Kerala rains: IMD sounds orange alert for five districts on July 30

Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar interacting with people affected by the Sabari and Godavari floods during his visit to Kunavaram mandal in Polavaram district on Tuesday. | According to the preliminary flood report, as of August 4, at least 77 villages had been affected by the floods. The 149 pregnant women admitted to government hospitals continue to remain under medical supervision despite the receding floodwaters.Interacting with tribal residents in the flood-affected villages of Kunavaram mandal, Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar said relief operations would be intensified and essential commodities distributed through both the special relief programme and the Public Distribution System.Joint Collector S. Prasanth Kumar and Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer Subham Nokwal accompanied the Collector and monitored the distribution of flood relief materials and essential commodities in Kunavaram and Yetapaka mandals.Flood recedes in KonaseemaIn Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, the first flood warning for the Godavari was withdrawn on August 3. By Tuesday evening, the inflow had fallen below 6 lakh cusecs, according to the Godavari Flood Report-2026.Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar said more than 6,400 people in 19 villages had been affected by the floods. Mummidivaram and Razole mandals were the worst hit, and relief operations were under way, he said. Published - August 04, 2026 08:26 pm IST

Flood affected area of MC Road at Kuttoor near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta on Sunday. | However, the Upper Kuttanad region continued to bear the brunt of the rain fury, with rising waters forcing more evacuations and disrupting normal life.Water levels in major rivers, including the Pamba, Achankovil and Manimala rivers, started receding as residents in the upper reaches began returning home. In Ranni, one of the worst-affected areas in the district, the flood situation improved considerably, allowing residents and traders to begin the recovery process. Shop owners were seen removing water-damaged goods from their establishments, with traders estimating losses running into several crores of rupees.The floodwaters in Aranmula also began to recede, while authorities continued to urge people living in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant. The storage position in major reservoirs remained comfortable, with the live storage level in the Pamba reservoir at 35.47% and the Kakki dam at 44.11%.However, as water receded from the upper reaches, the runoff entered the low-lying Upper Kuttanad region, inundating several houses and triggering a large-scale evacuation drive. Water levels continued to rise through the day in parts of the region, even as more people were shifted to relief camps.Floodwaters from the Pamba and Manimala rivers spilled onto the Thiruvalla–Ambalappuzha State Highway around 1 a.m., inundating roads, houses, commercial establishments and places of worship. The Nedumpram stretch, which is prone to flooding during intense rain spells, witnessed major disruption to traffic movement.KSRTC suspended services through the waterlogged stretch at Nedumpram. Buses from the Alappuzha, Edathua and Haripad depots operated only up to Chakkulathukavu Junction, while services from Thiruvalla were curtailed at Vaikkathillam Bridge.Traffic on the Thiruvalla–Ambalappuzha State Highway came to a standstill after nearly 1.5 km of the road, from Padarattilpadi to NC Junction at Nedumpram, was submerged.As of Sunday evening, the district had 95 relief camps sheltering 3,568 people. Thiruvalla taluk, which includes parts of the Upper Kuttanad region, accounted for the highest number of camps at 47. A detailed assessment is under way to ascertain the extent of damage to houses and property. Authorities have also issued orders to clear flood debris. Preliminary estimates indicate that one house was completely damaged, while 42 houses suffered partial damage.In view of the continuing heavy rain and flooding, District Collector A. Nizamudeen declared a holiday for all educational institutions in Pathanamthitta, from anganwadis to professional colleges, as well as tuition centres, on Monday. The holiday will not apply to scheduled public and university examinations.The Travancore Devaswom Board has also issued an advisory urging Sabarimala pilgrims to exercise extreme caution, considering the prevailing weather conditions. Published - August 02, 2026 07:28 pm IST

Fishermen on board their boat that remains anchored at Kalamukku harbour in Kochi due to rough sea warning, even though the trawling ban has been lifted. | Though hundreds of trawlnet boats and workers, including migrant workers, had geared up to venture out into the deep sea for fishing after the 52-day break in the early hours of Saturday (August 1, 2026), most vessel operators had to postpone their plans following a warning from the India Meteorological department (IMD). The IMD had warned fishers against venturing out into the sea off Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep on Friday (July 31, 2026) and Saturday in view of possible gusty winds and inclement weather.A section of boats went to the sea from harbours in Kochi despite the warning. However, a few of them returned soon as the weather was not favourable. A few large vessels, around 20 metres long, which proceeded to sail were yet to return.“More boats will go to the sea in the coming days from Kalamukku harbour at Vypeen. In the initial days, we are expecting a good catch of pink perch,” P.P. Gireesh, secretary, Trawlnet Boat Owners Association, said.The traditional fishing sector, meanwhile, remained disappointed as the trawling ban period did not help it much. Traditional and artisanal fishers expect the ban period to bring a bounty to them as only they are legally permitted to fish in nearshore waters while mechanised trawlers remain ashore.“This time, the catch was visibly poor, mainly due to dry weather conditions. The lack of expected income has pushed the traditional fisherfolk into a financial crisis as it has affected their financial plans, including repaying loans availed to mend their boats,” Yesudas Parappilly, district secretary, Matsyathozhilali Union (CITU), said. He urged the government to conduct a detailed study into the traditional fisherfolk’s plight and announce a package for them. Published - August 01, 2026 09:51 pm IST

The fishermen rescued off the Odisha coast return to Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | The deceased was identified as Chodipalli Simhadri, of Revu Polavaram fishing village.Fishermen’s leaders, among them Arjilli Dasu, said four fishermen had gone to sea for the day’s catch when two of them were caught in a rope and fell overboard into turbulent waters. Simhadri drowned; the other man reached the shore, and the two who stayed on the boat returned unhurt.Simhadri’s body washed ashore at Bangaramma Palem beach on Monday morning. He was the sole earner for his family, his leaders said, and is survived by his wife and three children, two daughters and a son.Representatives of the local fishermen’s unions have asked the district administration and the State government to give the family immediate ex-gratia and financial help.Six missing off VisakhapatnamOff the Visakhapatnam coast, six fishermen went missing on the same day after their boat is suspected to have capsized in rough weather. One of the seven aboard was rescued by a passing cruise ship, and the Indian Coast Guard and Marine Police are searching for the rest, a fishing association leader said on Sunday (July 5, 2026).The seven had set out on July 1 and had told their families they would return by 2 p.m. on July 4. When their mobile phones were found switched off, the families alerted the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Vizag Fishing Boats Association president Lakshman Rao said the boat lost contact while returning after the catch, and is suspected to have capsized in strong winds. About 400 boats had gone out, several of them hit by strong winds as the monsoon set in, he said.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the search and directed officials to deploy more Coast Guard vessels; Navy helicopters have since joined the operation. He asked the Marine and Visakhapatnam police to coordinate the search at sea and to keep him updated. Published - July 06, 2026 11:24 am IST

Kollam District Collector Annie Jula Thomas has issued a strict warning to fishers against venturing into the sea until July 7, following a forecast by the India Meteorological department (IMD) predicting squally weather and strong winds along the State’s coast.According to the weather advisory, adverse conditions, including rough seas and strong winds averaging speeds of 50 km/h, are expected to prevail. The District Collector cautioned that wind speeds could gust up to 60 km/h during this period. Fishermen and coastal residents across the district have been urged to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and remain highly vigilant until the weather clears. Published - July 05, 2026 07:54 pm IST