Heavy Rain Pummels Kerala: Orange Alert in Two Districts, School Holidays in Six Districts

Heavy rain lashed across Kerala as the southwest monsoon intensified, causing waterlogging in several areas and prompting travel bans in hilly regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Wayanad and Kannur districts for Thursday, expecting rainfall between 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours. The state government has urged the public to exercise caution and stay safe from rain-related incidents.

District collectors declared a holiday on Thursday for all educational institutions in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and the Iritty taluk in Kannur. However, public and university exams will proceed as scheduled. Landslides were reported in Kozhikode on Wednesday, and several houses were damaged in Kannur and Alappuzha due to the heavy downpour over the past three days.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the state Disaster Management Authority warned of potential traffic congestion due to waterlogging and poor visibility, suggesting effective traffic regulation and restricting non-essential movement. Night traffic to Ponmudi has been banned. Idukki imposed a night travel ban in hilly areas due to continuous heavy rains. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) visited landslide-prone areas in Munnar on Wednesday.

Shutters of Malankara, Pambla, and Kallarkutty dams were raised due to rising water levels. In Kottayam, entry to tourist centres such as Ilaveezhapoonchira, Illikkal Kallu, and Marmala stream was banned, and restrictions were imposed on night travel on the Erattupetta-Vagamon road. In Pathanamthitta, all quarry activities, MGNREGA works, boating, and trekking were banned until June 30. A night travel ban was also imposed in the district’s hilly areas. Water levels in the Pamba, Manimala, and Achankovil rivers surged due to heavy rainfall.

Twenty people from seven families were shifted to relief camps in Kanayannur taluk in Kakkanad village, Ernakulam. The District Collector urged people living along the banks of the Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha rivers to stay vigilant as three shutters of the Malankara Dam were raised by one meter each. In Kollam, a portion of the “annadana mandapam” (dining hall) at the Ochira Parabrahma Temple collapsed due to incessant rains.