THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Torrential rains lashed Kerala on Sunday, leaving four people dead and prompting widespread flood and weather alerts. Fatalities were reported from Azhikkal (Thrissur), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Chathamangalam (Kozhikode), and Cheruvally (Kottayam).

In response, district collectors in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur, Palakkad, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Thrissur have declared a holiday on Monday for all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, tuition centres, madrasas, and anganwadis. However, exams and interviews will proceed as scheduled.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alerts for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 12 cm in 24 hours. An orange alert was declared for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad.

Wayanad recorded the most intense rain, with Alattil (178 mm) and Padinjarathara (162 mm) topping the charts. Other heavy-hit areas included Irimbiliyam in Malappuram (161 mm) and Madur in Kasaragod (157 mm).

Flood alerts have been issued for communities along the Neeleswaram, Karyangode, Uppala, and Mogral rivers in Kasaragod; the Achankovil and Manimala in Pathanamthitta; and the Karamana river in Thiruvananthapuram.

The IMD warned of strong winds (50–60 km/h) and dangerous sea conditions, urging fishermen to avoid the sea until June 19. The rain is expected to continue across Kerala till June 21.

Rail traffic on the Thiruvananthapuram–Kollam line was disrupted after a tree fell on the tracks at Polayathodu on Sunday night.

The severe weather is driven by cyclonic circulations over the Northwest Bay of Bengal and South Madhya Maharashtra, alongside strong westerly winds affecting Kerala and the Lakshadweep region.