16 dead and missing as floods and landslides hit Kerala, India
Eight people were confirmed dead, eight remained missing and 13 were injured after heavy rainfall caused floods and landslides across Kerala, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said on August 2, 2026. A total of 5 792 people were relocated to 209 relief camps, while 27 houses were destroyed and 196 sustained partial damage.
Flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rainfall affect parts of Kerala, India, on August 2, 2026. Credit: V D Satheesan/CMO Keralam
Satheesan said the state government remained in contact with the Revenue Minister, ministers responsible for affected districts and district administrations as response operations continued. Cleanup work had begun in flood-affected areas after rainfall decreased from the previous day.
The chief minister called on political workers and voluntary organizations to participate in cleanup operations and said the government would provide support to families of those killed and people who lost homes or livelihoods.
Authorities maintained vigilance in hilly areas despite the reduction in rainfall. Satheesan said preparations remained in place for further emergencies, while elected representatives, government agencies and voluntary workers continued relief operations.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority placed 12 districts under an orange rainfall alert at 13:00 LT on August 2. The alerts covered Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam were under yellow alerts. An orange alert corresponds to isolated rainfall of 115 to 205 mm (4.6 to 8 inches) in 24 hours, while a yellow alert covers rainfall of 65 to 115 mm (2.5 to 4.5 inches).
The August 2 warnings followed a higher alert stage on August 1, when the Kerala Government placed nine districts under red alerts for extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204 mm (8 inches) in 24 hours.
Flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rainfall affect parts of Kerala, India, on August 2.
V D Satheesan/CMO Keralam
The India Meteorological Department recorded 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rain at Laha in Pathanamthitta during the 24 hours ending at 08:30 LT on August 1. Its national bulletin was issued at 13:30 LT the same day.
An offshore trough extended from southern Gujarat to Kerala at mean sea level. IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Kerala and Mahe on August 1, followed by isolated very heavy rainfall on August 2.
IMD also forecast thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 40–50 km/h (25–31 mph), with gusts reaching 60 km/h (37 mph), across Kerala and Mahe. Fishermen were advised not to enter affected waters off the Kerala coast.
The Kerala Government warned that intense rainfall over short periods could cause flash floods, mountain runoff and waterlogging in urban and low-lying areas. Prolonged rainfall also raised the risk of landslides and mudslides in vulnerable terrain.
KSDMA instructed people in landslide-prone locations, beside rivers and downstream from dams to move to safer areas when directed. Residents were advised not to cross rivers, enter water bodies or drive through flooded road sections.
The authority advised the public to avoid waterfalls, mountainous areas and nonessential travel while rainfall warnings remained active. Taluk and district control rooms were operating around the clock, with emergency assistance available through the toll-free numbers 1077 and 1070.
Yellow alerts were listed for 10 districts on August 3. KSDMA said district warning levels could be revised as IMD issued updated rainfall forecasts.
August falls within South Asia’s monsoon season, when flooding commonly intensifies across monsoon-affected regions. The confirmed deaths, missing people, injuries, displacement and housing damage raised the event to a major operational-impact level.
References:
1 Rainfall forecast and district alerts for Kerala – Kerala State Disaster Management Authority – August 2, 2026
2 Heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala and other regions – India Meteorological Department – August 1, 2026
I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.
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