Water level in Periyar on the rise
The district collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district including professional colleges on Friday.
Kochi: Even as torrential rains continued to pound central Kerala on Thursday, Ernakulam district collector S. Suhas said that there was no need for any concern.
Since the water level in Periyar is increasing on account of the continuing rain in the catchment area of the river, steps have been initiated to move out people living in the regions that are to be possibly affected to camps and safer places.
Mr Suhas said while the full reservoir level of Idamalayar Dam was at 169 metres, currently the water level is at 138.96 metres. Hence there was no need for any concern regarding the opening of its shutters.
The district collector declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district including professional colleges on Friday. It applies to CBSE, ICSE and ISC board schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Anganwadis. But, there is no change in the schedule of exams.
Orders were issued to deploy special squads in Puthenvelikara, Kunnu-kara, Alangad, Karumalloor and Chendamangalam in Paravur taluk for surveillance. Boat pooling is readied with the fisheries department to meet emergencies. A list of Torres lorries too has been prepared.
The collector also ordered to cut the branches or remove dangerously perching trees. Quarries have to stop functioning for the next 48 hours.
He held a review meeting with top-level officials and district panchayat president Dolly Kuriakose and advised people to visit the Facebook page of the collector or the district information officer for news on the rain fury and not to be misled by fake news.
People in distress can call 1077 toll-free number of the Disaster Management Authority or 0484-2423513.
Meanwhile, five camps have been opened in Kothamangalam taluk and three each in Paravur and Aluva and one each in Chendamangalam and Nedumbassery.
Due to the torrential rain in the past two days, several areas in Kothamangalam taluk including Manikandan Chappath, are under the water.
The government farm in Neriamangalam has also been inundated.