Kerala braces for the possibility of heavy rains on August 2

Kerala anticipates the potential of substantial rainfall and flooding on August 2, 2026, following a series of stormy days that have caused significant disruption across the state. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed 12 districts under an orange alert, predicting heavy rains and the risk of flash floods, mudslides, and inundation of roads and neighborhoods in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod.

Notably, the IMD has not issued any weather alerts for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, but has advised fishermen to stay away from rough seas. The government has directed district administrations to prepare for any eventuality, and has deployed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Kerala State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units for emergency response in the most vulnerable areas.

Heavy rains, strong winds, and flash flooding hit the state on Saturday, August 1, resulting in six deaths and six persons missing. Landslides were reported in the forested regions of Idukki and Kottayam, and rivers in spate overflowed into commercial areas, submerging traders' stock for the Onam shopping season. Power outages caused by fallen pylons disrupted mobile phone and internet services in several districts.

So far, 65 relief camps have been set up, and 1,465 people have been relocated. Kottayam and Kannur are among the most affected districts, with 17 houses destroyed and at least 127 damaged. The government is assessing crop loss and building damage to provide compensation and ex gratia payments to families who lost their primary earners due to the floods.