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Kerala continues to face intense rainfall as the northeast monsoon strengthens over the state, leading to flooding, landslides, and damage across several regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea is driving the heavy rain, which is expected to continue until Wednesday, October 22.

The IMD has placed Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts under an orange alert, while most other districts remain on yellow alert, except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha. Disaster management teams have been put on high alert in vulnerable zones to deal with possible emergencies.

In Idukki, heavy rain claimed one life at Kumily on Saturday night. Thankachan, a resident of Parappally House, died when his two-wheeler skidded on a slippery stretch at Vellaramkunnu and rammed into a mound of soil formed after a landslide, according to local residents, reported by IANS.

Isolated landslides were also reported from Pathumuri in Vellaramkunnu, where debris blocked roads and disrupted traffic. "Around midnight, a heap of mud slid onto the road. We fear more such incidents if the rain continues," a local resident said.

Kumily recorded extremely heavy rain overnight, flooding shops and low-lying areas. Officials said 13 spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were opened to release excess water as the water level rose to 139.20 feet, with 8,838 cubic feet per second (cusecs) being discharged. Several rivers in the district are overflowing, increasing the risk of flooding in downstream areas.

In Malappuram, torrential rain flooded nearly 50 houses and inundated roads at Vazhikkadavu. Traffic came to a standstill for more than an hour at Manimoola on the Gudallur-Kozhikode road. Flooding was also reported from Randampadam, Modapoyka, and nearby areas after the Karakodan, Kalakkan, and Athithode rivers overflowed.

Several parts of Kozhikode saw heavy overnight rain that disrupted movement and damaged roads. The situation began to improve by Sunday morning as the showers lost intensity. In Kochi, areas near the South Railway Station were waterlogged after the night’s rain, but the water gradually receded as conditions eased.

The IMD forecast suggests that heavy to very heavy rain may continue in northern Kerala until midweek, with isolated extremely heavy spells likely in some regions. Disaster response teams remain on standby across affected districts.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros