With heavy monsoon rains lashing Kerala, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in four districts—Kannur, Kasaragod, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki—for Thursday, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 204.5 mm. In response, authorities have announced the closure of all educational institutions—including anganwadis, madrasas, tuition centers, and special classes—in Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Wayanad, Ernakulam, and Kasaragod. However, examinations scheduled earlier will be held as planned.
An orange alert has been sounded in the remaining districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall (64–204 mm). The IMD also reported significant progress of the southwest monsoon across major regions including Maharashtra, Telangana, and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
To ensure public safety, district administrations have enforced night travel restrictions and suspended tourism-related activities. In Idukki, travel is restricted on the Munnar Gap Road and the Neryamangalam–Adimali stretch of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi highway during night hours until May 30. Pathanamthitta has banned night travel to hill regions and halted quarry and tourism operations until June 1.
Meanwhile, in Ernakulam, all tourist destinations under the District Tourism Promotion Council and the Tourism Department are closed until further notice. The Malankara Dam’s shutters have been raised, prompting alerts for residents near the Muvattupuzha River.
Due to flooding and continuous rain, Wayanad has moved over 670 residents into 17 relief camps, with the highest concentration in Sulthan Bathery. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the monsoon intensifies.
