At least one person was killed in heavy rains lashing Kerala since Saturday and gates of five dams in various parts of the state have been opened, officials said on Sunday.
An eight-year girl died in Palakkad when she fell into a water-filled pit near her house.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said district collectors and other officials have been put on alert and directed to take necessary precautionary steps to meet any eventuality.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, he also announced all educational institutes in the state, including professional colleges, will be remain shut on Monday in view of the heavy rains.
Fire force and disaster management departments have been asked to be on alert. Those staying close to areas prone to landslips and river banks should exercise caution, he said.
The rains have been particularly heavy in central and north Kerala, and with more rains predicted in the next two days.
Normal train operations had to be stopped for almost two hours on Sunday after a mild landslip occurred near Chingavanam in Kottayam, when mud and sand got accumulated on the train track.
{{/usCountry}}Normal train operations had to be stopped for almost two hours on Sunday after a mild landslip occurred near Chingavanam in Kottayam, when mud and sand got accumulated on the train track.
{{/usCountry}}According to the India Meteorological Department here, very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm in 24 hrs) is most likely to occur at one or two places in the state and heavy rainfall (7-11cm in 24 hrs)is most likely to occur at few places in Kerala and Lakshadweep till Monday morning and is most likely to continue at one or two places in Kerala till Tuesday.
A warning for the fishermen has also been issued, cautioning them that strong winds from a southwesterly direction with a speed occasionally reaching 45-55 kmph is likely along the coast and over Lakshadweep area till Monday afternoon.