Pathanamthitta braces for more rains, holiday declared for educational institutions

With the district bracing for more rains over the next couple of days, Pathanamthitta District Collector S. Prem Krishnan has declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district on Monday. The order covers schools, professional colleges, Anganwadis and private tuition centres. However, university examinations will be conducted as scheduled.

With the India Meteorological Department issuing a red alert for the district on Monday and an orange alert for Tuesday, authorities have stepped up precautionary measures. All forms of quarrying activities have been banned and night-time travel to high-range areas is restricted.

The district has already been reeling under intense rainfall accompanied by strong winds since Friday, leading to widespread damage. Emergency response teams have been working around the clock to mitigate the impact. On Sunday alone, six uprooted trees were cleared within a 15-km radius to ease major traffic disruptions.

Strong winds caused trees to fall on homes in several parts of the district, resulting in property damage. In Aruvappulam grama panchayat, the houses of Roy Eepan and Sarasamma sustained partial damage. Similar incidents were reported from Pramadam, affecting the homes of Raju Mani and Aju Mar, and from Vettoor Muri, where the residence of Lillikutty Samuel was damaged.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) reported losses exceeding ₹30 lakh in the Konni region alone, with over 40 electric poles either uprooted or severely damaged.

Earlier the other day, locals had saved an elderly man who was swept away in his boat by strong currents on the Achenkovil river. The incident occurred near Attachakkal while the man, identified as Radhakrishnan, was checking on his boat during heavy rain. He drifted nearly two kms downstream before being rescued by alert locals.

With the district expected to receive extremely heavy rains, the District Collector of Kottayam has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, in the district on Monday. The order will be also applicable to the schools and other institutions conducting vacation classes, sports and arts training centres and religious learning centres.