Mangaluru : The Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada have declared a holiday for anganwadis, all schools and pre-university colleges in the district on Tuesday. The holiday applies to all government, government aided-private and private educational institutes.

The move is a precautionary measure in view of the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. The IMD said heavy rains are expected as a result of cyclone Fengal.

The DCs have advised fishermen not to sail out. Officials have been asked not to leave their respective headquarters and to attend to emergency situations if any. People have been told to keep away from beaches and not to get into rivers.

Meanwhile, rains which lashed the areas on the foothills of the Western Ghats in the twin districts since Sunday night continued on Monday.

Heavy rains lashed Mangaluru city on Monday. There was waterlogging at Kottara Junction. Rainwater entered the Netravathi Hall at Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat when Upalokayutka B. Veerappa was conducting a public hearing in the evening in Mangaluru.

As the intensity of rains was increasing, the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada M.P. Mullai Muhilan, who was at the public hearing, asked the Puttur sub-division officials to rush to their respective headquarters to attend to emergency situations if any. They were asked to reactivate monsoon preparedness measures.

He asked officials of Kadaba and Sullia taluks to be more alert in view of heavy rains in the neighbouring Kodagu district.

The Deputy Commissioner asked MESCOM, Fire and Emergency Services, Mangaluru City Corporation and other Mangaluru taluk-level officials to leave the meeting and activate their control rooms. They were also asked to report to the Deputy Commissioner about their preparedness measures.

Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader on Monday instructed the Deputy Commissioners to take all precautionary measures in view of heavy rainfall.