Monsoon updates: Schools, colleges to remain shut in Kerala; IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Odisha, Karnataka
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rains in various districts of Kerala for July 17. Consequently, authorities have ordered the educational institutions to remain closed.
Holiday has been declared in eight districts including Kottayam, Kannur, Wayanad, Palakkad, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Alappuzha due to heavy rain. Incessant rain hascaused water logging, overflowing of rivers, and power outages in these districts.
The weather department has predicted intense rainfall activity in the state for the next four days. An orange alert has been issued for Kannur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod,and Wayanad districts. The authorities have advised fishermen to stay clear of the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts.
Heavy rains forecast for Odisha
The IMD has also issued an alert for heavy rainfall in Odisha till July 20. According to local weather authorities, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Koraput are likely to receive rainfall of up to 11 centimetres on Wednesday.
A heavy rainfall alert has also been issued for the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura for July 19 and 20.
On July 16, intense rainfall in Karnataka resulted in the portion ofNH 75to wash away and cause traffic disruptions on the route. More rain ispredicted in the coastal areas of the state till July 17.
IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in some districts of West Bengal for this week. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Howrah, Kolkata, and North and South 24 Parganas, which may disrupt the Trinamool Congress rally on July 21.
The weather department has stated that the monsoon has started to shift Southwards to the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, and Konkan Goa, which are expected to receive heavy rains in the coming days.
Rainfall is also expected in northern parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh during the next five days.
(With inputs from agencies)
