Heavy rain hits Kerala: Schools closed, flood warnings issued as IMD forecasts more rain

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Heavy rain has continued in Kerala, prompting the closure of schools in nine districts and issuing flood and landslide warnings as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts more rainfall. The situation has led to significant damage, with over 30 homes completely destroyed and 293 partially damaged. Authorities have opened 273 relief camps, sheltering 7,674 people, while rescue operations are ongoing with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Rescue Services and police teams. The death toll from rain-related incidents in Kerala has reached 11, according to official figures.

Heavy rainfall and flood risks

The IMD has issued an orange alert for several districts in Kerala, including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottamthitta, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur, while other districts remain under a yellow alert. The weather agency forecasts isolated heavy rainfall, with some areas expected to receive 7 cm to 11 cm of rain within 24 hours. Strong winds are also expected, with surface winds reaching up to 50 kmph in orange alert districts and up to 40 kmph in other areas. Squally winds of 45–55 kmph, gusting up to 65 kmph, are expected over parts of the Arabian Sea until August 5. Residents in landslide-prone areas have been advised to move to safer locations if instructed by authorities. The government has also warned that continued rainfall could trigger waterlogging, traffic disruptions, landslides in vulnerable regions and lightning incidents. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into affected sea areas.

Relief efforts and damage assessments

In Chhattisgarh, heavy rains triggered severe flooding in the Abujmad region, with more than 50 houses damaged and two girls killed. Flood-affected resident Sonaru Ram described the sudden rainfall as unprecedented, with around 16 houses washed away and belongings lost. Chhattisgarh Minister Kedar Kashyap noted that rainfall between July 28 and 30 was “manifold higher than the average rainfall”, creating conditions similar to a cloudburst. The state government is distributing relief materials and assisting displaced residents.

Meanwhile, in Assam, the flood death toll has risen to 82, with two fresh deaths reported in Sivasagar and Charaideo. Over 1.92 lakh people have been affected across five districts, with 379 villages impacted. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked industrialist Gautam Adani and the Reliance Foundation for their contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Villagers in Sivasagar’s Nepali Khuti area used six country-made boats to rescue more than 1,000 people from five villages after floodwaters entered homes.

Assam and Uttarakhand remain on high alert due to rising water levels, with the Centre announcing flood relief assistance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved central assistance to strengthen flood relief operations. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 500 crore each for Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha, Rs 379.35 crore for Assam, Rs 193.95 crore for Himachal Pradesh and Rs 44.55 crore for Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre is coordinating with state governments and providing support, including deployment of NDRF teams and logistical assistance.