Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy monsoon rains continued to lash Kerala on Friday, disrupting normal life across several parts of the state as the India Meteorological Department, or IMD, warned that more intense rainfall is expected in many districts. Authorities have issued orange alerts in multiple districts and urged people living in vulnerable areas to remain cautious as the risk of flooding, waterlogging and landslides remains high.
The continuing spell of rain has prompted district administrations to declare holidays for schools and colleges in several places as a safety measure. Officials said the decision was taken after considering the latest weather warnings and the possibility of dangerous travel conditions for students and staff. In some districts, examinations have also been postponed, with revised schedules expected to be announced later by the concerned educational authorities.
According to the latest IMD forecast, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue across much of Kerala on Friday. Weather officials said the rainfall has become more widespread than earlier expected, with as many as 13 districts likely to experience heavy showers. Central and northern parts of the state are expected to receive the highest rainfall, although southern districts are also likely to witness periods of intense rain.
The weather department has advised residents to remain alert, especially in areas that are prone to landslides and flash floods. People have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain and to stay away from rivers, streams and waterlogged roads. Authorities have also warned that strong winds and poor visibility could create hazardous conditions in some places.
The Kerala government has stepped up disaster preparedness measures as the heavy rain continues. District disaster management authorities have been placed on high alert, while emergency response teams have been instructed to remain ready for rescue and relief operations if needed. Officials are closely monitoring river levels, reservoirs and landslide prone regions to respond quickly to any emergency situation.
Relief camps have also been kept ready in vulnerable locations where people may need to be evacuated if conditions worsen. Local self government institutions and revenue officials have been directed to coordinate with police, fire and rescue services and health departments to ensure that emergency assistance reaches affected communities without delay.
The heavy rainfall has affected transportation in some parts of the state. Waterlogging has been reported on several roads, slowing traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters. Motorists have been advised to drive carefully, particularly in hilly regions where reduced visibility and slippery roads increase the risk of accidents.
Fishermen have once again been urged to exercise extreme caution. Authorities have advised them to closely follow weather bulletins before venturing into the sea, as rough sea conditions and strong winds may pose serious risks along parts of the Kerala coast.
Meteorologists said that while the current spell of heavy rain is expected to continue through Friday, there are signs that rainfall intensity may gradually reduce from Saturday onwards. Even so, scattered showers are likely to continue across the state during the weekend, and isolated areas could still experience heavy rainfall depending on local weather conditions.
The present weather situation is part of an active southwest monsoon that has brought widespread rain to many regions of India. Besides Kerala, several other states are also experiencing heavy rainfall, prompting weather related warnings from the IMD. However, Kerala remains among the states facing the most intense monsoon activity at present.
Officials have appealed to the public to stay informed through official weather updates and follow instructions issued by district administrations. Residents living near rivers, dams and landslide prone hillsides have been advised to remain especially vigilant until the weather improves.
With the monsoon showing little sign of weakening immediately, authorities continue to stress that public cooperation and timely precautions will play a vital role in reducing the impact of the ongoing heavy rains across Kerala.