Flash flood in Nilambur river sweeps away nine; two dead, four missing

Nilambur: A sudden surge in the Kottapuzha River at Pookkottumpadam in the Nilambur area swept away at least nine people on Sunday evening, leaving two dead and four missing. Three others were rescued after they were caught in the flash flood. The incident occurred around 5pm along the Ularvattam-TK Colony stretch of the river, which separates Chokkad and Amarambalam panchayats. The river reportedly rose sharply without any rain in the immediate area, apparently following heavy rainfall in the forest regions upstream. The Malappuram District Disaster Management Authority confirmed that two bodies had been recovered. Both victims were men. One was believed to be around 50 years old, while the other was suspected to be a young man.