Epidemic spreading, rains getting stronger; Inclement weather likely to disrupt school reopening

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rains lashed across Kerala on Saturday. It could turn into heavy rainfall at any time with the onset of the monsoon.

Around 42 lakh children from classes 1 to 12 will be going to schools from Monday. Parents are worried that the heavy rains will intensify, disrupting the start of the new academic year. The government postponed the entrance ceremony in previous years due to heavy rains. Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning occurred in various areas on Saturday.

According to the current weather forecast, there is a possibility of heavy rain in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts on June 1. A yellow alert has been issued. An orange alert was issued when heavy rain started falling in the Thiruvananthapuram district on Saturday. Waterlogging was reported across the capital city.

There is also a situation where the epidemic is spreading. Parents are asking the school authorities whether to postpone the opening. The government will take the final decision on postponing the entrance ceremony, taking into account Sunday’s rain and Monday’s weather forecast.

"As per the decision so far, schools will open on June 1. If the weather becomes very adverse, an appropriate decision will be taken after consulting with the concerned parties," - N. Shamsuddin, Education Minister.