Body of missing woman found

Thiruvananthapuram: The body of the woman who went missing in the flash floods near Mankayam on Sunday evening was retrieved 2km away from the spot on Monday.
Police identified the woman as Shania (33). She was part of the 10-member group from Nedumangad who reached Mankayam for a wedding.
The body of Nasriya (6), who went missing along with her, was retrieved on Sunday itself.
The incident occurred when they were bathing in Idinjar stream at Brimore when water gushed forth leading to a sudden surge in water levels. All the members who were in the stream were swept away in the current. Residents rescued seven of them.
The tragic deaths have sparked safety concerns near the waterbodies, which are often frequented by people.
After returning from the checkpost leading to Kalakkayam waterfalls, the group reportedly ventured into another point which does not come under the surveillance of forest officials.
“The area where the incident occurred is outside the eco-tourist site. The family was initially not allowed to pass through the checkpost. They moved to another point near Mankayam bridge where the tragedy happened,” says Palode fire and rescue services officer G Venugopal.
“Mankayam is not known to be a problematic place. Flash flood incidents are rare here. Water levels went back to normal in almost half an hour yesterday,” said Peringamala panchayat vice-president Vasantha Balan.
Waterbodies are subject to sudden swelling owing to heavy rainfall in the inner forest regions of Ponmudi and people from other parts of the district may not know about this, a resident said.