Thiruvananthapuram, August 5: Educational institutions in several districts across Kerala remained closed on Wednesday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state. District administrations declared holidays for schools, colleges, anganwadis, and other educational institutions as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff amid worsening weather conditions.
The closures affected districts experiencing persistent rainfall, waterlogging, and rising river levels. Continuous downpours over the past few days have inundated low-lying areas, disrupted road connectivity, and increased the risk of landslides in hilly regions. Authorities said the decision to suspend classes was taken after reviewing weather forecasts and reports from local disaster management officials.
District Collectors issued separate notifications advising parents and students to avoid unnecessary travel. While regular classes were suspended, several universities clarified that previously scheduled university examinations, entrance tests, and other essential examinations would continue unless separate notifications were issued. Educational institutions were instructed to announce revised academic schedules after weather conditions improve.
The IMD has placed several districts under Orange Alert, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged residents living near rivers, reservoirs, coastal regions, and landslide-prone hill slopes to remain vigilant and follow official advisories. Emergency response teams have also been placed on standby across the affected districts.
Alongside the educational institution closures, the government has intensified relief and rescue operations in flood-affected areas. Additional relief camps have been opened to shelter displaced families, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, Police, and local volunteers continue evacuation efforts in vulnerable locations. Traffic disruptions and temporary road closures have also been reported in several districts due to waterlogging and overflowing rivers.
Officials have advised students, parents, and educational institutions to rely only on announcements issued by District Collectors, the Education Department, and the IMD for updates on holidays and weather conditions. Authorities also appealed to the public to avoid travel during periods of intense rainfall and cooperate with emergency services until the weather situation stabilises.
