AMN

In Kerala, five members of a rubber tapper’s family were killed when a landslide struck at Kudayathoor near Thodupuzha in Idukki district following extremely heavy rain early this morning. A five year old boy and two women were among those killed in the mishap. Their house disappeared without a trace, as huge rocks and earth from the landslide fell on it. The mortal remains of the deceased were recovered from the debris and have been shifted to the District Hospital at Thodupuzha.

The Idukki District Collector said four families have been shifted to a relief camp nearby. State Revenue Minister K Rajan visited the spot. Besides Idukki, extremely heavy rains were reported in the districts of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam, where many low lying areas were inundated. In Pathanamthitta, water entered several shops damaging huge quantities of stocks stored for the Onam festival. Water entered many homes at some places in Nedumkunnam in Kottayam where heavy rains were reported since last evening.