Kerala floods: Animal rescue ops underway in Pathanamthitta, 2,500 animals at risk
Synopsis
While human rescue dominates Kerala’s flood response, a parallel crisis is unfolding for animals in Pathanamthitta — over 2,500 livestock and community animals stranded in waters that have not receded in five days. With 20 tonnes of feed and veterinary teams deployed, this is the district’s worst animal welfare emergency since the 2018 floods.
Key Takeaways
Humane World for Animals India has launched an emergency animal relief operation in Pathanamthitta , Kerala, as of 7 August .
More than 10 villages are severely flooded, with over 1,500 cattle and large animals impacted and 2,500 animals in total expected to benefit from relief.
Approximately 20 tonnes of dry animal feed is being distributed alongside veterinary treatment and medicines.
Floodwaters in some areas stand nearly six feet high and have persisted for nearly five days — a scale not seen since the 2018 Kerala floods .
The operation is being conducted in coordination with the Kerala Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department .
An emergency animal rescue operation is underway on a war footing in Pathanamthitta, one of Kerala's worst flood-hit districts, as days of relentless monsoon rain have left more than 2,500 animals — including cattle, goats, and community dogs — stranded in inundated sheds and waterlogged roads. The relief drive, launched on 7 August, runs parallel to ongoing rescue efforts for flood-affected families across the state.
Scale of the Crisis
According to preliminary estimates, flooding has severely affected more than 10 villages in Pathanamthitta district, with over 1,500 cattle and large animals directly impacted. Many families have been forced to evacuate to relief camps, leaving livestock behind in submerged sheds with no means of escape. Large stretches of the district remain underwater, and continued rainfall threatens to worsen conditions further.
Residents told relief workers that while seasonal flooding is not uncommon in the region, the current inundation is on a scale not witnessed since the catastrophic 2018 Kerala floods. Unlike previous years, when floodwaters typically receded within a day or two, several villages have remained submerged for nearly five days.
Relief Operation in Action
Humane World for Animals India has launched the emergency response in coordination with the Kerala Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. The organisation is distributing approximately 20 tonnes of dry animal feed to flood-affected areas, while veterinary teams are providing on-the-spot treatment and medicines for injured and ailing animals.
The relief effort is expected to benefit more than 2,500 animals, including goats and community dogs, in addition to large livestock. Pathanamthitta, a district characterised by homesteads where livestock is a primary source of household income, faces compounding economic losses as animals remain at risk.
Ground Realities
Praveen Suresh, Manager of the Disaster Response Team at Humane World for Animals India, described conditions as far graver than anticipated. “In several places, floodwaters remain waist-deep, and in some areas nearly six feet high. Animals are stranded on roads or standing in stagnant water with nowhere to go. Continued rainfall will only worsen their condition,” he said.
The organisation has previously conducted similar animal rescue operations during floods in Assam, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Kerala, supporting both vulnerable communities and the animals that underpin their livelihoods.
What Comes Next
With the monsoon showing no signs of immediate let-up, relief teams are bracing for a prolonged operation. The dual burden of rescuing human flood victims while simultaneously mounting a large-scale animal relief effort underscores the severity of this year’s monsoon impact on Pathanamthitta. Veterinary teams are expected to remain deployed until floodwaters recede and animals can be safely returned to their owners.
Point of View
Leaving the burden to NGOs and state veterinary departments operating on goodwill and limited resources. In Pathanamthitta, where livestock is not just companionship but livelihood, losing cattle to floods is an economic catastrophe for smallholder families that no relief cheque fully compensates. The 2018 Kerala floods prompted some policy rethink, but the current crisis suggests institutional memory is short. A standing animal emergency response framework — with pre-positioned feed, trained veterinary rapid-response units, and clear coordination mandates — is long overdue.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which organisation is leading the animal rescue operation in Pathanamthitta?
Humane World for Animals India is leading the emergency animal relief operation in Pathanamthitta, working in coordination with the Kerala Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. The organisation has prior experience conducting similar operations in Assam, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Kerala.
How many animals are affected by the Kerala floods in Pathanamthitta?
According to preliminary estimates, more than 1,500 cattle and large animals have been severely affected across more than 10 villages in Pathanamthitta district. The ongoing relief operation is expected to benefit over 2,500 animals in total, including goats and community dogs.
How does the current flooding compare to the 2018 Kerala floods?
Residents have told relief workers that the current inundation is the worst they have experienced since the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. Unlike typical seasonal flooding that recedes within a day or two, several villages in Pathanamthitta have remained underwater for nearly five days.
What relief supplies are being provided to flood-affected animals?
Approximately 20 tonnes of dry animal feed is being distributed to flood-affected areas. Veterinary teams are also providing on-the-spot treatment and medicines for injured and sick animals as part of the emergency response.
Why is Pathanamthitta particularly vulnerable during floods?
Pathanamthitta is a district of homesteads where livestock forms a significant source of household income. When floodwaters force families to evacuate to relief camps, animals are often left behind in inundated sheds, making the district especially vulnerable to large-scale livestock losses during severe flooding events.
