Articles by "Thiruvananthapuram"
Showing posts with label Thiruvananthapuram. Show all posts

Hello Jammu News at 9:10:00 PM 0
'CPM will launch door-to-door campaign to explain link b/w CAA-NPR-NRC'


Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 :  The CPI(M) will soon launch a nation-wide house-to-house campaign to explain to the people, the 'link' between CAA-NPR-NRC, party general secretary, Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday.

The intense campaign will take place all over the country, he said while briefing the media about the three-day central committee held at Vilapilsala near here.

The central committee also urged the people not to answer the NPR questions.

"The Central committee has called upon the people not to answer any questions concerning the NPR when the enumerators come to their houses...," the left leader said.
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 8:46:00 PM 0
CAA petition in SC: Kerala Governor seeks report from LDF govt


Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 :  Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has sought a report from the state government for moving the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act without informing him

The office of Raj Bhavan has sought the report from the Chief Secretary of the state

"The Governors office has sought a report from the Chief Secretary for not informing him about the states move to approach the apex court against the CAA," a top source from Raj Bhavan told on Sunday

The LDF government had on January 13 moved the top court challenging the Act and had sought to declare it as ultra vires of the Constitution

Attacking Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Khan had earlier said the public affairs and the business of the government cannot be run in accordance with the "whims of an individual or a political party" and everyone has to respect the rules

Kerala was the first state to pass a resolution in the state assembly against the CAA and to knock on the doors of the top court, challenging the new law

The Governor, who has made his displeasure known public, had told reporters in Delhi that as per Rules of Business Section 34(2) sub section 5, the state government should inform the Governor on matters that affect the relations between the state and the Centre

However, the state has maintained that it had not violated any rules and no deliberate attempts had been made to challenge the authority of the Governors office

Law Minister A K Balan had said on Saturday that the government would clear all apprehensions raised by Khan

A day after CPI(M) mouthpiece Deshabhimani attacked the Governor in a hard hitting editorial, party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday accused Khan of unnecessarily interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the government

"The Governor is defaming a state government which was elected by the people of the state

The post of Governor is not to defame the state government," he said in an article in the party newspaper

Meanwhile, Khan, who was scheduled to attend a public function at Kozhikode on Sunday, cancelled it, citing security reasons

The Governor was scheduled to attend a session at the Kerala Literary Festival (KLF)

"The organisers told us it would be difficult for them to follow the security protocol for the Governor as the KLF is a function which is being attended by thousands of people. They requested us to change the date,"Raj Bhavan sources said

There were reports suggesting that the Governor cancelled the event, fearing protest from anti-CAA agitators, especially at a literary function.
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 7:13:00 PM 0
Centre must come clear on de-radicalisation camps: Tarigami


Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 18 :  CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Saturday demanded that the Union government come clear on the de-radicalisation camps operating in India and alleged that they were "illegal and unconstitutional".

The central government should make it clear where these camps are operating, Tarigami, who is here in connection with the three-day CPI(M) central committee meet, told reporters.

He also said that "radicalisation should not be associated just with one religion and the fact is it is taking place in other religions also".

The Marxist leader was responding to the January 16 disclosure by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat that de-radicalisation camps were operating in the country as "it was necessary to isolate people who are completely radicalised".

The General had said girls and boys as young as 10 and 12 years are being radicalised in the Valley, which he described as a matter of concern.

"What the General said goes beyond his brief and the BJP government must clear its stand on the issue", Tarigami, a former MLA from Kulgam said, adding that it was shocking to hear such comments.

Operating such camps is "illegal and unconstitutional" and the Centre must answer where the 400 camps are operating, he said.

"There are already a lot of jails, camps and police stations in Kashmir. Why do you need more concentration camps? If at all there is radicalisation in Kashmir, it is because of disillusionment," Tarigami said.

He said the de-radicalisation camps were completely "un- Indian" and the assumption that they are needed for a "certain age group in one area of the country was clearly a fantasy".

"Whatever unilateral decisions were taken by the Centre on August 5 (2019) is bound to increase disillusionment.

Instead of taking confidence building measures, they are talking about taking boys as young as 10 and 12 years to these camps, which is unfortunate," he said.

Tarigami, who was the first politician to meet the press after the abrogation of Article 370, said the prevailing crisis in Kashmir needs a political response and not deradicalisation camps.
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 3:28:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 5: Kannur International Airport, the second greenfield airport set up under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, near Mattannur in Kannur district would be inaugurated on December 9.

