Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Five Tourists Die in Nilambur Flash Flood; Search Continues
A river in Nilambur suddenly became much stronger and higher after heavy rain upstream.
Six people were swept away by the fast-moving water.
Five of them were tourists, and their bodies have been recovered.
Two bodies were found Sunday night, and three were found Monday morning.
Sajitha, a 26-year-old local woman, is still missing.
Rescue teams had to pause the search because the current was strong and visibility was poor.
They restarted the operation after the river level fell.
Local people also helped rescue about 27 others who were stranded along the river.
A separate landslide in Idukki killed two people and injured others during the same period of heavy rain.
Five tourists died after a sudden surge swept six people into the Kottappuzha River in Nilambur.
Two bodies were recovered Sunday night and three more were found Monday morning.
Rescuers are still searching for Sajitha, 26, a local woman swept away while washing clothes.
The flood followed heavy rain in forested areas upstream, although little or no rain was reported near the river.
The National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Services, volunteers and local residents are conducting the search.
- Who
- Six people were swept away in Nilambur; five tourists died and Sajitha, 26, remains missing.
- What
- A flash flood in the Kottappuzha River caused five deaths and a continuing search operation.
- When
- The flood occurred around 5:00–5:30 pm Sunday; the search resumed around 6:30 am Monday.
- Where
- Near TK Colony and TK Nagar in Pookkottumpadam, Nilambur, Malappuram district, Kerala.
- Why
- Heavy rain in forested areas upstream suddenly increased the river’s water level and current.
- Deaths
- Five tourists
- People swept away
- Six
- Missing person
- Sajitha, 26, a local resident
- Bodies recovered
- Two Sunday night and three Monday morning
- Search teams
- National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Services, volunteers and local residents
- Search restart
- Around 6:30 am Monday
- Additional rain-related incident
- A landslide in Vattavada, Idukki, killed two people and injured others
