Lagatar24 Desk
Thiruvananthapuram: The picturesque Athirapally Falls in Kerala has turned deadly as torrential rains and landslides have triggered severe flooding and destruction across the state. A video capturing the powerful flow of Athirapally Falls during the monsoon has gone viral, highlighting the dangerous conditions.
The video, shared on social media by Raja Ramasamy, juxtaposes the current ferocious state of the waterfall with a calmer visual from three years ago. “Kerala rains triggering huge landslides and flooding across North Kerala, Wayanad region. 20 people died, many feared trapped. Athirapally falls today and 3 years back,” Ramasamy wrote.
In another alarming visual from Kozhikode district in North Kerala, a bus driver is seen navigating a bridge surrounded by raging waters. The clip underscores the extensive damage caused by the relentless rains.
The heavy rains have led to landslides in the high ranges of Kozhikode, washing away houses, roads, and bridges. The death toll has surged to 123, with at least 128 people injured. In a press conference on Tuesday evening, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that 93 bodies had been recovered following repeated landslides in the Wayanad district.
The Kerala government has declared July 30 and 31 as days of state mourning, postponing all state government programs. State forest minister AK Saseendran described the situation as serious, emphasizing that all agencies have been deployed for rescue operations.
The Indian Army and two helicopters from the Indian Air Force have been mobilized to assist in the rescue efforts.
