The death toll from a flash flood in Nilambur, Malappuram district, rose to five on Monday after three more bodies were recovered from the Kottappuzha River, officials said.
Six people were swept away by the strong currents at TK Nagar on Sunday evening following heavy rain in the forested areas upstream.
Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar, who is camping at the site, said two bodies were recovered on Sunday night, while three more were found after search operations resumed on Monday morning.
“The water level in the river has receded, which has helped in carrying out the search in full swing, and we expect to trace all the missing persons soon,” he told reporters.
The deceased were identified as Parannaparamban Muhammed Kutty, 69, a native of Tirur, and Mangadan Anas, 32, of Edarikode. The other three victims were identified as Rahim of Karuvarakundu, Kuppanath Sajjadh of Vandoor and Kottakkunnu, and Chettiyarmmal Kuruppath Rafiq, officials said. All five were tourists.
Search operations are continuing for Sajitha, 26, a local resident who was washing clothes on the riverbank when she was swept away by the current.
A joint team comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services and local residents resumed the search at around 6.30am on Monday.
The operation had been suspended on Sunday night because of strong currents and poor visibility.
The incident occurred at around 5.30pm on Sunday at Kottappuzha, near the TK Colony eco-tourism centre. Officials said the flash flood struck within minutes of heavy rainfall in the forested areas upstream.
(With inputs from PTI)
