Death toll rises to 10 after deadly flash flood and landslides in Kerala, India
Search teams recovered the last reported missing victim of the Kottapuzha River flash flood in Malappuram, Kerala, India, on September 22, 2026, bringing the flood toll to six. Separate landslides in Kottayam and Idukki killed four others on September 20, the day of the flood, accounting for 10 reported deaths across the three districts.
Rescue operatives searching for victims swept away by flooding in T.K. Colony Kottapuzha in Kerala on September 20, 2026
Flash flood and landslides in Kerala, India, on September 20 have claimed at least 10 lives. The reported toll comprises six deaths in Malappuram and two each in Kottayam and Idukki.
The Malappuram flood toll rose to six after search teams recovered the body of a woman from the Kottapuzha River on September 22.
“The tragedy in T.K. Colony, Kottapuzha, is very painful. Six precious lives were stolen by the river. The bodies of two people were found on the first day of the accident and on the second day of the accident. Sixth, Sajitha’s dead body was also found today,” Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said.
The flood occurred near TK Colony at Pookkottumpadam at about 17:00 Indian Standard Time (11:30 UTC) on September 20. Local residents and members of the Muhammad Suhail Medical Assistance Committee brought about 27 stranded people to safety. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police and local volunteers also participated in the search for those swept away.
In Idukki, two people died, and a woman was injured when a landslide struck a temporary farm shelter at Kottakkamboor in Vattavada on September 20, The Times of India reported.
The occupants had sheltered there from heavy rain. Local residents cleared debris and freed the injured woman, who was taken to hospital.
Two people died in separate landslides in Kottayam district on September 20. The Times of India reported that a 35-year-old woman from Chennai was killed near Velathussery Palli in Teekoy, on the Erattupetta–Vagamon road.
An 80-year-old man died when a separate landslide struck a house at Nadubagham in Poonjar. Two other occupants survived, the newspaper reported.
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan directed hourly monitoring and evacuation where necessary, Onmanorama reported. Following his instruction, the disaster management commissioner met the Idukki and Kottayam district collectors to review the response.
During a September 21 visit to Nilambur, Satheesan said visitor access to unofficial tourist locations would be regulated. He said compensation for families of those killed in Nilambur and Idukki would be announced after the September 23 Cabinet meeting.
A forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), published by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) at 13:00 Indian Standard Time (07:30 UTC) on September 22, placed Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod under yellow alerts for September 23.
References:
1 Kottappuzha flash flood: Body of sixth victim recovered – The New Indian Express – September 22, 2026
2 Two killed in flash flood at Kottapuzha river in Malappuram, five missing – The Times of India – September 21, 2026
3 Central Meteorological Department’s rainfall forecast for the next 5 days – KSDMA/IMD – September 22, 2026
4 Two siblings killed, one injured in Vattavada landslide — The Times of India — September 20, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
