Kerala Rains Update: 8 Killed in A Day, Schools Closed As 12 Districts On High Alert

Eight deaths have been reported in Kerala due to rain-related incidents in a single day on Tuesday with one person still missing.

In Palakkad's Wadakkancherry, Sulochana (54) and her son Ranjith (31) died after a wall of their house collapsed.

K Chandrasekharan (62) drowned in a waterlogged area in Kannur's Panoor. In Kasaragod's Madhur, Hemavati (50), wife of Gopalagetty, was electrocuted to death. Similarly, Reji (48) suffered electrocution in Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, while clearing weeds. Molly (42) from Vithura lost her life when an uprooted banyan tree fell on her car, according to a report in Manorama.

Meanwhile, the body of Yusuf (55), missing since Saturday's flood in Melattur, Malappuram, was discovered on Tuesday. Baiju (33), from Melmuri Mukkilapeetika, drowned while bathing in a pond near Marakkara UP School. Meanwhile, the search continues for Rajesh (42), swept away by the waters of Cheenambuzha in Muthukunni, Palakkad.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of continued heavy rainfall in Kerala until July 22. As of Tuesday morning, the state has already received 8.45 cm of rain within 24 hours. A low-pressure area currently over the South China Sea and Vietnam is anticipated to move into the Bay of Bengal in the coming days, developing into a new low-pressure system by July 19.

A total of 12 districts on high alert as the weather agency issued an orange and yellow alerts.

Today, an orange alert has been issued for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts, indicating heavy rainfall. Also, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts are under a yellow alert. These conditions may lead to flash floods and landslides. The public is strongly advised by the Met Department to exercise caution, and fishing along the coasts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep is not recommended.

Due to heavy rains, educational institutions, including professional colleges, in Alappuzha, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kottayam districts will remain closed today. Scheduled exams will proceed as planned. In Kannur, all educational institutions except colleges are closed.