Published Aug 03, 2026 | 11:04 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 03, 2026 | 2:21 PM
A poultry farm in Kannur lost several chickens after it got flooded.
Synopsis: More than 10,000 people have been sheltered in relief camps across the state. The rain’s intensity eased on Sunday, allowing authorities to beef up relief operations. However, several towns in Central Kerala remained submerged, throwing normal life out of gear and damaging properties.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan held an emergency meeting of district collectors to review the handling of the flood situation on Monday, 3 August, even as the death toll in rain-related incidents rose to 15.
Most deaths (4) were reported from Malappuram, three from Kottayam, two each from Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki and Kollam, and one each from Kannur and Kozhikode.
As many as 10,118 people have been sheltered in 316 relief camps opened across the state. According to government estimates, the torrential rains have destroyed 30 houses and damaged 293 others.
The rain’s intensity eased on Sunday, allowing authorities to beef up relief operations. However, several towns in Central Kerala remained submerged, throwing normal life out of gear and damaging properties.
At 10 am on Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
A yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur and Palakkad.
To augment the rescue operations in Pathanamthitta, the government has kept a team of fishermen with 14 boats from Kollam on standby.
An NDRF team has also been deployed, while two Indian Air Force helicopters have arrived in Thiruvananthapuram from the Sulur Air Force Station to assist in emergency response, if required.
Also Read: Rains and repercussions add to Kerala monsoon woes
Several people, including journalists, had a narrow escape after another soil slip struck at Edaypalam near Panakkad in Malappuram’s Karuvarakundu on Monday.
People scramble for safety as a landslip sends down debris at Karuvarakundu.
The fresh incident occurred while journalists had gathered to report an earlier soil slip.
Besides residents, a few officials were also present at the spot. As the debris came crashing down, those present ran to safety, preventing a major mishap.
However, a few people sustained minor injuries in the rush to escape.
The soil slip, estimated to be around 10 feet high, occurred near the house of Minister PK Kunhalikutty.
Authorities have launched a search operation to ensure no one is trapped beneath the debris, with an earthmover pressed into service to clear the soil.
The hillock near the Kadalundi River is reported to have collapsed.
Residents said earth had been excavated in the vicinity of the accident site in recent days.
Officials are continuing the inspection and search operation.
The IMD has issued an orange alert to 10 districts.
Rain is expected to continue across Kerala until 8 August. Fishermen have been warned against venturing into the west-central and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea due to squally winds.
Amid the adverse weather, authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, training institutes and madrasas, in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.
A red alert has been issued for Kallarkutty, Pambla, Erattayar and Kallar dams.
The IMD has warned of possible waterlogging, traffic disruptions, uprooted trees, power outages, landslides and lightning in vulnerable areas.
Amid the adverse weather, authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, training institutes and madrasas, in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.
The IMD has warned of possible waterlogging, traffic disruptions, uprooted trees, power outages, landslides and lightning in vulnerable areas.
Also Read: A wake-up call for faltering Monsoon defences
The State Irrigation Department has issued orange and yellow alerts for several rivers across Kerala following a dangerous rise in water levels, warning people living along riverbanks to remain vigilant.
The collapsed Payyavoor Chandanakkampara – Anayadi – Ettupara Bridge in Kannur.
An orange alert has been issued for the Achankovil River at Kalleli and Pandalam stations and the Pamba River at Aranmula station in Pathanamthitta district.
In Ernakulam, the Muvattupuzha River is under orange alert at Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha stations, while in Kottayam, the Meenachil River at Pala and Perur stations and the Manimala River at Manimala station are also under orange alert.
A yellow alert has been sounded for the Pamba River at Irapuzha station and the Achankovil River at Nalukettukavala station in Alappuzha district.
In Ernakulam, the Muvattupuzha River at Kalampur station is under yellow alert, while in Thrissur, the Karavannoor River at Karavanoor station has also been placed under yellow alert.
The department has advised the public not to enter or attempt to cross any of the alerted rivers under any circumstances.
Residents living near riverbanks have been asked to remain cautious and be prepared to move from flood-prone areas if instructed by the authorities.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan chairing a meeting of district collectors.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan convened the emergency meeting of district collectors to review the situation arising from the continuing #heavyrain across Kerala, amid growing criticism over the state’s handling of the rain-related emergencies.
District collectors, the Chief Secretary, ministers for Home and Revenue, and ministers in charge of the districts are attending the meeting.
The meeting will assess the rain situation in each district, the functioning of relief camps, precautionary measures, and the coordination of rescue and relief operations.
After the meeting, Satheesan told reporters that the relatives of those killed in the calamity would get an ex gratia of ₹8 lakh each.
The compensation comprises ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), and ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Announcing immediate relief measures, Satheesan said the government would provide an ex gratia assistance of ₹10,000 towards funeral and last rites expenses for those who had lost their lives in the disasters.
Another ₹10,000 will be given to affected families for cleaning and restoring their houses after floodwaters recede.
The chief minister also announced an increase in assistance for families whose houses were destroyed in rain-related incidents.
Until now, the relief package stood at ₹10 lakh, including ₹6 lakh for purchasing land and ₹4 lakh for house construction.
Under the revised package, the total assistance has been increased to ₹12 lakh.
While the allocation for land purchase remains unchanged at ₹6 lakh, the assistance for house construction has been enhanced by ₹2 lakh, taking it from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh.
The government announced an ex gratia of ₹8 lakh each to the next of kin of deceased people.
The chief minister said preliminary estimates indicated crop loss in over 165 hectares, affecting 3,696 farmers across the state.
Satheesan said the government machinery remained on high alert and all departments have been instructed to continue relief and rehabilitation measures in affected areas.
The state government has announced enhanced financial assistance for families affected by rain-related disasters, while rejecting allegations that the current flood situation was caused by the opening of dam shutters.
He said that reservoir shutters were opened only after following the prescribed procedures and safety protocols.
