Kerala Rains: IMD Issues Orange Alert for 6 Districts as Flash Floods Hit Nilambur
KERALA: Heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides across Kerala on Sunday, September 20, killing several people and prompting authorities to intensify rescue and monitoring operations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an IMD orange alert for six districts, while the Nilambur flash flood has left five people dead and one person missing.
Kerala Rains Trigger Flash Flood In Nilambur
The Kerala rains caused a sudden rise in water levels in the Kottapuzha River near TK Colony in Nilambur, Malappuram district, on Sunday evening. Five people have died after being swept away by the flash flood, while a search operation continues for one missing woman.
The incident occurred at around 5 pm after heavy rainfall in forested areas upstream. A large number of people had gathered near different stretches of the river during the holiday, with some entering or remaining close to the water.
Rescue teams recovered several bodies downstream. Local residents also helped people who became stranded on rocks and trees as the water level rose suddenly.
The latest developments come after earlier IMD rain alerts across India highlighted the need for region-specific monitoring as rainfall patterns continued to shift.
IMD Orange Alert Covers Six Districts
The IMD has issued an IMD orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms at isolated locations. The forecast includes rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm over 24 hours, with winds potentially reaching 40 kmph.
The weather warning comes as the state deals with multiple rain-related incidents. Landslides and mudslides have also caused deaths in Kottayam and Idukki, increasing pressure on emergency services.
An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall and calls for heightened preparedness by authorities and residents in vulnerable areas.
Chief Minister Orders Hourly Monitoring
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has directed officials to assess the weather situation every hour and take immediate evacuation measures wherever necessary.
Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari IAS held discussions with district collectors in Idukki and Kottayam. Officials were instructed to monitor vulnerable locations and arrange evacuations if conditions deteriorate.
A special disaster-management team has also been deployed to the Nilambur-Amarambalam area to assist with search and rescue operations.
Search Continues For Missing Person
The Nilambur flash floods have left one woman, identified as Sajitha, missing after the sudden surge in the Kottapuzha River. Rescue personnel resumed the search after operations were affected by darkness and difficult weather conditions.
Authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel near rivers, steep slopes and other vulnerable areas while heavy rain continues.
The Kerala rains are expected to remain a concern as the IMD forecast points to further heavy rainfall in parts of the state. With the Nilambur flash floods already causing multiple deaths, district authorities are maintaining close watch on river levels, landslide-prone areas and communities that may require evacuation.
