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Hello Jammu News at 8:50:00 PM 0
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan


Kochi, Jan 25 :  The country's first Super Fab Lab, which will give a major push to the hardware industry in the country and the only such facility outside the U.S., was launched at the Integrated Startup Complex of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) here on Saturday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the facility through remote control from Palakkad, where he attended a function at the government Polytechic College.

The Super Fab Lab will function in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The Fab Labs concept, the only one outside the U.S., is the brainchild of Dr Neil Gershenfeld, presently the Director of MIT Centre for Bits and Atoms, who set up the first Fab Lab in the U.S. about 17 years ago, KSUM said.

Dr Gershenfeld was in the city for nearly a week to personally supervise setting up of the Super Fab Lab.

Fab Labs are fabrication laboratories offering digital fabrication and computation.

Dr Gershenfeld asserted that the new facility, the only one outside the U.S., not only "has the tools to make anything, it also makes the tools that make things.

It will break down boundaries between the digital and physical worlds," he said.

Relying on Computer Aided Design with additive and subtractive manufacturing, the Super Fab Lab allows researchers, innovators and developers to do things beyond the purview of the states existing fab labs.

Dr Gershenfeld said the Super Fab Lab is a pioneering venture by Kerala and would let people produce what they consume

The state-of-art facility enables the state to produce machines locally, for access throughout Kerala. It can be for business, education and almost anything.

"It is an exciting initiative and the whole world is watching what is happening here so that they can follow on your footsteps", Dr Gershenfield was quoted as saying by Kerala Startup Mission in a release.

The Super Fab Lab, which is poised to give Indias hardware industry a huge leap by allowing researchers, innovators and developers to do things beyond the purview of the states existing fab labs, will function in collaboration with MIT, it said.

KSUM CEO Dr Saji Gopinath said the Super Fab Lab will give a huge boost to Keralas industrial sector.

"Innovations that happen at the Lab can soon get translated to the industrial sector and we may see quite a few startups springing up in the near future," he said.

The KSUM Super Fab Lab has state-of-the-art machines worth more than Rs seven crore in a 10,000 square feet area.

The Super Fab Lab is set to make ISC one of the countrys most sought-after investment hubs, coming as it is after electronics hardware incubator Maker Village and its biotech counterpart Bio-Nest.
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Hello Jammu News at 5:18:00 PM 0


Kochi, Jan 16 :  A Navy helicopter made a "precautionary landing" off a National Highway in Alappuzha district Wednesday, a defence spokesman said.

"The crew consisting of two pilots are safe and the aircraft has not suffered any damage," the spokesman said.

"The chetak helicopter of Southern Naval Command --IN 429-- which was carrying out routine flying, made a precautionary landing off the NH 47 near Thuravoor, following a discrepancy in engine parameters," he said.

The landing is as required by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the helicopter, the spokesman said.

A technical team is being sent to the site to investigate, he added.                             PTI
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Hello Jammu News at 4:13:00 PM 0

Kochi, Oct 3: The Kerala High Court Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal, arrested over allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a nun.

Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan dismissed the bail plea while accepting the prosecution argument that the accused, holding a high position in society will try to influence witnesses in the case, if he is granted bail.

Police said the investigation in the case is progressing even after the arrest of the accused.

The court also took note of the submission by the prosecution that the investigation in the case was at a crucial stage and more statements of fellow nuns have to be recorded before the magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC in connection with the case.

The Bishop moved the High Court after a magistrate court in Pala rejected his bail application.

He is currently under judicial remand in a sub-jail in Pala in Kottayam district.

In her complaint to the Kottayam Police in June, the nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions.

The nun said she had to approach the police as church authorities did not act on her repeated complaints against the clergyman.

However, the bishop has denied the charges. (PTI)

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Hello Jammu News at 2:00:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 22: Indian Navy Saturday said all efforts were being made to rescue its officer, who has been injured after his vessel was hit by a vicious storm mid-way across the south Indian Ocean while taking part in the Golden Globe Race.

Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Navy, representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018 (GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel 'Thuriya' suffered a back injury Friday after the yacht was dismasted.

