Heavy rainfall has battered large parts of Kerala, leading to significant waterlogging, fallen trees, damaged homes, and major disruptions to daily life. The downpour, which intensified overnight and persisted into Saturday morning, has left authorities on high alert amid forecasts of continued severe conditions.
In a tragic incident in Thrissur district’s Manaloor area, a 29-year-old man lost his life when a tree crashed onto a temporary shed where he was sleeping. According to officials from the Fire and Rescue Services, the impact completely destroyed the structure.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod — signalling the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours. Orange alerts, indicating very heavy rainfall of 11-20 cm, are in place for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad. The remaining districts are under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
In response to the deteriorating situation, local administrations have enforced several precautionary measures. Entry to tourist trekking sites has been barred, night travel on hilly roads prohibited, and quarrying activities suspended in Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod districts.
Educational institutions across multiple districts have been closed for the day. Holidays for schools and colleges were announced in Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. District collectors in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod extended the closure to include professional colleges, anganwadis, tuition centres, Kendriya Vidyalayas, madrasas, and other religious educational institutions, citing the risk of extremely heavy rainfall.
In Kannur, the District Collector issued a comprehensive holiday order covering all educational institutions, including ICSE and CBSE schools, while exempting residential schools. Previously scheduled university examinations, public tests, and interviews are set to proceed as planned.
The IMD has linked the intense showers to a cyclonic circulation over north Kerala. The southwest monsoon has advanced significantly into parts of the Arabian Sea and several states, including Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Forecasters predict heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Kerala and Mahe through June 9, with widespread showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph expected across the state until June 10. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea along the Kerala-Lakshadweep-Karnataka coasts from June 6 to June 9 due to strong winds of 40-60 kmph.
