The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday (August 04) afternoon issued its rainfall forecast for the next five days, warning of very heavy rain across parts of Kerala. Eight districts have been placed under a red alert for Tuesday (August 04).

The districts under the red alert are Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. The IMD classifies very heavy rainfall as 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain within 24 hours.

Rain alerts to continue over the next four days 

An orange alert has been issued for Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram on Tuesday (August 04).

The alert will be extended to Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod on Wednesday (August 05). On Thursday (August 06), Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam will remain under an orange alert.

An orange alert means there is a chance of isolated very heavy rainfall, with 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm of rain expected within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam on Tuesday (August 04).

The yellow alert will cover Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram on Wednesday (August 05). On Thursday (August 06), it will extend to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

On Friday (August 07), yellow alerts will be in place across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

On Saturday (August 08), the alert will remain for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

A yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall, with 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm of rain expected within 24 hours.

School holidays to be decided locally

The rain forecast has increased the possibility of school holidays in districts likely to receive heavy rain.

However, any decision to close schools or colleges will be taken by the respective district authorities after reviewing local weather conditions. Holidays may be announced for Wednesday (August 05) or on any day up to Saturday (August 08) if required.

Students and parents have been advised to wait for official orders issued by district collectors or other competent authorities. They should also follow updates from their schools and colleges for any changes to classes or schedules.