Kerala’s high ranges were drenched on Tuesday as heavy rains brought by the northeast monsoon caused flooding in low-lying areas across the state. Most districts saw overcast skies with intermittent showers, while the highlands of Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Idukki received particularly intense downpours.
IMD Issues Alerts, Schools Closed in Some Districts
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Malappuram. In preparation for a predicted red alert in these districts, authorities declared a holiday for schools, colleges, madrassas, anganwadis, and tuition centres in Idukki, Palakkad, and Malappuram on Wednesday. Officials clarified that in Palakkad, residential schools, colleges, and Navodaya institutions are exempted.
Safety Precautions and Activity Restrictions
Following the red alert, all water-based recreational activities in Idukki—including boating, kayaking, and rafting—have been suspended. “Trekking and other adventure activities in hilly regions prone to landslides or mudslides must also remain suspended until the alert is lifted,” authorities said.
District Collector Dinesan Cheruvat also prohibited all quarrying and soil excavation work, except for disaster management operations.
The IMD defines a red alert as rainfall exceeding 20 cm within 24 hours, while an orange alert signals rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm. Officials have urged residents to stay vigilant and avoid travelling to flood-prone areas until conditions improve.
