India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Kozhikode and Wayanad, raising the alarm over the escalating risk of flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The relentless downpour over the past week has already disrupted lives, damaged homes, and triggered widespread agricultural loss across the state.
The IMD has warned that heavy rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds reaching 50 kmph, is likely to persist across Kerala and Lakshadweep for the next four days. Today’s red alert covers Kozhikode and Wayanad, while eight other districts including Ernakulam, Idukki, and Malappuram remain under an orange alert. The rest of the state continues under yellow alert, signalling persistent weather volatility.In anticipation of worsening conditions, authorities have closed schools and colleges in Kozhikode and Wayanad, with similar closures already in effect in Kannur, Kasaragod, and Idukki. Despite the shutdown, scheduled public examinations will proceed as announced. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has activated district control rooms, and local bodies are coordinating evacuations where necessary.
The toll on human life and infrastructure is mounting. Over 600 houses have been damaged since the onset of the rain, including 21 completely destroyed. Relief camps have been opened in affected areas, especially in Wayanad, where tribal communities in remote hamlets have been relocated. Kozhikode has reported extensive crop damage across 101 hectares, while Wayanad has lost over 240 hectares of farmland—raising fears of long-term economic loss in these agrarian belts.Transport networks are under duress. In Kozhikode, tree falls and snapped power lines have disrupted rail traffic, delaying trains such as the Vande Bharat and Parasuram Express. Landslides and boulder falls in the hilly stretches of Kallar and Kothamangalam have impacted road connectivity. Emergency crews remain deployed to restore safe access to cut-off areas.
Adding to the coastal threat, the IMD has issued a marine advisory warning of high waves—up to 3.9 metres—along the Kerala shoreline due to the kallakkadal phenomenon. Coastal districts, including Kannur and Kozhikode, are bracing for sea incursions until late tonight. Fishermen have been categorically warned against venturing out into the sea until May 31.In Ernakulam, continued rainfall over five days has led to the complete destruction of three homes and partial damage to at least 120 others. Authorities have opened 360 relief camps to shelter displaced families. Meanwhile, power outages in Pathanamthitta have led to public demonstrations, with residents staging protests outside the Kerala State Electricity Board office demanding immediate restoration and better preparedness.
Looking ahead, the IMD’s seasonal forecast indicates Kerala is likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the upcoming southwest monsoon. The June to September period is projected to see precipitation levels 108 per cent of the long-period average. While this bodes well for water reserves, the early and intense rainfall has amplified fears over the state’s monsoon readiness.
As red alerts continue and the rain shows no sign of abating, the crisis has once again laid bare the urgent need for climate-adaptive infrastructure, better land-use policies, and disaster-resilient planning—especially in ecologically sensitive districts like Wayanad and Kozhikode. Strengthening early warning systems and investing in resilient housing and drainage systems are no longer optional but critical for Kerala’s future safety and sustainability.
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