Nilambur Flash Flood Claims Five Lives, Rescue Teams Search for Missing Woman

The death toll in the flash flood that swept through the Kottapuzha River in Kerala's Malappuram district rose to five on Monday, with three more bodies recovered after search operations resumed for people swept away by the sudden surge of water.

The incident occurred around 5 pm on Sunday near the TK Colony eco-tourism centre in Nilambur, after heavy rainfall in forested areas upstream caused the river to swell rapidly. At least six people were swept away, officials said.

Two bodies were recovered on Sunday night, while three more were found on Monday morning as rescue teams intensified the operation after the river water receded.

The deceased have been identified as Parannaparamban Muhammed Kutty, 69, of Tirur; Mangadan Anas, 32, of Edarikode; Rahim of Karuvarakundu; Kuppanath Sajjadh of Vandoor; and Chettiyarmmal Kuruppath Rafiq. Officials said all five were tourists.

The search is continuing for Sajitha, 26, a local resident who was washing clothes on the riverbank when she was swept away by the strong current.

A joint team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services personnel and local residents resumed the search around 6.30 am on Monday. The operation had been suspended late Sunday night because of strong currents and poor visibility.

Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar, who is camping at the site, said the receding water level had helped rescuers intensify the search and expressed hope that the remaining missing person would be traced soon.

The flash flood struck despite no significant rain being reported at the spot itself, with officials attributing the sudden rise in water to heavy rainfall in the upstream forest areas. The river had drawn a large number of visitors as Sunday was a holiday.

The latest incident comes amid heavy rain across Kerala, with the IMD issuing an orange alert for six districts on Monday.