Live: Kerala rain fury: IMD issues orange alert for 12 districts amid flood warnings

Conveying his sorrow over the casualties resulting from the deluge in Kerala, Rahul Gandhi stated that he was profoundly pained by the widespread destruction caused by relentless downpours throughout the state. Extending his deepest sympathies to the bereaved relatives of the eight deceased individuals, he prayed for the safe recovery of those currently missing and wished a quick healing for all the injured.

In Idukki district, a total of 187 affected residents have been shifted to 13 operational relief centers. Torrential rains exceeding 200 mm hit the Peerumade and Thodupuzha taluks yesterday morning, triggering a series of landslides throughout Idukki. - Sandeep Vellaram

The Kasaragod District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) conducted a review of the monsoon conditions today, instructing all departments to stay on high alert for the upcoming two days as heavy rain continues in parts of the district. Presiding over the DDMA session, District Collector Arjun Pandian highlighted that officials responded swiftly over recent days and managed relief measures efficiently. He instructed every agency to remain fully prepared to tackle any unexpected emergency. Kasaragod district stays under intense flood alert amidst unrelenting rainfall, with 208 people presently sheltered across five relief camps.

Amid Kerala's rough coastal waters, two fishermen have lost their lives and five others remain missing from locations including Muthalapozhi, Vizhinjam, Tangasseri, and Neendakara. These unfortunate events unfolded during a short span starting July 29, even as official alerts completely prohibited marine fishing operations. For impoverished fishing crews, abstaining from work for multiple consecutive days results in complete financial ruin, turning adherence to safety advisories into an unaffordable choice. Local administrators simultaneously admit to their inability to prevent hazardous boat departures at numerous centers. Financial distress and insufficient official backing frequently compel Kerala's fishing community to risk dangerous waters, favoring immediate livelihood over personal security.

Leaders of the CPI(M) today lashed out at Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan regarding his call on a Youth League leader's home in Malappuram, claiming such participation was insensitive while thousands of residents across the state struggled against flood devastation. In a social media statement on Facebook, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim shared video clips of the leader present at a program in Ponnani, Malappuram, noting that he initially found the reports difficult to believe until verified. The MP further alleged that as citizens across multiple districts endured severe hardship caused by the weather emergency, Mr. Satheesan chose to attend a hospitality gathering at the Youth League leader's residence in Ponnani and partook in a grand feast.

Local MLA G. Sudhakaran stated today that prompt action by the Irrigation Department to lift the gates at the Thottappally spillway successfully prevented massive inundation in the Kuttanad and Ambalappuzha belts after heavy water surges arrived from the Pampa and Manimala rivers. Surge waters from the Pampa and Manimala rivers, traveling through affected Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, enter Alappuzha's low-altitude Kuttanad area prior to discharging into the Arabian Sea. Besides the Thottappally spillway situated in the district, water control structures at Thanneermukkom and Andhakaranazhi manage stream discharge and stop seawater ingress to safeguard farming operations.

Following a day of severe downpours that disrupted life in several parts of Ernakulam, weather conditions showed noticeable recovery today. Floodwaters were steadily dropping across affected localities as heavy rainfall largely yielded to clearer skies. Everyday life was restoring its pace in Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha, which suffered substantial destruction from yesterday's intense storms. Water recedes across Ernakulam following the rainfall pause, restoring daily activity while administrative teams maintain vigilance for any further weather shifts.

Following intense rainfall and a sudden surge in river levels, numerous households in the rural belts of Kozhikode district were relocated to secure places yesterday. The overflow of river waters submerged Engapuzha town along with adjacent localities, leading the District Disaster Management Authority to swiftly initiate emergency relocation efforts. The severe precipitation across Kozhikode has caused widespread inundation and displacement, inflicting substantial losses on local residents and commercial establishments.

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan stated today that the state's healthcare network is fully prepared to manage any medical issues arising from the rains, with directions issued to deploy health professional teams to all relief centers housing shifted citizens. Addressing reporters, Mr. Muraleedharan further shared that essential medicine supplies have been secured and health officials in vulnerable zones have been advised to remain on high alert. He affirmed that the Health Department stands ready and is keeping a close watch on rain-related developments. - PTI

The upper high-range zones of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts have experienced severe landslips and sudden floods following continuous heavy showers since Friday evening. The calamity has left one person dead and two missing, alongside widespread destruction to property, infrastructure, and agricultural fields. Intense precipitation across Kottayam and Pathanamthitta has triggered emergency responses and high-alert status across affected zones as rescue teams clear debris and assist affected residents.

Torrential rain resulted in two deaths in Kottayam yesterday when a massive landslip flattened a residential home at Payanithottam in Kaippally, Poonjar Thekkekara. The mother and her son died on the spot after being buried under heavy debris following the rain-induced landslip in Poonjar.

