Kerala Rains 2026: Floodwaters Reach New Areas, Thousands Evacuated

Even as rainfall eased on Tuesday, large parts of Kerala's Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts remained underwater, with floodwaters spreading to new areas in Upper Kuttanad. Authorities reported that thousands of people continue to stay in relief camps, and rescue operations are ongoing.

The water levels in the Meenachil, Manimala, Pampa, and Achenkovil rivers stayed largely steady through the day and remained below the danger mark, according to district officials. However, floodwaters advanced into more low-lying areas, forcing fresh evacuations. As of Tuesday evening, Kottayam had 141 relief camps housing 6,848 people, while Pathanamthitta had 146 camps sheltering 7,168 people.

In Kottayam, floodwaters entered more parts of the backwater villages east of the town, even as normalcy gradually returned to the upper reaches, including Pala and Erattupetta. Houses in Eranjal, Illikkal, Veloor, Ayamanom, and Kumarakom were inundated, with residents saying that some areas remained unaffected even during the devastating floods of 2018.

The eastern parts of Changanassery taluk witnessed large-scale evacuations. Traffic on the Alappuzha-Changanassery Road was disrupted after the AC Canal overflowed, triggering a political controversy. Water levels also continued to rise in Valady, Eera, Narakathara, and Neelamperoor.

In Pathanamthitta, floodwaters receded in parts of Ranni and Kozhencherry taluks, bringing some relief. Ranni town, among the worst-hit areas over the weekend, has begun returning to normal, with residents, local bodies, and volunteers engaged in large-scale cleaning operations. The situation, however, deteriorated further in the low-lying areas of Aranmula and Thiruvalla, where rising water levels left thousands stranded and led to a steady increase in the number of inmates at relief camps.

Hundreds of houses remain marooned, with some residents refusing to evacuate despite repeated appeals from rescue teams. District authorities said that 3,878 people had been rescued since operations began on Saturday, including around 220 shifted to safer locations on Tuesday. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, assisted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), continued evacuation efforts as many families remained stranded on the upper floors of their houses.

A few relief camps witnessed a steady rise in the number of inmates. Waterlogging persisted in Kadapra, Edathua, Veeyapuram, Pandanad, and Thiruvanvandoor, while flooding at Thirumoolapuram caused severe traffic congestion on the MC Road. Floodwaters also entered relief camps in parts of Upper Kuttanad, including Chathankary, complicating relief operations. Authorities said that supplying food to several camps had become increasingly difficult.

As a precaution, power supply was disconnected in many flood-hit areas, affecting hospitals, including those in Chathankary and nearby places. In a tragic incident, Raja Mondal, a migrant worker, died after being electrocuted while vacating his rented accommodation in Thiruvalla. Reports indicate that he came into contact with current from an inverter during the evacuation. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid such hazards.