Red alert, rising rivers and gridlocked roads, as heavy monsoon rain batters Thrissur

Heavy rain leaves parts of Post Office Road and Chettiyangadi in Thrissur waterlogged on August 1, 2026. | Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb Relentless monsoon rain battered Thrissur district on Saturday (August 1, 2026), inundating low-lying areas, choking traffic across the city and prompting authorities to issue multiple flood warnings as reservoirs continued to fill.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Red Alert for Thrissur from 10 a.m., warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph over the next three hours.Read updates from the Kerala rains on August 1, 2026Blue Alert has been declared at the Peringalkuthu Dam after the water level touched 421 metres, the first alert level, against the full reservoir level of 424 metres. With inflows rising rapidly due to incessant rain, all crest gates of the dam have already been opened, allowing excess water to flow into the Chalakudy River.Authorities urged people living along the riverbanks, fishermen and those working near the river to remain vigilant as water levels could rise further.The shutters of the Mangalam Dam were also opened by five centimetres, raising concerns over an increase in the water level of the Bharathapuzha. The District Disaster Management Authority advised residents living along the river, fishermen and the public to avoid entering the river or spending time on its banks and to strictly follow official safety instructions.Heavy rain crippled normal life in Thrissur city, with severe waterlogging reported at Sakthan Bus Stand, Post Office Road, Ekkanda Warrier Road, T.B. Road and several low-lying stretches around Swaraj Round. Flooded roads brought traffic to a crawl, resulting in long traffic snarls across the city.Authorities appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel and advised commuters undertaking essential journeys to use safer alternative routes wherever possible.Flooding was reported from several low-lying parts of the district as the downpour continued unabated.The rain and strong winds also caused damage to property in coastal and rural areas. At Thozhiyur near Guruvayur, a coconut tree snapped and crashed onto the house of Shibu Chattikkal, partially damaging the building. In another incident, a tree uprooted by strong winds fell on the house of Manikandan at Pazhanji, causing partial damage. His wife and children had stepped outside moments earlier, and no injuries were reported.Waterlogging also disrupted traffic on the Guruvayur–Chavakkad Road, leaving motorists and pedestrians stranded as rainwater submerged stretches of the busy road.With heavy rain forecast to continue, the district administration has urged residents to remain alert, avoid flood-prone areas and strictly adhere to official advisories.End.mini Published - August 01, 2026 02:08 pm IST