Keralam rain Highlight: Yellow alert in eight districts; CM VD Satheeshan visits flood affected Malappuram
Malappuram: Heavy rains continue to affect parts of Keralam, with flash floods reported in Malappuram, Idukki, and other districts. Rescue and search operations are underway in the affected areas, with residents joining authorities in the efforts.
Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheeshan visited the flood-hit areas of Malappuram and said the flash flood occurred unexpectedly. He noted that the site had not been officially designated as a tourist destination, but its scenic beauty has gained popularity on social media, attracting a large number of visitors. The Chief Minister called for stronger safety measures and said the government is working to further strengthen the state's disaster management system.
The intense rainfall has been attributed to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Kerala Meteorological Department Director Neetha K. Gopal said the rise in temperature also contributed to the strengthening of rain clouds, adding that such intense rainfall can trigger landslides and other hazards.
Meanwhile IMD advised fisherfolks to follow precautionary measures.
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Key Updates
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IMD issues warning in coastal areas
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised fisherfolk not to venture into the sea today and tomorrow along the Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts.
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Bodies of siblings killed in Idukki landslide laid to rest
The bodies of Balakrishnan and his sister Chinnu, who were killed in a landslide in Vattavada, Idukki, were laid to rest. Balakrishnan’s wife, who survived the incident with injuries, is still undergoing treatment.
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CM calls for stronger safety measures after Malappuram flash flood
The flash flood occurred unexpectedly. The fact that local residents immediately joined the rescue efforts helped save more people, Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheeshan said.
He noted that the site where the accident occurred has not been officially declared a tourist destination. Similar incidents have occurred in the area in the past. However, the location has been gaining popularity on social media for its scenic beauty, attracting a large number of visitors.
The Chief Minister said he has directed the authorities to put stronger safety measures in place. He also said the government is working to make the state’s disaster management system more efficient.
He added that NDRF, along with Police and Fire force will continue the rescue operation.
Satheeshan made the remarks after visiting TK Nagar in Malappuram.
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Chief Minister VD Satheesan reaches Malappuram
KeralaM Chief Minister VD Satheesan has reached Malappuram to visit the flood-hit areas. He arrived at Karipur Airport in a chartered flight.
The chief minister will proceed to TK Nagar, where search operations are currently underway. He is also expected to visit the home of the person who remains missing.
Later, he will attend a meeting at Assumption School, which will be attended by local leaders, officials, and the district collector. The Chief Minister is also expected to address the media.
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Bay of Bengal low-pressure system triggers heavy rain in Keralam: KMD director
The intense rainfall was caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. The rise in temperature also contributed to the strengthening of rain clouds. Kerala Meteorological Department Director Neetha K. Gopal told Reporter TV that such heavy rainfall can lead to landslides and other hazards.
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Chief minister to visit Malappuram
Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan will visit the flash-flood-affected areas of Malappuram this evening. He will also visit Sajitha's home, who remains missing after the flash floods.
Authorities said the bodies of five people who died in the disaster have been handed over to their relatives after post-mortems. The families said the cremations will be held today.
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Search continues for the missing person
A search operation is intensifying for a person who went missing amidst a flash flood at TK Nagar, Chokkad, in Malappuram. The missing individual is a local woman named Sajitha. Of the six people who had gone missing, the bodies of five have already been recovered.
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Yellow alert in eight districts
As rain continues in Kerala, IMD issued a yellow alert in eight districts in Keralam. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur. Strong winds are likely alongside the rain. There is no rain warning for tomorrow; however, there is a possibility of heavy rain starting the following day. Alert has been issued for fishermen as well.
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Narrow escape for tourists after mudslide hits Vagamon-Erattupetta road
A group of tourists had a narrow escape after a mudslide occurred on the Vagamon-Erattupetta road in Idukki. In visuals aired on news channels, the car in which the tourists were travelling was seen covered in mud.
Recalling the incident, one of the tourists said that mud and water fell onto their vehicle while they were crossing the road on Sunday night.
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Families evacuated from Idukki village after landslide destroys house
A high alert has been sounded in Idukki district after mudslides and landslides were reported in several parts of the hilly region. Following a landslide in the Munnar-Vattavada region on Sunday, another major landslide struck Pazhampallichal in Adimali, where 5 families had a narrow escape after they moved to another house just before debris and floodwaters hit the area.
