Heavy Rains Lash Kerala: Power Cuts, Train Disruptions Across the State

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: As heavy monsoon rains continued to lash many parts of Kerala, uprooting of trees, power disruptions and waterlogging of low-lying areas and places close to rivers were reported from across the state on Friday. An 85-year-old woman, who worked as an MGNREGA worker in Ernakulam district, died when an uprooted tree fell on top of her while returning home on Thursday evening.
In many places in the hilly districts of Wayanad and Idukki, people were moved to relief camps from areas prone to landslides and flash floods. New camps were also set up in these districts, authorities said.
Water levels in several rivers have risen dangerously. In Ernakulam, the Muvattupuzha River crossed the flood warning level, forcing officials to open three shutters of the Malankara Dam by 20 cm.
Train services, especially along the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram route, have been severely affected. Fallen trees on tracks caused major disruptions. The Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express, scheduled to depart at 5:55 AM, was delayed by nearly three hours and left only at 8:45 AM. The Kozhikode-bound pairing train, supposed to arrive by 9:30 PM on Thursday, reached only at 1:30 AM. The Guruvayur Express is running two hours behind schedule, while the Guruvayur-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity Express is delayed by an hour.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in several central districts, including Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad, effective for three hours from 10 AM. Orange alerts are in place across the rest of the state, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. A red alert signals extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange and yellow alerts indicate rainfall of 11–20 cm and 6–11 cm respectively.
Educational institutions remain closed in multiple districts including Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, and in Alappuzha's Kuttanad taluk, where all institutions including professional colleges were shut.
The IMD has warned that the state will continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall for at least the next two days due to a persistent westerly wind and a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Thunderstorms, strong winds reaching up to 60 kmph, and moderate to heavy rain are expected in multiple districts.
Adding to the concerns, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a high tide and coastal flooding alert for several coastal areas due to the "Kallakkadal" phenomenon. High waves ranging from 3.2 to 3.7 meters are expected along the Kerala coast till 8:30 PM tonight. Specific zones under threat include Malappuram (Kadalundi Nagar to Palappetti), Kozhikode (Chombala to Ramanattukara), Kannur (Valapattanam to New Mahe), and Kasaragod (Kunjathur to Kottakunnu).
Red alerts have also been issued for coastal stretches in Thiruvananthapuram (Kappil to Pozhiyoor), Kollam (Alappad to Edava), Alappuzha (Chellanam to Azhikkal Jetty), Ernakulam (Munambam to Maruvakkad), and Thrissur (Aattupuram to Kodungallur). Orange alerts are active in coastal belts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
Even the Tamil Nadu coast has not been spared. Coastal areas in Kanyakumari, from Neerodi to Arokiyapuram, are under red alert with wave heights predicted between 3.5 and 3.7 meters until 8:30 PM tomorrow.
In light of the growing threat, Kerala’s Disaster Management Authority has advised coastal residents and fishermen to stay away from the sea. All forms of coastal tourism and recreational beach activities have been banned until the INCOIS alert is lifted. Boats and fishing vessels must be securely moored in harbors, with safe spacing to prevent damage. Attempts to pull boats ashore during high waves have been strongly discouraged due to the extreme risk.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, addressing the situation, confirmed that the monsoon — which arrived in Kerala eight days ahead of schedule on May 24 — has already caused extensive damage. He urged people in landslide- and flood-prone regions to move immediately to safer locations or government-designated camps.
As the state braces for more rains, emergency services remain on high alert, and authorities continue to monitor vulnerable regions closely. The public is urged to follow official advisories and stay safe.