The heavy overnight rainfall across some parts of Kerala in the central part of Kerala has increased the flood threat in central Travancore from the last 24 hours of the night, and rivers, streams, and reservoirs are flooded with heavy rainfall in the state's central Travancore as the water levels in rivers, streams, and reservoirs have climbed rapidly.
More rain in the last 24 hours of monsoon showers have inundated low-lying areas, disrupted traffic, and brought the situation in Kerala, and the government is intensifying its monitoring efforts to keep watch on continuing monsoon rain across the state.
Districts such as Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and nearby areas had heavy rainfall overnight, and rivers were overflowing, and roads were flooded. Residents living near riverbanks are being warned to stay vigilant as the situation is closely monitored. A number of tributaries of the rivers that feed into the major rivers are flowing close to or above the warning level, and the risk of inundation is present because of heavy rains.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for some parts of Kerala, warning of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall due to an active southwest monsoon. Some areas may receive very heavy rainfall, so flash floods, landslides in hilly areas, and urban flooding are more imminent, they said.
The State Disaster Management Authority has instructed district officials to remain alert and activate emergency response mechanisms where necessary. Control rooms are working round-the-clock, and rescue teams such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire and Rescue Services have been placed on standby in vulnerable districts.
The water levels in huge rivers flowing through central Travancore have risen sharply because of the continuous rainfall in their catchment area. Dam and reservoir managers are closely monitoring dams and reservoirs to ensure safe water release. Residents living downstream of reservoirs should be informed that water releases may be controlled if storage levels rise further.
In many places, the rains have disrupted normal life. There are still roads that are flooded, and public transportation is affected with traffic disruptions and delays. Trees are falling, minor landslides occur, and some roads have been damaged by strong winds as a result of the rain. Educational institutions in some districts have plans to assess operations in case of a weather change.
Agricultural fields in low-lying regions are also affected, and standing crops are prone to waterlogging, with high chances of prolonged waterlogging in these areas. Farmers are watching conditions closely because excessive rainfall during this stage of cultivation can affect crop health and productivity. Fisheries and coastal towns in Kerala have also been warned to take into account that coastal communities are in danger due to rough sea conditions and strong winds in parts of the Kerala coast.
In the event of rain, people should refrain from unnecessary travel and should be prepared to leave when it starts to get heavy, officials have advised. Residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas should be prepared for possible evacuation if there’s a disaster situation. Emergency shelters are built in vulnerable areas, and emergency kits are on hand if the need arises, officials said.
Health authorities also suggested to residents to ensure access to drinking water and hygiene standards to limit the risk of waterborne diseases, which often increase during prolonged monsoon conditions.
The monsoon pattern is likely to persist over Kerala over the next few days, with heavy rainfall expected in many areas in the near future. Meanwhile, authorities are still monitoring river levels, rainfall intensity, and reservoir storage levels while keeping a close eye on rivers and reservoirs. The public should follow weather bulletins and disaster management advisories for updates at all times.
With rivers continuing to swell and rain expected to continue to pour down on Travancore, central Travancore is under close observation as emergency agencies are monitoring the situation closely and preparing to respond swiftly to any further deterioration in weather conditions. Residents are told to stay informed, follow official instructions, and prioritize safety until the monsoon situation stabilizes.
