THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary V Venu has directed the government employees of the state to cancel their leave and return to work. The chief secretary has directed employees of all departments such as police, fire and safety, revenue health, and local self-government bodies, which have been declared as essential services, to return to work except for long-term leave.

The chief secretary directed all the heads of departments and district collectors to keep these employees ready to face any kind of calamity. The order is part of the state's preparedness to deal with any kind of disaster in anticipation of the possibility of more natural calamities.