Orange Alert in 12 Districts as Heavy Rain Lashes Keralam; Nine Dead, Seven Missing

Thiruvananthapuram: Orange alerts have been declared in 12 districts — all except Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam — as extremely heavy rainfall continues across Keralam. The Central Water Commission and the State Disaster Management Authority have warned of the possibility of sudden floods and landslides.

Nine people, including four children, have died in rain-related incidents across the state in the past 24 hours, with seven others reported missing. Six deaths have been officially confirmed. All 14 districts have suffered damage from the deluge.

Cloudburst events in several locations caused sudden, intense downpours. The highest rainfall was recorded at Vadasserikkara in Pathanamthitta — 36.1 cm in 24 hours — followed by Vagamon in Idukki at 31.43 cm. Several dams, including Idukki's Kallaar, have been opened. Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts suffered the most damage.

The deluge was equivalent to a month's rainfall compressing into 24 hours, leaving the state on edge throughout the day and into the night.

Health Minister K Muraleedharan has directed doctors and other Health Department staff currently on leave to return to duty except in cases of absolute necessity. Hospitals have been asked to stock up on tetanus injections, oseltamivir tablets, ORS and doxycycline in preparation for disease outbreaks.