‘Kerala Battles Floods, Satheesan Joins Feast, Inaugurates Gold Store’: Why CM Is Under Oppn Fire Amid Deluge

Published 3 August 2026 · india

‘Kerala Battles Floods, Satheesan Joins Feast, Inaugurates Gold Store’: Why CM Is Under Oppn Fire Amid Deluge Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 15:29

‘Kerala Battles Floods, Satheesan Joins Feast, Inaugurates Gold Store’: Why CM Is Under Oppn Fire Amid Deluge Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 15:29 IST Kerala floods: CPI(M) leaders question CM Satheesan; Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh says he was monitoring the situation, directing district collectors Rapid Read CM VD Satheesan is under fire for attending private events amid Kerala deluge. (FB/PTI) Amid Kerala’s floods, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s attendance at private events and a lunch reception in Malappuram district on Saturday (August 1), has drawn severe criticism from opposition CPI(M) leaders. His team, however, has defended him, saying he was continuously monitoring the situation. News18 explains the row. KERALA FLOODS: AUGUST 1-3 The severe monsoon crisis in Kerala has rapidly escalated between August 1 and August 3, 2026, leaving 15 people dead and 7 missing due to cloudburst-like rains, sudden landslides, and widespread flash floods. High-intensity downpours peaking on August 1 dropped over 340 mm of rain in under 35 hours, catching weather agencies off guard and submerging parts of central and northern Kerala.

Pathanamthitta district reeled under extreme flooding as the Pampa River overflowed, completely submerging portions of Ranni town. Vadasserikkara recorded a staggering 361 mm of rainfall on August 1. Hilly Areas of Idukki & Kottayam saw severe landslips hit Peerumade and Thodupuzha following over 200 mm of isolated downpours, forcing over 187 residents to flee to safety. In Kozhikode and Malappuram, swollen water bodies, including the Poonoor River, caused severe waterlogging in residential zones. Malappuram reported 4 of the state’s fatalities. Kasaragod & Coastal Zones remain on high alert. Strong sea swells prompted a ban on fishermen going out to sea, though low-income crews have struggled with compliance. THE EVENTS CM SATHEESAN ATTENDED Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan attended multiple public and private events across Malappuram and Kochi on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The specific functions that drew criticism include Private Feast and Reception at Ponnani, Malappuram What: A lavish private lunch and reception.

Where: Held at the private residence of Faisal Bafaqui Thangal, the vice-president of the Muslim Youth League (the youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, a major UDF ally). Jewellery Store Inauguration at Kochi, Ernakulam District What: The commercial unveiling and inauguration ceremony of a new jewellery showroom. Where: Located in the city of Kochi. Personal Family Visit to Kochi What: A private visit to see his ailing father-in-law, who was undergoing medical treatment. Where: At a hospital/residence in Kochi. THE OPPOSITION BACKLASH CPI(M) leaders like Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim publicly shared video footage of the private gathering, calling the timing highly inappropriate for the head of the State Disaster Management Authority. THE DEFENCE Defending the administration, Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh noted that the government’s primary focus remained on active flood relief and that the Chief Minister had been continuously monitoring the situation and directing district collectors. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...