In a bid to manage disaster risks stemming from relentless downpours, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in Kozhikode has established 34 shelter facilities. Supported by local civic bodies and the Revenue Department, these camps currently accommodate 515 individuals, including women and young children, who are being provided basic support and medical care amid active weather alerts.

A tragic incident was reported from Kozhikode district late Saturday night, where a two-year-old boy passed away after falling into the flooded yard of his home. The child, identified as Masin, son of Kannankadavu resident Noushad near Kappad, suffered severe injuries and succumbed during treatment at a private medical college hospital.

Following relentless rains and an increased threat of landslides across Kozhikode, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) yesterday enforced movement restrictions on the Thamarassery Ghat Pass. Additionally, the administration directed the prompt suspension of operations at all water-based and eco-tourism spots throughout the region as a precautionary step.

According to official updates from the Chief Minister’s Office, severe monsoon downpours since Friday have claimed eight lives across Kerala. The state has registered 13 injuries, while 5,792 individuals have been evacuated to 209 designated relief shelters. Furthermore, the extreme weather has fully ruined 27 homes and partially damaged another 196 residences as state-wide relief drives continue.

Torrential monsoon rains over the last two days have severely disrupted life in Wayanad district, heightening risks of severe inundation and landslides. In response, local authorities yesterday initiated relief shelters and began moving residents away from high-risk locations. During the downpour, a landslide damaged a residence in the Chekkanni Kattunaikka Unnathi tribal settlement. Although no casualties were reported, nine members belonging to three families were safely transferred to a relief center.

Rescuers found the body of one of the two fishermen who disappeared when their vessel overturned at Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram district on Friday night. The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Freemon, a resident of Anchuthengu.

Rain-triggered calamities have claimed eight lives across Kerala after unrelenting downpours hit the state between Friday evening and Saturday. The heavy precipitation caused landslides, sudden flooding, and extensive damage to property, with high-altitude areas suffering the worst impact. Emergency relief and rescue teams remain actively deployed as floodwaters and landslips continue to disrupt normal life following the eight reported deaths.

Persistent severe rainfall wreaked havoc in the elevated zones of Kannur district yesterday, washing out road connectivity, submerging homes, compelling residents to evacuate, and forcing officials to restrict tourist movement and non-essential travel. Following the inundation of dwellings at Peratta Thottipalam within Ulikkal grama panchayat, 26 individuals belonging to eight families were evacuated to a relief facility. Fire personnel together with local citizens rescued trapped residents, relocating 19 adults and seven children safely. Search operations are underway for two missing individuals in Kannur as heavy rains continue to cause damage, evacuations, and road destruction.

Widespread heavy precipitation across Kerala over a 24 to 30-hour period caused a rapid surge in the water storage at Mullaperiyar dam yesterday. Water Resources and Revenue authorities stated that downpours in Kerala drove the reservoir's inflow up sharply from 454 cusecs to 1,012 cusecs, then to 2,649 cusecs, and eventually to 7,000 cusecs. Consequently, the water level climbed from 112.45 feet on July 31 to 113.70 feet at 6 a.m. on August 1, reaching 116 feet by 6 p.m. In light of the climbing reservoir levels and bad weather, the Idukki District Collector has urged citizens to refrain from travelling along ghat routes during night hours.

Torrential rains triggered by a depression and an offshore trough led to cloudburst-like conditions in several parts of Kerala, delivering intense rainfall over short durations. While the IMD has not formally designated it as a cloudburst, rain gauge records from the KSDMA logged an immense 361 mm of rainfall at Vadasserikkara in Pathanamthitta district during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. yesterday. The widespread deluge across Kerala underscores significant shortcomings in meteorological forecasting and emergency response mechanisms during sudden heavy rain events.

The Kozhikode district administration has called off all events associated with the Malabar River kayaking competition, which was set to take place today on the Iruvazhinji River, owing to heavy rain and adverse weather. Official sources stated that water levels in both the Iruvazhinji River and the Chali River have climbed significantly. Consequently, all practice routines in the river have also been prohibited. Organisers, participants, and locals have been forbidden from approaching the banks of these rivers. Police and Fire and Rescue teams are stationed on location, while District Collector M.S. Madhavikutty issued an order asking all state departments to remain on high alert.

Kerala braced for the prospect of torrential downpours and inundation on Sunday (August 2, 2026), continuing a spell of severe weather conditions that have severely impacted normal life throughout the state. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has declared an orange alert across 12 districts, warning of intense rains and potential flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The state remains on high readiness as heavy rain warnings remain active across multiple districts.