The date for inauguration was fixed as the Director General of Civil Aviation has accorded commercial flight operation licence to the airport, a release from the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Friday.

The airport built in an area of 2,300 acres has all modern passenger amenities.

At present the length of the runway is 3,050 metres and work to extend the length of the runway to 4,000 metres had already began, it was stated.

The airport would have 24 check-in counters, self-baggage drop counters, self-checking machines and 32 immigration counters.

Work on seven aerobridges has been completed and the airport has arrangements to facilitate landing of big aircraft like Boeing-777. It has space to park 20 aircraft at a time.

The Kannur airport will be the fourth international airport in the state, the others being in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Kannur airport is the second to be built under PPP route after Nedumbassery International Airport at Kochi.

It is only 20 km away from Kannur city, and 2 km from Mattannur on Kannur Mattannur Mysuru road.

Construction of the airport, considered a flagship programme of the previous Congress-led UDF government, was inaugurated by then Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony on February 2, 2014.

Among the objectives of the airport include transforming the North Malabar region into a highly developed growth centre for travel, tourism and industries. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 2:26:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2: Renowned violinist Bala Bhaskar, who was critically injured in a road accident last month, died early Tuesday, hospital sources said.

He was 40. Bala Bhaskar's two-year-old daughter was killed in the September 25 accident, while his wife Lakshmi was seriously injured and was undergoing treatment.

The family was returning after temple worship at Thrissur when their car went out of control and hit a tree. The car was being driven by Bhaskar's friend, Arjun, who was also injured.

Bala Bhaskar had suffered multiple injuries and had undergone a surgery. He suffered a massive cardiac arrest around 1 am and passed away, the hospital sources said.

His only daughter Tejaswani Bala was born 16 years after marriage.

Bala Bhaskar had composed music for at least three films, brought out several music albums and had introduced fusion music to Keralites. (PTI)

Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 5:50:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 28: Around 70,000 people have volunteered in a massive clean-up drive in Kuttanad, known as the Kerala's rice bowl, to remove the slit and debris dumped by flood, as rehabilitation work continued in other affected areas of the state.

The Kuttanad region, which is below the sea level, has several areas still inundated, a week after the torrential rains that triggered the devastating deluge across the state stopped and water receded in most other parts.

State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and PWD Minister G Sudhakaran launched the drive in which nearly 70,000 volunteers will clean around one lakh buildings in Kainakary, Nedumudi and other areas of Kuttanad in Alapuzha district.

At least 1,000 engineers, IT volunteers and snake catchers along with cleaning supplies have also joined the drive.

The volunteers reached Kuttanad in boats and buses and have fanned out across 16 panchayats to clear around one lakh buildings, including houses, public places and places of worship, of the slush and debris, Sudhakaran told reporters.

Asserting that there was an overwhelming response from the people, with many even from far off districts joining in the drive, he said the initial plan was to complete the clean-up by August 30.

However, since a large number of houses were still waterlogged, it would take more time, the minister said.

Isaac said they were overwhelmed by the response as people from as far as northern Kannur district had come to help people clean their homes.

Meanwhile, cleaning operations across the flood-hit areas are progressing fast and in many places people have started returning home.

Fifty-two-year-old Rema said she along with her family returned home last night, 11 days after they fled as their house at Aluva in Kochi submerged in flood water.

She said a team of volunteers along with the family members cleaned their house.

"Some more cleaning up work has to be undertaken," Rema said.

As schools are reopening tomorrow after Onam vacation, focus will also be on cleaning up of the campuses. People staying in schools which have been converted into relief camps, would be shifted to auditoriums and halls.

According to the directions issued by Education Minister C Raveendranath, children attending classes in flood-affected areas would be taken special care.

They would be provided counselling and programmes would be held to cheer them up, officials said.

According to preliminary estimate, the state has so far suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 crore in the devastation caused by the deluge under the deadly second spell of monsoon since August 8. A total of 3.42 lakh people are in 1,093 relief camps.

As many 474 people died in rain-related incidents since May 29 when the monsoon set in over the state.

With rehabilitation measures on, the state government has said an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 would be disbursed to the victims soon. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued necessary instructions in this regard to district collectors.

The Kochi international airport which stopped its operations since August 14 following flooding is expected to commence services from tomorrow.

As an interim measure, civil aircraft operations were facilitated from the Naval airport in Kochi.

