Kerala schools closed on August 5 in 8 districts as IMD issues Orange Alert
Educational institutions across eight Kerala districts will remain closed on Wednesday, August 5, as authorities brace for another spell of intense rainfall following days of
Educational institutions across eight Kerala districts will remain closed on Wednesday, August 5, as authorities brace for another spell of intense rainfall following days of flooding that have claimed lives, displaced thousands and damaged homes across the state. District administrations announced the precautionary holiday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to very heavy rain in several regions. The closure comes as Kerala continues to grapple with one of its wettest spells of the monsoon season, with rainfall far exceeding normal levels and relief operations continuing in flood-hit districts. Kerala school holiday: Which districts will remain closed? District collectors of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod have declared a holiday for all educational institutions on Wednesday. The order covers schools, anganwadis, colleges, tuition centres, coaching institutes, religious study classes and special classes.
Previously scheduled public examinations and interviews will continue as planned. In Wayanad, residential schools and residential colleges have been exempted from the holiday. However, the district administration has directed heads of these institutions to closely monitor the situation and suspend classes if weather conditions deteriorate. Several schools across Kerala are currently operating as temporary relief camps for families displaced by flooding and landslides. IMD issues Orange Alert for nine Kerala districts The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod on Wednesday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. A Yellow Alert remains in force for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. District administrations have urged residents to follow all weather advisories, avoid unnecessary travel and comply with restrictions issued by local authorities. Kerala floods: Death toll reaches 25 as thousands seek shelter The continuing downpour has caused widespread destruction across Kerala since August 1.
According to the Kerala government, 25 people have died, four remain missing and 10 others have been injured during the current spell of heavy rain. Authorities said 52 houses have been completely destroyed, while another 565 have suffered partial damage. More than 18,000 people have been relocated to over 400 relief camps across the state, with the largest number of evacuees recorded in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, where flooding remains severe. Kerala records nearly three times normal rainfall Official figures show Kerala received 205.8 mm of rainfall between August 1 and August 4, significantly above the seasonal average of 73.2 mm for the same period. The rainfall represents an excess of 181 per cent, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing weather system. On Tuesday, the IMD had issued a Red Alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, while Orange Alerts were in place for Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
The BriefWire