Kerala rain: 12 districts under orange alert; school, college holiday depends on local conditions
People across Kerala, including students and those travelling to the state, have been advised to stay alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rain over the next five days.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for 12 districts on Sunday (August 2), warning of isolated spells of very heavy rainfall. Strong winds of 40–50 kmph are also expected on Sunday (August 2) and Monday (August 3). Isolated heavy rain is likely on Sunday, Monday and Thursday (August 6).
Orange alert in 12 districts
The orange alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on Sunday.
An orange alert means isolated places could receive very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.
A yellow alert is in place for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam on Sunday.
For Monday (August 3), the yellow alert covers Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.
On Thursday (August 6), Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod will remain under a yellow alert.
A yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall, with isolated areas likely to receive between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm of rain within 24 hours.
According to the IMD, an offshore trough continues to extend from the south Gujarat coast to the north Kerala coast.
Another trough stretches from north Karnataka to Kanyakumari through south Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A cyclonic circulation also remains active over central Rajasthan.
These weather systems are expected to bring light to moderate rainfall across Kerala until Thursday (August 6), with isolated heavy rain on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Strong winds reaching 40–50 kmph are also likely on Sunday and Monday.
School holiday to be decided by district authorities
The weather forecast has raised the possibility of school and college holidays in districts that receive heavy or very heavy rain. Any decision to close educational institutions on Monday (August 3) or on the following days will be taken by the respective district collectors or other competent authorities after reviewing local weather conditions.
Students and parents have been advised to follow only official announcements from district administrations and educational institutions for holiday updates or changes to class schedules.