenakshi and Mariyamma had taken shelter in a temporary shed at an agricultural site where they were working amid continuous rain. The shed was hit by a mudslide, burying the three under soil and other debris.
Locals, who reached the site after the incident, pulled them out of the debris.
Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatta has confirmed the deaths.
Meanwhile, heavy rains continue to batter the eastern parts of Kottayam and Idukki districts, causing significant damage. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for both districts, warning of heavy rain in the next three hours.
Continuous rains disrupted traffic along the Kochi-Dhanushkodi NH, with roadblocks and isolated flooding reported.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Meenachil River is also rising amid continuous rainfall, according to residents of Theekkoy.
The IMD had earlier issued a warning of heavy rain in isolated places in seven districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Wayanad and Kannur.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain and winds of up to 40 kmph at isolated places in several districts. Light rain is likely in other areas.
No yellow alert has been issued for September 21-23 in the latest forecast. However, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod are under a yellow alert for September 24.
The IMD defines heavy rainfall as rainfall measuring 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
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