Kochi: Kerala continues to face a severe spell of monsoon rain, with the death toll from rain related incidents rising to six as heavy downpours triggered floods, landslides and widespread disruption across several districts. The India Meteorological Department has warned that the intense rainfall is likely to continue over the next two days, prompting authorities to maintain high alert across the state.
The worst affected districts include Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, where overflowing rivers, flooded roads and landslides have disrupted normal life. Several families have been shifted to relief camps after water entered homes and low lying areas became inundated. Emergency teams have been working around the clock to rescue stranded residents and restore essential services.
According to state officials, six people have lost their lives in various rain related incidents since the latest spell of heavy rain began. The casualties have been reported from different parts of the state due to landslides, drowning and accidents linked to the severe weather. Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations in vulnerable locations as more rain is expected.
The India Meteorological Department has issued orange alerts for several districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. Yellow alerts remain in place for parts of southern Kerala. Disaster management officials have urged people living near rivers, streams and landslide prone hillsides to remain extremely cautious and to move to safer places if advised by local authorities.
Traffic has been badly affected in many hilly regions. District administrations have imposed restrictions on unnecessary travel through ghat roads, forest routes and landslide prone areas, especially during night hours. Officials have warned that continuous rain has weakened hill slopes, increasing the risk of fresh landslides and falling trees. Motorists have been advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and to follow instructions issued by the police and district authorities.
Several educational institutions remain closed in affected districts as a precautionary measure. Local administrations are monitoring the situation closely and decisions regarding school closures are being taken based on weather forecasts and ground conditions. Public transport services have also been disrupted in some areas because of flooded roads and fallen trees.
Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the Fire and Rescue Services, Kerala Police, National Disaster Response Force personnel, revenue officials and local volunteers. Teams are helping evacuate residents from flooded areas, clearing blocked roads and supplying food, drinking water and other essential items to relief camps. Authorities are also monitoring dams and reservoirs, where water levels have risen following continuous rainfall.
Agriculture has also suffered damage as paddy fields, vegetable farms and plantations in several districts have been flooded. Farmers are assessing losses while officials are collecting information to prepare damage reports. Tourism activities in some hill stations and eco tourism destinations have also been restricted because of safety concerns.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reviewed the rain situation with district collectors and senior officials. The government has directed all departments to strengthen rescue and relief operations and ensure that emergency services remain available in vulnerable areas. Control rooms continue to function across the state to provide assistance and receive emergency calls.
Weather experts say the active monsoon conditions are expected to continue over Kerala during the next 24 to 48 hours, with the possibility of more intense rainfall in isolated places. Authorities have urged the public not to ignore official warnings, avoid rivers and flooded areas, postpone unnecessary travel and remain alert as the state continues to battle one of the strongest spells of monsoon rain this season.