Kerala is going through one of its toughest monsoon stretches this year, and honestly, the numbers keep climbing every single day. As of now, at least 14 people have died because of the rain, and the situation is still not fully under control.
It all started over the weekend when Kerala got hit with really heavy rainfall, way more than usual for this time of year. The rain triggered landslides in several hilly areas and caused flash floods in low-lying regions. According to Kerala’s Chief Minister, V. Satheesan, at least 11 people died just in Kerala, and a landslide in the neighboring state of Karnataka added three more deaths to the total.
If you’re wondering how bad the flooding really is, here’s a number that puts it in perspective: nearly 7,700 people have already been moved out of their homes and shifted into relief camps. Right now, there are around 275 relief camps running across the state, and honestly, that number might grow if the rain doesn’t slow down soon.
Some of the worst-hit districts include Idukki, Kottayam, Malappuram, and Kannur. In some of these places, landslides completely buried homes. In one heartbreaking case, three members of a single family, including a small child, lost their lives after a landslide collapsed onto their shed. Sadly, in another incident, a few children drowned after falling into swollen streams near their homes.
The India Meteorological Department, or IMD, has been keeping a close watch on the situation. They issued red and orange alerts for most districts in Kerala, warning people about extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds, sometimes reaching up to 50 to 60 kilometers per hour. In one location alone, Vadasserikkara in Pathanamthitta district, rainfall crossed 361 mm in just 24 hours, which is an insane amount of water in such a short time.
Because of the danger, schools in many districts were shut down, and fishermen were told to stay away from the coast for a couple of days due to rough sea conditions. Authorities also had to make some tough calls, like cancelling public events near rivers and asking residents in flood-prone zones to move to safer areas early, instead of waiting until things got worse.
The Chief Minister has assured people that the government will support families who lost loved ones, homes, or their means of living. Cleanup work has already begun in some of the earlier-hit areas, but rescue teams are still actively searching for people who remain missing, especially in landslide-affected zones.
For families in Kerala right now, it’s a stressful and uncertain time. The rain has slowed down a bit in some regions, but with monsoon season still active, officials are urging everyone, especially those living in hilly or low-lying areas, to stay alert and follow evacuation orders whenever they’re issued.
(Sources: The Federal, The Watchers, Times Live, Kerala CMO)