"All out efforts are being made to rescue Abhilash Tomy. Indian Naval stealth Frigate, INS Satpura operating in the Indian Ocean has been dispatched for the rescue mission," a Defence spokesman said here.

The Indian Navy commander is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1,900 nautical miles from Perth in Australia, and the Australian Rescue Coordination centre at Canberra is coordinating the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy, he said quoting information received from organisers.

Commander Abhilash was dismasted in extremely rough weather and sea condition, with wind speeds of 130 kmph and 10 metre high waves.

He was in 3rd position and has sailed over 10,500 nautical miles in the last 84 days, since commencement of the race on July 1.

According to a report issued from the Les Sables d'Olonne, France Friday night, the 70 knot winds and 14 metre high seas have left the yachts of Indian Navy's Tomy and Ireland's Gregor McGuckin dismasted, and have twice knocked down the yacht of second-placed Dutchman Mark Slats.

Both McGuckin and Slats report that they are okay, but 39-year-old Tomy, a commander in the Indian Navy making his second solo circumnavigation, has been injured, it had said.

It had also said other entrants were asked to make towards Tomy's position if possible, and added that the weather was extreme.

The nearest yacht happens to be that of Gregor McGuckin's Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance, some 90 miles to the southwest of Tomy's Thuriya, but she too was dismasted in the same storm.

Commander Tomy, who became the first Indian to have circumnavigated the globe in 2013, is the only Indian participating in the Golden Globe Race that involves a gruelling 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 2:01:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 20: A special investigation team, probing the rape case of a nun by a Roman Catholic bishop, Thursday resumed his interrogation.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who has been accused of repeated rape and sexual assault by the nun, Thursday appeared before the Kerala police for his interrogation.

The Jalandhar bishop of the Roman Catholic church, grilled by the special investigation team for seven hours Wednesday, was asked to appear before the team again at the crime branch office Thrippunithura at 11 am.

Mulakkal, who had recently relinquished his administrative responsibilities as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese, joined the probe at around 11 am at the crime branch office.

Before resuming the interrogation, Kottayam Superintendent of Police Hari Sankar said about 50 per cent of the questioning was over and the process is expected to be completed by Thursday evening.

The effort is to reach a conclusion after solving the contradictions in the statements, he said.

The police had earlier said there were contradictions in the statements of the victim, witnesses and the accused.

When asked about the "contradictions" in the statements of the alleged victim, the witnesses and Mulakkal, as claimed by the police earlier, Sankar had said Wednesday, "That's the purpose of the interrogation. The interrogation is not over. We will reflect on it after it is over."

The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

The clergyman has claimed allegations against him were a "cooked up story to wreak vengeance" for the actions taken by him on various complaints received against the nun.

Claiming innocence, the bishop has said the complaint was "nothing but a fictional story".

As the bishop joined the probe, a protest by various Catholic reform organisations and a group of nuns seeking his arrest entered its 13th day Thursday.

The agitation at Vanchi Square here is a spontaneous expression of outrage by these groups over the alleged assault of the nun.

A protesting nun said they all were waiting for the news of the arrest of the Bishop because it could send out a strong message to those who abuse women in the country. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 2:29:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 19: Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, appeared for questioning before the special investigation team of the Kerala police in Thrippunithura near here Wednesday, police sources said.

News channels aired visuals of the Jalandhar bishop arriving at the crime branch office in a private car at 10.55 am, five minutes before he was scheduled to appear.

The 54-year-old bishop will be interrogated by SIT head K Subhash, police sources said.

Ernakulam range IG Vijay Sakhare reviewed the progress in the probe with Kottayam district police chief Hari Sankar and investigation officer Subhash, who is also deputy superintendent of police of Vaikom in Kottayam before commencing the interrogation Wednesday morning.

The nun has accused the senior Catholic priest of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

The clergyman filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Kerala High Court Tuesday, claiming that allegations against him were a "cooked up story to wreak vengeance" for the actions taken by him on various complaints received against the nun.

The Kerala High Court adjourned the hearing of the plea for September 25 when it will hear the police version.

Claiming innocence, the bishop has said the complaint was "nothing but a fictional story".

