Kerala floods: CM Satheesan orders emergency preparedness in Pathanamthitta as rains batter State

In response to the severe rain-related incidents across Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan chaired an emergency meeting on Monday (August 3, 2026) to review the situation and announced special preparations for Pathanamthitta district, which has been significantly affected by flooding. The meeting was convened amid reports of heavy rainfall triggering landslides and waterlogging in several parts of the State.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister said the overall situation was under control. He noted that the Disaster Management Secretary had already held a review meeting and initiated precautionary measures in vulnerable areas. The focus, he said, is on ensuring the safety of residents and minimising further damage.

The flooding has been attributed to extremely heavy rainfall, with certain locations recording more than 350 mm of rain within a short span. The Chief Minister clarified that no major dams in the State had been opened as a result of the downpour. Only minor dams, such as Moozhiyar, which has a comparatively low storage capacity, had released water to manage the inflow.

Mr. Satheesan also expressed concern over the delay in receiving timely forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) during the initial hours of the extreme rainfall. He said the State relies primarily on IMD forecasts to monitor weather conditions, and any delay creates difficulties in responding promptly to emerging situations.

So far, 15 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across Kerala, while seven others remain missing. The disaster has destroyed approximately 165 hectares of crops, affecting more than 3,500 farmers. As many as 11,018 people are currently sheltered in 316 relief camps, the Chief Minister said.

To provide immediate relief, the government has announced financial assistance of ₹10,000 to the families of the deceased to cover funeral expenses. Additionally, families returning from relief camps will receive ₹10,000 to help clean their flood-affected houses.

For those who lost family members, the compensation remains at ₹8 lakh. The government has also enhanced the assistance for families whose houses have been completely washed away in landslips and cannot be rebuilt, increasing it from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh. The aid for constructing a new house has been raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh.

The Chief Minister warned that strict action would be taken against individuals spreading false information, particularly rumours about water being released from dams. He emphasised that circulating misinformation through social media, which creates panic among the public, is unacceptable and would invite legal consequences.

The emergency meeting underscores the State government's commitment to tackling the flood situation with coordination and preparedness. Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure timely assistance to those affected. The administration is also working to restore normalcy in the impacted regions as rescue and relief operations continue.