Five people, including three children, died in the flash floods and landslide at Kattipara, Thamarassery in Kozhikode. Heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in several places in rural Kozhikode. A red alert has been issued in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod and Palakkad.
Five areas in Kozhikode and Malappuram witnessed major landslides. The places affected in rural Kozhikode included Kakkayam, Pulluramppara, Kattippara, Karinchola and Chamal.
Four houses were swept away in Thamarassery, and it is feared that people are still trapped in the slush. However, rescue operations have been hampered due to heavy rains. Houses were also swept away in Kattipara.
Eleven people are reported to be missing.
Owing to the heavy rains, the Makkoottam Churam road in Kannur has been shut till July 12, as the road was swept away in the flood.
Roads have also been blocked in some parts of Kozhikode and Wayanad due to the landslide. The disaster management cells of Kozhikode and Wayanad have asked quarries to stop operations.
Ministers E Chandrasekharan, TP Ramakrishnan and AK Saseendran are monitoring the situation at Kozhikode District Collectorate. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been called in for rescue and relief work in hilly areas.
In Thamarassery, authorities have reportedly asked people living downstream of the Kakkayam reservoir in Kozhikode and Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram to remain alert as the shutters of the dams may be opened any time to release the excess water, according to PTI.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on his Facebook page that a 48-member team of the NDRF will be immediately dispatched to Kozhikode and that another team of the NDRF will be stationed in the state to face any other rain-related emergencies.
"The transport and commerce ministers under the leadership of the Revenue minister are observing the situation in Kozhikode," the CM wrote.
Schools have been shut in many districts of northern Kerala.
24-hour helplines:
Kozhikode collectorate - 0495 2371002
Thamarassery taluk - 04952223088
Kozhikode taluk - 0495 2372966
Loyilandy taluk - 0496 2620235
Vadakara taluk - 0496 2522361, 0495 2371002
District Emergency operations number- 1077