Pathanamthitta: The southwest monsoon continued to disrupt normal life across Kerala as incessant rainfall caused flooding in several areas. Pathanamthitta, the worst-affected district in the state, has been placed on high alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of possible flash floods in areas near the Pamba and Kakkattar rivers.
Local authorities have issued announcements in hilly regions, urging residents to remain vigilant. Several rivers in the district are in spate due to continuous heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for all districts in Kerala on Monday. A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod districts.
In Alappuzha, holidays have been announced for schools in Chengannur and Kuttanad taluks, as well as all educational institutions functioning as relief camps.
A red alert has been issued at Kallarkutty, Irattayar and Lower Periyar dams in Idukki, Peringalkuthu dam in Thrissur and Kuttiyadi dam in Kozhikode after water levels crossed danger marks.
In Idukki, the district administration ordered the closure of the Neryamangalam-Adimali stretch of National Highway 85 due to the risk of mudslides in the hilly region.
The District Collector advised residents to avoid travelling through the route until further notice, as continuous heavy rainfall has increased the possibility of landslides. The district administration has also banned all tourism-related activities in Idukki due to the adverse weather conditions.
In Kottayam, houses in low-lying areas of Pala remain submerged. According to official data, 28 villages in the district have been affected by floods and landslides. People living near riverbanks and landslide-prone areas have been shifted to relief camps.
In Wayanad, the District Collector advised people to avoid travelling to the district in view of the weather conditions. Tourism activities have also been banned.
Traders in Ranni town of Pathanamthitta district are facing heavy financial losses after severe rainfall and flash floods caused the Pamba River to overflow, inundating shops, warehouses and commercial establishments.
Business owners are assessing the damage while attempting to resume normal operations after floodwaters submerged several parts of the town.
The flooding followed extremely heavy rainfall in the hilly regions of Pathanamthitta, triggering flash floods and causing the Pamba River to breach its banks. Several parts of Ranni were submerged under waist-deep water.
Describing the sudden rise in water levels, a local pharmacy owner said traders had little time to protect their goods.
"The flood has badly affected people in Ranni. The water level rose suddenly yesterday, and within one and a half hours, the river overflowed. Most traders were unable to open their shops, and many have suffered losses worth lakhs of rupees," the shop owner told ANI.
The trader also expressed disappointment over the lack of adequate compensation following previous flood disasters.
"Many traders said they did not receive compensation during previous floods and are deeply disappointed as the situation continues to repeat every year," he said.
Several shopkeepers are now worried about rebuilding their businesses, saying recurring floods have severely affected their livelihoods.
The state government confirmed eight deaths in rain-related accidents since Saturday. Eight people are reported missing, while 12 others have been injured.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that 5,792 people are currently staying in 209 relief camps across the state.
Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar said the situation was improving and remained under control despite widespread damage and waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall.
He said traffic movement had been restored on several damaged roads, though restrictions remain in some areas.
The minister added that alerts had been issued for several districts in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall and that all necessary preparations were in place.