The southwest monsoon has intensified across large parts of India, leaving a trail of destruction with Kerala, Odisha, Assam and parts of western India battling floods, while Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh remain on high alert over the threat of flash floods and landslides.
Hundreds of villages have been inundated, lakhs of people affected and several lives lost as rivers continue to swell following days of relentless rain. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the active monsoon phase is likely to continue over the next few days, prompting authorities across states to step up rescue and evacuation efforts.
Kerala reels under floods, landslides
Kerala remains among the worst-hit states, with at least five people killed in rain-related incidents on Saturday (August 1) alone after landslides struck Idukki and Kottayam districts. Victims included residents whose houses were buried under debris as heavy rain triggered multiple landslides.
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Flooding has been reported from Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Palakkad and Kollam, with overflowing rivers inundating residential areas, damaging houses and disrupting transport. In Pathanamthitta, rising water levels in the Pampa river left several areas cut off, forcing rescue teams to use boats to evacuate stranded families.
Residents stand on the upper floor of a house while a man wades through floodwater in a flood-affected area of Ranni, in Pathanamthitta district. Photo: PTI
The IMD has issued a Red Alert for eight districts, including Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur, while schools remain closed in several districts as a precaution.
Odisha flood situation remains critical
Odisha continues to battle one of its worst flood situations this monsoon, with over 8.34 lakh people affected across 20 districts. Floodwaters from the Mahanadi and other rivers have inundated low-lying areas, damaged more than 1,300 houses and submerged vast stretches of agricultural land.
Authorities have placed 10 downstream districts, including Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur, on high alert as the Hirakud Dam continues releasing water through 22 gates. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions, while relief and evacuation operations continue.
Assam flood toll rises to 82
In Assam, the flood death toll has climbed to 82, even as the overall situation has shown slight improvement.
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According to state authorities, 1.92 lakh people remain affected across Sivasagar, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon and Charaideo districts. Floodwaters have submerged 379 villages, damaged more than 15,400 hectares of farmland, and forced nearly 13,000 people into 54 relief camps.
Residents carry household belongings from their flood-submerged home at Amoni village, in Nagaon district, Assam. File photo: PTI
The state government has announced measures, including loan moratoriums and expedited insurance claim settlements for affected residents.
Gujarat continues recovery after floods
While rainfall has eased in Gujarat, restoration work is continuing after days of torrential rain. The state government said 1,451 of the 1,540 roads closed due to flooding have now been reopened.
Rescue teams also saved three people stranded near the Auranga River in Valsad district after floodwaters surrounded them.
States on alert for floods and landslides
Several states that have so far avoided widespread flooding remain on high alert as heavy rainfall continues.
Children play on the waterlogged Race Course Ring Road following rain, in Rajkot, Gujarat. Photo: PTI
In Jammu and Kashmir, a cloudburst in Kishtwar district inundated markets, damaged shops and swept away vehicles. While no casualties were reported, schools in Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban have been shut due to the risk of fresh landslides and flash floods.
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Himachal Pradesh continues to witness intermittent rainfall, with the IMD warning of landslides, flash floods, waterlogging and slippery roads until August 4. Authorities have also advised people to stay away from riverbanks after increased discharge from the Pandoh Dam raised water levels in the Beas River.
In Andhra Pradesh, officials have warned that the Godavari river is likely to witness a sharp rise in water levels due to heavy upstream rainfall. District administrations in East and West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru and Alluri Sitharama Raju have been placed on alert, while NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas. Residents in low-lying villages have been advised to move to safer locations ahead of higher flood discharge.
With the IMD forecasting continued heavy rainfall over several regions, authorities across the country have urged residents living near rivers, landslide-prone hills and low-lying areas to remain vigilant as the active monsoon spell shows little sign of weakening.
(With agency inputs)