As the bishop joined the probe in the case, the protest by various Catholic reformation organisations and a group of nuns seeking his arrest entered the 12th day Wednesday. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 4:53:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 17: Senior Catholic priest Franco Mulakkal, accused of rape by a nun, has written to the Pope offering to "step aside temporarily" as Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese, a move which comes ahead of his appearance before the Kerala Police on Wednesday to join the investigation in the case.

A spokesman of the diocese told that the Bishop wrote to the Pope Sunday.

The bishop has written "a letter to Holy Father Pope Francis expressing his desire to step aside temporarily and requested to be relieved from the administration of the diocese," the Jalandhar diocese said in a release.

The bishop's move came ahead of his appearance before the Special Investigation Team of Kerala Police on September 19 in response to the summons asking him to join the investigation and amid continued protests seeking his arrest.

The Kerala-based nun had accused the clergyman of sexually assaulting her 13 times between 2014 and 2016 during his visits to the Jalandhar-diocese run convent at Kuruvilangad in Kottayam district.

The bishop has, however, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and concocted".

The diocese release said the Bishop expressed his desire to step aside in the background of what it claimed was the Kerala High Court's "opinion in favour of Bishop Franco which says, there is lack of adequate evidence for the Bishop's arrest indicating his innocence".

"He decided on his own to make his request to Holy Father. He is confident that his request will be accepted by the Vatican," the release said.

The bishop had last week handed over administrative responsibility of Jalandhar diocese to Msgr Mathew Kokkandam in his absence ahead of his Kerala visit.

The decision to summon the clergyman was taken last week after a meeting chaired by Vijay Sakhare, Inspector General (Ernakulam range), amid mounting pressure on police to initiate action against Mulakkal.

Kottayam District Superintendent of Police Hari Sankar said in Kottayam that the Punjab Police has informed the SIT that the Bishop would appear before them on September 19.

The Jalandhar diocese spokesman, however, refused to disclose the details of the Bishop's Kerala travel plan.

Meanwhile, the protest by various Catholic reformation organisations and a group of nuns seeking arrest of the Bishop entered the 10th day Monday with the sister of the rape survivor joining the agitation seeking justice.

Several catholic priests have visited the protest venue here expressing their solidarity with their agitation.

The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC) had slammed the nuns' protest, saying it has "crossed all limits".

The nun had recently sought urgent intervention of the Vatican for justice and demanded the bishop's removal as the head of the Jalandhar diocese, questioning why the church was "closing its eyes to the truth" when she had mustered courage to make public her suffering.

She has alleged that Bishop Mulakkal was using "political and money power" to "bury" the case against him.

The bishop has claimed there were "several contradictions" in the evidence collected against him by the police probing the case.

"I leave everything into the hand of God as I await the result of the findings of the team probing the allegation," he had said in a circular last week. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 1:19:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Sep 11 :  The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has awarded French multinational Alstom a contract worth around EUR 315 million to supply 248 wagons for Line 3, the company said Tuesday.

The Mumbai Metro Line 3 is a 33.5-km long underground stretch connecting the busiest and congested regions in Mumbai one of the fastest growing cities in India.

It will connect Cuffe Parade business district in the extreme south of the city to SEEPZ in the north-central with 26 underground and one street-level station.

Line 3 will not only be the first underground metro line in Mumbai but will be one of the biggest underground continuous stretches in India as well.

This contract awarded by the MMRCL envisages design, delivery and commissioning of 31 lightweight, fully-furnished modern passenger train sets of eight cars each.

Alstom will be responsible for training of operating and maintenance staff for Mumbai Metro Line-3 system as well.

It is also the first time that the metro cars will have 75 per cent motorisation, as stipulated in the Ministry of Urban Development's guidelines, enabling quick acceleration and deceleration thereby bringing about greater efficiency in operations, the company said.

The trains will be also equipped with regenerative braking system aiding significant reduction in carbon emissions.

In addition to the above features, it will be also the first UTO (Unattended Train Operation) project in Mumbai and second in India after Delhi Metro Line L7/8.

