A landslide in the Kuthiran area of the Thrissur district in Kerala has lead to the death of a person. The police have identified the man to be Ajit Kumar, a 40-year-old native of Vembayam in Thiruvananthapuram.
Speaking to TNM, an official at the Peechi police station in Thrissur said that the landslide occurred around 5 am on Thursday morning. “When we reached the area around 6 am, we found a car that was trapped under the landslide with a man inside. By the time we reached, he had died,” said the official.
The landslide has disrupted traffic in the area as well on Thursday. “The block which started in the morning is still continuing and extends to upto 15 kilometres,” the official told TNM.
A lot of vehicles including goods lorries and trucks from other states are trapped inside the block.
“Operations to clear the road are be done by a JCB. A sub inspector and other officials are overseeing the operations,” said the official at the Peechi police station.
There is no respite for the people of Kerala from the incessant rains, and lakhs of people are in relief camps across all districts in the state. Rescue operations are being conducted by the NDRF, army, navy and the coast guard on a war footing.
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday told the press that the death toll over the last one week has risen to 67, with 25 people reported dead on Wednesday alone.
"The situation is grave, the rain is expected to continue. I spoke to the Prime Minister and President. I also asked the Prime Minister to speak to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister about bringing down the water level in Mullaperiyar dam,” the CM said.
A red alert has been issued in all the 14 districts of the state.