Image credit : mathrubhumi.com

KOCHI: Six persons died in a landslide triggered by heavy rains on Thursday in Katipara village in Thamaraserry in Kozhikode.

The dead have been identified as Dilna, Jasim, Shahbas, Abdul Rahim, Hassan and Hannath. Rescue operations are underway to trace 10 persons who are missing.

Three children, who were rescued from the landslide spot, were rushed to the hospital, where they died. Red alert has been sounded in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod and Palakkad and orange alert in Idukki, Kottayam, and Alappuzha.

The Bharathapuzha, one of the major rivers in the State, is in full spate, so are the Bhavani and Siruvani rivers. The rains have caused major damage to crops.

While gates of smaller dams including Peringalkoothu, Karapuzha have been opened, that of Neyyar dam in Thiruvananthapuram is expected to be opened soon. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rains for the next 48 hours.

The Chief Minister has directed the official machinery to stay on high alert and reach out to the affected people. Traffic movement through Wayanad passage was disrupted due to inundation and land slips. The road is mainly used by those going towards Karnataka.

Several educational institutions declared holiday on Friday too, while most of the schools remained closed in Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Wayanad on Thursday. Meanwhile, the pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala shrine, which opened on Thursday for monthly rituals, struggled as Pamba river is in spate.