India, Aug. 17 -- Schools and colleges in three northern Odisha districts will remain closed on Monday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for extremely heavy rain of 20cm, as more than five lakh people are still grappling with flood due to incessant rains.

Educational institutions in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Baleshwar districts will remain closed on Monday following forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The Baleshwar district administration said the closure applied to both government and private schools and colleges.

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall across Odisha from August 16 to 18, with rain expected to intensify on Monday before easing on Tuesday.

The weather system is linked to a fresh low-p...