Heavy rain lashes Kerala, triggering landslides, flooding and red alerts across six districts

Heavy rain that began on Friday evening continued unabated across Kerala on Saturday morning, triggering landslides, flash floods, transport disruption and rescue operations across several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that intense rainfall is likely to persist over the coming hours, with red and orange alerts in force across the state.

The worsening weather has also forced the closure of educational institutions in four districts, while authorities have urged people in hilly and coastal areas to remain vigilant. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea because of rough conditions, and tourists have been asked to avoid vulnerable hill and coastal destinations.

Landslides hit Idukki, flooding disrupts Kottayam

Two landslides were reported near Thodupuzha in Idukki district following incessant rain. According to preliminary information, the incidents occurred at Challavayal in Muttam and Adoormala.

Floodwaters rose rapidly at Challavayal, leaving residents stranded inside their homes. At Adoormala, a massive surge of water rushed down the hillside after the landslide.

Separate mudslides were also reported at two locations in Nellappara, Karinkunnam. No casualties have been reported so far. Heavy rain, which began on Friday night, continued without a break on Saturday morning.

In neighbouring Kottayam, rising water levels in the Meenachil River inundated nearby areas, leaving several roads under water. Traffic on the Pala–Erumeli Road was disrupted after floodwater submerged stretches of the route.

Water levels in the Manimala River also continued to rise. Overflow from one of its tributaries disrupted traffic on the Kuttikkal Road.

Reports also indicated a landslide at Muppathekkar in Theekoy. Flooding in the Moonnilavu Valiyamangalam area brought traffic to a standstill, while waterlogging affected the Edamaruku–Vakkad Road and the Edamaruku–Paikadapeedika Road. Roads and buildings near Poonjar Pallivathil were also inundated.

As a precaution, residents from several areas, including Ilangad and Valyenth, were being shifted to safer locations as heavy rain persisted. Floodwaters also submerged the Kootikkal dip bridge (chappath), the causeway and the steps leading to the panchayat office.

Schools and colleges shut in four districts

Educational institutions across eight Kerala districts will remain closed on Saturday after heavy rainfall continued across the state, prompting district administrations to declare holidays as a precautionary measure.

The holiday has been announced in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, Malappuram, Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Palakkad.

In Wayanad, where the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert, the District Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis, religious study classes, tuition centres, special classes and professional colleges.

The order does not apply to residential schools and residential colleges. Schools and colleges functioning as relief camps will continue to remain closed until a fresh notification is issued after Saturday.

In Kottayam, District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges. Anganwadis, tuition centres and special classes will also remain closed. However, examinations scheduled in advance will be conducted as planned.

Pathanamthitta has also declared a holiday for all educational institutions, from anganwadis to professional colleges, in view of the continuing heavy rain.

In Malappuram, all educational institutions, including professional colleges, will remain closed on Saturday. The holiday also covers madrasas and tuition centres. Previously scheduled university and Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations will be held without any changes.

Alappuzha has announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, as heavy rainfall and weather warnings continue across the district.

Kozhikode District Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including schools, madrasas, tuition centres, professional colleges and anganwadis, citing persistent heavy rain and waterlogging, particularly in the hilly regions. Scheduled PSC and university examinations will be conducted as planned, while online classes will continue.

In Palakkad, the District Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, after a Red Alert was issued for the district following intense rainfall.

Two fishermen missing as weather warnings intensify

Two fishermen from Anchuthengu went missing after their boat capsized in strong winds at Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram district. Rescue operations have been severely hampered by rough seas and continuing high waves along the coast.

Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast more intense rainfall over the next few hours. A red alert has been issued for the next three hours in six districts — Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode — while orange alerts are in place across the remaining districts.

Authorities have advised people living in coastal and hilly regions to remain on high alert. Fishermen have again been warned not to venture into the sea, while tourists have been urged to avoid travel to vulnerable hill and coastal areas until weather conditions improve.