Keralam rains: Rivers swell in Kottayam as heavy rain lashes high mountain ranges

View of Meenachil River (File) | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP

Heavy rain that lashed the Kottayam hills, Keralam, on Sunday night caused water levels in major rivers across the region to rise sharply, renewing flood fears in the district.

The district recorded an estimated 471.2 mm of rainfall till Monday morning. Erattupetta received 178 mm of rainfall while Theekoy recorded 185 mm.

The Meenachil river rose almost two feet overnight, while the Muvattupuzha and Manimala rivers also continued to swell amid continuous rain. Officials warned of possible flash flooding in high areas.

A house was partially damaged and another completely destroyed in a landslide near Mangalagiri in Theekoy on Sunday evening. Two people, including a tourist from Tamil Nadu, were also killed in separate rain-related incidents.

A landslide at Karikad Top on the Erattupetta-Vagamon road swept away two cars on Sunday night. No casualties were reported, but traffic was disrupted.

Traffic on the Pala-Erattupetta road was also disrupted overnight after water from the Meenachil river gushed onto the road. Traffic was restored by Monday morning after the water receded.

Published – 21 Sep 2026 11:45 IST