IMD issues red alert for Kerala's Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts, and orange alerts for the remaining districts, ANI reported.

Following the intense rainfall, authorities in several districts declared holidays for educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

According to IMD, strong westerly winds are expected to persist at lower tropospheric levels over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region for the next two to three days, leading to widespread rainfall.

"Strong westerlies likely to continue at lower tropospheric levels over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region during the next 2–3 days. Under the influence of these, widespread rainfall activity with scattered heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall and isolated extremely heavy rainfall is very likely to occur over Kerala on May 29 and 30, 2025. Heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over Kerala on May 31, June 1, and June 2, 2025," stated the weather bureau.

As a precautionary measure, district administrations across Kerala declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Friday. This includes professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, madrassas and special coaching classes, reported ANI.

With an orange alert in effect for Ernakulam, a holiday was declared for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis and tuition centres, said District Collector NSK Umesh.

In Kasaragod, all educational institutions, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, professional colleges, anganwadis, madrassas and tuition centres, remained closed on Friday. However, previously scheduled exams will be conducted as planned.

In Kottayam, the District Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, summer coaching camps, religious study centres and tuition centres. MG University has postponed all exams scheduled for May 30. Pre-scheduled exams in other institutions will continue as planned.

In Thrissur, due to heavy rains, a holiday has been announced for all institutions, including CBSE and ICSE schools, anganwadis, tuition centres and professional colleges. However, scheduled examinations and interviews will not be postponed, according to ANI.

All educational institutions, including professional colleges, madrassas, tuition centres and training institutes, will remain closed in Idukki. Residential schools and colleges are exempted. Summer coaching classes are not permitted. School heads are instructed to conduct catch-up classes, including online sessions.

In Wayanad, a holiday has been announced for all institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, madrassas, and tuition centres. Residential educational institutions are excluded.

In Pathanamthitta, all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, and tuition centres, will remain closed on Friday due to ongoing heavy rains.

In Palakkad, the District Collector declared a holiday for all institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, madrassas, and tuition centres. Residential schools and colleges are exempted.

In Kuttanad Taluk of Alappuzha district, a holiday has been declared for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, and tuition centres, due to persistent rainfall and ongoing alerts. However, pre-scheduled exams will be held as planned.

(With inputs from ANI)