According to the forecast, Idukki and Ernakulam districts will be under an Orange Alert on 20 and 23 October, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours.
Published Oct 20, 2025 | 1:21 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2025 | 1:44 PM
Roads washed away in Idukki due to heavy rain.
Synopsis: The northeast monsoon remains active over Kerala, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms in the coming days. Kerala’s hilly Idukki district bore the worst brunt of the northwest monsoon with incessant overnight rain washing out roads, knocking down power lines, choking traffic, disrupting mobile networks and internet connectivity, and triggering minor mudslides.
The northeast monsoon remains active over Kerala, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange and yellow alerts across several districts of Kerala in the coming days, warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thundershowers.
According to the forecast, Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode will be under an Orange Alert on 20 October, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours.
Further Orange alert has been issued on 22 October for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, on 23 October for Kozhikode and Wayanad and on 24 October for Kannur and Kasaragod.
Kerala’s hilly Idukki district bore the worst brunt of the northwest monsoon with incessant overnight rain washing out roads, knocking down power lines, choking traffic, disrupting mobile networks and internet connectivity, and triggering minor mudslides.
The other day, the heavy spell also claimed its first casualty in the district.
A well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep is expected to intensify into a depression within 24 hours, while another system brewing over the south Andaman Sea may develop into a depression over the Bay of Bengal later this week.
Kumily grama panchayat in Idukki was among the worst affected.
A 66-year-old man, identified as Parappallil Thomas alias Thankachan, died after his two-wheeler was trapped under falling mud on the Kumily–Anavilasom–Kattappana Highway near Vellaramkunnu.
Torrential rains caused sweeping power outages, while stormwater gushed through streets, washing away vehicles and inundating homes and shops in Onnam Mile, Atta Palam, Kumily town, Periyar Colony, Chelimala, Valiyakandan, and Anavachal.
A team led by Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine, the other day, visited several affected areas, including Kunthalam Para, VT Nagar, and Kurisu Palli in Kattappana.
The minister inspected houses and landslip-hit sites, directing officials to prepare an immediate assessment report and submit estimates for protective measures along the slide-prone slopes. Eight families living in vulnerable areas at Kurisu Palli were instructed to shift to safer locations.
The minister also said necessary precautions would be taken if more water had to be released from the Mullaperiyar Dam. Several houses in Kumily, Chelimada, Onnam Mile, and Valiyakandam were flooded, forcing night-time evacuations.
In Malappuram, traffic along the Gudaloor–Kozhikode Road at Manimoola was disrupted after water levels rose sharply in the Karakodam, Kalakkad, and Athithode rivers. In Kochi, moderate flooding in parts of the city inconvenienced early morning commuters.
Revenue Minister K Rajan, speaking in Thrissur, cautioned that the state is likely to receive more rain in the coming days.
“We must remain vigilant till 24 October. Thunderstorms and lightning are likely in isolated areas, especially in the evenings. People should exercise utmost caution when venturing out,” he said.
Landslide-prone zones across the state, especially in Idukki, are under close watch. Emergency teams and local bodies have been instructed to remain on high alert.
According to the IMD, the well-marked low-pressure area lying over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep region, off the Kerala–Karnataka coast, is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours.
In addition, an upper air cyclonic circulation over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger the formation of another low-pressure system around October 21, which may strengthen into a depression over the central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal within 48 hours of its formation.
A separate cyclonic circulation currently persists over south Kerala and the adjoining Comorin area, while a trough extends from the well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Arabian Sea to the southwest Bay of Bengal, passing across the cyclonic circulation over south Kerala, Comorin, and Sri Lanka.
The IMD has warned that these systems could bring widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy spells over parts of Kerala and coastal Karnataka in the coming days.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are likely till 23 October, and fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea till 25 October due to rough conditions.
Meanwhile, a Yellow Alert has been declared for multiple districts over the next four days:
The IMD has defined isolated heavy rainfall as precipitation ranging between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm in a 24-hour period.
Authorities have advised the public to remain cautious, especially in landslide- and flood-prone areas. People living in vulnerable regions have been urged to follow official updates and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours.
Fishermen are advised to stay updated on weather bulletins before venturing into the sea. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is monitoring the situation closely and has urged district administrations to be on alert for emergency response.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar and Sreelakshmi Soman.)