While the complete designing and development of the metro cars will be undertaken out of Alstom's Bangalore (India) engineering centre in close collaboration with France, the 248 metro cars will be manufactured from its state-of-the-art rolling stock manufacturing unit at Sri City near Chennai.

"We are delighted to be the partner of choice for the prestigious Mumbai Metro Line 3 project. By providing reliable, advanced and competitive transportation solutions, we are committed to support our customer in easing Mumbai's transport challenges," Alstom India and South Asia Managing Director Alain Spohr said.

"With the project stipulating 75 per cent manufacturing in India, this contract has further reinforced our commitment to invest, grow and Make in India," he said.

Alstom has also won the contract to supply power and telecommunications system for Mumbai metro Line 3 earlier this year.

Currently, Alstom is executing metro projects in several cities including Chennai, Kochi and Lucknow where it is supplying Rolling Stock.PTI
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Hello Jammu News at 6:12:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 8: Members of various catholic reformation organisations took to the streets here Saturday to protest the alleged laxity in the probe into a complaint of rape filed by a nun against a Roman Catholic church bishop.

Five nuns from a convent in Kottayam, to which the victim belonged, also took part in the demonstration and alleged that the victim had been denied justice by the church, police and the government as no action has been initiated against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese.

"We are fighting for our sister. She has been denied justice by the Church, government and the police. We are ready to go to any extent for ensuring justice to our sister," a nun told protesters here, who held placards demanding arrest of Bishop Franco.

She sought to know why Bishop Franco has not been arrested despite sufficient evidence against him and also questioned the Church's stand on the matter.

"Seventy-four days have passed since the complaint was made against Bishop Franco. The police recorded her statements several times. But the accused bishop was interrogated only once," the nun said.

They alleged that the police probing the case was trying to sabotage the investigation.

Catholic reformation organisations, including Kerala Catholic Church Refomation Movement (KCRM), took part in the protest, KCRM office bearer George Joseph said, adding some organisations, including KCRM, were planning to continue the stir till justice is delivered in the case.

In her complaint filed at Kuravilangad Police Station, the victim had alleged that she had received death threats from unknown people two months ago. The nun has accused Jalandhar Bishop Franco of raping and having unnatural sex with her multiple times between 2014 and 2016.

A special team probing the case has said according to preliminary investigation, Bishop Franco abused his position and repeatedly raped the nun.

Responding to a petition seeking speedy probe, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, K Subhash had informed the Kerala High Court on August 13 that the probe was proceeding effectively and impartially.

The police, in a statement based on initial investigation and available evidence, had said it was found that the Bishop allegedly committed unnatural offence and raped the nun against her will.

In the statement it was allege that the bishop confined the nun to a guest room in St Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangad in Kottayam district of Kerala. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 5:34:00 PM 0

Kochi, Sep 7: The Centre Friday assured all possible support including more financial assistance to flood-ravaged Kerala to rehabilitate the affected people.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda said during his visit to flood-affected areas in Thrissur district that the Central government understands the sensitivity of the situation in Kerala.

"Fund is no problem, funds have been always there and we have been always giving it. All possible support has been given as far as the rehabilitation part is concerned and re-development part is concerned," Nadda said.

The minister said he would evaluate with the state government the rehabilitation and rebuilding work being carried out in the affected areas.

"We just want to have an evaluation and whatever best we can do and what more we can do, that is what we are going to discuss," he added.

Nadda, who is accompanied by Health and Family Welfare secretary Preeti Sudan, expressed satisfaction over the work being done to restore medical facilities in affected areas.

He said the central team's visit was to see how the relief work is going on, and evaluate what more is required to assist Kerala.

Kerala state Health Minister K K Shailaja Teacher also accompanied the minister to affected areas.

"We feel very much disturbed. The people of Kerala had to face a lot of problems because of the natural calamity and we are all with them," Nadda said.

He said medical experts including doctors sent by the central government and state governments including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu were working in flood-affected areas.

The deluge last month triggered by torrential monsoon rains had left a trail of destruction in the state and claimed 491 lives since May 29. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 4:26:00 PM 0


Kochi, Aug 28: Rehabilitation of thousands of people who lost their livelihood and were rendered homeless in the recent floods in Ernakulam district is going to be a "long-drawn" affair, District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla said here.

