The Punjab government on Monday issued a red alert as moderate and heavy rainfall continued to lash the state and the Union Territory of Chandigarh for the third straight day, reported IANS.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is scheduled to hold a meeting with senior officials and review arrangements to deal with the situation, reported The Hindu. Disaster control rooms have been activated across the state and the Army has been kept on standby.

“The districts in the catchment areas of rivers have been asked to arrange enough boats to rescue the affected people,” the government said in a statement. “Besides, the districts have been directed to put in place equipment to drain out flood water and be ready with relief plans.”

Schools in Amritsar district as well as those in the Majha region remained closed during the day, reported The Indian Express. Schools and colleges throughout the state will stay closed on Tuesday, the chief minister announced.

In Batala, district authorities issued a warning, asking people not to go near water channels.

“Huge quantity of water has been released from the Chamera dam in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain, so all public is warned against going near to any water channel, including canals,” the Batala district public relations office said.

Heavy rainfall is expected to damage cotton and paddy crops, both of which are at the stage of maturity. Reports of standing paddy crop getting flattened due to rain and wind have come in from parts of the state, said state Agriculture Director Jasbir Singh Bains. He added that the damage can be assessed only after the rain stops.

Amarinder Singh announced that the government would soon assess the damage to crops, ANI reported. The chief minister asked food and civil supplies and animal husbandry ministers to appoint nodal officers for distribution of food packets to the affected people and dry fodder for animals.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board said the level of water in Pong Dam over river Beas has been on the rise, reported The Tribune. The dam has a capacity of 1,400 feet, with the current level at 1,385 feet.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh administration opened two of the six gates of the Sukhna dam after water in the lake crossed the danger mark of 1,163 feet, the Hindustan Times reported. The gates were opened for the first time since 2008.

“We have also informed the officials of the neighbouring states – Punjab and Haryana – about the water level,” Chandigarh Chief Engineer Mukesh Anand said. “If required, we might have to open more gates.”

Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has also been receiving heavy rainfall. Cloudbursts have triggered flash floods and landslides in several districts of the state. On Monday, the government ordered schools in at least nine districts to remain closed on Monday.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said a 14-year-old girl was washed away in Kullu district’s Bajaura area, The Times of India reported. He said 10 districts of the state have affected by incessant rains, and that all major rivers are flowing above danger levels.