Spillway shutters of Mangalam dam opened

A red alert has been declared in Palakkad district following heavy rainfall and floods in the region. It will be valid for the next four days.

In an official release here on Thursday, District Collector D. Balamurali said all district-level officials related to rescue and rehabilitation efforts should not take leave during this period. All those who went on leave must cancel the leave and appear for work with immediate effect.

Extreme vigil should be shown by the police, fire and rescue services, health, electricity, irrigation, Kerala Water Authority and Public Works Departments to meet any emergency.

Meanwhile, spillway shutters of Mangalam dam were opened on Thursday following increasing water level.

Those livings close to the canals from the dam have been advised to remain extremely vigilant. Secretaries of all grama panchayats in the district have been directed to keep close vigil on the situation in their concerned areas.

A district-level control room has already been opened.

The district authorities have also made arrangements to shift flood-affected people to safer places during emergencies. In the district, most of the rivers are in spate and it will inundate many villages in the coming days.