The intensifying northeast monsoon claimed its first life in Kerala’s hill district of Idukki on Sunday (Oct 19, 2025) as intense overnight rain flooded roads and houses, swept away parked vehicles and triggered mudslides. Traffic stopped, power lines and mobile phone networks were also affected.
Heavy rain also wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district adjacent to Idukki, with mudslides affecting traffic on the Ghat Interstate in Kumali district.
As water is being released from the Mullaperiyar Reservoir into the Periyar River since Saturday, villages along the river in Kerala have reported flooding. At 7 pm on Sunday, the water level in the dam was 139.15 ft. The inflow into the dam was around 9,521 cusecs and the outflow was around 8,551 cusecs, officials said.
The Kerala government has warned residents living downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam to be cautious.
Shaji Kurishumood, a resident of Vallakadavu, which adjoins the banks of the Periyar, said that the water leakage from the Mullaperiyar dam has inundated at least five houses in the locality. Residents of Ayyappancovil, Vikas Nagar, Karrupppupalam, Manjumala, Aatooram, Kadashikkadavu and Vandiperiyar also faced floods.
First causality in Idukki
Amid the rain on Sunday, Idukki saw its first casualty when Paraappallil Thomas alias Thankachan (66) perished after his two-wheeler got caught under falling debris on the Kumily-Anavilasom-Kattappana road near Vellaramkunnu.
Idukki’s Kumily panchayat was among the worst affected, with Onnam Mile, Atta Palam, Kumily town, Periyar Colony, Chelimala, Valiyakandan and Anavachal districts reporting floods.
Resident Jaison Thekkady told The Hindu that the rising flood caught many residents by surprise, forcing them to move to higher floors or relatives’ houses on higher ground.
Landslides and mudslides have severely affected Vellaramkunnu, a small village under Kumily panchayat. A major landslide occurred near Swapna Junction in Vellaramkunnu, damaging nearly one acre of cardamom plantation. Streams overflowed and flood water reached many houses in the village.
A major landslide occurred near Swapna junction in Vellaramkunnu under Kumily panchayat in Idukki, damaging nearly one acre of cardamom plantation. | Photo credit: JOMON PAMPAVALLEY
The rain also disrupted traffic on the Gudalloor-Kozhikode road passing through Manimoola in Malappuram district. The heavy spell caused the water level to rise significantly in the Karakodam, Kalakkad and Atithode rivers in the district.
Overnight rains also caused minor flooding in Kochi, hampering the early morning commute, including for two-wheeler riders.
Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan has asked citizens to be careful and not drive at night on hilly routes till October 24. He said the recent period of intense rain appeared to be isolated and not widespread as it was in 2018 and 2019.
The government warned fishermen not to venture into the sea after the IMD predicted rough coastal waters.
Male died in TN
The body of farmer Ramachandran (49), who was washed away on Friday while crossing a flooded embankment on a two-wheeler along with two of his relatives, was found in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district adjacent to Theni on Saturday. Both relatives swam to safety. Following widespread rains in the Western Ghats for the past two days, the water flow in reservoirs and reservoirs in the district has been steadily rising.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department in Theni has declared Suruli Falls off-limits to tourists. Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and his son OP Ravindhranath visited the flood-hit localities in the district.
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Published – 19 October 2025 22:55 IST