Road traffic is also slowly becoming normal in affected areas. In high range Idukki district, one of the worst hit by monsson fury, many damaged roads are yet to be repaired and bus services have started in many places sparsely.

Ernakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla said rehabilitation of thousands of people who lost their livelihood and were rendered homeless in badly-hit Ernakulam district was going to be a "long-drawn" affair.

Close to 700 houses were fully damaged and nearly 20,000 partially in the flood fury in the district, the commercial capital of Kerala. Nearly two lakhs houses were impacted by the floods in the district.

"Rehabilitation process is going to be long drawn. It may be a 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.

Around 75,000 people were in 107 camps as of yesterday, he said adding a massive clean-up drive had been initiated. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 5:38:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25: The death toll in Kerala floods has touched 265 since August 8 while 36 people are still missing, the latest government figures show, even as the state prepares to mount a massive rehabilitation process for the displaced.

The hilly district of Idukki, housing the largest arch dam in Asia from which waters were released for the first time in 26 years, has been hit the hardest -- 51 deaths and 10 still missing, as per the latest figures released by the Disaster Management State Control Room.

The district, home to tea and spices plantations, is also a favourite tourist destination.

According to the latest toll figures released by the government, 265 people have lost their lives in the floods since August 8, when a second spell of monsoon fury unleashed.

Thrissur has reported 43 deaths, Ernakulam (38), Alapuzha (34) and Malappuram (30).

With over 8.69 lakh people still in 2,287 relief camps, it is a subdued 'Onam', the harvest festival, in the state.

However, despite the massive setback, many people who, have lost their homes and all their belongings, marked the occasion, though it was low key.

For some who returned to their homes, cleaning up their dwellings was the uppermost in their mind.

Ten year-old Nandana was busy drying her books in front of her home in Kochi. "There is no floral carpet in my home," she said.

While in another camp, children gathered together, made new friends and played football and cricket in an effort to take their mind off the trauma.

A government release issued late last night said the flood-hit areas would be recorded using a mobile app, with the help of voluntary organisations and local bodies and compensation would be distributed after this process.

A total of Rs 10,000 each would be transferred to the bank accounts of 3.91 lakh families affected by the flood and Rs 242.73 crore has been earmarked from the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief fund (CMDRF) for the purpose, the release said.

Plans are also afoot to retrieve certificates and lost documents of the flood-affected people from the database of various departments in the state, it said.

The information technology and other departments were in the process of developing a software for the purpose. Adalats would also be held from the first week of September to facilitate recovery of the documents, according to the release.

With the government emphasising sanitation activities to prevent outbreak of water-related diseases in flood-affected areas, a total of 1.31 lakh houses, about 31 per cent of total flood-hit buildings, have so far been cleaned.

The state government was also mulling interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for the flood-affected small scale industries.

Earlier, a moratorium was declared for agriculture loans by the government. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 3:54:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24: As floodwaters recede in Kerala, the focus is now on taking care of the over 10.40 lakh people staying in relief camps and rehabilitating people whose houses have been destroyed in the deluge.

People from all over the country and abroad have pitched in to help the state by offering material and also cash donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF).

A total of Rs 539 crore has been received till last night, official sources said.

Though people from relief camps have started returning to their homes, more than 10.40 lakh people were still in 2,770 camps across the state.

After the flood waters started receding, nearly five lakh people have gone back to their houses over the past few days.

However, people who have returned to their homes face the gigantic task of cleaning their houses as it is filled with slush along with different species of reptiles including poisonous cobras.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who visited various relief camps in the worst-affected Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur district yesterday, has said that government's focus was now on rehabilitation of the affected people and rebuilding the state.

On the cleaning process, he said the sanitation drive wa on and more than 37,000 wells and 60,000 houses were cleaned.

"We have roped in forces to carry out burial of animal carcasses, that posed a health threat," he said.

On the rehabilitation process, he said people residing in disaster-prone areas would be shifted to a suitable location after due consultation.

"Let us celebrate Onam festival by providing relief and help to the flood-affected people," Vijayan said.

The annual harvest festival of the state Onam falls tomorrow.

Assuring all help to people, he said plans were also on the anvil to provide interest-free bank loans to repair flood-hit houses.

The government was planning to complete cleaning of public places and houses by end of this week, official sources said adding special squads have been formed at the ward level to co-ordinate the work.

