Two persons were feared missing after a mini boat carrying a five-member group capsized in the Kole Wetland at Nedupuzha in Thrissur district during heavy rain on Friday evening. The other three managed to swim to safety unhurt.

The Kole Wetland was reportedly leased for aquaculture and the group had gone to feed fish when the mishap occurred. The Fire and Rescue Services received the alert around 7 p.m. The search operation for the missing persons was called off around 10 p.m. owing to inclement weather and poor visibility. It will resume on Saturday morning, officials said.

Thrissur witnessed heavy rainfall throughout the day, and holiday was declared for Saturday in view of the forecast of continuing inclement weather. The area of the Kole Wetland where the boat overturned is said to be considerably deep.

Police sources indicated that it was still being verified whether the missing persons had managed to escape unnoticed. “Only one of the three survivors is acquainted with the missing persons, and efforts are under way to elicit details from him,” said the Nedupuzha police.

The Kole Wetlands, spanning Thrissur and Malappuram districts, traditionally alternate between paddy cultivation and aquaculture.