Thiruvananthapuram, 07 August (H.S.): Educational institutions in eight districts of Kerala have been ordered to remain closed on Friday as heavy rain continued to lash several parts of the State, prompting authorities to step up precautionary measures amid Red and Orange alerts.

The holiday applies to educational institutions in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. District administrations said the decision was taken primarily to ensure the safety of students as intense rainfall raised the risk of flooding, waterlogging and landslides.

In Ernakulam, the District Collector announced the holiday early on Friday after the India Meteorological Department issued a Red alert for the district for the next three hours. All educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis and tuition centres, will remain closed.

Thrissur district announced the closure around 6.30 am following persistent heavy rain overnight. The order covers schools, professional colleges, anganwadis, nurseries, tuition centres, madrasas, Kendriya Vidyalayas and CBSE and ICSE institutions. However, examinations and interviews scheduled earlier will be conducted as planned.

Authorities in Thrissur also advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall. Children have been warned against venturing near rivers, streams, quarries, waterlogged areas and other water bodies. Residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas have been asked to strictly follow instructions issued by local authorities and disaster management agencies.

In Pathanamthitta, all educational institutions from anganwadis to professional colleges have been closed as the district remains under a Red alert on Friday, while an Orange alert has been issued for Saturday.

Kasaragod, which is under an Orange alert, has also ordered the closure of all educational and religious educational institutions, including professional colleges, schools, tuition centres, CBSE and ICSE schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and madrasas. Previously scheduled university and public examinations and interviews will remain unaffected.

All educational institutions, including professional colleges, have been closed in Alappuzha and Kottayam, though scheduled public examinations in Alappuzha will proceed as planned.

Wayanad has declared a holiday for schools, professional colleges, coaching centres, tuition and religious classes following an Orange alert. Residential educational institutions are exempted from the order.

Kannur has also ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including professional colleges, schools, anganwadis and religious institutions. Residential schools are exempt, while scheduled university and public examinations and interviews will be held as planned.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman