Heavy rain continued to affect several parts of Kerala on Thursday, prompting authorities to close educational institutions in multiple districts, impose strict restrictions in Idukki and issue fresh public safety advisories as waterlogging persisted in low-lying areas.
Schools and colleges, including professional institutions, will be closed tomorrow in Kottayam, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta following heavy rain warnings. Holidays also extended to anganwadis, coaching centres, tuition centres and special classes, while public examinations scheduled for the day remained unchanged. In Thrissur, institutions functioning as relief camps were also declared closed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod for tomorrow, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official weather advisories.
With a red alert in force on Thursday, authorities imposed strict restrictions across Idukki, suspending boating, rafting, kayaking and other water activities. Tourists were barred from entering landslide-prone areas, night travel in hilly regions was restricted between 7 p.m and 6 a.m, and mining, soil excavation, plantation work and highway construction were halted until further notice.
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The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA)urged the public to stay away from rivers and other water bodies, avoid unnecessary travel during intense rainfall, and refrain from visiting waterfalls, reservoirs and hill destinations until weather conditions improve.
Flooding continued in Kuttanad and Thiruvalla, where several residents relied on boats and tractors for daily commuting despite improvements in many other regions.
Meanwhile, the search for John, a fisherman from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram who went missing at sea six days ago, continued. His family alleged delays in rescue operations and sought faster intervention from authorities.
The India Meteorological Department continues to monitor the weather situation, with authorities maintaining heightened vigilance across vulnerable districts.
