Thiruvananthapuram, 01 August (H.S.):Three children, including an 11-year-old boy, died in separate rain-related accidents in Kottayam and Malappuram districts on Saturday as heavy rainfall continued to cause waterlogging and swollen streams across Kerala.

In Kottayam, 11-year-old Milan K. Shiju died after falling into a water-filled pit at Vakathanam Chakkanchira. He was the son of Shiju, a resident of Kattampack.

The accident occurred while Milan was playing with his sister near their house. Police said the pit had been excavated for the construction of a water tank under the Jal Jeevan Mission and had filled with rainwater. The boy accidentally fell into the water and drowned.

In Malappuram district, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy died after being swept away in a stream at Kandamangalam in Thiruvali near Wandoor. The deceased was identified as Abdul Muhaini, son of Abdul Muneer.

The child, who had come from Alappuzha with his family to visit his maternal grandmother’s house, reportedly fell into the stream around noon. Though people nearby noticed the child being swept away, rescue efforts were hampered as portions of the stream were covered with concrete slabs.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel and local residents subsequently launched an extensive search. The child was found after prolonged efforts, but his life could not be saved.

Another tragedy was reported from Kondotty in Malappuram, where a four-year-old boy drowned after falling into a stream.

The deceased, Adam Aiman, was the son of Abdul Hameed of Meleparambu, Mangattuparambu. According to reports, the child was walking along the bank of the stream when he accidentally slipped and fell into the water.

Local residents immediately pulled him out and rushed him to a hospital. However, doctors could not save him.

The three deaths have raised concerns over the dangers posed by overflowing water bodies, waterlogged pits and other rain-related hazards, particularly to children, during the ongoing spell of heavy rain in Kerala.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman