Page 30 - Kerala

Wayanad landslides: 123 dead, armed forces deployed; IMD predicts more rain

According to the latest information, a total of 250 people have been evacuated from the landslide affected areas of the hilly district

Wayanad landslide: Toll rises to 45, Army deployed for rescue op. Updates

Wayanad landslide updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Kerala CM on the crisis and assured of all the help from the Centre

Wayanad landslides: Death toll touches 50, many injured, rescue ops o

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations in the wake of massive landslides that struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district, leaving hundreds feared to be trapped. A one-year-old child of a Nepali family living in Thondernad village died in a landslide, according to the Wayanad district authorities. The operations will be coordinated, and state ministers will reach the hilly district to lead the rescue activities, Chief Minister Vijayan said in a statement issued by his office. He added that in the wake of the landslides and other rain-related disasters in Wayanad district, the Health Department -- National Health Mission -- has opened a control room. Those in need of emergency assistance can contact authorities through these two numbers -- 9656938689 and 8086010833 -- the statement said. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has said that Fireforce and

Wayanad landslides: Rahul speaks with CM; urges UDF workers to provide help

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the landslides in Kerala's Wayanad, and urged UDF workers to provide all help to those affected. Rahul Gandhi said he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who have assured him that rescue operations are underway. Landslides hit the hilly Wayanad district on Tuesday, leaving 23 people dead. In a post on X, Kharge said he is extremely pained by the landslides in Wayanad, where several people are reportedly trapped. "My deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved. I urge the State and Central Governments to expedite relief and rescue operations and provide urgent medical help to the victims, in coordination with all the agencies," the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said. Congress leaders and workers should put in all t

Rains, thundershowers likely in several states within next few hours: IMD

IMD has issued a yellow warning for eight districts in Kerala while also issuing a high-wave and wind warning for the coastal state

Two parallel inaugurations for one bridge: CPI(M), Cong tussle over credit

The opening of the Adoor Kadavu bridge in Kerala's Kannur district has sparked a political struggle between the ruling CPI(M) and Congress, with both parties gearing up for the inauguration

CIAL to launch smart gates for travellers, self-immigration in 20 secs

The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is all set to become the second airport in India to implement the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Trusted traveller Programme, facilitating seamless immigration process through self authentication at specially designed smart gates at the immigration counters. This state-of-the-art facility will be launched by August 2024, CIAL said on Thursday and added that it has begun an infrastructure makeover at the immigration area, dedicating eight lanes to biometric e-gates, enabling international travellers to complete the immigration process by themselves in 20 seconds. The facility was rolled out at Delhi International Airport in June. The MHA's Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Travellers' Programme (FTI-TTP) aims to expedite the immigration clearance for eligible Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding OCI cards, the CIAL said in a release. "Applicants must complete a one-time registration process on the MHA portal, upload necessary ..

Nipah virus flares up in Kerala again: Here's what to know about symptoms

The brain-damaging virus, which can spread from bats and pigs to humans, has surfaced in Kerala several times in recent years

Once a track-and-field powerhouse, Kerala witnesses slump in athletics

It's not a dire situation yet, but the dwindling number of athletes from Kerala in India's Olympic contingents shows that the growth of athletics in the state, which was once a track-and-field powerhouse, has certainly hit a disheartening flat-line. These numbers will summarise the situation before the deep dive: India's athletics squad for Paris Olympics has 29 members (18 men and 11 women). Kerala will be represented by four members -- Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Mijo Chacko Kurian (all men's 4x400m relay), and Abdulla Aboobacker (men's triple jump). In the Tokyo Olympics, Kerala made its presence through Yahiya, Noah Nirmal Tom, Alex Antony, KT Irfan, MP Jabir and M Sreeshankar in the track and field events. The state had better representation at the Rio Games in 2016 through Anas, Jinson Johnson, T Gopi, Jisna Mathew, Tintu Luka, OP Jaisha and M Renjith. Along with the diminishing overall numbers, a close look will reveal another anomaly -- a female athlete from the state is

Nipah claims one life in Kerala; Maharashtra reports 28 Zika cases in 2024

Communicable disease scare grips people as Maharashtra reports 28 Zika cases this year

Kerala govt allocates Rs 900 cr for social security pension installment

The Kerala government on Sunday announced that the distribution of an installment of the social security pension would begin in the state on July 24. State Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the deserved beneficiaries would get Rs 1,600 each. The Finance department has allocated Rs 900 crore for the same, he said in a statement here. Those who have given the bank account number would receive their pension via bank and others would receive the amount through cooperative societies, it said. It was announced in this year's state budget that steps would be taken for the monthly distribution of the pension, the finance minister said. As per the budget assurance, pension has been distributed on a monthly basis without any fail since March this year, Balagopal added. The Left government in the state recently faced intense criticism from various quarters, including from opposition parties over the inordinate delay of pension arrears.

