Kerala rains: Death toll rises to 20; Pathanamthitta, Kottayam worst-hit by floods

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala continued to reel under widespread flooding, mudslides and waterlogging on Tuesday, with the death toll from rain-related incidents climbing to 20 over the past three days. According to official figures, 17 deaths and five missing persons have been confirmed, while reports from various districts indicate that 20 people have died and seven remain missing in flash floods and mudslides. Search operations are continuing for those swept away by floodwaters.

Kottayam and Malappuram have reported the highest number of fatalities, with four deaths each and one person missing in both districts. The toll in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam rose to three each. Two people remain missing in Thiruvananthapuram and one in Kollam. Idukki has reported two deaths, while Kannur has recorded one death and two missing persons. One death each has also been reported from Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode and Ernakulam. A total of 13,496 people are staying in 353 relief camps across the state.

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam face severe flooding
Pathanamthitta and Kottayam remain the worst-affected districts. In Ranni in Pathanamthitta, floodwaters that had receded on Sunday began rising again as the water level in the Pamba river increased. Landslides have also been reported from several locations in the district.

In Kottayam, floodwaters flowing from the eastern high ranges inundated large parts of the western region, worsening waterlogging in low-lying areas. In one of the state's worst flood-hit local bodies, 98% of houses in Thiruvarppu panchayat in Kottayam have been inundated after the Meenachil river overflowed following incessant rain.

Of the 8,064 houses spread across the panchayat's 19 wards, 7,924 have been affected by flooding. Only around 140 houses in the relatively elevated Chengalam and Kilirur areas remain untouched. Local residents said the flooding has surpassed even the devastating 2018 floods. The panchayat office, which remained largely unaffected in 2018, is now completely submerged. So far, 250 people have been shifted to 13 relief camps. As space within Thiruvarppu became insufficient, additional relief camps have been opened in Kottayam town, panchayat president Jaya Sajimon said.

In Thrissur, the sea washed away the Andathode-Periyambalam link road. The water level in the Bharathapuzha river has risen in Palakkad. Malappuram witnessed both a landslide and a minor landslip on Monday, while mountain streams continue to flow through the landslide-hit area at Thayyeni in Kasaragod. Water levels have started receding in parts of Nileshwaram.

Weather warning
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall (7-11 cm in 24 hours) is very likely at isolated places across Kerala on August 4 and from August 6 to 9, 2026. Strong surface winds with speed occasionally reaching 40-50 kmph are likely to prevail over Kerala and Lakshadweep on Tuesday.

The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts, forecasting heavy rainfall at one or two places. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

Holiday in 10 districts
Educational institutions will remain closed on Tuesday in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts.

In Wayanad, only schools functioning as relief camps have been given a holiday. In Kannur, educational institutions, except professional colleges, in Payyannur, Taliparamba and Iritty taluks will remain closed.