Heavy rain alert: School holiday declared in five Kerala districts, parts of Kozhikode on July 31

Kochi/Kalpetta: District Collectors in Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Wayanad and Kasaragod have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Friday (July 31) as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala. In Kozhikode, the District Collector has announced a holiday for educational institutions in Vadakara and Thamarassery taluks.

According to the IMD, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod are under an orange alert on Friday, with isolated areas likely to receive very heavy rainfall (115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours). Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also expected.

In Ernakulam, the District Collector has announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis and tuition centres, in view of the forecast of heavy rain and strong winds.

In Wayanad, the holiday applies to anganwadis, schools, colleges, professional colleges, tuition centres, special classes and religious study classes. However, the District Collector clarified that residential schools and residential colleges will function as usual, and the holiday order does not apply to these institutions.

The Kasaragod District Collector has also announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, ICSE and CBSE schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and madrasas.

Alappuzha: Holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis and professional colleges, considering the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds. Scheduled public examinations will be held as planned. In a message to students, the District Collector urged them to use the holiday to read and learn something new while staying safe indoors.

Kottayam: Holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges and anganwadis. Scheduled public examinations will not be affected.

In Kozhikode district, a holiday has been declared only for educational institutions in Vadakara and Thamarassery taluks. The order covers schools, professional colleges, anganwadis, madrasas and tuition centres.

The Collector has clarified that online classes may be conducted, and the holiday does not apply to online classes.

With active monsoon conditions expected to continue, authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and stay updated through official weather advisories.

Parents and students have also been advised to rely only on official announcements issued by district administrations regarding holidays and other weather-related decisions.