Heavy monsoon rains lashed Kerala over the weekend, triggering landslides, flash floods and widespread damage that claimed eight lives and left eight people missing. Thirteen others were injured, according to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
The intense downpour, which began late on Friday and continued into Saturday, hit multiple districts hard, particularly Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kannur. Rivers overflowed, low-lying areas were inundated, and hillsides gave way in several places. Officials reported that 27 houses were completely destroyed and 196 suffered partial damage.
Among the dead were three children. Two young boys drowned in a swollen stream in Malappuram, while an 11-year-old fell into a waterlogged pit. Landslides buried homes in Idukki and Kottayam, killing several residents, including a mother and son. One person died of electrocution in Wayanad. Six fishermen from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam remain missing at sea, while two others from Kannur disappeared after falling into a river. Search operations continue.
Authorities moved 5,792 people to 209 relief camps across the state. National Disaster Response Force teams, fire services, police and local volunteers carried out rescue efforts. Rainfall eased on Sunday, allowing water levels in several dams to drop, though some reservoirs in Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur remained under red alert.
The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for 12 districts on Sunday, warning of further heavy rain. Chief Minister Satheesan said the government is closely monitoring the situation and will provide assistance to the families of the deceased and those who lost homes or livelihoods. He urged residents, especially those in hilly areas, to remain vigilant and follow official advisories.
The latest spell of extreme weather underscores Kerala’s vulnerability to intense monsoon rainfall and the continuing need for preparedness in landslide-prone regions.
ALSO READ: One Wedding, Six Sets Of Twins: The Kerala Ceremony That Still Amazes The Internet