The state government also announced a package of Rs 2.5 crore for repairing fishing vessels of fishermen who took part in flood relief work.

A total of 700 fishing boats were deployed for rescue operations between August 15 and 20.

More than 3,500 fishermen were engaged in rescue operations and they saved nearly 65,000 people, state Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma said.

Indian Air Force engaged in providing medical facilities to the affected people in relief camps, said it has deployed its 10-bed mobile hospital and a Rapid Action Medical Team at Chetankery near Thiruvala, a waterlogged area in Pathanamthitta district.

IAF medical teams have visited 26 camps and treated more than 1,600 people, it said.

Indian Railways, as part of relief operations, moved water special wagons carrying more than 20 lakh litres of water, besides also arranging around two lakh bottles of water to flood affected people.

The heavy rains and flooding has claimed 231 lives since August 8 in the second spell of the monsoon.

The state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore (as per a preliminary estimate) due to the floods and sought an interim assistance of Rs 2,600 crore from the Centre, besides a special package of a similar amount under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 6:12:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: There will be no 'Onam' and 'Bakrid' celebrations in many parts of Kerala which is coming to terms with the savage monsoon that has claimed 223 lives since August 8 and forced over 10 lakh people to take shelter in relief camps.

While 'Onam' falls on August 25, Bakrid is being observed in the southern state tomorrow.

Many Muslims in the state have decided to keep Bakrid celebrations on a low key this year in the backdrop of the sufferings of the people in the flood-hit state.

Considered the state's harvest festival, 'Onam' falls in the beginning of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people across communities.

Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances and energetic games mark the annual festival.

But this time, many families have decided against any festivities.

Sixty two-year-old Sister Christabelle, former Principal of St Teresa's college in Kochi, said there will be no onam celebration for the regular and retired staff this year and the money will be used for relief works for flood victims.

Mariamma Varghese, President of the Elders Forum in Panampilly Nagar in Kochi, said onam celebrations have been cancelled due to floods.

Onam commemorates the return of a mythical, righteous king, Mahabali and brings together communities across the state in unified revelry probably unheard of in any other part of the country or outside.

Elaborate, sumptuous feasts of 'Onam sadya,' with at least 10-15 side dishes, are served in houses, with the feast ending with delicious payasam (Kerala dessert), which ensures that the message of oneness and hope is spread far and wide.

Due to floods, there have been several cancellations for 'Onamsadya' as well.

Caterers have said there have been heavy cancellations from various offices and organisations, which have decided to do away with any celebrations.

The state government has also cancelled Onam celebrations.

The Kerala Tourism's decision to organise Champions Boat League on the lines of Indian Premier League (IPL) from this year starting with Nehru Trophy boat race also took a beating due to the flooding.

Pulikali (Tiger Dance), among the folk art forms of Kerala, which is held in Thrissur with artisans donning tiger masks and sporting the painted stripes of the big cat and dancing to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments on August 28 is also likely to be cancelled.

Expressing her dismay over the unexpected cancellation of Onam celebration in the state, Juli, a German tourist told PTI: "I was waiting to see the Onam festivities about which I have heard a lot. But, I am saddened by the turn of events due to floods. I am cutting short my Kerala trip and moving to Goa."

The Cochin Port Trust said its employees have contributed Rs 65,000, which they had collected for their Onam celebrations, for the relief work.

According to C Rahim, a senior journalist with a gulf-based newspaper, the Muslim community has not yet recovered from the shock of the floods to celebrate any festival.

"Houses of many of the people where the community lives in large numbers in Thrissur, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts are still under water. Many of them have not gone back to their homes," he told PTI.

People who have gone for Haj are also much worried about the relatives at home, he said.

This year, the murderous monsoon has left the state's economy in shambles, many are penniless and the people of the state are in no mood to celebrate.

Ammini, a 55-year-old in a relief camp, said she and her family had to rush out with only the clothes they wore 'Everything is lost. We do not have anything left. There is nothing to look forward to."

"My son is bedridden.. I do not know where to go from the camp with my son, daughter-in-law and their child as there is no home left," she said.

"We do not know how to take our life forward. Onam is not now in our minds...," she said unable to hold back tears.

After Nipah, the Ramzan sales were affected in Malabar (north Kerala) areas.

Now with unprecedented floods, there is no sales at all in the region.

In normal course, during onam and Bakrid there is good sale in the state, a small trader in Kozhikode said.

