Red alert, holiday for schools in Kozhikode and Wayanad on May 26

The Hindu

25-05-2025

Kozhikode and Wayanad have been put on red alert for Monday (May 26) and Tuesday (May 27) as rain continues to wreak havoc in many parts of these districts. The district collectors have also declared a holiday for educational institutions on Monday, while the day-off does not apply to prior scheduled examinations such as the university exams and tests conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission.
Meanwhile, one person died when an uprooted coconut tree fell on his moving scooter due to heavy rain and wind near Villiappally near Vadakara in Kozhikode on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Pavithran, 64, of Kunnumayintavida Meethal in Villiappally. Pavithran was seriously injured in the accident that took place around 11 a.m. on Sunday. Though he was shifted to the district hospital in Vadakara, his life could not be saved.
In another incident, two children were electrocuted at Kodenchery in Thamarassery Taluk. Nidhin Biju, 13, and Ivin Biju, 11, sons of Biju Chandrankunnel, were fishing in a canal when an electric wire broke off the post and fell into the canal.
Due to heavy rains in the upland region of Kozhikode district, nine families of Manjacheeli in Vilangad village have been shifted to safer locations. The group, including 13 men, 12 women, and 11 children, have been moved to the rehabilitation camp set up at St. George High School, Vilangad. Manjacheeli had faced massive landslides on July 31, 2024, the same day the landslides hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad.
Four families have been shifted to safety at Kavilumpara in Vadakara Taluk after the sides of a canal collapsed. A car was damaged at Mavoor when the compound wall of an auditorium collapsed over it.
People residing on the banks of Korappuzha have been asked to stay alert and be ready to evacuate if the authorities demand to do so, due to the rising water level in the river. Public have been warned against entering or crossing the river.
The people living in coastal areas have also been asked to stay alert and stay away from dangerous places. The fishing community has been asked to stay alert, refrain from taking small boats into the sea, to keep them anchored in the harbour at a safe distance to avoid them banging against each other. All visits to beaches have been banned.
Wayanad
Most grama panchayats in Wayanad district have set up 24-hour control rooms. Tourist spots in the red zone have been closed. District Collector D.R. Meghashree called upon the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to be extremely careful if travelling through upland regions in emergency situations.
The secretary of the Vythiri grama panchayat has urged the public to cut down or crop tree branches that pose a threat to public safety. Any damage caused by such tree branches will lead to punishment of the owner under Section 30 (2-v) of the Disaster Management Act. In the case of trees like Teak and Rosewood that have been reserved for the government, the prescribed guidelines have to be followed.