Close to 700 houses were fully and about 20,000 homes partially damaged in the fury of the floods in the district, one of the worst hit, after rivers including Periyar and Muvattupuzha violently breached their banks following heavy rains and opening of major dams.

Nearly two lakhs houses were impacted by the floods in the Ernakulam district, which is also the commercial capital of Kerala.

"Rehabilitation process is going to be long drawn. It may be six months or a year. Construction of these houses and rebuilding of the public infrastructure is going to take time.

Livelihood may take even longer," he told here.

Safirulla termed as "very serious issue" the loss suffered by the private businesses in many towns and villages particularly in Aluva and North Paravoor taluks in the district in the floods.

He said the district administration has started taking the assessment of the heavy losses they suffered.

"People have lost their shops, they have to rebuild it, they have to rebuild their finances for restarting the livelihood.

Livelihood may also take longer. So I think we are in for a long haul... even a year or so. Long term process," the collector said.

Noting that the agriculture sector of the district also suffered heavily in the floods, Safirulla said, "Entire agriculture have been wiped out in Paravoor Taluk. We again have to do a detailed assessment."

The district collector said there were 107 relief camps sheltering 75,000 people.

In the district we have close to 8,000 people who are in the cleanliness drive working specifically in North Paravur and Aluva Taluks," he added.

The clean-up drive has mostly reached its conclusion stage in other three affected taluks including Kothamangalam, Kunnathunadu and Muvattupuzha.

According to data released this morning by the Disaster Management's state control room, 474 people have died in the rains and floods in Kerala since May 29, when the South West Monsoon set over the state. (PTI)

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Hello Jammu News at 6:35:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 27: The Indian Navy rescued nearly 17,000 people caught in gushing waters in flood-ravaged Kerala, a Defence spokesperson said here today.

Navy personnel who were part of the rescue mission code named "Op Madad" in Kerala, displayed their skills and courage in rescuing thousands of people, Commander Sridhar Warrier, the spokesperson in Kochi, said.

In all, the Indian Navy rescued a total of 16,843 people, of which 1,173 were airlifted while 15,670 were rescued by teams using Gemini boats after Kerala experienced unprecedented rainfall, which resulted in widespread flooding, he told.

"Such was their efficiency that in fact, no deaths by drowning were reported in any area where Naval teams systematically organised their rescue efforts," he said.

Warrier said a robust and efficient Command, Control and Logistics Organisation of the Southern Naval Command (SNC), coordinated by Joint Operation Centre (JOC), ensured naval personnel deployed in the worst-hit areas were utilised efficiently to rescue maximum number of people.

Based on inputs from the state administration, as well as feedback from the teams on ground, careful planning of the utilisation of resources available with the Command was done and teams were deployed in the general areas where distress calls were most concentrated, he said.

"Once the resources available with the Southern Naval Command in terms of Gemini boats and divers were found to be falling short, additional resources were sought and promptly received from other Naval commands," Warrier said.

SNC Headquarters also coordinated with the Air Force headquarters for airlift of personnel and equipment from Mumbai and Visakhapatnam to Kochi.

He said deployment of teams to inaccessible areas was mostly done by airlift and even this was extremely difficult as landing grounds for the aircraft were not readily available due to inundation of most areas.

The teams were dropped off at the closest locations and, thereafter, they moved by boat/road to the affected areas.

Naval aircraft operated from the Naval Air Station INS Garuda and were deployed from Chalakudy, Thrissur to Ayroor, Pathanamthitta to airlift survivors from locations inaccessible by road, the spokesman said.

Some of the rescued people were relocated to safe sites and the rest were brought to Naval relief camps set up in the T-2 Hangar and Naval KG School inside the Naval Base, he said.

As the waters receded, de-induction of 92 teams and over 500 men began after obtaining clearance from the state government.

He said Wayanad district was the first to be severely hit as a result of the incessant rains, which resulted in flooding and landslides.

Consequently, on August 9 in view of the worsening situation and the challenges faced by the state administration, the Southern Naval Command launched "Operation Madad" to facilitate rescue and relief efforts to the affected areas, the spokesman said.

