Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Kerala Rain Alerts Escalate as Flash Floods Kill Five
India’s weather department warned that heavy rain could affect Kerala.
One report described a yellow alert for six districts, while another later described an orange alert for the same six districts.
The districts named in the orange alert are Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur.
An orange alert means very heavy rain may happen.
The forecast said some places could receive 115.6 to 204.4 millimetres of rain in one day.
Thunderstorms and strong winds of up to 40 kilometres per hour were also possible in some places.
The other eight Kerala districts were placed under a yellow alert in the second report.
A report also said that five people died after flash floods in Malappuram.
People should follow weather warnings and safety instructions from officials.
The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for six Kerala districts, while the other eight districts received yellow alerts.
The orange-alert districts are Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur.
The IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and isolated surface winds of up to 40 kmph.
Orange-alert areas could receive 115.6 to 204.4 millimetres of rain in 24 hours.
A report said five people were killed after flash floods in Malappuram, while another forecast light rain in parts of Kollam, Palakkad and Kannur.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department issued the alerts; a report also said five people were killed after flash floods in Malappuram.
- What
- Heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible strong winds were forecast, with an orange alert for six districts and a yellow alert for the remaining eight districts.
- When
- The alerts were issued on Monday; the first forecast covered September 21 to 25.
- Where
- The orange-alert districts were Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur; flash-flood deaths were reported in Malappuram.
- Why
- The alerts were issued because heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and related flooding were possible.
Yellow-alert account
Orange-alert account
Severity of warning
Yellow-alert account
The first report said the six districts were under a yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall, defined as 64.5 to 115.5 millimetres in 24 hours.
Orange-alert account
The second report said the same six districts were under an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall of 115.6 to 204.4 millimetres in 24 hours.
Extent of the alert
Yellow-alert account
The first report focused on six districts and said light to moderate rain was expected in several other districts.
Orange-alert account
The second report said the remaining eight Kerala districts were under a yellow alert, with light rain forecast in parts of Kollam, Palakkad and Kannur.
Reported impact
Yellow-alert account
The first report discussed possible disruptions such as waterlogging and landslides but did not report deaths.
Orange-alert account
The second report said five people were killed after flash floods in Malappuram.
- Alert discrepancy
- One report described a yellow alert for six districts, while another described an orange alert for the same six districts.
- Orange-alert districts
- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur
- Orange-alert rainfall
- 115.6 to 204.4 millimetres in 24 hours
- Additional conditions
- Thunderstorms and isolated surface winds of up to 40 kmph
- Other Kerala districts
- The remaining eight districts were placed under a yellow alert in the second report.
- Reported deaths
- Five people were reported killed after flash floods in Malappuram.
- Other forecast areas
- Light rain was forecast in parts of Kollam, Palakkad and Kannur.
