Heavy rain continues in Kerala, holiday for educational institutions in Thrissur on Monday

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecast rain and thundershowers across Kerala until August 23. An orange alert, indicating very heavy rainfall of 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm, has been issued for Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. A yellow alert is in place for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode, where 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm of rain is expected.

Holiday in Thrissur
Owing to continuous heavy rainfall, the district administration has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, on Monday. The order covers CBSE, ICSE, Kendriya Vidyalayas, anganwadis, madrasas, and tuition centres. School-level examinations will also remain suspended. The Onam exam, initially scheduled for Monday, will be rescheduled for a later date, while other pre-scheduled exams and interviews will proceed as planned.

KSDMA forecast
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) warned of moderate rainfall with surface winds occasionally gusting up to 30 kmph in several districts, including Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The warning, issued at 8 pm on Sunday, is valid until 11 pm.

KSDMA has also issued alerts for dams and rivers, urging people to avoid entering water bodies in affected regions.

Dam, river updates
Pathanamthitta: Heavy rains in the catchment areas have forced authorities to open three shutters of the Moozhiyar dam, part of the Kakkad hydroelectric project. Shutters 1 and 3 were lifted by 20 cm, while the second shutter was raised by 50 cm. This has raised water levels in rivers at Angamoozhy and Seethathode. District Collector S Premkrishnan, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, has asked residents along the banks of the Kakkattar — particularly between Moozhiyar dam and Kakkad powerhouse — to remain vigilant and strictly avoid entering the river.

Two shutters of the Kakki-Anathode dam were also opened. Pilgrims and the public have been barred from entering rivers and bathing ghats at Pampa Triveni and nearby areas.

Wayanad: The spillway shutters of Banasurasagar dam were raised by 20 cm at 4 pm on Sunday, increasing the water release to 26.10 cusecs. The shutters had been partially opened by 10 cm on Saturday after the Dam Safety Authority flagged a sharp rise in water levels. The District Disaster Management Authority has urged people living downstream — especially along the Karamanthodu and Panamarampuzha rivers — to remain cautious. Catchment areas of the dam, including Padinjarethara, Pozhuthana, Thondarnadu, and Vythiri, have recorded torrential rain over the past 24 hours.

Reservoirs (KSEB & Irrigation) and alerts
Red alert 
Idukki: Madupetty, Kallarkutty, Erattayar, Lower Periyar
Pathanamthitta: Kakki (Anathode) and Moozhiyar
Thrissur: Sholayar, Poringalkuthu
Wayanad: Banasurasagar
Palakkad: Meenkara, Walayar, Chulliyar

Orange alert 
Thiruvananthapuram: Neyyar
Palakkad: Pothundy, Mangalam

Yellow alert
Thiruvananthapuram: Neyyar
Kollam: Kallada
Idukki: Malankara
Ernakulam: Bhoothathankettu barrage
Thrissur: Vazhani, Chimmini, Peechi
Palakkad: Siruvani, Kanjirappuzha, Moolathara
Kozhikode: Kuttiyadi
Wayanad: Karappuzha
Kannur: Pazhassi Barrage

Rain alert in districts (IMD)
Orange
Aug 18 - Kannur, Kasaragod

Yellow
Aug 18 - Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
Aug 19 - Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod
Aug 20 - Kannur Kasaragod

Wind warning
Strong surface winds at 40–50 kmph are likely over Kerala and Lakshadweep till August 18.

Advisory for fishermen
Squally weather with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, may prevail along the Kerala, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep coasts until August 19. Fishermen have been advised to avoid these sea areas during the period.