Rain wreaks havoc in Kozhikode

A flooded road at Koodathumpoyil in Kozhikode city on May 26. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

The District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis and tuition centres, in Kozhikode district on Tuesday (May 27) as well, as heavy rains continue to lash the region and a red alert remains in effect.

Around 60 houses were damaged in different parts of the district, either due to the uprooting of trees, the collapse of compound walls, or roofs being blown off by strong winds. Around 120 houses have been damaged over the past week due to the ongoing rain havoc. Residents of the affected houses have been relocated to rehabilitation camps or shifted to the homes of their choice.

Three relief camps have been opened in the district—two in Kozhikode taluk and one in Vadakara taluk. A total of 88 people from 24 families, including 37 women, 31 men, and 20 children, are currently sheltered in these camps.

The incessant rain over the past few days has caused widespread waterlogging across the district. Major roads such as Mavoor Road, the service roads of the National Highway, and many rural roads are submerged. Rivers, including the Chaliyar, Iruvazhinji, and Korapuzha, are overflowing. An orange alert has been issued for the Kollikkal Station Irrigation department on the Korapuzha river, and residents along the riverbanks have been advised to stay alert.

Low-lying areas face a serious flood threat, with several parts of Mavoor and Chathamangalam panchayats already submerged. Traffic through these regions has been suspended, and many areas are now marooned due to flooded roads.

Large-scale crop loss has also been reported, with an estimated damage of ₹5.8 crore over 108 hectares of land in the Thodannur, Mukkam, Kakkur, and Kunnummal block panchayats. According to the Department of Agriculture, over 4,000 farmers have been affected. Meanwhile, the Kerala State Electricity Board has reported losses worth ₹1.25 crore due to rain havoc.

Three houses at Kacherikunnu in Mavoor panchayat are currently waterlogged, and others may soon be affected. Efforts are under way to open a rehabilitation camp at the Kacherikkunnu Cultural Centre. Residents along the banks of Chaliyar and Cherupuzha rivers, who face an imminent flood threat, will be relocated to the camp.

A house collapsed at Ayancheri near Vadakara on Monday. However, Pulachalakkandiyil Mathew and his family escaped unhurt as they had already moved to a neighbouring house when the rain intensified.

Traffic on the Thamarasseri Ghat Road was disrupted after a tree was uprooted and fell across the road. The incident also led to a power outage for several hours.

Published - May 26, 2025 10:54 pm IST