Flash flood in Kerala's Nilambur kills two and leaves several missing

A sudden flash flood at the Kottappuzha River in Pookkottumpadam, near Nilambur in the Malappuram district, has resulted in at least two deaths and left several people missing. The incident occurred around 5:00 pm on Sunday at a popular sightseeing spot near TK Colony.

Eyewitnesses described a “wall of water” sweeping down the river without warning. While there was no immediate rain in the area, heavy rainfall in nearby forest regions caused the river to swell rapidly. The surge caught a group of visitors off guard; while some managed to scramble to safety due to warnings from forest officials and residents, others were swept away.

Search and rescue operations involving the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, police, and local divers are ongoing. Authorities have recovered two bodies downstream, though there is some uncertainty regarding whether the recovered remains belong to the specific group of youths swept away. Several individuals remain missing, including several identified residents from the Wandoor and Kottakkal areas.