Published Jun 05, 2026 | 8:22 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 05, 2026 | 8:22 PM
Kerala rains. (Wikimedia)
Synopsis: Heavy rains have also triggered fears of landslides and mudslides in several hilly areas under the Vadakara taluk in Kozhikode district, prompting the district administration to order the immediate relocation of residents to safer places. District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority MS Madhavikutty issued the order following reports that areas including Vilangadu, Valooku, Malayangadu, Urutti and Panniyeri are at high risk.
Amid a red alert and forecasts of extremely heavy rainfall across parts of Kerala, district administrations in Wayanad, Kasaragod and Kozhikode have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Saturday, 6 June.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in the districts, prompting authorities to step up precautionary measures and emergency preparedness.
The Wayanad Collector announced a holiday for all educational institutions in Wayanad district on 6 June, including professional colleges, tuition centres, religious classes and special schools. Residential schools have been exempted from the order.
In Kasaragod district too, the Collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, schools, anganwadis, tuition centres, CBSE and ICSE schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, madrasas and religious educational institutions on Saturday.
However, residential schools have been exempted, while pre-scheduled university examinations, public examinations and interviews will be held as planned.
Kozhikode district administration also announced a holiday for educational institutions in view of the red alert and heavy rainfall warning.
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In Wayanad, an emergency review meeting of district-level officials was convened under the chairmanship of District Collector DR Meghasree. The meeting assessed disaster preparedness and coordinated response measures in view of the heavy rainfall warning.
The District Collector directed all departments to remain on high alert and ensure immediate intervention in the event of emergencies. District Panchayat President Chandrika Krishnan, Sub-Collector Atul Sagar, District Police Chief Arun K Pavithran and officials from various departments attended the meeting.
Authorities also instructed district-level officers to remain within the district during 6 and 7 June in view of the red alert, and not to leave the district without prior permission from the Collector.
At Kasaragod too, District Collector Arjun Pandian IAS has directed all departments to initiate immediate disaster response and precautionary measures across the district.
District and taluk-level control rooms have begun functioning round-the-clock.
Tahsildars have been instructed to open relief camps whenever necessary and shift people living in vulnerable and low-lying areas to safer locations.
The Health Department has been directed to ensure 24-hour functioning of hospitals, CHCs and PHCs with adequate staff, medicines and emergency medical teams. Field-level medical squads will also monitor epidemic prevention measures.
The Irrigation Department has been asked to monitor river water levels every three hours and promptly report flood-prone and evacuated areas to the District Disaster Management Authority.
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As part of precautionary measures, the Wayanad District Disaster Management Authority ordered the suspension of operations at all quarries and machine-assisted soil removal sites in the district.
Adventure tourism activities, trekking and operations of tourist centres, including homestays in vulnerable areas, have also been suspended.
Meanwhile, the Meppadi grama panchayat announced that all resorts, homestays, service villas and tourist attractions operating within the panchayat limits will remain closed for two days on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Kasaragod Collector also has strictly prohibited entry into rivers, streams and tourist destinations. Tourist centres in the district will remain closed on Saturday, while activities including trekking, boating, kayaking, houseboat services and adventure sports have been suspended. All quarrying, soil removal and blasting activities in the district have also been suspended until at least 24 hours after the heavy rain subsides.
Fishermen and coastal residents have also been advised to remain extremely cautious.
A review meeting chaired by ADM KV Sruthi directed officials to remain on high alert in disaster-prone areas and ensure uninterrupted functioning of taluk control rooms and relief systems.
Heavy rains have also triggered fears of landslides and mudslides in several hilly areas under the Vadakara taluk in Kozhikode district, prompting the district administration to order the immediate relocation of residents to safer places.
Kozhikode District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority MS Madhavikutty issued the order following reports that areas including Vilangadu, Valooku, Malayangadu, Urutti and Panniyeri are at high risk.
The Kozhikode Collector directed that people living in landslide-prone regions, especially those residing along river banks, steep slopes and areas where landslides had occurred earlier, should be shifted without delay.
The Vadakara RDO has been appointed nodal officer for coordinating the evacuation and relief camp activities, while the Vadakara Tahsildar will assist in the operations.
Authorities of Vanimel and Naripatta grama panchayats have been instructed to identify safe schools and public buildings and set up relief camps with basic facilities including drinking water, food, electricity, toilets and medical assistance.
The District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural) has been asked to deploy adequate personnel for evacuation and security arrangements at camps and deserted houses.
Medical teams from nearby primary health centres will also conduct regular inspections at the camps and ensure emergency medicines are available.
Meanwhile, travel on hilly roads in the Vilangadu region has been banned from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for emergency purposes.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