In Kozhikode, a group of policemen have come together and prepared 1000 kits of essential items like sugar, pulses, rice etc to be distributed to the most needy who return home from camps.

"Over 90 per cent people have gone back from camps in the district to their homes.

There are many people who are in a very bad state and so it was decided to distribute kits to them as the festivals are just round the corner even though there may be no celebrations," a police official said. (PTI)

Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 4:31:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: With floods ravaging Kerala and Coorg in Karnataka, animal rescuers are being inundated with distress calls from desperate people who were forced to evacuate their homes without their pets.

The Hyderabad-based Humane Society International/India has set up an emergency helpline to coordinate animal rescue throughout Kerala. It is collaborating with Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), based in Bangalore, for rescue efforts in Karnataka's hill district of Coorg.

Many rescue boats in the early days of the disaster in Kerala refused to take animals, leaving behind hundreds of dogs and cats to fend for themselves, especially in areas such as Kochi, Kottayam and Alappuzha where the pet population is high.

"People are desperately worried about their pets and our Kerala helpline is ringing day and night with pleas for animal rescue," said Rahul Sehgal, HSI India's senior director of Companion Animals & Engagement.

Every day, teams of rescuers are wading waist-deep through leech-infested water to check the remains of dwellings for stranded animals, he said.

"Many of the animals have now starved for several days so although they are traumatised, they are visibly relieved to hear a human voice," Sehgal added.

"There is still a huge rescue operation taking place, but once the water subsides we will start to reach animals who have been completely cut off, and we predict we will see large numbers needing treatment for skin disease, tick fever, distemper and thousands displaced on the streets," he said.

HSI India is working with a network of other Indian animal protection groups in each district across the state.

Pet owners are using WhatsApp to send photos of their animals and the location of their near-submerged houses so that HSI India can get rescuers to the scene to save the stranded pets, a spokesperson told.

Teams are being sent to Kerala and Coorg, which borders Kerala, to help cope with the scale of the rescue.

HSI India is working with local groups to reach as many animals as possible and also distributing vital life-saving equipment such as inflatable boats, veterinary medicines and food for starving animals.

"We are urging Kerala's humanitarian rescue teams to allow families to bring their pets, but if people are forced to leave them behind, they must be unchained or they risk drowning. We have a good chance of reuniting families with pets who run away, but a chained animal is doomed," said Sehgal.

In addition, HSI is ensuring that animals in other parts of Kerala also receive help, by responding to hundreds of distress calls and Instagram posts and assigning them to local groups in the relevant areas.

According to Sally Varma, HSI India's education and awareness officer, reports have come in of vast numbers of animals drowning in the disaster.

One woman in Thrissur refused to leave her home without help to rescue her 25 dogs, so HSI India's team arranged for their shelter at a nearby veterinary hospital.

While the waters are abating in some parts of Kerala, where more than 200 people have died and about 10 lakh people displaced, Coorg is also badly affected. Torrential rains in the district has left a trail of destruction and claimed at least 12 lives.

CUPA has deployed animal rescuers and veterinarians to assist rescue efforts in the area.

Animal rescuers are asking for relief materials such as dry food, medicines, bedding and dog crates to be sent to Kerala and as well as Coorg. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 6:13:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20: A 19-year-old man allegedly committed suicide in on finding that his Class 12 certificates were damaged in the devastation caused by monsoon in Kozhikode district, police said today.

With his house fully waterlogged in the downpour, the man, Kailash, and his parents, hailing from Karanthur in Kozhikode district, had moved to a relief camp three days ago.

Kailash had got admission for a course in the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and had purchased new clothes and set apart some money for higher studies, they said.

As the rains abated for a while, he returned home yesterday to take a look at the house and was shocked to find his plus two certificates soaked in water and in tatters.

A Police officer attached to the Kunnamanagalam station said the man's death came to light later in the day when his parents came to clean up the house as the water receeded.

They were shocked to see him hanging, police said.

His shattered father, a labourer, had pinned all his hopes on his son as all their belongings had mostly been destroyed in the rains.

In the worst-affected Chengannur in Alappuzha district, a woman was wailing saying she had lost her Aadhaar card, Ration card and all ID proofs.

"All my belongings, my Aadhaar and Ration cards and ID proofs are all gone. Only I am alive. My relatives do not even know that I exist," she mourned.

