Kerala heavy rain: IMD orange alert for 7 districts; train restored after Parassala landslide
Synopsis
A landslide near Parassala derailed the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express locomotive at 2.19 am Thursday, even as the IMD warned of orange-alert rainfall up to 204.4 mm across seven Kerala districts through Sunday. Services were restored after emergency relief work — but with hilly districts like Wayanad and Idukki in the alert zone, the state is far from out of the woods.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued orange alerts for seven Kerala districts , valid through Sunday, 26 October 2026 , forecasting isolated very heavy rainfall of up to 204.4 mm in 24 hours .
Districts under orange alert include Kozhikode , Kannur , Kasaragod , Idukki , Ernakulam , Thrissur , Palakkad , Malappuram , and Wayanad .
A landslide near Parassala , Thiruvananthapuram district , derailed the locomotive of Train No.
22619 Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express at around 2.19 am on Thursday .
All passengers and railway personnel were reported safe ; track restoration was completed and services resumed after safety inspections.
The Kerala SDMA has advised residents in hilly and coastal areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories through the weekend.
Kerala is bracing for another intense spell of wet weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing orange alerts for seven districts through Sunday, 26 October 2026, and warning of isolated very heavy rainfall across the state. The alerts follow a landslide near Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district that disrupted rail operations in the early hours of Thursday, 22 October, derailing a locomotive and briefly halting train services on the affected section.
IMD Alerts and Rainfall Forecast
Orange alerts — indicating isolated very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours — have been issued for Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Saturday, and for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on Sunday. Yellow alerts, signalling isolated heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm), are in effect for several other districts across Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thunderstorms are likely to accompany the downpours.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has advised residents in hilly and coastal areas to remain on high alert. Authorities have urged people in vulnerable localities to follow official advisories as the wet spell is expected to persist through the weekend.
Parassala Landslide Derails Locomotive
The consequences of the ongoing rainfall were sharply felt near Parassala railway station in the Neyyattinkara–Parassala section, where a landslide struck around kilometre 249 in the early hours of Thursday. Train No. 22619 Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express was brought to a halt at approximately 2.19 am when the locomotive subsequently derailed. All passengers and railway personnel on board were reported safe.
Railway authorities swiftly mobilised a relief locomotive and despatched an Accident Relief Train, along with technical personnel and equipment, to begin restoration work. This comes amid a broader pattern of monsoon-related rail disruptions along Kerala's hilly terrain, where landslides periodically threaten track integrity during periods of heavy rainfall.
Services Restored After Safety Checks
Railway officials confirmed that the derailed locomotive was removed and track restoration work completed within hours. Following mandatory safety inspections, train services were resumed on the affected section. The Mangaluru-bound Parasuram Express was among the first trains to depart from Parassala, passing safely through the restored stretch, providing an operational confirmation of the section's clearance.
Broader Impact and What Lies Ahead
Kerala's hilly districts — particularly Wayanad, Idukki, and Malappuram — remain on high watch given their documented vulnerability to landslides and flash floods during heavy rain spells. The SDMA's advisory specifically highlights the risk to residents in hilly and coastal zones. Authorities are expected to keep alert levels under review as IMD updates its forecasts over the next 48 to 72 hours. Residents have been advised not to venture near water bodies or unstable slopes and to monitor official channels for the latest district-level warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kerala districts are under IMD orange alert and for how long?
The IMD has issued orange alerts for Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Saturday, and for Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad on Sunday, 26 October 2026. Orange alerts indicate isolated very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours, and yellow alerts are also in force for several other districts from Thursday through Sunday.
What happened in the Parassala train derailment on 22 October 2026?
A landslide at around kilometre 249 in the Neyyattinkara–Parassala section struck in the early hours of Thursday, causing the locomotive of Train No. 22619 Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express to derail at approximately 2.19 am. All passengers and railway staff were reported safe, and rail authorities despatched a relief locomotive and an Accident Relief Train to restore operations.
Have train services resumed after the Parassala landslide?
Yes, train services were restored after the derailed locomotive was removed, track repairs were completed, and mandatory safety inspections were carried out. The Mangaluru-bound Parasuram Express was among the first trains to pass safely through the restored section.
What precautions has the Kerala government advised for residents?
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents in hilly and coastal areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories as heavy rain is expected to continue through the weekend. People in vulnerable zones are advised to avoid water bodies and unstable slopes and to monitor district-level alerts from authorities.
What does an IMD orange alert mean for Kerala?
An orange alert from the IMD signals a forecast of isolated very heavy rainfall — defined as 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain within a 24-hour period — and is an advisory for authorities and residents to be prepared for potentially disruptive weather. It is one level below a red alert, which warns of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm.
