Published on: October 18, 2025 | 4:47 PM IST

Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rains lashed multiple districts of Kerala on Saturday, causing flooding in low-lying areas and prompting authorities to release water from several reservoirs, including the Mullaperiyar dam in Idukki. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall across the state over the next week, with isolated very heavy showers expected on October 18 and 19.

The IMD issued an orange alert — indicating very heavy rainfall of 11 to 20 cm in 24 hours — for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam districts on Saturday. A similar alert has been issued for Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts on Sunday.

Impact of Rainfall

Heavy rainfall on Friday night in Idukki district led to flooding in Kumily, Nedumkanadam, and Kattappana, where water entered several homes and residents were evacuated overnight. Authorities said around 45 families were shifted to safer locations on Saturday. In Nedumkandam, a parked van was washed away as the water level rose in the Kootar River, as seen in television footage.

High-range areas of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode also witnessed heavy rainfall, resulting in waterlogging and flooding of roads. The IMD warned that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and wind speeds of 30–40 kmph are likely over the next five days.

The current weather activity is attributed to a well-marked low-pressure area that formed over the southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep region. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and strengthen into a depression within the next 36 hours. Additionally, cyclonic circulations persist over the Mannar Strait and the south Andaman Sea, with another low-pressure area likely to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal around October 21.

Fishermen Advised Against Venturing into Sea

The IMD has cautioned fishermen along the coasts of Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka to avoid venturing into the sea until October 22, as strong winds of 35–45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, are expected over the coastal region.

Reservoirs and Dam Water Releases

Continuous heavy rainfall has raised water levels in several dams across Idukki. Authorities have released water from multiple reservoirs as a precaution.

• Mullaperiyar Dam: Managed by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, all 13 shutters of the dam were opened by 1 pm on Saturday, releasing 7,163 cusecs of water. The water level at the time was 138.80 feet, exceeding the permissible limit of 137 feet.
• Kallarkutty Dam: Shutters were raised, releasing around 500 cusecs of water.
• Kallar Dam: Four shutters were raised by 60 cm, releasing 1,063 cusecs. Residents along the Kallar and Chinnar rivers have been alerted for possible flooding.
• Malankara Diversion Dam: Four shutters remain open, with inflow dependent on water released after power generation at the Moolamattom plant of the Kerala State Electricity Board.
• Idukki Reservoir: The state’s largest dam recorded a water level of 2,381.92 feet at 7 am on Saturday, with live storage at 75.80%, and all shutters remain closed.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with local administrations to ensure the safety of residents in flood-prone areas. The IMD has urged citizens to stay alert and take precautionary measures, as heavy rains are expected to persist across the state in the coming days.

The current weather and dam releases highlight Kerala’s vulnerability to flooding during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, especially in high-range and low-lying regions. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and follow official updates.