Cyclone Fengal Intensifies in Kerala, Schools Closed Amid Heavy Rains

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted significant rainfall in Kerala due to Cyclone Fengal, now a low-pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu and south interior Karnataka. Expected to move towards the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea, this system may affect the northern coasts of Kerala and Karnataka by December 3. While most parts of Kerala are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall, some isolated areas could face very heavy downpours and thunderstorms. In light of the weather forecast, authorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in several districts on Tuesday, prioritizing safety and precaution.

The IMD has issued red alerts for Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rain.

An orange alert has been issued for Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam, signaling the need for heightened caution in these regions. Meanwhile, a yellow alert is in effect for Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. The northern and central parts of the state are bracing for heavy to very heavy rain on Tuesday, with forecasts predicting light to moderate rainfall and occasional thunderstorms to continue intermittently over the next five days. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe.

Response and Preparations Amid Cyclone Threat

In response to the severe weather warnings, an NDRF team is on standby in Wayanad, and overall, five NDRF teams are prepared across Kerala. Specifically, two teams are stationed in Sabarimala, with one team each allocated to Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. State Revenue Minister K Rajan has called for vigilance, especially in northern Kerala where rainfall is expected to intensify.

To help residents understand the alerts issued by the IMD:

• A red alert indicates rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours.
• An orange alert signals very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm.
• A yellow alert forecasts heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm.

Additionally, authorities have advised against fishing along the Kerala coast on December 2 and 3, the southern Karnataka coast on December 2, the Karnataka coast on December 3, and in the Lakshadweep region from December 3 to 5 due to rough weather conditions.

Impact on Local Communities

Due to the extreme weather conditions, district administrations in Kasaragod, Malappuram, Thrissur, and Alappuzha have announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, tuition centres, anganwadis, and madrasas on Tuesday. However, model residential schools will remain operational, and pre-scheduled examinations in Kasaragod will proceed as planned. Similarly, in Thrissur, the holiday will not affect the Revenue District School Arts Festival or residential educational institutions. This follows a precedent set on Monday when a holiday was declared for educational institutions in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, and Wayanad districts.

As Kerala prepares for the impact of Cyclone Fengal, the state is stepping up its efforts to minimize the effects of heavy rainfall and prioritize the safety of its residents. With weather alerts issued across multiple districts and emergency teams on standby, authorities are leaving no stone unturned in managing the situation and extending timely support to those in need.