Severe Kerala Monsoon Impact Disrupts Vice President Dhankhar’s Guruvayur Visit

Thrissur, Kerala – A planned visit by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to the revered Guruvayur Temple in Kerala was regrettably called off on Monday, July 7, 2025, a decision necessitated by the relentless and unyielding Kerala Monsoon Impact. Heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions across the state made aerial travel untenable, leading to the Vice President’s helicopter being forced to return to Kochi. This unexpected turn of events underscores the profound influence of the monsoon season on daily life and official engagements in the southern state.

The Vice President, accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, had arrived in Kochi on Sunday for a two-day itinerary in Kerala. The initial schedule included offering prayers at the Guruvayur Temple, a highly anticipated event, and an interaction session with students and faculty at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) in Kochi. However, the severe Kerala Monsoon Impact thwarted the first leg of his Monday engagements.

According to reports, the Vice President’s helicopter, which was en route to the Sree Krishna College helipad in Thrissur, encountered inclement weather shortly after takeoff. Faced with perilous flying conditions, the pilot made the prudent decision to turn back to Kochi. This swift action prioritized safety, preventing any potential risks associated with navigating through the torrential downpour and low visibility.

Following the cancellation of the Guruvayur visit due to the pervasive Kerala Monsoon Impact, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to depart for New Delhi at 12:35 PM on the same day. While the temple visit could not proceed as planned, his interaction with NUALS students and faculty in Kochi is still expected to go ahead, offering a valuable opportunity for engagement.

The weather situation in Kerala remains a significant concern, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) providing regular updates. The Met Centre Kerala has issued a yellow alert for all districts across the state, signaling the likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall. Specifically, Thrissur, the intended destination for the Vice President’s Guruvayur visit, was predicted to experience moderate rain, which escalated to conditions unsuitable for helicopter travel.

Beyond Kerala, the IMD has also highlighted broader weather patterns affecting South Peninsular India. Strong surface winds, ranging from 40-50 kmph, are anticipated to prevail over the region for the next five days. Light to moderate rainfall is expected not only in Kerala but also in Mahe, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, and Telangana. Furthermore, isolated to scattered rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Telangana, and Rayalaseema for the next seven days, indicating a widespread Kerala Monsoon Impact and its surrounding regions.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by natural weather phenomena, particularly the intensity of the Kerala Monsoon Impact. Even high-profile official visits are susceptible to the caprices of nature, emphasizing the need for contingency planning and prioritizing safety above all else.

Vice President Dhankhar’s visit to Kerala comes shortly after his address at a public gathering in Jaipur earlier in the week. In his address, he had underscored the critical importance of placing national interest above party politics. He reiterated that when representing India on the global stage, distinctions between ruling and opposition parties cease to exist, and the nation’s welfare becomes paramount. This message of national unity resonates, even as his current visit highlights the profound and undeniable Kerala Monsoon Impact on ground realities.

The people of Kerala, accustomed to the annual monsoon, continue to adapt to its challenges. While the cancellation of such a significant visit is notable, it also reflects the responsible decision-making required to ensure the safety of public figures in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. The focus now shifts to managing the ongoing Kerala Monsoon Impact and ensuring public safety across the state.