Heavy Rain Batters Kerala, Eight Districts Under Red Alert as Rivers Swell

Heavy rains continued to batter Kerala on Tuesday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert in eight districts of the state amid forecasts of extremely heavy rainfall. The alert was issued for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

The weather department also issued an orange alert in Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts, while Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam remained under a yellow alert. According to the IMD, a red alert indicates rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange and yellow alerts represent very heavy and heavy rainfall respectively.

Several low-lying and riverside areas in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kozhikode continued to remain flooded, forcing residents to move to relief camps. Floodwaters damaged essential documents, household items and school books, affecting many families.

Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said the government would organise special adalats for restoring lost documents and ensure that students affected by the floods receive textbooks and study materials. He added that the government has sanctioned ₹25,000 for cleaning work in every ward, while volunteer organisations have stepped forward to assist residents in cleaning flood-affected homes. The state government has also announced financial assistance for people who lost homes and livelihoods, with officials assuring that support would be provided without delay.

Kasaragod recorded the highest rainfall in the state, with Bayar receiving 121.5 mm between August 3 and early August 4. Other areas including Muliyar, Kannur Airport, Urumi in Kozhikode and Neryamangalam in Ernakulam also witnessed significant rainfall. Water levels in the Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha rivers remained above warning levels on Tuesday morning, though authorities reported that the levels were gradually receding. Officials continued monitoring river conditions and advised residents living along riverbanks to remain alert.

Meanwhile, water levels in several major dams, including Moozhiyar, Kallarkutty, Erattayar, Lower Periyar, Poringalkuthu and Kuttiyadi, entered the red alert category as monsoon activity intensified across the state. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation as heavy rainfall persists in several parts of Kerala.