Thiruvananthapuram: In a decisive step toward bolstering critical infrastructure security, Kerala has ramped up protective measures around major dams, including Mullaperiyar, Idukki, and other key water reservoirs. This follows a nationwide directive urging heightened vigilance in response to potential threats amidst growing national security concerns.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which oversees the state's hydroelectric assets, confirmed that enhanced security protocols are being executed across vulnerable dam sites. These include increased deployment of armed police personnel, installation of surveillance equipment, and the restriction of public access to sensitive zones.

This security intensification is not an isolated move. It comes on the heels of recent intelligence alerts issued by central agencies warning of possible sabotage attempts targeting critical infrastructure. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, security forces nationwide are on high alert, with heightened scrutiny at airports, railway stations, and now, key water management facilities.

In a coordinated effort, the central government has announced full-scale emergency preparedness mock drills at 259 locations across the country, scheduled for tomorrow. The goal is to test the efficiency of existing disaster response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination.

These mock drills are divided into three tiers:

Category 1 includes ultra-sensitive regions like Delhi, Mumbai, and major metro cities, where threat perception is deemed highest.

Category 2 under which Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep fall, encompasses medium-risk but strategically significant zones.

Category 3 includes 45 lower-risk locations where basic response strategies will be simulated.

In Kerala, key cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode will host these drills. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep, due to its strategic maritime location, is also included, with special focus on coordination between coastal police, disaster response units, and the Navy.

Officials confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and various civil defence units will participate in the drills. The exercises will simulate various emergency scenarios — including dam breaches, terror strikes, cyberattacks on control systems, and natural calamities like floods or earthquakes.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is overseeing the preparedness activities. Local residents have been advised to cooperate fully and not panic, as the drills are strictly precautionary.

Kerala's proactive stance reflects its experience with past monsoon-related dam crises and its current emphasis on preemptive readiness, especially in light of rising geopolitical tensions and the evolving tactics of terror outfits.