Cyclone Montha makes landfall, heavy rain in Kerala; Eight districts on orange alert for next three hours

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that rain is intensifying in Kerala as a result of Cyclone Montha formed in the Bay of Bengal and a low-pressure area in the east-central Arabian Sea. An orange alert has been issued for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram and Kozhikode for the next three hours. The IMD has also informed that there is a possibility of moderate rain with thunderstorms and strong winds with a speed of up to 50 kmph.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam. The possibility of isolated heavy rain is predicted. The IMD defines heavy rain as a situation where 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm of rain is expected in 24 hours. The department also informed that rain with thunderstorms is expected.

District Collector Arjun Pandian has announced that educational institutions will remain closed today due to the ongoing heavy rains in Thrissur. The move is part of a precautionary measure. The holiday has been declared for all educational institutions, including professional colleges in the district. The Collector has also announced that there will be no change in the scheduled exams, interviews and district science fairs.