With heavy downpours lashing parts of Kerala, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for four northern districts, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, on Friday, prompting authorities to declare a holiday for educational institutions. The alert comes amid forecasts of intense rainfall, strong winds, and rising water levels in dams, triggering precautionary measures across affected regions.

In Kasaragod, the holiday covers all institutions including schools, colleges (including professional and Kendriya Vidyalayas), tuition centres, madrasas, anganwadis and special classes. In Wayanad, the order applies to all institutions except residential schools. In Kannur, only schools, anganwadis, religious education centres, and tuition centres will remain closed. However, all scheduled examinations including university, professional, and departmental tests will go ahead as planned.

In Wayanad, the District Collector has issued a red alert for the Banasura Sagar Dam, as the water level has reached 773 metres. If it crosses 773.50 metres, shutters will be opened. However, officials clarified that if rainfall reduces in the catchment area, the shutters may remain closed.

IMD rainfall alerts

• Red alert (very heavy rain, >20 cm): Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode (July 19); Kasaragod, Kannur (July 20)
• Orange alert (heavy rain, 11–20 cm): Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram (July 19); Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Wayanad (July 20)
• Yellow alert (moderate rain, 7–11 cm): Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram (July 19); Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram (July 20)

The IMD has also warned of strong winds (40–50 kmph) across Kerala until July 21, and advised fishermen to stay cautious.