In late July 2018, Kerala witnessed a disaster that no one will ever forget. The unusually high rainfall led to the worst flood in nearly a century, leaving the state in ruins. Though the calamity primarily struck Kerala, its impact was felt nationwide, as people came together to support the state in its time of need.
Over 445 lives were lost, and around 280,679 people were evacuated from severely affected areas such as Chengannur, Pandanad, Aranmula, Aluva, Chalakudy, Kuttanad, and Pandalam. The Union Government declared it a 'Calamity of a Severe Nature,' as one-sixth of Kerala’s total population bore the brunt of the floods.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA), the floods caused an estimated loss of ₹19,500 crore. The damage included:
- 776 villages affected
- Over 28,000 houses fully or partially damaged
- Livestock losses in the thousands
- More than 56,000 hectares of crops destroyed
- Over 10,000 km of roads damaged
For the first time in history, 35 out of Kerala's 42 dams were opened simultaneously, including the Idukki Dam, which had not been fully opened in 26 years.
Causes 
Reports of it being a man-made calamity started flashing after a report was crafted by a team headed by Madhav Gadgil, ecologist and founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. As per his research, the majority of the affected regions were classified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZs) by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel. The Gadgil committee had even suggested that 140,000 kilometres of the Western Ghats be classified into three zones as per the requirement of environmental protection in the areas, but most of their recommendations and directions were either neglected or rejected. Hence, he accused the state government and its irresponsible environmental policy for the recent landslides and floods.
Also, another incident that led to the devastating floods was the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam by the Tamil Nadu government. Next is climate change. Recent research indicates that rising temperatures have led to huge fluctuations in the monsoon winds carrying the moisture from the Arabian Sea, resulting in heavy-to-extreme rains over the Western Ghats and central India, lasting for two to three days.
Rescue Operations 
In one of the largest rescue operations, the Centre launched; 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft, 182 teams for rescue, 18 medical teams of defence forces, 58 teams of NDRF, 7 companies of Central Armed Police Forces along with over 500 boats and necessary rescue equipments while the entire forces of state's SDRF, State Police/Fire and boats were fully engaged as well in saving millions of lives. It was the fishermen of the state who risked their lives and reached every corner of the affected areas to rescue as many people as they could, and they succeeded in saving thousands of people. The Kerala Government announced financial aid in return for their support and effort in the rescue mission.
Funds Received 
- The public donated an amount of ₹674 crore (US$98 million) to the donation website started by the Government of Kerala.
- The central government had released an advance fund of Rs 600 crore to flood-hit Kerala, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Rs 500 crore) and Home Minister Rajnath Singh (Rs 100 crore) during their visits to the state.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had donated Rs 1 lakh to the CMRDF, apart from the PM Relief fund.
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced Rs 10 crore and also gave one-month salaries of all AAP MLAs and MPs to the state.
- Congress MPs and MLAs had also followed suit and pledged to donate one month's salary.
- A total of ₹211 crore had been announced by the states of India in addition to the dispatch of various relief materials such as potable water, blankets, packed food, rice, water-purifying machines, and daily-use and healthcare products.
- Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan offered to provide humanitarian assistance.
- Apart from that, various celebrities of South India and Bollywood had donated huge amounts as well as urged their fans to support Kerala.
- Major banks and oil companies, Indian Railways, NGOs and other organisations had donated huge amounts and other essential things to Kerala as well.
- Google, Facebook and e-commerce websites Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, Airtel Payments Bank, Paytm and Tez had also provided an option for donation for relief efforts on their respective platforms.
- Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli dedicated his team's test win over England at Trent Bridge to the flood victims of Kerala. The Indian team also donated match fees to Kerala flood victims.
The Road to Recovery: Physical & Mental Well-Being
Disasters don't just destroy homes and infrastructure—they leave behind long-term physical and mental health challenges. Many survivors suffered from injuries, infections, joint pain, and post-traumatic stress. Recovering from such a large-scale disaster goes beyond rebuilding—it requires caring for the people affected. For many, this meant addressing body aches, joint stiffness, and muscular pain caused by prolonged exposure to floodwaters, injuries, and strenuous rescue efforts. Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and access to pain relief solutions became vital in helping people regain their strength.
With such challenges, non-invasive pain management solutions, including physiotherapy and modern pain relief devices, play a crucial role in helping individuals recover. Advanced technologies such as TENS therapy and ultrasound therapy have made it easier for people to manage pain and recover without relying on medication alone.
Rebuilding a Stronger Tomorrow
While Kerala has shown incredible resilience, disasters like these remind us of the importance of preparedness—not just in infrastructure but also in health and well-being. By prioritizing physical recovery, access to effective pain relief, and rehabilitation, communities can rebuild stronger than before.
The Kerala floods were a testament to the human spirit—the unwavering strength to rise again. Whether it's through collective support, modern recovery solutions, or individual resilience, the journey to healing continues.