Revenue Minister K Rajan has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents in vulnerable areas without waiting for formal disaster alerts.
Published Jul 27, 2025 | 11:59 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2025 | 11:59 AM
Kerala rains. (iStock)
Synopsis: At least five people lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Kerala, as the state continues to reel under heavy downpours and strong winds. The IMD has forecast continued heavy rainfall in the state till 30 July
Sources said on Sunday, 27 July, that at least five people lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Kerala, as the state continues to reel under heavy rainfall and strong winds.
One of the victims was found in Wayanad, where locals discovered a body floating in the Panavalli River. With adverse weather conditions worsening, authorities have stepped up emergency measures.
Wayanad remains one of the worst-hit districts, prompting the district administration to declare a holiday on Sunday for all religious institutions, tuition centres, and special classes.
Meanwhile, the shutters of the Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad have also been opened due to rising water levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall in the state till 30 July, attributing the conditions to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. High alerts have been sounded for both hilly and coastal regions of the state.
Strong surface winds, reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph, are likely to lash Kerala and Lakshadweep on Sunday. Wind speeds of 40–50 kmph are expected to persist on Sunday and Monday. Heavy (7–11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (12–20 cm) is likely in isolated places across the state.
The IMD has also issued yellow alerts for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam in Idukki has risen to 134 feet, just 8 feet short of its full capacity of 142 feet, raising fresh concerns among residents and officials alike.
Further, Revenue Minister K Rajan has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents in vulnerable areas without waiting for formal disaster alerts. He said over 5,000 relief camps have been set up since May.
In the past few days, hilly regions have seen evacuations due to continuous rainfall and landslides. Wind speeds reaching 70–80 kmph have uprooted trees, causing widespread damage, and each district has been allocated up to ₹1 crore for emergency use.
The minister assured that compensation will be fairly assessed and distributed.
“A prior warning about heavy rain and wind over the last three days had been issued, and the current disasters are unfolding as predicted. Landslides, flash floods, and rising dam levels have been reported,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities are avoiding the night-time release of water from dams. Rainfall is expected to ease by Sunday evening as the low-pressure system weakens.
Kozhikode’s high ranges, especially Thamarassery, are heavily affected, landslides blocked roads, and trees fell in multiple areas. In Kuttiady and Vilangad, homes were damaged, but no injuries were reported.
Night travel has been banned through the Idukki-Munnar Gap Road and Ernakulam’s hilly routes. Mining and plantation work are suspended. Tourists are temporarily barred from visiting Nelliyampathy in Palakkad. In Attappady, power outages continue for a second day after poles were damaged.
In Edathala in the Ernakulam district, a house was partially destroyed by a landslide. Flooding disrupted traffic on the Iritty-Thaliparamba highway and submerged homes, anganwadis, and paddy fields across Palakkad, Chalakudy, and Kannur.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
