THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for 11 districts in Kerala on Monday, forecasting intense rainfall across the state.
The districts under red alert are Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. An orange alert is in place for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha.
In response to the adverse weather, district collectors have declared a holiday for educational institutions in Idukki, Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta. In Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kottayam, the order extends to schools, anganwadis, madrasas, coaching centres, and tuition centres.
University exams and PSC tests will proceed as scheduled, except at Kannur University, which has postponed Monday’s examination. A new date will be announced soon.
According to IMD, districts under red alert may receive very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with isolated locations possibly recording over 12 cm within 24 hours. The forecast also warns of strong surface winds reaching 50–60 kmph, which could exacerbate the risk of traffic disruptions, tree falls, flash floods, landslides, and damage to vulnerable structures.
Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea till May 29, with a high wave warning in effect along the Kerala coast until Monday night.
The IMD further said that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27, while strong westerly winds are expected to persist over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region through the week. Rain or thundershowers are likely at most places across the state till May 31.
The southwest monsoon, which recently made its onset over Kerala, intensified on Sunday, with Nilambur (16 cm) and Vythiri (15 cm) recording the highest official rainfall.
Rainy Monday on cards
Red alert: Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
Orange alert: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha
Holiday for educational institutions: Idukki, Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta