Six people lost their lives after a landslide and flash flood struck Kottakamboor in Kerala’s Idukki district, as intense rainfall battered the region.

The tragedy unfolded amid a spell of extremely heavy rain that has lashed several parts of the state, swelling streams and loosening hillsides in the vulnerable high-range terrain.

What happened in Kottakamboor

The landslide, followed by a flash flood, hit the area with devastating speed, leaving residents little time to react. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and worked through difficult conditions to reach those trapped.

Idukki’s hilly landscape, dotted with settlements along slopes and riverbanks, is among the most landslide-prone regions in Kerala. Heavy, sustained downpours saturate the soil quickly, and even a single intense spell can trigger disaster.

District authorities have stepped up relief operations, with emergency teams on standby and control rooms monitoring the situation round the clock.

IMD warning for seven districts

The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning for increased rainfall across seven districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, with heavy rainfall anticipated over the coming days.

Officials have urged residents in low-lying and hilly areas to stay alert, avoid travel through vulnerable stretches, and follow advisories issued by disaster management authorities. Fisherfolk have also been cautioned against venturing into rough seas.

Kerala’s tryst with extreme rainfall events has grown more frequent in recent years, putting the state’s monsoon preparedness to a stern test every season. Authorities say early warnings, quick evacuations and community-level vigilance remain the best defence against the fury of the rains.

Relief efforts and advisories

Revenue and disaster management officials have set up control rooms to coordinate rescue and relief work, with teams drawn from the fire and rescue services, police and local volunteers. Temporary shelters have been readied for families forced to leave homes in vulnerable pockets.

Officials have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly terrain, stay away from swollen streams and report any signs of soil movement, such as cracks in walls or tilting trees, to local authorities immediately.