Published Aug 04, 2026 | 12:13 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 04, 2026 | 12:13 PM
Pala in Kottayam is one of the worst affected areas. (Sourced)
Synopsis: The India Meteorological Department has warned that the spell of intense rainfall is far from over. People have been advised against entering or crossing water bodies. Those living in riparian areas have been told to remain alert and prepared. General Education Department has initiated an inspection of schools. The power distributor is racing to restore electricity supply in affected areas.
Heavy rain continued to batter parts of Kerala on Tuesday, 4 August, leaving parts of the state grappling with floods, power disruptions and widespread damage, even as the government intensified relief and restoration efforts.
The official death toll stood at 15, though some news reports claimed 18 lives had been lost.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the spell of intense rainfall is far from over.
An orange alert has been sounded for the entire state, barring the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts. Those two districts are on yellow alert.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan is scheduled to visit the rain-hit regions of Pathanamthitta. He will arrive at Aranmula at noon before visiting affected areas, including Ranni, to assess the flood situation and review relief operations on the ground.
Also Read: Death toll in Kerala rains rises to 15
The Agriculture Department has stepped up support for families staying in relief camps.
A flooded road in Pala, Kottayam. (Sourced)
Acting on the directions of Agriculture Minister T Siddique, vegetables are being supplied through Horticorp to ensure the availability of nutritious food for those displaced by the floods.
According to the department, vegetables worth ₹1,90,808 have so far been distributed to 76 relief camps in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.
The minister said the distribution of vegetables and other essential agricultural products would continue based on the requirements of the camps.
Also Read: Rains and repercussions add to Kerala monsoon woes
The heavy rains have also dealt a severe blow to Kerala State Electricity Board’s distribution network. Preliminary estimates put the damage at around ₹25.43 crore.
As of 4 pm on Monday, 3 August, rain-related disruptions had affected 2,892 transformers, while power supply to 6,56,770 consumers was interrupted.
The utility reported damage to 349 high-tension poles and 2,599 low-tension poles. High-tension lines snapped at 248 locations and low-tension lines at 7,212 locations. In addition, 233 transformers were completely submerged.
KSEB said electricity has already been restored to a large number of consumers, but 63,676 connections are still awaiting restoration. Kannur and Pathanamthitta remain the worst-hit districts. Officials said restoration work in several flood-affected pockets can begin only after water levels recede and safety inspections are completed.
Circle-level control rooms have been activated across the state to coordinate repair and restoration work, and the Board has sought consumers’ cooperation.
Meanwhile, the General Education Department has begun a statewide safety review of schools in view of the continuing rains.
General Education Minister N Shamsuddin has directed the Special Secretary to ensure that dangerous trees near school campuses are removed and electric posts around educational institutions are inspected without delay.
The minister also ordered urgent inspections to identify risks arising from landslides, collapsing compound walls and other rain-related hazards so that students and school staff are not exposed to danger when institutions reopen.
Also Read: A wake-up call for faltering Monsoon defences
The Irrigation Department has issued orange and yellow alerts for several rivers across Kerala following a sharp rise in water levels.
Orange alerts have been sounded for stretches of the Achankovil and Pamba rivers in Pathanamthitta, Meenachil in Kottayam, and Uppala in Kasaragod, while yellow alerts are in place for parts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kasaragod.
Authorities have urged people not to enter or cross these rivers and advised those living along riverbanks and in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and be ready to relocate if instructed.
Meanwhile, the body of VP Haneefa, who had been missing, was found about 200 meters away from the Kanjirapuzha bridge.
The body will be taken to Thalassery General Hospital for a postmortem examination after the inquest proceedings are completed.
