Authorities have cautioned residents not to enter or cross rivers under any circumstances and to prepare for possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Published Sep 26, 2025 | 6:41 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2025 | 6:41 PM
Amid heavy downpours lashing Thiruvananthapuram Education Minister V Sivankutty convened a high-level emergency meeting.
Synopsis: Kerala experienced heavy rainfall on 26 September, triggering orange alerts in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki, and prompting warnings over rising river levels. The state is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall over the next five days, with authorities urging residents in landslide-prone and low-lying areas to move to safer locations and follow the directions of local bodies.
Kerala continued to reel under heavy rains on Friday, 26 September, accompanied by thunderstorms and moderate downpours across several districts.
An orange alert was declared for Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki, where isolated very heavy rainfall is expected, along with surface winds of up to 40 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines very heavy rain as more than 115.5 mm within 24 hours.
The State Irrigation Department has issued an alert for rivers, warning of rising water levels and urging people living along riverbanks to remain vigilant. A yellow alert has been specifically issued for the Achankovil River at Konni (Pathanamthitta) following a dangerous rise in water levels.
Authorities have cautioned residents not to enter or cross rivers under any circumstances and to prepare for possible flooding in low-lying areas.
In view of rising water levels at the Aruvikkara Dam, shutters one to five were raised by 15 cm each—a total of 100 cm—at 8 am on Friday. The District Collector has advised residents living in the vicinity of the dam to remain alert and comply with safety instructions.
Amid heavy downpours lashing Thiruvananthapuram and widespread complaints of waterlogging within the corporation limits, Education Minister V Sivankutty—who oversees the district—convened a high-level emergency meeting attended by PWD Minister PA Mohammed Riyas, District Collector Anu Kumari, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, and senior officials from key departments.
Meanwhile, the decision to declare a holiday for schools and colleges drew criticism—not for the declaration itself, but for its timing. The District Collector announced the holiday only in the morning, around 6.45 am, after many students were already prepared to go to school. Parents expressed their frustration on the Collector’s official Facebook page.
“It rained all night. The children are ready and then comes the holiday announcement. Madam, did you wake up just now?” one parent commented. Another wrote: “If it had been announced in the afternoon yesterday, it would have been more convenient. Our school bus updated us just five minutes before it arrived.”
Adding to the criticism, Education Minister V Sivankutty announced the holiday on his Facebook page 12 minutes before the Collector.
Normally, collectors face complaints from students for not declaring holidays during heavy rains, but this time, parents joined the chorus over the delay.
The adverse weather also disrupted air traffic. A Kuwait Airways flight from Kuwait, scheduled to land at 5.45 am at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, was delayed by nearly an hour due to poor visibility caused by heavy rains. The aircraft circled the city after failing to spot the runway during its first approach, but following instructions from Air Traffic Control, it landed safely later.
Adverse weather conditions have forced the closure of popular eco-tourism destinations. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Thiruvananthapuram, announced that Ponmudi Eco-Tourism and Mangayam Eco-Tourism will remain closed from Friday until further notice. Authorities have urged the public to avoid visiting hilly and riverine areas as heavy rains continue.
Kerala is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall for the next five days. The department has forecast isolated very heavy to heavy rainfall on 26 and 27 September, and isolated heavy rainfall from 26 to 28 September.
The IMD has issued rainfall alerts across the state. A yellow alert has been issued for Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad on Friday, while on 27 September, yellow alerts cover Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
Heavy rain in these regions is defined as 64.5 to 115.5 mm within 24 hours, often accompanied by thunderstorms.
Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone and low-lying areas to shift to safer locations and follow the directions of local bodies. Those living along riverbanks and downstream of dams are advised to remain vigilant.
The public has been cautioned against crossing or bathing in rivers, fishing, or venturing near water bodies during heavy rains. Travel to hilly areas, waterfalls, and risky terrains should be strictly avoided. Control rooms are operational in all districts.
In case of emergencies, residents can dial 1077 or 1070 for assistance.
The IMD said a well-marked low-pressure area lies over the northwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal. The system is likely to move westwards and intensify into a deep depression over the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Odisha–north Andhra Pradesh coasts within the next 24 hours. It is expected to make landfall on the morning of 27 September.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