Initially, Op Madad State III was executed on August 9, which was raised to State II on August 10, wherein majority of rescue and relief teams were brought to full readiness and kept on standby for immediate deployment, he said.

The rains intensified considerably from August 14 which resulted in waters in major dams crossing the danger levels and forcing the state government to order opening of the shutters of some 35 of these 39 dams.

"This resulted in major flooding at Ernakulam, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts mainly due to opening of shutters of four dams in Idukki district and Kakki Dam in Pathanamthitta district and led to massive increase in water levels and flow in Periyar and Pamba rivers," he said.

Since the situation developed over a period of ten days, the naval deployments were also carried out in phases.

The Joint Operations Centre (JOC), Kochi became the nerve centre during the conduct of Operation Madad.

The JOC was augmented with a Planning and Coordination Section, rescue coordination cell within the operations room and a team muster and kitting up point at the ground floor of the JOC building, in order to quickly deploy teams as per requirement, the spokesman said.

Deployment of rescue teams peaked on August 19, wherein a total of 92 teams were deployed simultaneously across all affected areas, he added.

JOC was also the nerve centre for planning and coordination with all other Services and state agencies, and carried out this task seamlessly to maximise rescue efforts on the ground.

Over 300 people have died and lakhs displaced in the floods and landslides caused by the monsoon rains since August 8 across Kerala. (PTI)

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Hello Jammu News at 8:00:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 21: The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has suffered an estimated loss of over Rs 220 crores in the floods, an official said here today.

He said the CIAL management has launched rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure including 2.5 km long airport walls that collapsed after Periyar river overflowed.

The runway, taxi bay, duty free shops and other areas of international and domestic terminals were also submerged, causing damage to electrical equipment including runway lights, the official noted.

He said the solar power system of the world's first solar-powered airport has also suffered damage in the floods.

"We have launched efforts on a war-footing to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Our initial assessment is that we have suffered an estimated loss of Rs 220 crores in the floods," the official said, adding around 200 workers have been engaged to clean up the terminal building.

The airport is expected to be reopened next week.

Meanwhile, the Naval Air Station, INS Garuda, has commenced civil aircraft operations from yesterday.

Alliance Air (a subsidiary of Air India) was able to operate two flights to Bangalore and one flight to Coimbatore.

An Indigo flight also did a trial landing and will be undertaking flying operations from today. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 4:18:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 20: Relief material from different parts of the country has started arriving at the port here to provide some succour to the people of Kerala devastated by unprecedented floods in about a century, officials said today.

A Cochin Port Trust official said Naval Ship INS Deepak, carrying relief material from Mumbai, arrived with about 800 tonnes of fresh water and nearly 18 tonnes of provisions.

Fresh water is being ferried on two barges to the affected areas. Trucks carrying provisions are being rushed for distribution, he said.

The official said another consignment of relief material sent by the shipping fraternity under an initiative of the Ministry of Shipping arrived at Vallarpadam.

A vessel with 50000 MT of crude from Mumbai has been diverted by BPCL to the Cochin port to meet the fuel demand of Kerala.

Incessant rains over the last few days have blurred the distinction between Kerala's backwaters and roads with sheets of water covering the landscape, but the state is facing shortage of potable water. Several fuel stations in the state are also reported to have run dry.

The Cochin Port Trust has set up a relief camp for the affected people from Koonamavu and Vypeen at Sir Robert Bristow Memorial School on Willingdon Island.

Doctors from port trust hospital examined the inmates and provided them medicines.

Volunteers comprising the port staff and their family members, customs and CISF are lending a helping hand at the camp.

Relief material mobilized by all major ports under the shipping ministry are being stored at Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu and are expected to reach the Cochin port in the coming days, the official said.

The Cochin Port Trust had decided to contribute Rs 62 lakh to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 12:59:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20: Commercial flight operations from the Naval airport at Kochi commenced today with the first Air India flight from Bengaluru arriving this morning.

Small aircraft are being operated from the naval airport as the Kochi International Airport has shut operations till August 26 following flooding in the heavy rains.

The first AI flight from Bengaluru arrived this morning and returned by 0830 hrs.

