Dramatic footage captures moment home swept away by floodwaters

Mary Gilbert
·2 min read

The death toll in the Indian state of Kerala rose Monday following a days-long deluge that resulted in severe flash flooding and landslides, and AccuWeather forecasters warn that more rain is on the way.

As of Monday, flooding rainfall and landslides have claimed the lives of at least 28 people in Kerala, according to The Associated Press. More than 9,000 people have been evacuated and are being housed across more than 200 relief camps set up in the state, according to the AP.

Kerala, a state located along India's southwestern coast, is no stranger to rain, but a developing storm unleashed more rain than the region could handle.

"The recent heavy rains across Kerala come from an area of low pressure that developed over the Arabian Sea, then backed eastward into southwestern India," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Lead International Forecaster Jason Nicholls explained.

This satellite loop shows rounds of heavy rain targeting southwestern India from Friday night, October 15, 2021, to Monday morning, October 18, 2021. (CIRA/RAMMB)

Nicholls added it is not uncommon for areas of low pressure to develop and push into southwestern India in this manner. However, this storm was able to stall just off the coast and unload round after round of heavy rain this weekend.

During the weekend and into Monday, widespread rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches (100-200 mm) impacted the state. The greatest rainfall totals largely were reported along the coast, as Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram recorded 9.60 inches (244 mm) of rain from Friday to Monday.

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Thiruvananthapuram typically records just over 4 inches (100 mm) of rain for the entire month of October. The city received more than double its monthly rainfall over the course of just one weekend.

The city of Kottayam and the Idukki district experienced some of the worst impacts from the rainfall as swollen rivers raged and landslides swallowed homes. A majority of the deaths linked to this event came as a result of destructive landslides.

Rescuers search for bodies of victims amidst the debris of a landslide following heavy rains at Koottickal in Kottayam district, southern Kerala state, India, Sunday, Oct.17, 2021. (AP Photo)

One landslide in Kottayam swept away several homes, including one home inhabited by a family of six. All six family members were confirmed dead, according to the BBC. Swollen rivers have also risen high enough to destroy several bridges that connect small villages across the affected region, leaving some people trapped.

AccuWeather forecasters say the forecast is not looking good for ongoing rescue and clean-up efforts.

"Rainfall should become more widespread with the risk of downpours on Wednesday," Nicholls said. "There could be another period of wet weather and a renewed risk of flooding and mudslides from Thursday into the weekend," he added.

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