Kasaragod: Heavy downpour accompanied with strong winds are expected in northern Kerala for the next three days as the weather department has issued Red alert in Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur whereas an orange alert in Malappuram, Thrissur and Palakkad districts. As per the latest reports heavy rains continue to lash in the hilly areas of Kozhikode and Kannur causing damage to several houses and farming lands.

As per reports, a portion of the Kulangad hill has fallen down today evening following the heavy rains in Cheruvathoor region. Water levels in many rivers including Chaliyar, Thejaswini and others have been rising causing concerns among the people residing in the banks of these rivers.

With continuous heavy rains causing flooding in low-lying areas and rivers overflowing in Kasaragod, the district collector has declared a holiday in all educational institutions in the district on July 17. In Kozhikode district, the District Collector has declared a holiday for schools, anganwadis, madrasas and tution centres due to the heavy rainfall alert issued in these regions.

The heavy rains have also triggered serious concerns among the people of Mundakkai – Chooralmala regions of Wayanad that suffered a major landslide last year claiming around 350 lives.

A teenager, identified as Sooraj, drowned at Chempazhanthy in Thiruvananthapuram and a youth drowned at Karuvarakundu in Malappuram. Body of a student who was missing at the Bharathapuzha near Pattambi in Palakkad since Tuesday was recovered on Thursday.

Meanwhile, south canara and Udupi districts are experiencing heavy downpour with many rivers overflowing. The weather department has also predicted heavy rains till July 22 accompanied by strong winds.

In Kasaragod district as per the latest reports around 20 families have been displaced after cracks being developed near a hilly slope near their residence adjacent to the national highway.

Fisherman have been advised not to venture into the sea as rough weathers and high tides are expected to continue till July 19 in most parts of the state.