Kerala Weather: Heavy Rains Continue As 5 Districts On Yellow Alert

The India Meteorological Department has placed five northern districts in Kerala under a yellow alert as torrential rains continue to batter the state on Thursday.

The weather agency has issued a yellow alert to Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Whereas Ernakulam and Thrissur remain under an orange alert until 8:30 am with officials cautioning that heavy downpours could be accompanied by surface winds gusting up to 50 kmph.

In view of the conditions, district collectors in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad have ordered a complete shutdown of all educational institutions for the day. The closure covers anganwadis, madrasas, tuition centres, and professional colleges across the board.

However, authorities have made it clear that university examinations and Public Service Commission tests will proceed without interruption. On the other hand, residential schools and colleges in Wayanad will remain open even as the hill town is yet to recover from the Tuesday landslide that killed four.

The IMD has also issued an advisory for those along the coast, warning of squally conditions with wind speeds ranging between 40 and 60 kmph over the adjoining seas. Fishermen have been strictly advised to avoid venturing out during this period. Adding to the concerns, localized high-wave alerts have been sounded for specific stretches: the Valapattanam-New Mahe coast in Kannur is bracing for waves of up to 3.5 metres until Thursday afternoon, while the Koloth-Azhikal stretch in Mahe could see swells reaching 3.6 metres.

The IMD has urged extreme caution for marine operations and nearshore recreational activities.

Authorities have warned that the relentless rainfall threatens to disrupt normal life across the affected districts. Waterlogging, poor visibility, and flash floods in low-lying areas and along riverbanks are highly likely.

The strong winds also pose a risk to public infrastructure, with the potential to uproot trees, snap power lines, and disrupt electricity supply. Partial damage to temporary and semi-permanent structures is possible, and officials have specifically flagged an elevated risk of landslides and landslips in vulnerable hilly pockets.

The IMD's forecast suggests scattered rain or thundershowers will continue across the state at least until July 14. The current warnings come on the heels of Tuesday's tragic landslip at the twin tunnel project site in Wayanad's Kalladi region, where rescue efforts are still underway for four missing workers.