Heavy Rains Batter Kerala: Flooding, Power Outages, and Relief Efforts Underway

Last Updated May - 28 - 2025, 12:54 PM | Source : Fela News

Kerala reels under intense monsoon rains, with four deaths, widespread damage, and over 1,500 power poles down. Relief camps opened as red alerts are issued in

Relentless heavy rains continued to batter Kerala on Monday, prompting evacuations and forcing many residents to seek shelter in relief camps and safer locations.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the intense monsoon has already claimed four lives in the state. A total of 29 homes have been completely destroyed, while 868 have suffered partial damage.

Relief camps have been established in several districts, with five in Wayanad and one each in Idukki and Kozhikode, the CMO reported.

The southwest monsoon, which made an early arrival in Kerala, has intensified further, bringing strong winds and widespread rainfall across almost all districts. The weather has led to power outages, flooding in low-lying areas, and significant traffic disruptions. Reports from across the state highlight the extensive uprooting of trees, affecting both rural and urban regions, with overflowing rivers and streams posing a threat to nearby communities.

Fallen trees disrupted rail services in multiple areas, including Guruvayur–Punkunnam, Ernakulam South–Ernakulam Town, and Ambalappuzha–Alappuzha, as well as at Tiruvalla Yard. Authorities were able to restore train services after clearing the debris.

In Wayanad’s Sultan Bathery, tribal families from the Puzhamkuni hamlet were relocated to relief camps. The National Disaster Response Force is stationed in the district, and camps have been set up in Bathery. In Thrissur district, Fire and Rescue Services and police dealt with several emergencies as trees toppled by the persistent rains blocked roads and created hazards.

In Palakkad’s high-range areas, such as Attappadi and Nelliyampathy, strong winds and heavy rainfall made conditions particularly harsh. Several families in nearby Kozhikode were also evacuated as rain continued to lash both villages and hilly terrains. Authorities in Kozhikode urged residents to remain alert as the Poonoorpuzha river’s water level rose above the danger mark at Kolikkal and reached warning levels at Kunnamangalam.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) reported damages amounting to ₹56.77 crore in its power distribution network, with 1,596 high-tension poles and 10,573 low-tension poles damaged due to the ongoing weather.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for 11 districts, including Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. An orange alert was announced for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha. A red alert indicates rainfall exceeding 20 cm in a 24-hour period, while an orange alert signals rainfall between 11 and 20 cm.

In response to the worsening conditions, the CMO advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially to high-range areas, waterfalls, and water bodies.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) warned of potential waterlogging on major roads, poor visibility, and traffic snarls. They also cautioned about the risk of landslides and landslips in vulnerable regions.

As a safety measure, district administrations in Wayanad, Kannur, and Kozhikode announced a holiday for all educational institutions on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, several government events, including a scheduled interaction in Kochi between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and women from various sectors, have been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.