Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Kerala on Saturday, resulting in waterlogging and power cuts and disrupting normal life, while the IMD forecast has issued an orange alert for today with heavy rainfall in seven districts.
Floodwaters were receding only gradually in many areas, while hundreds of people were still staying in relief camps as several roads and houses remained submerged.
The Upper Kuttanad and Kuttanad regions of Alappuzha and interior areas of Kottayam district continued to bear the brunt of the flooding, though water levels had started receding at several places, officials said.
Floodwaters were receding only marginally in some areas, and several residents remained stranded or affected as their houses and roads were still underwater, PTI reported.
Major roads, including the Alappuzha-Changanassery road, remained inundated, disrupting traffic in the region. Small boats were being used to ferry people and transport essential belongings from waterlogged areas.
With the flood situation yet to normalise completely, hundreds of people continued to stay in relief camps in several south and central districts.
In coastal areas, high waves, sea incursions and strong winds kept fishermen off the sea.
Kerala Weather Forecast: IMD issues orange alert
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast moderate rainfall, accompanied by winds reaching up to 30 kmph, at isolated places in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts in the morning.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Saturday, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning, squalls, etc., along with strong surface winds in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The remaining districts will receive light rainfall and have been placed under a yellow alert.
For Sunday, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
In view of the ongoing heavy rains, holidays were declared for all educational institutions in eight districts including Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
The holiday applies to all educational institutions, from anganwadis to professional colleges, authorities said.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said strong winds were among the state’s most destructive weather-related hazards, often causing damage by uprooting trees and snapping branches.
It advised people not to take shelter under trees or park vehicles beneath them during strong winds and rain.
Residents were also advised to prune weak branches around their homes and report dangerous trees in public places to local authorities.
People were asked to keep doors and windows closed once strong winds begin, avoid standing near them and refrain from staying on terraces.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has sanctioned Rs 14.40 crore for the continued implementation of the ‘Snehasanthwanam’, a comprehensive package for the rehabilitation and welfare of Endosulfan victims in Kasaragod district.
The amount has been sanctioned through the Social Justice Department under the budgetary allocation for the 2026-27 financial year, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said on Saturday.
As part of efforts to ensure social and educational support for affected families, Rs 10,05,000 has been earmarked for educational benefits for 400 children during the 2026-27 academic year.
The government will also spend Rs 1.16 crore to upgrade infrastructure and improve services at 10 model child rehabilitation centres in the region.