Heavy rain, wind continue to cause widespread damage in Kozhikode

Strong winds that swept across Kozhikode district on Tuesday caused extensive property damage and uprooted several trees. A scene from Kozhikode beach. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Heavy rains continued to lash Kozhikode district on Tuesday (June 17), particularly in the upland areas, despite a yellow alert being in place. A flood warning has been issued, along with an orange alert on the Korapuzha at its Kunnamangalam station, where the water level has risen above the warning mark. Water levels are considerably high in other rivers across the district as well, and the public has been urged to remain vigilant against potential flooding along riverbanks.

Strong winds wreaked havoc in the city, uprooting several trees. However, waterlogging has subsided on major roads. A three-year-old girl drowned in a canal near her house at Punathilthazham in Kozhikode on Tuesday. Nakshatra, daughter of Nikhil Narayanan and Vaishnavi of Kulangarathazham, reportedly fell into the canal while she was playing alone in the courtyard.

Normal traffic was restored on the Wayanad Ghat Road after a tree in a precarious condition was cut down on Tuesday morning. The tree, located between hairpin curves 8 and 9, was found leaning dangerously towards the road on Monday evening (June 16). Loose soil and exposed roots made it unstable, prompting authorities to restrict traffic for safety. The tree was removed around 11.30 a.m. by the Forest department with support from the police, revenue officials, the Fire and Rescue Services, and the Ghat Road Protection Committee.

Meanwhile, a well caved in near Valayam in Kozhikode early Tuesday morning due to heavy rain. The continuous downpour over the weekend and on Monday has also caused significant damage to National Highway 66, which is currently undergoing widening works.

The retaining wall of the highway, which was strengthened three years ago using the soil nailing technique, collapsed at Puthuppanam near Vadakara on Sunday (June 15). The site falls under the Palolippalam–Moorad stretch, where work had already been completed. The collapse has endangered a nearby house.

Similarly, a bus got trapped when a temporary service road collapsed at Perumalpuram near Payyoli on Monday. The service road was built just two weeks ago to ease traffic during widening work. The bus, en route from Vadakara to Kozhikode, tilted to one side toward the collapsed portion of the road. Passengers were evacuated immediately, as the vehicle could not be moved for fear of it overturning.

Minor landslips and recurring flash floods have become common in the Vilangad region, which witnessed a major landslide in July 2024. As a result, many residents are relocating. Several houses in and around Manjacheeli, which suffered significant damage in the landslide, remain vacant during the monsoon, though they were occupied during the summer.

Published - June 17, 2025 09:14 pm IST