The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts in Kerala from Thursday (October 22) to Monday (October 26), forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in isolated areas.

The forecast indicates a possibility of very heavy rain in several districts over the next few days. The alerts are relevant for residents, commuters and those planning to travel to Kerala, particularly in areas expecting intense rainfall.

For Thursday, October 22, the IMD has issued an orange alert in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur districts.

A yellow alert is in place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kasaragod.

The IMD has forecast isolated instances of very heavy rainfall in orange-alert districts and isolated heavy rainfall in yellow-alert districts. Thunderstorms are also expected.

On Friday, October 23, orange alerts have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram will be under a yellow alert.

The forecast points to the possibility of very heavy rain in isolated areas of the orange-alert districts, while heavy rainfall is likely in isolated areas of the yellow-alert districts.

The IMD has issued orange alerts for 10 districts on Saturday, October 24: Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kannur and Kasaragod will be under a yellow alert that day.

On Sunday, October 25, orange alerts will remain in place in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Yellow alerts have been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha.

For Monday, October 26, the IMD has issued yellow alerts for 14 districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

What do orange and yellow alerts mean?

An orange alert indicates the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated areas. The IMD classifies very heavy rainfall as 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

A yellow alert indicates the possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated areas, with expected rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours.

Thunderstorms are expected alongside the rain in the affected areas.

Residents and travellers should monitor official weather updates, particularly when planning journeys through districts under orange alerts.

Holiday chances: Will schools and colleges remain closed?

The forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall has raised the possibility of school and college holidays in affected districts. Educational institutions may remain closed on Friday, October 23, depending on local weather conditions and decisions by district authorities.

However, an IMD rain alert does not automatically mean that schools or colleges will be closed. Any holiday will depend on an official order issued by the respective district collector or another competent authority.

Parents and students should check official district administration announcements and notices from their educational institutions before deciding whether to attend classes. Travellers should also check weather updates before setting out, especially in districts forecast to receive very heavy rain.