Heavy rain hits Kerala: Schools closed, flood warnings issued as IMD forecasts more rain

Heavy rain has continued in Kerala, prompting the closure of schools in nine districts and issuing flood and landslide warnings as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts more rainfall and strong winds. The situation has led to significant damage, with 30 houses completely destroyed and 293 partially damaged across the state. Authorities have opened 273 relief camps, sheltering 7,674 people, while rescue operations are ongoing with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Rescue Services and police teams.

Heavy rainfall and flood risks

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur, while other districts remain under a yellow alert. The weather agency forecast isolated heavy rainfall, with some areas expected to receive 7 cm to 11 cm of rain within 24 hours. Officials have warned that continued rainfall could trigger waterlogging, traffic disruptions, landslides in vulnerable regions and lightning incidents. In addition, strong winds up to 50 kmph are expected in orange alert districts, while other areas may experience winds of up to 40 kmph.

Residents in landslide-prone areas have been advised to move to safer locations if instructed by authorities. In Chhattisgarh, heavy rains triggered severe flooding in the Abujhmad region, with more than 50 houses damaged and two girls killed. Flood-affected resident Sonaru Ram described the sudden rainfall as unprecedented, with 16 houses washed away and belongings lost. Chhattisgarh Minister Kedar Kashyap said rainfall between July 28 and 30 was “manifold higher than the average rainfall”, creating conditions similar to a cloudburst.

Relief efforts and central support

Assam and Uttarakhand remain on high alert due to rising water levels, while the Centre has sanctioned relief assistance to several states. Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved central assistance to strengthen flood relief operations, with Rs 500 crore each allocated to Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha, Rs 379.35 crore for Assam, Rs 193.95 crore for Himachal Pradesh and Rs 44.55 crore for Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre is coordinating with state governments and providing support, including deployment of NDRF teams and logistical assistance.

More than 1.92 lakh people have been affected across five districts in Assam, with 379 villages impacted. The flood death toll in Assam has risen to 82, with two fresh deaths reported in Sivasagar and Charaideo. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked industrialist Gautam Adani and the Reliance Foundation for their contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. In Sivasagar’s Nepali Khuti area, villagers used six country-made boats to rescue more than 1,000 people from five villages after floodwaters entered homes.