Kerala floods 2026: clean-up begins in Kottayam as rain fury leaves trail of destruction

Even as rainfall intensity eased, the flood situation in Kottayam remained precarious on Sunday (August 2, 2026), with a steady inflow of water from the high ranges continuing to trouble low-lying areas in the western parts of the district.

As floodwaters began receding from several areas, residents in the worst-hit regions started the painstaking task of cleaning up. Houses along the upper reaches of the Meenachil river, which remained submerged after the river overflowed, were left covered in thick layers of mud and silt. Roads were inundated at several locations. Villages along the banks of Vembanad Lake were the worst affected.

While the eastern parts of the district saw water levels gradually fall, the trail of destruction left behind by the deluge continued to disrupt normal life in Erattupetta, Pala, Kanjirappally and Koottickal. Several houses have become uninhabitable after being filled with mud and debris.

District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena has declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district, including professional colleges, on Monday in view of the continuing rain-related calamities. The holiday will also be applicable to anganwadis, tuition centres and special classes. However, examinations that were scheduled earlier will be conducted as planned, the Collector said.

Worst-affected

The sudden surge of water that swept through Erattupetta on Saturday caused extensive damage, with Karakkad, located along the banks of the Meenachil river, emerging as one of the worst-affected areas. Over 100 houses were inundated, several of them suffering structural damage. Power supply was disrupted after KSEB transformers and electric poles were damaged, while a well that served as a key source of drinking water for residents collapsed. The region also reported agricultural losses running into lakhs of rupees.

The floods also dealt a severe blow to traders in Erattupetta and Pala, where nearly 200 shops were inundated. Textile merchants who had stocked up ahead of Onam suffered losses running into lakhs of rupees. Cleaning operations are continuing in shops and houses, with residents saying the accumulation of mud was far heavier than in previous floods.

Students shifted

In Pala, waterlogging continued in areas such as Kottaramattom and Mutholy, with several low-lying roads remaining submerged. Students were shifted from an entrance coaching centre after floodwaters entered the premises.

Meanwhile, the mortal remains of Regina Johny and her son Josephin, who died in a landslip at Payyanithottam, were laid to rest at St Alphonsa Church on Sunday.

People pay final respects to the mortal remains of Regina Johny and her son Josephin, who died in a landslip at Payyanithottam, Poonjar, on the premises of Holy Spirit Public School.
| Photo Credit:
VISHNU PRATHAP

In Theekoy, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindhu Krishna assured assistance to dairy farmer Anil Kumar, who lost 11 cows in the floods. After learning about the loss, the Minister contacted him over the phone and assured him of support. She said she would visit Theekoy on Monday to hand over replacement cattle to the farmer and assured that steps would be taken to ensure the speedy disbursal of compensation, including assistance for the loss of livestock.

Collector chairs meeting

A district-level Disaster Management Authority meeting chaired by the Collector on Sunday reviewed the prevailing situation and assessed the progress of relief and rehabilitation activities. Department heads briefed the meeting on the current situation and the response measures being undertaken. Though water levels have started receding in several areas, the district continues to remain above the alert threshold.

As of Sunday, 34 relief camps were functioning in Kottayam taluk, providing shelter to 419 people.