Kerala Rains: Yellow Alert Across State, CM Calls Emergency Meet as Flood Warning Issued

The intensity of rainfall in Kerala has eased compared to the past two days, but moderate to heavy rain continues to disrupt normal life in several parts of the State. On Monday, August 3, 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the entire State, warning of isolated heavy rainfall in the coming hours.

In response to the prevailing situation, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will chair an online emergency meeting to assess the impact of the rains and coordinate relief efforts across the affected districts. The meeting is expected to review the readiness of disaster management teams, the status of power supply, and the functioning of essential services.

A flash flood warning has been specifically issued for Pathanamthitta district, where intense rainfall was recorded over the weekend. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and riverine areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders if issued.

In view of the weather conditions, a holiday has been declared for all educational institutions in 12 districts on Monday: Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha. The decision was taken to ensure the safety of students and staff, as many schools in these districts had faced waterlogging and damaged roads over the past two days.

The State government has asked district collectors to remain on high alert and to deploy emergency response teams in vulnerable areas. Relief camps have been opened in several places, and people living in landslide-prone zones have been advised to move to safer locations.

Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea along the Kerala coast, as sea conditions are likely to be rough due to the weather system. The IMD has also predicted strong winds in certain areas, which could uproot trees and cause minor structural damage.

Public transport, including Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, is operating with delays on many routes due to waterlogging and fallen trees. The Southern Railway has announced partial cancellations and diversions of train services on select routes passing through the southern districts of the State. Passengers have been advised to check with railway authorities before undertaking journeys.

Emergency helplines have been activated in all districts, and the State Disaster Management Authority has released a list of contact numbers for the public to report grievances or request assistance. The Chief Minister has assured that the government is taking all necessary measures to minimise the impact of the rains and to provide immediate relief to those affected.

This is the second spell of heavy rainfall to hit Kerala within a month, following a pre-monsoon spell in July that caused significant damage in the central and southern regions. While the current system is weaker than last year's cyclonic storm, weather experts note that the cumulative rainfall over the past 48 hours has already exceeded the seasonal average in several districts, raising concerns about soil saturation and the risk of landslides.

Residents are advised to stay indoors unless necessary, avoid driving through flooded roads, and keep a close watch on official weather updates. The IMD is expected to issue the next bulletin in the evening, which will provide more clarity on the movement of the weather system and the likelihood of further rainfall over the next 48 hours.