Thiruvananthapuram: Flash floods and landslides due to heavy rains have claimed the lives of nine persons and left several people missing in Keralam over the past 24 hours as heavy rains continue to pound the State.

Nine deaths were reported from Malappuram, Kottayam and Idukki districts. Rescue operations have intensified in Malappuram, where several people went missing after flash floods and landslides.

Five people were swept away in flash flood at TK Colony in Amarambalam, Nilambur on Sunday. Rescue workers recovered the body of one victim from the Pottikkallu Muttikkundu area and another from the Antonykkad Ayanikkundu region. Both bodies bore severe injuries sustained from crashing against rocks. The search operations led by the Fire and Emergency Services personnel which were temporarily halted yesterday night, resumed this morning.

Two members of a group from Chekkad managed to swim to safety while four others got stranded in the river to be rescued by the locals later.

Acting on the Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s instructions, State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneshwari convened an emergency meeting and thoroughly assessed the situation with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam.

Residents living in coastal areas have been warned to remain vigilant due to rising water levels. Control rooms have been opened in all districts and special monitoring systems have been implemented at the taluk level.

Coordinated relief efforts involving the Police, Fire & Rescue Services and Revenue Departments are currently underway. Local self-Government Bodies have been directed to set up relief camps in anticipation of water-logging in low-lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued an orange alert for Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts, with a warning of strong winds reaching speeds up to 40 kilometres per hour. Authorities have urged people to maintain extreme caution as rainfall continues to intensify, particularly in the hilly regions.