THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Central Meteorological Department informed that there is a possibility of widespread rains, heavy rains at isolated places and very heavy rains in some days in the next five days. In this situation, red, orange and yellow alerts have been announced in various districts. A red alert has been sounded in Ernakulam today, Idukki and Kannur districts tomorrow, an orange alert in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod and yellow alert in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

Considering the severity of the rains, district level and taluk level emergency operation centers have been instructed to work round the clock. The state emergency operation center started functioning with representatives from various departments and National Disaster Response Force. Seven teams of National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Thrissur for emergency purposes.

Under no circumstances should one cross the river, bathe, fish or enter the river for any other purposes. Avoid night travel to hilly areas as much as possible. Due to the possibility of high waves and storm surges, people living in the coastal areas should stay away from the danger zones as per the instructions of the authorities. Trips to the beach and activities in the sea should be completely avoided. Do not go fishing in Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep shores. Be especially careful with wind hazards.

Heavy rain warning continues in the state. Red alert has been declared in Idukki and Kannur today. Apart from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, other districts are on orange alert today. Today is a holiday for all educational institutions in Ernakulam and in Kasargod all educational institutions except colleges. There is a possibility of heavy rain till Thursday. Fishermen should not venture into the sea. Extreme caution should be exercised in hilly areas and coastal areas. Control rooms are functioning in all districts in the wake of heavy rain warning.

A 10-year-old boy seriously injured after a branch of a tree on the yard of St Alberts School in Kochi fell on top of him, is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit. Ayeshath Minha, a student who died after a tree fell on the school compound, will be laid to rest today at Angadimogaru in Kasaragod.

The chief minister also came out with cautionary instructions in the wake of the warning that there is a possibility of heavy rain for five days. Control rooms have been opened in all districts across the state.