Malappuram: Five members of a family were killed when their house was washed away in a landslide in a hilly area near the Adyanpara waterfalls in Nilambur on Wednesday night. One of the family members was missing.
The deceased were identified as Kunhi, 50, her daughter-in-law Geetha, 28, Geetha’s sons Navaneeth, 8, and Nivedh, 4, and Kunhi’s relative Midhun, 17. The search for Kunhi’s son Subrahmanyan, 35 , who went missing, was continuing.
The incident came to light only on Thursday morning. According to revenue officials, the accident occurred at Chettiyampara near Erumamunda near Nilambur. There was incessant rain in the hilly region throughout Wednesday night. The local people recovered five bodies in the morning. The rescue operation was delayed as fire and rescue service personnel could not reach the spot.
Many houses in the nearby Mathilmoola colony were also washed away in flood. No one was injured as the residents were evacuated in advance. Minor landslides were reported at Kalkund and Cheriyil near Karuvarakkund region.
The worst-affected areas are Nilambur, Edavanna, Areekode, Cheekode, Vazhakkad, Vazhayoor in Kondotty, Nilambur and Eranad taluks of the district. Several families were evacuated and moved to safe places.
Major rivers, including Chaliyar and its tributaries, have been overflowing and the low-laying areas have been submerged in the river water. A road connecting Nilambur with Wandoor was washed away at Nayattukallu near Wandoor. The middle part of a walking bridge across Chaliyar river near Areekode collapsed due to the strong water flow.
