Intense monsoon rains have prompted authorities in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district to shutter all schools and colleges, encompassing professional institutions, on Friday. The District Collector issued the order to safeguard students and staff amid the downpours, though public exams slated for the day will proceed without interruption.
An official statement on X confirmed the measure: “Due to heavy rainfall, the District Collector has declared a holiday today for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, in Thiruvananthapuram district. However, the scheduled public examinations will be conducted as planned.”
This precautionary step aligns with escalating weather threats across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has hoisted an orange alert over eight southern districts—Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Thrissur—forecasting substantial precipitation. Expect thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate showers and gusts up to 40 km/h. Isolated spots in Malappuram and Kozhikode could see moderate rain with winds reaching 30 km/h.
The IMD attributes the deluge to a brewing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, set to intensify soon. Cyclonic influences from the Pacific have already saturated Kerala since Wednesday evening, with no respite in sight. Southern regions face prolonged heavy bursts through Friday, while northern areas brace for heavier falls as the weather front nears the shoreline.
Coastal hazards compound the risks: squalls packing 40–50 km/h winds, with bursts to 60 km/h, threaten Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep waters through Saturday. The IMD urges fishermen to stay ashore, citing perilous seas.
As Kerala navigates this volatile pattern, the closures underscore the priority of public safety in flood-prone terrains. Officials monitor developments closely, ready to extend alerts if the system strengthens further.
-
-
-
-
