Kochi: Normal life was disrupted across Ernakulam district on Thursday as heavy rain lashed the region, causing rivers to overflow, flooding low-lying areas and triggering severe traffic congestion on major roads. Revenue authorities said water levels in several rivers had crossed both flood warning and danger levels.The continuous downpour, combined with the opening of the Malankara Dam shutters, caused the Muvattupuzha River (water level: 12.186m, danger level: 11.93m) and the Thodupuzha River (water level: 12.36m, danger level: 11.79m) to exceed danger levels. to rise above danger levels. In Periyar, water levels at the Aluva Marthandavarma bridge and Kalady exceeded warning levels. Cial Kochi received 104mm rainfall till 8.30am on Thursday. Aluva recorded 39mm rainfall and Perumbavoor recorded 88mm rainfall.Flooding was reported in several areas: Madakkathanam–Vanarkavu road and Manikandanchal Chapath in Manjalloor; Blavana in Kuttampuzha; and Jawahar Colony and Mundupalam in Thrikkariyoor. The Aluva Mahadeva Temple was partially submerged by morning as Periyar’s water rose overnight.Water entered houses in Bosco Colony and the powerloom area around 1am, prompting the relocation of around 30 families to relief camps under Eloor municipality.North Paravur also witnessed widespread flooding, with water entering several homes. In Kochi city, waterlogging and rain-induced congestion disrupted traffic, especially on the Palarivattom–Kakkanad route and around the Vyttila Mobility Hub.Meanwhile, a Navy team joined the search for Biju (Radhakrishnan, 35), a native of Manikandanchal, who was swept away on Wednesday while crossing Manikandanchal Chapath in Puyamkutty. The operation, initially led by scuba teams from the fire and rescue service and 30 NDRF personnel, was paused Wednesday night due to poor weather but resumed at 7.30 am. Five teams—including the Navy, NDRF, and two scuba units—searched the stretch from Manikandanchal to Bhoothathankettu.