Heavy rain in Kerala has killed at least 26 people since August 1, while four remain missing and 11 have been injured, according to the latest state government figures released on August 5. Authorities are operating 462 relief camps across the state, providing shelter to 27,048 people displaced by floods, landslides and waterlogging. Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha account for most of the camps.

The latest numbers show how quickly the impact of the Kerala rain intensified. On August 3, 273 camps were sheltering 7,674 people. By August 5, the camp population had risen to more than 27,000.

Heavy Rain in Kerala: Latest Death Toll and Relief Figures

Chief Minister V D Satheesan said 157 relief camps were functioning in Pathanamthitta, 154 in Kottayam and 81 in Alappuzha. The remaining camps were spread across other affected districts. The government also reported damage to crops across 1,882 hectares, affecting 23,537 farmers. Preliminary agricultural losses were estimated at ₹67.44 crore.

The latest update replaces the August 4 figures cited in the original report, which recorded 25 deaths, four missing people, 10 injuries and more than 18,000 residents in over 400 camps.

How Many Houses Have Been Damaged?

Between August 1 and August 4, the state government reported that 52 houses had been completely destroyed and 565 had suffered partial damage. These figures may rise as district administrations complete surveys in flooded and landslide-affected areas. Some locations remained difficult to assess while roads and low-lying neighbourhoods were waterlogged. Earlier figures showed the damage increasing rapidly. On August 3, The New Indian Express reported 30 destroyed houses and 293 partially damaged homes.

Kerala Red Alert Replaced by Orange and Yellow Warnings

The Kerala red alert mentioned in the August 4 Hindustan Times report was valid for that day.

It covered:

• Pathanamthitta
• Kottayam
• Idukki
• Ernakulam
• Kozhikode
• Wayanad
• Kannur
• Kasaragod 

The warning has since changed. As of 1 PM on August 5, KSDMA listed an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kannur and Kasaragod. Yellow alerts were in force for Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. The Kerala rainfall alert is expected to remain active over the coming days. IMD has forecast very heavy rain at isolated places in seven districts on August 6 and five northern districts on August 7.

How Much Rain Did Kerala Receive?

Kerala received 205.8 mm of rain between August 1 and August 4, compared with the normal 73.2 mm for the period. That represents an excess of about 181%, meaning the state received nearly three times its expected rainfall in four days. Bayar in Kasaragod recorded 121.5 mm during the period measured by IMD, while Muliyar received 81 mm. Kannur Airport recorded 74 mm and Urumi in Kozhikode received 65 mm. The sustained heavy rainfall in Kerala has left several riverside and low-lying areas flooded, particularly in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kozhikode.

More Heavy Rain Forecast Through August 8

The earlier draft suggested that the worst phase of the rain may have passed because one forecast appeared to show no warning for August 4. That conclusion is incorrect.

The latest Kerala weather bulletin forecasts rain or thundershowers across most parts of the state through August 9. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places on August 6 and 7, with heavy rain also possible on August 5 and 8. Strong surface winds of 40–50 kmph are also expected through August 8. Along the Kerala coast, squally weather may produce gusts reaching 60 kmph, and fishermen have been warned against venturing into affected waters.

What Risks Has IMD Identified?

IMD has warned that the continuing rain may cause:

• Flash floods
• Waterlogging in low-lying areas
• Landslides and mudslides
• Damage to weak houses
• Falling trees and power disruption
• Traffic delays caused by poor visibility and flooded roads 

People living near rivers, dams, unstable slopes or landslide-prone locations have been advised to move to safer areas when directed by local authorities. KSDMA has also asked residents in vulnerable locations to identify their nearest relief camp before conditions worsen.

What Happens Next?

Search operations are continuing for the four people reported missing. District administrations are also assessing damaged homes, farmland and public infrastructure.

The immediate concern is that another period of heavy to very heavy Kerala rain is forecast on August 6 and 7. That could slow cleanup operations and cause water levels to rise again in already saturated areas. The situation remains active rather than a recovery-only phase. Residents should follow official Kerala weather updates from IMD and KSDMA because district alerts may change several times during the day. As of August 5, the latest confirmed toll from heavy rain in Kerala is 26 dead, four missing and 11 injured, with more than 27,000 people staying in relief camps.