Heavy rain and storm lashing the border region of the district near Iritty caused landslides inflicting widespread damages to houses and crops on Monday.
About 30 houses were collapsed and a bridge was swept away following the landside.
The shutters of the Pazhassi dam were opened to let off the flood waters as a precautionary measure. The authorities have asked people living on the river banks and near water-filled canals to be vigilant. The Vazhayil bridge in Ayyankunnu panchayat was swept away in the rains.
A car and scooter also were swept away along with the bridge in the tide of flood waters, according to the local people.
The fate of the occupants of the car is yet to be ascertained. A search operation has been launched by the Fire and Rescue Services personnel with the support of the local people in the Iritty river based on the assumption that there might be someone trapped inside the car that was swept away by the flow of water. Some of those who were swept away by the strong currents of water were rescued by the local people.
The rising water-levels in Koottupuzha and the nearby streams and rivulets spread panic among the people on Monday.
Police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel posted in the area have been keeping continued vigil even as intermittent rains posed the threat of further incidents of landslides.
