Rescue work under way at the flooded Ranni town in Pathanamthitta on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: LEJU KAMAL
Several parts of Pathanamthitta district were hit by a flood-like emergency on Saturday after an unexpected spell of extremely heavy rain lashed the region from Friday evening, triggering flash floods, landslips and widespread inundation.
The district received intermittent rain through Friday before the downpour intensified overnight. Around 300 mm of rainfall was recorded in the Sabarimala forests, leading to a sharp rise in runoff and swelling rivers. The intense rain also triggered a series of landslips and soil slips in high-range areas, including Thannithodu. Vadasserikkara recorded 339 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Saturday morning.
Ranni emerged as the worst-affected area, with the town virtually cut off after floodwaters submerged key approach roads, including the Ranni-Vadasserikkara road, bringing traffic to a standstill. The town remained under two to two-and-a-half feet of water through the day. Floodwaters surged into houses within minutes, forcing residents to move to upper floors, while many families remained stranded inside their homes.
Several families were also stranded at Ittiyappara, where rescue teams were yet to reach. A number of people took refuge on the upper floors of commercial buildings as floodwaters continued to rise.
As a precautionary measure, power supply was disconnected in Ranni and neighbouring areas.
Rescue operations
Rescue operations were led by teams from the Disaster Management Authority and the Fire and Rescue Services, which evacuated stranded residents using dinghies and coracles. The district administration also initiated steps to deploy additional rescue boats to the area.
The flooding caused extensive damage to businesses in Ranni town, with floodwaters entering most commercial establishments before traders could move their goods to safety. Shop owners estimated losses running into several crores of rupees.
A house at Mallappally in Pathanamthitta that got flooded in the downpour on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
LEJU KAMAL
The rapidly rising Pampa and Manimala rivers submerged several major roads across the district, severely disrupting connectivity. The Arayanjilimannu causeway across the Pampa went under water, while floodwaters also entered parts of Kozhencherry, Cherukolpuzha and Aranmula, prompting authorities to evacuate residents from low-lying areas.
Boating prohibited
In view of the flooding, the procession of Palliyodams (snake boats) scheduled in connection with the Aranmula Vallasadya ritual was cancelled, and boating on the river has been prohibited until further notice.
The Travancore Devaswom Board advised devotees planning to visit Sabarimala on August 2 and 3 for the Niraputhari festival to reconsider their pilgrimage in view of the prevailing weather conditions and security alert.
Water levels in the Achankovil and Kakkattar rivers also crossed the danger mark. The District Disaster Management Authority warned that the situation could deteriorate further if the rain continued and directed people living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas to move to relief camps without delay.
A flooded bus stand at Mallappally in Pathanamthitta on Saturday after heavy rain lashed the district.
| Photo Credit:
LEJU KAMAL
The authorities also prohibited travel to Gavi via Angamoozhi and along other high-range routes.
Despite the sharp rise in river levels, water storage in major reservoirs in the district remained within safe limits. Live storage in the Pamba reservoir stood at around 23%, while the Kakki-Anathodu reservoir was at around 39%.
Three relief camps were opened at Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla and Aranmula to accommodate displaced families.
Published – August 01, 2026 07:13 pm IST