One house was completely destroyed in the incident. A major tragedy was averted as the residents had already shifted to another house. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, along with local residents, are working to clear the debris and restore vehicular movement in the affected area.
Families residing in vulnerable areas have also been evacuated to a relief camp set up at the LP School in Palisakkallu as a precautionary measure. It is learnt that families were relocated from Pazhampallichal following the landslide threat. - ANI
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NH soil excavation to be examined amid landslide concerns in Idukki: Minister Anoop Jacob
Keralam Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob on Monday said authorities would examine whether soil excavation carried out as part of National Highway works has contributed to landslides on the road to Munnar and nearby areas in the district.
"From what I understand and according to the reports received, water that had accumulated there suddenly flowed down with force. What happened there was not a situation that could be called a landslip or a landslide. All officials, including the collector, are here. We are assessing the situation," he said.
He said that an orange alert has been issued in the district until Monday afternoon.
"Also, according to current reports, we must expect rain for the next two days. Tourists should exercise self-restraint because when a rain alert is issued, a yellow alert can turn into an orange alert very quickly. If an orange alert comes, the situation is currently moving towards the nature of a red alert," Jacob said. - PTI
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Avoid trips to Idukki: Minister Anoop Jacob
Minister Anoop Jacob is camping in Idukki district to assess the situation as heavy rain continued to wreak havoc. Addressing the media, he urged the people to avoid travel to the hill district in view of the bad weather conditions. He added that the woman who was injured in a mudslide in Vattavada is not in a critical state. Her husband and sister-in-law died after a mudslide buried a shed in which they took shelter during heavy rains. - ANI
#WATCH | Idukki, Keralam | State Minister Anoop Jacob says, "In yesterday's rain, two people lost their lives in the district. One was injured. But she's not in a critical stage... I request the travellers planning to come to Idukki to postpone their trip..." pic.twitter.com/fWhAul82Dj
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2026 -
IMD revises rain forecast, places eight districts under yellow alert
The India Meterological Department has sounded a yellow alert for eight districts – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur on Monday. Heavy downpour is likely to continue in the state till September 24.
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Road washed away in Idukki's Kottakkamboor, over 40 families stranded
Idukki: A road connecting Thattambara village and Kottakamboor was washed away during heavy rains in Idukki on Monday morning. Over 40 families were stranded after losing connectivity to the main road.
According to reports, many tourists are also stuck at a resort in the area after traffic was completely disrupted in the region. People were seen crossing a canal to reach Kottakamboor as well as Thattambara.
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Yellow alert in six districts today
The India Meterological Deparytment has sounded a yellow alert for six districts- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur on Monday. A yellow alert indicates rainfall ranging from 64.5mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.
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Malappuram flashfloods: Death toll touches five
Malappuram: Minister AP Anil Kumar confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the flash flood-hit Kottapuzha River in Malappuram on Monday. He told the media that search operations would continue for two people who have reportedly been missing since Sunday.
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Houses submerged as Meenachil River overflows in Kottayam; two killed in rain-related accidents
Houses were inundated after Meenachil River started to overflow in Kottayam amid heavy rain. An elderly man was killed after a mudslide buried his house at Peringalam. A woman from Tamil Nadu was killed and her friend injured after a landslide at Velathussery near Teekoy on Sunday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Sangeetha Arul Lal (35), a resident of Jawahar Nagar in Chennai.
Sangeetha and her friend, also from Tamil Nadu, were returning from Vagamon when the landslide occurred in the evening, police said.
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CM Satheesan orders hourly assessments of floods, landslide casualties
In view of the flood-like situation in Keralam, Chief Minister VD Satheesan has directed that the situation be assessed on an hourly basis. Following the directive, Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari IAS convened a meeting with the District Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam to review the situation, according to the CMO.
Additionally, SMS alerts regarding the weather conditions have been issued in Idukki and Kottayam districts. The District Collectors have been instructed to assess the situation and take necessary measures, including evacuation wherever required. -
Malappuram flash floods: Death toll touches four
The search personnel recovered four bodies from the Kottapuzha River at Pookkottumpadam in Malappuram. Six people reportedly went missing after getting trapped in the flash floods in the river. NDRF personnel joined the search operation.
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Rain continues in Kerala, orange alert in seven districts
Heavy rain continues in several parts of Kerala, triggering landslides and flash floods. The India Meteorological Department has sounded an orange alert for seven districts- Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram till 7 am on Monday. - KSDMA
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