Kerala on high alert as heavy rain batters state; 14 dead across South India

Heavy rain continued to lash several parts of Kerala, with three weather stations recording more than 100 mm of rainfall, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data released on Monday. Authorities have warned of a worsening situation in the southern district of Pathanamthitta, where rising water levels have raised flood concerns.

The office of Kerala Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said heavy rain in the Sabarimala region had created a worrying situation in the district, with water levels likely to rise in Ranni and nearby areas.

Vishnunadh is camping in Pathanamthitta and leading disaster management and relief operations, the minister’s office said.

It added that he was reviewing the situation at Kozhencherry along with Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey, government officials and other elected representatives.

People living in low-lying areas have been directed to move to safer places without fail after overnight rain raised concerns of flooding in vulnerable areas.

VIDEO | Kannur, Kerala: Heavy rains trigger floods and landslides in Kannur. More than 500 people have been shifted to relief camps as rescue operations continue.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Ik2gL0ZNzV

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 2, 2026

With heavy rainfall continuing across the state, collectors in several districts declared a holiday on Monday for all educational institutions.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister V D Satheesan convened an online meeting of district collectors at 10 am on Monday to review the rain situation across Kerala. He is also scheduled to review relief camp arrangements with district officials. On Sunday, he said clean-up operations had begun in flood-affected areas.

According to the IMD, rainfall recorded between 8.30 am on August 2 and 5.30 am on August 3 showed that Venkurinji in Pathanamthitta received the highest rainfall at 104.5 mm, followed by Udumbannoor in Idukki with 103.0 mm and Cheruthoni in Idukki with 101.5 mm.

Laha in Pathanamthitta received 87.0 mm of rain, while Thycattussery in Alappuzha recorded 80.0 mm. Neriamangalam in Ernakulam received 75.0 mm, followed by Ulanadu in Pathanamthitta with 74.5 mm.

Mud slip in Panakkad, Malappuram 😟

Stay Safe Kerala 🙏#KeralaRains pic.twitter.com/IQZldoiSFY

— BEN K MATHEW (@BENKMATHEW) August 3, 2026

Mattancherry in Ernakulam recorded 71.0 mm of rainfall. Ranni Chethackal in Pathanamthitta received 65.5 mm, Vadavathoor in Kottayam recorded 64.0 mm, Palluruthy in Ernakulam received 63.0 mm, and Munakkal in Thrissur recorded 62.0 mm.

According to the IMD, all these locations recorded 60 mm or more of rainfall during the period, which the weather office classifies as significant rainfall. The widespread rain was reported as the southwest monsoon remained active over the state.

The heavy rain and floods have battered parts of southern India over the weekend, killing at least 14 people. Eleven people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala, while a landslide triggered by heavy rain in neighbouring Karnataka killed three people, according to authorities and news reports.

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to 11 by Sunday, and nearly 7,700 people were evacuated to around 275 relief camps across the state, a state government minister said.

The state’s disaster management authority said Kerala is likely to experience strong winds and moderate rainfall in some areas on Monday.

Heavy rain also forced the closure of many schools across the state, while the government postponed a state-level teacher recruitment examination.

In neighbouring Karnataka, heavy rain triggered a landslide that killed a couple and their son on Saturday, newspaper The Hindu reported.