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The India Meteorological Department has issued a red warning for 11 districts in Kerala for May 26, warning of extremely heavy rainfall and potential landslides. The districts under red warning are: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. A red warning is issued for rainfall measuring over 20 cm.
Severe rainfall battered areas including Paravur, Muvattupuzha, Kanayannur, Kothamangalam, and Aluva, resulting in the destruction of 29 homes and partial damage to nearly 868 others, according to official estimates.
The heavy rains also led to travel disruptions, particularly across key railway routes. Services between Guruvayur and Punkunnam, Ernakulam South and Ernakulam Town, and Ambalapuzha to Alappuzha were temporarily halted after trees fell onto the tracks. However, the obstructions have since been cleared, as per a statement from the Indian Railways.
Chellanam, a coastal panchayat already vulnerable to rising sea levels, has seen worsening conditions. Frequent strong winds have driven dangerous high waves ashore, placing lives and property at risk.
In Pallippuram panchayat, one nuclear family preemptively evacuated their home due to flooding. Panchayat member Jesna Sanal told the media that rainwater had surged into their house and nearby church grounds, prompting them to seek shelter with relatives.
According to the weather report on Monday morning, rainfall measurements in several basins were exceptionally high: Piravom (Muvattupuzha basin): 95 mm, Vannappuram (Muvattupuzha basin): 71.88 mm, Keerampara (Periyar basin): 73 mm, Aluva: 63.6 mm, Bhoothathankettu: 62.6 mm, and Neriyamangalam: 70.6 mm.
Owing to heavy rainfall, the Kochi district administration has opened 360 relief camps across Kochi and its surrounding suburbs, relocating more than 58,000 residents on Monday. Among these, 27 camps have been established in coastal regions alone, sheltering around 8,700 people.