After landslides, a flood-like situation in Wayanad as heavy rains pound the district

Heavy rainfall in Kerala's Wayand on Monday triggered a flood-like situation, months after the district was affected by massive landslides which claimed more than 200 lives.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday had issued yellow alerts for six districts in Kerala for October 7 as the state continues to receive moderate rainfall. The Met department sounded alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad.

Further, the weather office also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall, ranging from 5-15 mm per hour, and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40 km/h in parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kottayam districts.


As per Sunday's readings, 21 mm rainfall was recorded in Karapuzha (Wayanad district).

The IMD had issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in three districts of Kerala: Idukki, Malappuram, and Wayanad on Sunday. The alert indicates that rainfall could range from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within a 24-hour period.

The IMD's latest update predicts isolated heavy downpours in these districts. In light of the anticipated heavy rains, the district administration in Wayanad had advised residents living in mudslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

The deadly Wayanad landslides

A series of landslides in Wayanad were triggered in July by torrential rainfall that killed hundreds of people in the state.

The landslides had occured in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district.

Malayalam television channels aired the visuals captured on the CCTVs in some shops in Chooralmala, one of the hamlets completely destroyed in the disaster, PTI reported.

In one of the visuals, it can be seen that flood water gushing into the shop, breaking down the walls along with huge boulders. In another visual, it can be seen some animals being washed away and landing in the shop.