Heavy rains in Kerala have so far claimed 210 lives and forced over 7.14 lakh people to take shelter in relief camps in the state. (PTI)
Read more »

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)

Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 5:24:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18: As Kerala is struggling to cope with the flood fury, 21-year-old college student, who was viciously trolled for selling fish to meet her educational needs, has contributed Rs 1.5 lakh towards the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.

Hanan, a college student from Kochi, said the money was donated by various people after her struggle to fund her studies and take care of her family was widely shared on the social media.

"I had got the amount from people and I am happy to give back the amount to the needy," she said.

Hanan, who also worked as an anchor and flower girl for programmes to make ends meet, requested people to donate for the relief works.

A B.Sc student at a private college at Thodupuzha in Idukki district, Hanan's story had gone viral after a Malayalam daily reported her struggles.

But, a section of social media users expressed doubts about her struggles and claimed it was "fake."

Besides Hanan, people from various walks of life are generously contributing money and various essentials for helping the needy.

Sajeesh, a government employee and husband of nurse Lini Puthussery, who died of Nipah after she contracted the deadly virus from a patient, donated his first salary of Rs 25,000 to the relief fund.

The Kerala government had given Sajeesh a job in the health sector in recognition of Lini's selfless service.

Sixty eight-year-old Rohini from Thalassery in Kannur district, who draws a monthly pension of Rs 600 and has no other source of income, contributed Rs 1000 online to the relief fund.

Social media groups, students, actors and NGOs are among those who have made contributions to the relief fund. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 1:16:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17: More than 100 people died in rain-related incidents in Kerala in just one day yesterday, sources in the State Disaster Management Authority said, even as defence forces scaled up operations this morning to rescue those stranded in worst-hit areas.

The toll for yesterday, initially put at 30, has now been revised to 106, the sources said, which takes the overall fatalities to 173 since the second spell of monsoon fury unleashed itself on August 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach Kerala tonight after the funeral of former prime minister A B Vajpayee. He is likely to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas tomorrow.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had yesterday said 23 more helicopters will join the rescue operations today and 200 additional boats will also be pressed into service.

Around 3,000 people were rescued from Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts yesterday.

Several people are stranded in buildings in various districts. Many of them, including children, were rescued from various waterlogged areas.

"In one of the worst rain and flood disasters to hit Kerala, 106 people lost their lives on a single day yesterday," a source in the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said.

In the second spell of rains to hit the state since August 8, 67 people had lost their lives till Tuesday.

Army, Navy, Air Force and NDRF personnel have begun rescuing people stranded in the worst affected areas of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts from this morning.

Many elderly persons and women with young children were rescued since this morning.

Local fishermen have also joined the rescue mission bringing in their boats to help in evacuation of the stranded people in various places in Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy.

A weather report at 7 a.m has predicted heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds in various parts of the state today.

Winds at the speed of 60 kmph is expected in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, the report said.

Desperate non-resident Keralites from Australia, the US and the UK were making fervent pleas to authorities through television channels seeking help for their dear ones.

Soumya from Australia said her parents and their relatives were stranded in Aluva for the past two days. Another person said an elderly relative, Mary Varghese, was badly in need of oxygen cylinder and her condition was worsening.

In a WhatsApp video, a stranded woman with her 6-year-old child was seen pleading for help. "We have no food or water. Please help us." 

On instructions from the Prime Minister, the Defence Ministry has rushed in fresh teams of the three armed forces for relief and rescue operations in the state where over 1.5 lakh homeless and displaced people are taking shelter in relief camps.

Twelve additional teams of of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 540 personnel were also rushed to Kerala.

The operations at the Kochi International Airport will remain suspended till August 26, with runways being flooded.

Over 25 trains were either cancelled or rescheduled in Kerala. Kochi Metro operations have not been affected so far, sources said.

With waters flooding the private Aster Medi City in Kochi, some patients were shifted to other hospitals.

The state government also decided to raise excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor till November 30 to mop up additional resources for relief and rehabilitation efforts, official sources said. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 2:37:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13: Two more Kerala priests, accused of sexually abusing a woman, surrendered before police today, officials said.

Fr Abraham Varghese alias Sony surrendered before a court at Thiruvalla while Fr Jaise K George at the crime branch office in Kollam this morning, the police said.

The clergymen surrendered after the Supreme Court cancelled their interim protection from the arrest and asked them to surrender by today.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan had said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they surrendered.

The two had moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail in the case after their plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court on July 11.

