Thiruvananthapuram: The tourism department has issued instructions to district tourism promotion councils (DTPCs) to take steps to ensure the safety of tourists after India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued rain warnings across the state.The instructions state that restrictions must be imposed on waterfalls, reservoirs and other tourist sites linked to water bodies in districts which are on orange alert, as well as in neighbouring districts where rainfall is spreading. These curbs should remain in force until the IMD withdraws the warnings.“Restrictions must also remain in force until the rain subsides in hilly regions prone to landslides and mudslides. Safety signboards should be installed at landslide-prone points on roads leading to such areas, and necessary travel restrictions must be enforced.”DTPCs are told that “tourists arriving in Keralam from other states and countries should be informed about the warning. Emergency contact numbers should be widely circulated among visitors so that they know whom to contact in the event of an accident or if they become stranded.”Dedicated control rooms should operate round the clock until the warning period ends. Information about restrictions at tourist destinations should be publicised through the media and social media platforms. Notifications regarding these restrictions must also be shared with the control rooms of the police, disaster management authorities and fire and rescue services.
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