Hundreds of schools and colleges were shut on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts in Karnataka as the southwest monsoon advanced vigorously, officials said.

"Schools and colleges in four taluks (sub-districts) of Chikkamagaluru have been given a holiday for the safety of students as heavy rains have been inundating several low-lying areas," an official from the Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner's Office told IANS.