Minor landslides reported in Kasaragod; river breaches bank in Kannur

The eye surgery ward of the District Hospital in Kannur was closed after a leakage was reported in the operation theatre on June 16, 2025. Photo: S.K. Mohan

Torrential rain continued to lash Kasaragod and Kannur districts on Monday (June 16, 2025), causing widespread disruption.

Following a red alert from the India Meteorological department, which forecast extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours, all educational institutions including colleges, professional institutions, Kendriya Vidyalayas, tuition centres, madrasas, anganwadis and special classes, remained closed.

In Kasaragod, a relief camp was opened at Paramba Government L.P. School in West Eleri panchayat of Vellarikundu taluk, currently sheltering 44 people, including two pregnant women, seven senior citizens, and seven children, two of whom were toddlers. Families in low-lying areas moved to relatives’ homes.

A minor landslide was reported in Kottamala, West Eleri panchayat, damaging agricultural crops such as rubber and cassava in the field of a local resident, Shiju. Vellarikunda Tehsildar P.V. Murali visited the site and assessed the damage. The authorities relocated 10 families from nearby areas in the wake of the landslide threat.

In a separate incident, the CPI(M) branch committee office at Dharmathadka collapsed entirely in the rain. No one was injured in the incident. A landslide at Challangayam in Thalamugar caused a hillock to collapse onto a car, with local resident Mohammed Harris narrowly escaping unhurt. Locals have raised concerns about the threat to five houses in the area and called for immediate action by the authorities.

The District Disaster Management Authority temporarily banned vehicular traffic on the Cherkala-Bevinje stretch of National Highway 66, following several minor landslides. Only ambulances and emergency vehicles are permitted to pass under supervision. Officials stated that normal traffic would resume only after technical inspections confirm the route’s safety.

Water levels at river gauge stations in Manjeswaram, Puthige, Madhur, and Uppala crossed danger marks on Monday (June 16, 2026), keeping the authorities on high alert.

In Kannur, the opening of 13 of the 16 shutters of the Pazhassi barrage followed heavy rainfall of 152.20 mm recorded by 7 a.m. The rising water submerged the Venayikadavu bridge in Payyavoor and inundated paddy fields at Chengalai Podikalam. Floodwaters from the Maheriver breached banks at Kadavathur, entering the town.

District administrations in both districts have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant, as heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days.

Surgeries cancelled

Eye surgeries scheduled at Kannur district hospital were cancelled on Monday (June 16, 2026) after a leakage in the operation theatre forced the authorities to send back patients who had arrived from various parts of the district.

Many patients and their companions had reached the hospital a day earlier in preparation for the surgery. After undergoing preoperative procedures, including administering eye drops, patients were informed on Monday (June 16, 2026) morning that the surgeries could not be performed due to water leakage in the operation theatre, reportedly caused by heavy rain.

The sudden cancellation led to protests from the affected patients and their relatives. Following this, Congress workers held discussions with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Griffin Surendran.

Following the talks, the protest was withdrawn after the official assured that the leakage would be repaired by Friday (June 13, 2026) and the theatre would be fully disinfected before resuming surgeries.