Kerala rain toll climbs to 25; fresh heavy spell likely from weekend
The death toll in rain-related incidents across Kerala over the past four days has risen to 25, with four people still reported missing, according to state authorities. The recent heavy downpour triggered flash floods and landslips, leaving a trail of destruction in several districts.
While the intensity of rainfall has temporarily eased, the state is bracing for another round of intense showers by this weekend, triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in central Travancore, including Ernakulam, Idukki, and parts of Kottayam, as well as in four northern districts: Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The rest of the state, barring Thiruvananthapuram and parts of Kollam, is likely to receive above-normal rainfall.
A total of 418 relief camps are currently operating across the state, sheltering 18,434 people as of Tuesday 5 p.m. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said the situation is being closely monitored, with elaborate preparations in place ahead of the expected heavy rain. Search operations are continuing for the four missing persons.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for nine districts on Wednesday, warning of intense rainfall. A yellow alert, indicating isolated heavy rain, has been issued for Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. In Kerala's weather alert system, an orange alert signifies very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm), while a yellow alert denotes heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm, advising residents to stay updated on weather conditions.
The rains have also helped narrow the state's seasonal rainfall deficit significantly. According to IMD data, the deficit stood at 34% as the monsoon crossed the halfway mark in Kerala. As of July 31, the state had received 853.8 mm of rainfall against the normal 1,301.7 mm for the period. However, in just four days, aided by a depression over central India, Kerala recorded cumulative rainfall of 1,059.6 mm from June 1 to August 4, against the normal 1,374.9 mm. This brought the shortfall down to 23%, a reduction of over 11 percentage points in less than a week.
The upcoming wet spell is expected to improve the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall in the first half of August. However, a robust recovery may be difficult, as the second half of the month remains vulnerable to a prolonged monsoon break, with the monsoon trough likely to shift north of its normal position. Enhanced rainfall alerts are likely to continue over the coming days, even as the intensity of rain has subsided for the time being.
Kerala, which receives the bulk of its annual rainfall during the southwest monsoon (June to September), has experienced recurring flood and landslide events in recent years. The current spell has once again exposed the state's vulnerability to extreme weather, prompting calls for improved disaster preparedness and long-term mitigation strategies.
