High alert in Kerala’s Kanhangad after LPG tanker overturns, holiday declared, traffic curbs in place

A high alert has been declared in Kanhangad after an LPG tanker lorry overturned near the Koval Store on the National Highway, prompting emergency measures and a local holiday in surrounding areas.

The accident occurred on Thursday (July 24, 2025) when the tanker, en route from the Mangaluru LPG plant to Coimbatore, overturned into a roadside swamp while trying to give way to an oncoming bus on a narrow service road. The stretch is part of an ongoing national highway development zone. The lorry driver sustained minor injuries, and authorities have confirmed there was no gas leak.

As a precautionary step, the District Disaster Management Authoritiy declared Friday a local holiday for all institutions — including schools, anganwadis and commercial establishments within a one-kilometre radius of the Koval store. Wards 18, 19 and 26 of Kanhangad South and Aingoth fall within this zone.

Traffic diverted

Vehicular traffic on the national highway from Kanhangad South to Padannakkad will be completely halted from 8 a.m. on Friday. Alternate routes have been arranged for diverted traffic, though officials warned of temporary travel disruption.

Residents in the vicinity have already been evacuated. The Hosdurg police and Kanhangad Fire and Rescue Services have jointly issued strict safety instructions. The people have been instructed to avoid the use of LPG cylinders, refrain from smoking or using inverters and other electrical appliances, not to start vehicles or attempt to capture footage near the site and to stay away from the accident zone altogether.

Power supply around the accident site has been cut off on Friday until the tanker is safely removed.

The operation to lift the tanker will begin at 9 a.m. today. Authorities urged the public to cooperate fully to ensure the emergency is managed without incident.