Heavy rain batters Kerala; orange alert in five districts, one dead
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Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rainfall triggered by the northeast monsoon has battered several parts of Kerala, leading to floods, landslides, and significant damage across the state. One person has died in a rain-related incident, officials said on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rain until Wednesday due to a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea. An orange alert has been issued for five northern districts, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod, while most other districts remain under a yellow alert, except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha.
Disaster management teams have been placed on high alert in vulnerable areas.
In Idukki, a man identified as Thankachan from Parappally House in Kumily died after his two-wheeler skidded on a rain-soaked road at Vellaramkunnu on Saturday night. According to locals, his vehicle hit a mound of mud that had fallen onto the road following a landslide.
Isolated landslides were also reported elsewhere in the district, including at Pathumuri in Vellaramkunnu, causing temporary roadblocks. “Around midnight, a large heap of mud slid onto the road. We fear more such incidents if the rain continues,” said a local resident.
Kumily recorded extremely heavy rainfall overnight, flooding several shops and low-lying areas. Rivers in the district are overflowing after 13 spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were opened to release excess water. The dam’s water level stood at 139.20 feet, with 8,838 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water being released, officials said.
In Malappuram, torrential rain inundated nearly 50 houses in Vazhikkadavu and disrupted traffic for more than an hour at Manimoola along the Gudalur–Kozhikode road. Flooding was also reported from Randampadam, Modapoyka, and nearby areas after the Karakodan, Kalakkan, and Athithode rivers overflowed.
In Kochi, roads near the South Railway Station were waterlogged following overnight showers. The situation began to ease by morning as rainfall weakened and floodwaters started receding.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid hilly regions, and strictly follow safety advisories as heavy downpours are likely to persist over the coming days.