Rains to intensify today; holiday declared for educational institutions in three districts, alert issued

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The weather department have issued alerts in several districts of Kerala in the wake of heavy rains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in northern Kerala today and tomorrow. A red alert has been issued in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram. A holiday has been declared for educational institutions in all three districts.

Wayanad District Collector V Chelsasini has declared a holiday for religious study classes, tuition centres and special classes in the district. Malappuram District Collector Dr Vinay Goyal has also ordered a holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis, madrasas, tuition centres, parallel colleges and other coaching centres. However, the holiday does not apply to university and public examinations scheduled in advance, residential educational institutions or hostels.

As heavy rain and strong winds continue, Kozhikode District Collector M S Madhavikutty has declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district, including anganwadis, madrasas, tuition centres, parallel colleges and other coaching centres. The holiday does not apply to hostels and residential institutions.

Low-pressure systems over the southern Arabian Sea near the Kerala coast and the Bay of Bengal are responsible for the intensification of rainfall across the state. A red alert has been issued for Palakkad and Idukki on Monday. An orange alert remains in effect in seven districts, from Kasaragod to Thrissur, in view of the possibility of very heavy rainfall.

Heavy rain has been continuing in Kozhikode and Wayanad since Saturday evening. With intense rainfall affecting the hilly regions of Kozhikode, the district administration has issued a cautionary advisory. Tourism activities in the hilly areas have been restricted, and the movement of visitors to Kozhikode Beach has also been regulated.