Kerala CM Vijayan condoles death of boy infected with Nipah virus

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday expressed condolences over the death of the 14-year-old boy who succumbed to Nipah in Malappuram. Vijayan said all efforts were made to save the teenager. State Health Minister Veena George informed that the 14-year-old boy from Kerala's Malappuram, who was under treatment at Kozhikode medical college for Nipah infection, died on Sunday. George said the boy from Pandikkad suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 10.50 am on Sunday and efforts to revive him failed. "He was on a ventilator and was not conscious. The urine output had reduced this morning. After the massive cardiac arrest, the revival efforts failed and he passed away at 11.30 am," she said. The chief minister, in a statement, exhorted everyone to work together to combat the Nipah virus and implored citizens not to destroy the natural habitats of bats. He also cautioned people against eating fruits half bitten by animals and those found abandoned, besides avoiding the hone

Kerala prepared to tackle outbreak of Nipah virus: Health Minister George

She informed that 214 people are on the primary contact list, whereas 60 are in high-risk and all those on the contact list should be isolated

Suspected Nipah outbreak in Malappuram; high-level meeting convened

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday convened a high-level meeting to take steps to prevent a Nipah outbreak in the state. The meeting was convened in the wake of an outbreak of the virus infection that was suspected in northern Malappuram district. According to local media reports, a boy from Malappuram, who is under treatment in a private hospital in neighbouring Kozhikode, was suspected to have symptoms of Nipah and his samples were sent to a central lab for a detailed scientific examination. As per a statement from the Health Minister's office, the final test results were yet to be received but steps, as per the Nipah protocol, have already been initiated in the morning. The actions would be coordinated according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) formulated as per the government order with regard to Nipah prevention, it said. The health minister would reach Malappuram soon and lead the Nipah prevention activities, the statement added. Various higher officia

No water, no food: Kerala man trapped in medical college lift for 2 days

A 59 year old patient became trapped in a lift in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for more than 40 hours. Three staff members have been suspended as investigation continues

Will implement projects worth Rs 13,013 crore in 100 days, says Kerala CM

The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala will implement development projects worth Rs 13,013.40 crore in 100 days as part of its third anniversary, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Tuesday. The projects, which are part of the fourth edition of the 100-day programmes, are expected to be completed by October 22, he said. A total of 1,070 projects under 47 departments have been included in the latest 100-day initiative, Vijayan said in a statement. The fourth edition of the 100-day programme, which began after this government took power, will further boost various government activities that ensure the well-being of common people, social progress, and comprehensive and sustainable development, the Chief Minister said. The 100-day initiative has been designed to focus on areas that require special attention, in addition to implementing promises made in the election manifesto, he said. "The initiative aims to implement projects worth Rs 13,013.40 crore across 47 ...

Kerala govt allocates Rs 100 cr for subsidised essential commodities

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Monday said that the state government has allocated Rs 100 crore to the State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) for market intervention activities. This fund will be used to distribute essential commodities at a 35 per cent reduced price through Supplyco stores, benefiting the people of the state. The allocation is part of the total budget of Rs 205 crore for market intervention in the current financial year, the minister said in a release here. This move is expected to provide relief to consumers ahead of the Onam festival season. Last year, the government had allocated Rs 205 crore for the same purpose but ended up spending Rs 391 crore. Supplyco, established in 1974, plays a vital role in regulating retail markets and stabilising prices of essential goods in Kerala.

IMD issues 'red' alert for heavy rains in Maharashtra, Goa, and Kerala

IMD weather update: The IMD issued a red alert for several districts in Kerala, including Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod indicating severe weather conditions

Heavy rains lash parts of Kerala, IMD issues orange alert in 4 districts

As heavy rains lashed several parts of Kerala, the India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued an orange alert in three northern districts of the state for the day. The IMD issued an orange alert in Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert in nine other districts of the state for the day. The weather department also predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds at one or two places in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts for the day. It further issued an orange alert in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state from June 14 to June 16. An orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm and a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. The IMD said that Kerala will receive fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds during the next five days due to the influence of the cyclonic circulation over north Gujarat and another over west centr

Kerala retains top ranking in NITI's SDG index; Bihar worst performer

Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as the top performer states in NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, which evaluates progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters, while Bihar has been adjudged as the worst performer. According to the NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, India's overall Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) score increased to 71 in 2023-24, compared to 66 in 2020-21, supported by significant progress on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land. Among states, Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as joint top performing states with a score of 79, followed by Tamil Nadu (78) and Goa (77). On the contrary, Bihar (57), Jharkhand (62) and Nagaland (63) were the worst performing states in this year's index. Among the union territories, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Delhi were the top five performers. "Targetted intervention by the ..