Elite mountaineer Nirmal Purja killed in poK avalanche KOCHI l sunday l august 02, 2026 l `12.00 l PAGES 26 l LATE city EDITION Mountaineer Nirmal Purja and nine others were on Saturday confirmed dead, days after an avalanche hit Broad Peak in PoK British-Nepali climber Purja, popularly known as Nims or Nimsdai, was leading a 10-member climbing team when the avalanche hit on Thursday morning. The mountaineers were ascending at an altitude of around 6,600 metres when they were swept away, authorities said. Purja famously scaled all of the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019, breaking the previous record of seven years CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Seven dead as extreme rain triggers floods, landslides 4 killed after they were caught in debris flow triggered by landslides; 3 children drown 65 relief camps opened; CM says state prepared to face any emergency situation M a n o j V i s w a n at h a n @ Kochi Torrential rain battered Kerala, triggering a series of landslides, resulting in flash flooding and leaving a trail of devastation. Seven people died in rain-related incidents on Saturday, of which four were caught in debris flow following landslides, while three children drowned. The central districts of Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Kottayam bore the maximum brunt of the rain fury, which revived memories of the catastrophic deluge of 2018 that left 483 people dead, displaced a million and ravaged homes and infrastructure. The rain that started around 11pm on Friday pummelled the eastern parts of southern Kerala for hours, causing rivers to breach banks by around 2.30am. As floodwater began entering houses and shops, panic spread in towns and villages located along the banks, with people scrambling for their lives. Floods inundated towns, including Ranni, Vadaserikkara and Pala. As many as 65 relief camps have been opened across the state, sheltering 1,465 people. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that the intensity of Fire and Rescue Services personnel evacuate residents after floodwaters entered their homes following heavy rain in Ranni town, Pathanamthitta | SHAJI VETTIPURAM the rain will reduce from Sunday, and that the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam are out of danger as the cloud band has moved to the north. Though the intensity of the rain will decrease, the flood situation in districts north of Thrissur will remain grim on Sunday as the rivers are in spate due to intense rain received over the past two days. Among the seven victims, four died in landslides in Kottayam and Idukki districts, while three drowned in Malappuram and Kottayam districts. Regina Johnny of Poonjar Thekkekara panchayat in Kottayam and her son Josephine, 24, died after a portion of their house was destroyed in a landslide. Sumathy 69, was killed after a , landslide buried her house at Adurmala in Idukki. ● More on P6 Rivers in spate Pampa, Periyar, Meenachil, Manimalayar, Chaliyar, Chalakudy, Muvattupuzha 65 1,465 No of relief camps No of people in camps 17 127 Houses fully damaged Houses partially damaged Youth must turn Vivekananda’s vision of India into reality: PM K a r t h i k K K @ Mysuru AMID growing protests by youngsters and Gen-Z demanding greater government accountability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the youth to transform Swami Vivekananda’s vision of India into reality saying that the , country’s future rests on the strength, aspirations and character of its young generation. Addressing a large gathering after inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre — Viveka Smaraka — in Mysuru, PM Modi said Swami Vivekananda embodied the spirit of India and the newly inaugurated memorial would serve as a centre for inspiring generations of young Indians towards nation-building, service and patriotism. “I am confident that the Viveka Smaraka will become a pilgrimage centre for spiritual upliftment for seekers and devotees. Through this memorial, we must mould young people who place the interests of society, the nation, and suffering of the poor above their own personal joys and sorrows. Youth for whom ‘Nation First’ is the supreme guiding principle and whose life’s mission is the service of Mother India,” he said. Focusing on the youth, he said the country’s rapid progress is being driven by the capabilities of its young population. EXPRESS READ 4-yr UG: Panel calls for broad reforms T’Puram: Two years after Kerala introduced the Four-Year UG Programme, the first comprehensive review of its implementation has called for a broad reforms to the system. An expert panel has recommended reforms spanning examinations, curriculum, internships, governance and scholarships. P7 WITH THIS ISSUE Take a Seat PLUS 12 P AGES