IDUKKI/T’PURAM: Heavy rainfall triggered by cyclonic storm Gaja caused landslides and landslips in various parts of Idukki district on Friday. The district received an average of 3.46mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.Landslides were reported in Mundanmudy, Nettikkudy and Nallathanni areas in Munnar and Mammal and Edamal in Vattavada. Old Munnar was flooded and the newly-built temporary Periyavara bridge was washed away due to heavy rain.A house in Idukki was completely destroyed due to a landslide. Acres of vegetable farms in Vattavada were submerged in water. Boating and other tourism activities in Mattuppetty were suspended on Friday noon. Five shutters of the Kallarkutty dam and three shutters of the Malankara dam were opened.Increase in water-level in the Muthirappuhzha river flooded Old Munnar and disrupted traffic through the Kochi-Dhanushkodi national highway. Passengers had a narrow escape when a car was trapped in a mud in Panniyarkutty near Adimali."We have shifted three families from Vattavada and three families from Kunchithanni to their relatives' residences. The officials have shifted tourists and local residents to safer locations," said Devikulam tahsildar P K Shaji.Meanwhile, the deep depression over Tamil Nadu weakened into a depression and lay centred over central Kerala, about 20-km east-northeast of Kochi, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is very likely to move westwards, towards southeast Arabian Sea , in the next 12 hours, said a statement issued at 8pm.Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in isolated places till Saturday night. Sea will be rough and fishermen are advised not to venture into southeast Arabian sea.Kerala state disaster management authority (KSDMA) has issued an alert in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamtitta based on information that a depression has developed over Ernakulam.KSDMA has asked people to avoid night journeys. "Avoid journey to high range areas where there is possibility of landslides. People living in landslide-prone areas should shift to safer locations. People living on banks of river should carry an emergency kit," said KSDMA in a statement.

Stay updated with all the Latest Thiruvananthapuram headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.