Train services between state capital and Ernakulam are also slowly becoming normalised.

Skeletal services were run between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha-Kottayam routes saw trains packed with flood affected people moving to the houses of their friends and relatives.

The deadly monsoon rains have claimed 210 lives since August 8 and has displaced over 7.14 lakh people from their homes.

In the worst affected Chengannur in Alappuzha district, efforts are on to rescue some of those stranded in certain pockets, including Pandanad.

According to India Met Department, a fresh low pressure area has formed over North West Bay of Bengal yesterday.

However, it will not have any significant impact over Kerala, where rainfall is likely to decrease further gradually during the next five days.

Rehabilitation will be the next big focus of the state government with most of the marooned having been rescued, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Rainfall over Kerala during the South West Monsoon (June 1 to Aug 19) has been exceptionally high.

Kerala has so far received 2346.6 mm rains against the normal of 1649.5 mm, according to IMD.

High-range Idukki recorded the highest excess rainfall (92 per cent above normal) followed by Palakkad (72 per cent above normal).

These two districts had reported several deaths and massive destructions due to flooding and landslides.

Thirteen people lost their lives yesterday while 7,24,649 lakh people were housed in 5,645 relief camps across the state.

Rescue operations are in final stages.

Around 22,000 people were rescued yesterday alone in the operations launched by the defence personnel, national and state disaster response forces, fishermen and local people.The next big challenge for the government is the epidemic.

The chief minister said in each panchayat six health officers would be deployed to ensure there was no outbreak of any communicable diseases as the flood water recedes.

People have started returning home from relief centres with flood waters receding.Many were shocked to see the state of their homes covered with mud and slush as the water receded. (PTI)

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Hello Jammu News at 1:04:00 PM 2

Kochi, Aug 16: The public transport system collapsed in many parts of central Kerala with the Southern Railways and Kochi Metro today suspending their operations due to floods.

Rise in flood waters in Periyar river due to continuous rains and opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, have severely hit life of people in the downstream areas.

The floods have affected the transport system to the Kochi city.

"Due to rise in water level at Bridge No 176 on Downline between Angamali and Aluva, The services on this bridge is suspended," a Southern railway spokesman said in a statement early today.

The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) also suspended its operations this morning after its yard in Muttom near Aluva submerged in the flood waters.

"Kochi Metro train operation is suspended as the water level rises in Muttom yard area," a KMRL statement said.

The service will be resumed once the water comes down and the systems are back in good condition, its spokesperson said.

Bus services to Kochi were also affected after National Highways connecting the city submerged in Kalamassery area, officials said.

Cochin International Airport had yesterday suspended all flight operations till Saturday as water entered in the airport area following continuous rains and the opening of dam shutters in Periyar river. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 2:30:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 13: Kerala's worst-affected Idukki district continued to reel under the impact of unprecedented floods today even as fresh rains were reported from several other parts of the state.

The weatherman has issued a fresh warning asking fishermen not to venture into the sea, saying the coasts of Kerala and Lakshadweep may experience winds at the speed of 35 to 45 kmph, sometimes going up to 60 kmph.

The water level in the Idukki hydro-electric dam has receded to 2,397.58 ft, alleviating concerns about floods in fresh downstream areas, particularly in Ernakulam district, officials said. The current level does not warrant issuing any warning, they said.

However, the five shutters of Cheruthoni dam, part of Idukki reservoir, will continue to remain open.

Water level in the dam had come down to 2,398.68 ft last evening.

Meanwhile, Ernakulam district authorities said more people who had taken shelter in relief camps in the district have gone back to their homes.

At present, 3,095 people are lodged in 17 camps in the district.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had made an aerial survey of two rain-ravaged districts--Ernakulam and Idukki- and said the situation in the state was "very serious". He had also announced an aid of Rs 100 crore as immediate central relief.

The minister had said the rains and floods had caused "massive damage" to the farm sector and infrastructure.

The state government has submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking urgent sanction of Rs 1,220 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) to cope with the situation.

