Kerala Floodwaters Begin Receding, But IMD Puts Five Districts on Orange Alert

Kerala witnessed a slight improvement in its flood situation on Thursday as floodwaters began receding in several parts of the state's central districts. However, authorities remain on high alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam, warning of moderate rainfall and strong winds over the next few hours.

According to the IMD, these districts are likely to experience moderate rainfall accompanied by surface wind speeds of up to 40 kmph, prompting officials to continue monitoring vulnerable areas despite the easing flood situation.

Authorities said water levels have started declining in many low-lying regions of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Ernakulam, offering much-needed relief to residents. However, flooding continues in the Upper Kuttanad and Kuttanad regions of Alappuzha district, although officials noted that water levels there are also gradually falling.

The flood crisis has displaced thousands of people. According to the Alappuzha district administration, 118 relief camps are currently operating across Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Mavelikkara and Chengannur taluks, sheltering 14,646 people from 5,012 families.

Several important road networks, including the Alappuzha-Changanassery Road and the Ambalapuzha-Thiruvalla Road, remain submerged, disrupting transportation and affecting the movement of essential goods and commuters. Educational institutions in flood-affected areas have also been declared closed as a precautionary measure.

The weather department has extended its warnings, issuing an orange alert for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod for Friday. An orange alert signifies the possibility of 115 mm to 204 mm of rainfall within 24 hours.