Latest News

The Alappuzha District Collector declared a local holiday on August 22, 2026, in connection with the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race held at Punnamada Lake. The holiday applied to government offices and educational institutions across Alappuzha district, allowing residents and visitors to take part in the popular annual event. However, public and university examinations that had already been scheduled were not postponed and continued as planned. The decision reflected the importance of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race as one of Alappuzha’s biggest cultural and sporting events, which attracts large crowds to the district every year.

A 24-year-old man identified as Akhil, also known as Achu, was allegedly stabbed to death near his residence at Muryanveli in Aryad Panchayat, Alappuzha district, on July 24, 2026. According to police, three men arrived near his house in an autorickshaw and an altercation followed, during which Akhil was allegedly stabbed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Alappuzha North Police launched an investigation and began searching for the three suspects, who reportedly fled the scene after the attack. Police are also examining the motive and circumstances behind the incident.

A case of avian influenza (bird flu) has been confirmed in a panchayat area of Alappuzha district, prompting authorities to introduce precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the infection. Veterinary and local administration teams have increased surveillance in the affected and surrounding areas, while poultry farms and bird-rearing centres are being closely monitored. As part of the containment measures, the sale and movement of poultry, eggs and other bird-related products have been temporarily restricted in the affected zone. Officials have also advised residents and farmers to report unusual bird deaths immediately and to follow hygiene and biosecurity guidelines issued by the Animal Husbandry Department.

The Congress faced internal unrest in Alappuzha district after the Kuttanad Assembly seat was allotted to its UDF ally, Kerala Congress (Joseph), for the 2026 Kerala Assembly election. The decision disappointed a section of local Congress leaders who had wanted the party itself to contest the constituency. Following the seat-sharing decision, Alappuzha DCC vice president Saji Joseph and DCC general secretary K. Gopakumar resigned from their party posts. Saji Joseph also announced that he would contest from Kuttanad as an independent candidate, protesting the allocation of the seat to Kerala Congress (J), which fielded Reji Cheriyan. The development highlighted growing dissatisfaction within the local Congress unit over the UDF’s candidate-selection process

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Alappuzha district on May 22, 2026, warning of isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert was also issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki, where isolated heavy rainfall was expected. Authorities also warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching around 40 kmph in parts of Kerala. Residents were advised to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas, and to follow official weather and disaster-management updates.