Thiruvananthapuram: The flood situation caused by the incessant rain and the opening of the Idukki-Cheruthoni dam shutters is affecting the functioning of banks too.
The inundation of low-lying areas has forced banks functioning out of ground floors and ATMS to shut shop, at least for now. Some banks issued circulars asking branches to move to higher ground.
Read: All shutters of Idukki dam opened
Banks instructed branches to move cash and valuables to the nearest available currency chests in case of an emergency. (Currency chests are designated cash storage locations of banks. These are set up as per RBI norms).
If the staff were not able to do this in time, the cash should be moved to upper racks, the circular said. Valuables in banks, including gold, should be kept in plastic wraps, it added.
Several Kerala districts have been receiving heavy rain since Tuesday, claiming at least 27 lives and causing widespread damage. As heavy rain continued to lash various parts of the southern state, all five shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, part of the Idukki reservoir, were opened Friday releasing 7 lakh litres of water per second.
Earlier, union home minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour that the central government was aware of the crisis in Kerala and it was ready to provide any assistance needed by the state.
The Army is engaged in rescue operations in Idukki, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
Read more: Latest Kerala news