Two other priests accused in the case - Fr Job Mathew and Johnson V Mathew - had already surrendered before the police and granted bail by the high court.

The four priests, attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, were accused of sexually abusing a 34-year-old married woman by using her confessional statement.

The victim's husband had accused them of using her confession to "blackmail" and "sexually abuse" her.

The crime branch of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against them on the basis of a statement given by the woman belonging to the same church. She accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 12:36:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is undertaking an aerial survey of flood-ravaged districts of the state which have been pounded by heavy rains since the past few days.

Due to inclement weather, the chief minister's helicopter could not land at Kattapana in Idukki, where he had called a meeting to review the situation in the backdrop of the opening of five shutters of Idukki Dam, government sources said.

The helicopter has left for Wayanad and the chief minister would be visiting a relief camp and attend a review meeting at the collectorate, they said.

The chief minister is accompanied by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, Revenue minister, E Chandrasekharan, state Chief Secretary, Tom Jose and state Police Chief Loknath Behara.

Twenty-nine persons have so far lost their lives in the heavy rains since August 8 and over 50,000 persons have been shifted to relief camps.

A red alert has been issued for 8 districts-- Idukki, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Kottayam, Alappuzha of the 14 districts in the state by the Indian Meteorological department.

Over 54,000 people have been shifted to relief camps across the state.

Water level at the Idukki reservoir has decreased, providing some relief to the authorities.

Meanwhile, Kochi Airport in a statement said flight operations are continuing uninterrupted and there has been no cancellations.

"We surmounted a night of anxiety. All systems worked properly. Our efforts to protect the operational area succeeded.Water levels in the surrounding having stabilised, flight operations at Kochi Airport continue uninterrupted," it said. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 8:05:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10: Dam reservoirs and rivers overflowed, sections of highways collapsed and homes were swept away in severe flooding in more than half of Kerala, after days of incessant rains left nearly 54,000 people homeless and killed at least 29, officials said today.

Five columns of Army were deployed in the state's seven severely-hit northern districts, out of Kerala's 14, to help evacuate people and to build makeshift bridges even as the Indian Navy's southern command was put on alert after water level in Periyar river rose amid concern that parts of Wellingdon Island in Kochi could be inundated.

Almost all 40-odd rivers in the state are in spate, officials said.

Northern and central Kerala have been battered by heavy rains of the Southwest monsoon since August 8, which has left 29 people dead, including three today. Of them, 25 died in landslides and four in drowning. State officials said a total of 53,501 people are now housed in 439 relief camps across the state.

Tourists were barred from entering the hilly Idukki district after roads caved in at many places. Army soldiers were building small bridges to evacuate people stranded at various places in Kozhikode and Wayanad.

A red alert was issued for Idukki and its adjoining districts in view of the possibility of release of more water from the Idukki reservoir.

At least 50 tourists, including 24 foreigners, stranded at the Plum Judy resort at Munnar since Wednesday were rescued and taken to safer places, state Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said.

People living downstream of Periyar river in Kochi, and Cheruthoni river in Idukki have been warned of a possibility of inundation of banks.

Water level had crossed the maximum storage capacity of reservoirs of 24 out of the state's 58 dams, forcing officials to release the water by opening the sluice gates, including three of the Idukki reservoir. Two more shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, part of the Idukki reservoir, the biggest arch dam in Asia, were lifted around 7 am today.

One shutter was opened yesterday after a gap of 26 years.

This morning, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed the flood situation and relief works being undertaken by the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the NDRF.

Due to the increase in the water level at Idukki dam, "it is essential to release water three times (more) than what was being released now", Vijayan said, adding that this will lead to rise in the water levels of Periyar river and its tributaries. He appealed to people to be vigilant.

Vijayan has cancelled all his public functions till August 12, and will monitor the situation from the state capital.

Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam said he discussed the flood situation in Kerala with Home Minister Rajnath Singh this morning. Singh also spoke with Vijayan, and will make an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas on Sunday.

"The Government of India is providing all the required assistance including services of armed forces, disaster management team and other required assistance. Any other immediate assistance requested by the Government of Kerala will be provided," Alphons said in a Facebook post.

Col. Ajai Sharma, the commandant of DSC Centre, who is overseeing relief and rescue operations, said five columns of Army have been deployed in the northern districts since last night.

"The haphazard development along the streams has affected the natural flow of rivers, which is a challenge right now," he said.

Small bridges have been constructed to evacuate stranded people in various places in Kozhikode and Wayanad areas, and rescue operations are currently underway.

