Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 1 -- A landslide inside the Sabarimala forest triggered a massive surge in the Pamba River on Saturday, inundating Ranni town in Pathanamthitta district and creating a flood-like situation reminiscent of the devastating 2018 Kerala floods.
The swollen Pamba overflowed its banks following incessant monsoon rain, submerging Ranni town and several nearby areas, disrupting normal life and causing extensive damage to commercial establishments and infrastructure.
More than 500 shops were flooded after waters entered markets and business establishments that had stocked merchandise worth lakhs of rupees ahead of the Onam season.
Traders suffered heavy losses despite frantic efforts to salvage goods as floodwaters began e...