Kerala Under Siege: Low-Pressure Weather System Triggers Chaos Statewide
Thiruvananthapuram, June 27, 2025 – Kerala woke up today under grey skies, relentless downpours, and intensifying fears as a powerful low-pressure system and cyclonic circulation continue to lash the state with devastating impact. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has placed five districts—Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Wayanad—under an orange alert, urging residents to remain indoors and stay vigilant.
The IMD has also issued yellow alerts for most of the remaining districts as weather patterns hint at sustained rainfall over the next 48 hours. With rivers swelling and the ground water-logged from previous downpours, Kerala faces a familiar but dreaded foe: monsoon-triggered disruption and destruction.
Flash Floods and Fatalities Mark Monsoon Surge
The worst-hit district so far appears to be Malappuram, where tragic news emerged of a man drowning in a rapidly rising stream late Thursday night. Authorities reported that the victim, a middle-aged local, had been trying to navigate across a flooded path when he was swept away by the current. Rescue efforts failed to retrieve him in time.
In Kannur, a separate but equally tragic incident occurred when a lightning strike fatally injured a man working outdoors. This event underscores the secondary dangers associated with severe monsoon conditions—especially in lightning-prone hilly and coastal regions.
The coastal belt near Thiruvananthapuram has also reported the disappearance of a fisherman, whose boat went missing amid strong sea turbulence. Despite coordinated search efforts by the Coastal Police and marine units, no sign of the fisherman or his vessel has yet been found.
Schools Shut Across Districts; Exams and Classes Deferred
As a precautionary move, district collectors across affected zones have ordered a shutdown of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, tuition centres, and anganwadis in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Idukki, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and parts of Palakkad.
Parents have been advised to keep children indoors, as water-logged roads, fallen trees, and unpredictable weather continue to pose a threat. Examination schedules have been postponed, with revised dates to be announced once conditions normalize.
Dam Management in Focus as Water Levels Rise
Authorities have also begun controlled water release from major dams across Kerala to prevent breach scenarios. Key reservoirs in Idukki, Idamalayar, Malampuzha, and Peechi have recorded significant increases in water levels over the past 24 hours.
Engineers from the Water Resources Department are closely monitoring inflows, while disaster management cells have been activated across all affected districts. Villages along the banks of the Periyar, Bharathapuzha, and Pamba rivers have been placed on high alert for potential flash floods.
Government Urges Caution; Rescue Operations on Standby
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has deployed disaster response teams and issued advisories across radio, television, and digital platforms. Residents in low-lying areas have been instructed to move to higher ground or designated relief camps if water levels rise further.
Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in hill station regions and coastal belts. He added that all district administrations are “fully equipped and on high alert” to respond to emergencies.
Fire and Rescue Services, health departments, and volunteer NGOs have already been mobilized in multiple districts for preemptive evacuation if needed.
IMD Forecast and the Days Ahead
According to the latest IMD bulletin, the low-pressure system is expected to persist over the next 48 hours, gradually moving towards the western coast. While rainfall intensity may drop in certain districts by Sunday, regions like Idukki and Wayanad are forecast to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall until Saturday.
Winds have picked up over the Arabian Sea, and fishermen are strictly advised not to venture into the sea until further notice. Ports have raised local cautionary signals, and ferry services between smaller islands have been suspended temporarily.
Final Word
Kerala’s monsoon may bring the promise of renewal, but with it comes the risk of calamity. While nature plays its course, the resilience of the people and the preparedness of the administration will once again be tested. As the state battles rain, rising waters, and uncertainty, safety remains the most important priority.
Stay indoors, stay updated, and stay safe.