"The situation is under control," he said.

Meanwhile, state Revenue minister E Chandrasekharan reviewed the flood situation and the precautionary measures to be taken in Aluva near Kochi airport and nearby areas in view of the possibility of increase in the water level following release of more water from Idukki reservoir.

Periyar river in Aluva is already in spate following release of water from Idamalayar dam, and people living in low-lying areas have been asked to be vigilant.

Cochin International Airport Limited sources said operations at the airport had not been affected.

"The operational area is intact. No cancellation of services so far," an airport spokesperson said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Vijayan yesterday, and offered all possible assistance to those affected.

In Palakkad district, the flood waters started receding today as the quantity of water being released from Malampuzha dam was reduced. However, many areas are still inundated and people were seen trying to save their belongings. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 4:32:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10: As heavy rains continued to lash various parts of Kerala, two more shutters of the Cheruthoni Dam, part of the Idukki Reservoir, were opened today as the water level touched 2,401 feet.

For the first time in the last 26 years, a shutter of the Cheruthoni Dam was opened yesterday and two more were opened at 7 am.

The full reservoir level is 2,403 feet and storage capacity is 69,268 Mcft and storage percentage is 97.61 per cent.

The South-west monsoon has been vigorous over Kerala resulting in heavy rains in various parts of the state since the past two days.

So far 26 people have been killed, including 11 in high range Idukki in landslips yesterday as rain continued to pound the southern state.

Idukki has received 129.80 mm rainfall.

With water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in the state have been opened to drain out excess water.

According to state disaster control room sources, 241 relief camps have been opened and 15,695 people have been shifted from low-lying areas.

Over 5,500 people from Wayanad district, where a red alert had been sounded yesterday, have been shifted to relief camps, the sources said this morning.

In Ernakulam, 3,456 people have been shifted to camps following floods after 4 shutters of the Idamalayar dam were opened yesterday.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin at 8 am, thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are likely to affect Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts.

The government has asked tourists not to go to high range areas and dam sites.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had described the flood situation in the state as "very grim" and it was for the first time in the history of the state that 24 dams had been opened at a time following the water level reaching maximum capacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Kerala Chief Minister yesterday in the wake of heavy rains and floods in the state, and offered all possible assistance to those affected.

"Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the state. Offered all possible assistance to those affected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in the wake of this calamity," the PM said in a tweet.

The services of Army, Navy and Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been sought in the flood-hit areas. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 3:27:00 PM 0

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9: At least 18 people were killed as heavy rains and landslides hit parts of Kerala early today, officials said.

According to the disaster control room sources, 10 people were killed in landslides in Idukki, five in Malappuram, two in Kannur and one in Wayanad district. Three persons are missing -- one each in Wayanad, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts.

Five members of a family lost their lives in Idukki's Adimali town. Two persons were pulled out alive from the debris by the local people and police.

Around 600 cusecs of water were discharged from the Idamalayar dam this morning, with the water level rising to 169.95 metres against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 169m. The water level at Idukki dam was 2,398 at 8 am, 50 feet against the FRL of 2,403 feet. The administration has been put on high-alert.

Due to heavy rains and resultant floods in Kozhikode and Waynad districts, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been moved to Kozhikode. Two teams have been sought from the Centre for north Kerala.

Educational institutions have declared a holiday in Idukki, Kollam and some other districts due to the rains. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 2:08:00 PM 0
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 2 : A central team is scheduled to arrive in Kerala on August 7 to assess the extent of damage and losses incurred in the state due to the recent rains and floods.

The inter-ministerial team headed by a joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs would arrive in Kochi and visit the worst-affected Alappuzha, Kottayam and other neighbouring districts, officials in the Revenue Ministry said today.

The central team would be in the state till August 11 and would interact with state government officials and district administration.

The team would meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Revenue minister E Chandrasekharan, the officials added.

Meanwhile, about 9,000 people were still staying in relief camps and of them more than 7,000 were in Alappuzha district.

Though there was a respite from rain for the past two days, flood water has not yet receded in many places in Kuttanad in Alappuzha district.

Government machinery continued to be on alert to meet the situation arising out of the possibility of release of excess water from the Idukki reservoir where the water level stood at 2,396.12 feet this morning.

The full water level of Idukki dam is 2,403 ft.

Most dams in the state are full and some have been opened to release excess water.  PTI
Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)