In the memorandum, the Chief Minister had said preliminary estimates suggested that Kerala suffered a loss of Rs 8,316 crore due to the calamity. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 12:19:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 13: The body of one more fisherman who went missing when a vessel hit their fishing boat in the high seas nearly a week ago was recovered last evening, a Defence spokesman said here today.

With this the number of fishermen who died in the incident has risen to five.

A total of nine fishermen had gone missing after the incident on August 7.

The body of another missing fisherman was recovered on August 11.

The spokesman said the body recovered yesterday was brought to the Munambam harbour near here.

Relatives of the fisherman have have identified the body.

It was taken to Ernakulam General Hospital for further procedures.

Search is on to trace seven other missing fishermen, the spokesperson said.

Vessels of the Navy and Coast Guard and fishing boats are continuing to search for the missing fishermen.

The fishermen went missing when their boat capsized after being hit by a ship about 24 nautical miles off Munambam harbour near here on August 7.

At the time, 14 fishermen were on board the boat.

Bodies of three fishermen killed were brought to the shore on Tuesday last while two fishermen, injured in the incident, were admitted to hospital, police had said.

The boat had 11 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, two from West Bengal and one from Kerala.

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have engaged their ships and aircraft to search and locate the missing fishermen of the 'Oceanic.'

The state government had said the search operation would continue till the fishermen were traced.

Officials of the Mercantile Marine Department, Coastal Police, Forensic Experts and underwater surveyors are continuing probe to identify the vessel which allegedly hit the boat.

An Indian merchant ship has been directed by the Navy to anchor at Mangaluru coast. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 2:50:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 11: Over 10,000 people living on the banks of Periyar river and its tributaries have been shifted to 78 camps opened in Ernakulam district as part of measures taken by it to deal with the threats following release of water from two major dams.

Officials said 10,510 people have been provided shelter at 78 relief camps opened in Paravoor, Aluva, Kanayannur and Kunnathunad taluks in the district.

The district authorities said they have made all necessary preparations for providing food, drinking water and medical facilities to the people shifted in the camps.

People said rise in water level in Periyar river has affected their normal life.

Meanwhile, braving adverse weather conditions, thousands of pilgrims thronged on the bank of Periyar river in Aluva to perform 'Karkkidaka Vavu Bali' at a Lord Shiva temple known for the annual ritual.

The temple situated in the middle of the river remained submerged in gushing waters.

Ernakulam district administration officials said elaborate arrangements were made by the government and temple administration in the unaffected areas on the river bank for the people to perform the 'Vavu Bali', a ritual, performed for the departed souls of their ancestors.

Security was tightened along the shore of the river for ensuring safety of the pilgrims.

Coast Guard and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims.

Police and Fire and Rescue services personnel were also roped in to provide security.

Three boats, 20 lifeboats, 40 life-jackets, special ropes and diving teams were were kept ready to meet any eventuality, authorities said. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 3:40:00 PM 0

Kochi, Aug 9: Four shutters of the Idamalayar dam were opened this morning to release excess water from it, resulting in an increse in water level in Periyar river.

Ernakulam district administration officials said relief camps have been opened in Choornikkara and Kombanad villages as it is anticipated that the release of water may cause inundation in these areas.

Kerala State Disaster Management Authority officials said there was no need for people living on the bank of river Periyar to panic.

The dam shutters were opened at 5 am, 6 am and 8 am.

They were opened 1 metre each after the water level reached maximum storage capacity.

The authority had yesterday sounded a red alert at Idamalayar dam after water level in the reservoir touched 168.20 metres.

The authority said 164 cumecs (cubic metres/sec) water is being released.

Considering the tide levels, the KSEB dam safety department advance the opening of the shutters to 5 a.m.

Earlier, it was proposed to release water from Idamalayar dam at 8 a.m today.

Opening of the shutters of the dam cause the rise of the present water level in River Periyar by 1-1.5 metres.

An orange alert was sounded earlier at the dam after water level in the reservoir reached 167 metres.

Red alert was issued to make necessary preparations for the authorities for evacuation of people in vulnerable areas in case of a water surge.

Ernakulam district collector Mohammed Y Safeerulla is reviewing the situation at Kochi International Airport Limited after water level in a canal near it started rising. (PTI)
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