Kerala battered by intense rains; trees uprooted, one killed

In view of predictions of intense downpours to continue, a holiday was declared for educational institutions in 9 districts of the state, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Wayanad, Kottayam and Idukki

UDF Senators seek withdrawal of Kannur Universitys notification on private registration courses

Heavy rains lash Kerala, 1 dead in tree fall incident

Intense rains lashed Kerala on Sunday, uprooting trees across the state, including one that fell on a moving train in Thrissur and another that caused a fatality in Kozhikode. Houses were damaged, rivers were in spate, and shutters of some dams were raised as the southwest monsoon gained strength. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) placed five northern districts - Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod - under a 'red alert' for the day, predicting extremely heavy rainfall there.

Kerala battered by intense rains; Uprooted trees cause damage, fatality

Intense rains lashed Kerala on Sunday, uprooting trees across the state, including one that fell on a moving train in Thrissur and another that caused a fatality in neighbouring Kozhikode. Houses were damaged, rivers were in spate, and shutters of some dams were raised in the state as the southwest monsoon gained strength. An uprooted tree crashed onto a moving train near the railway bridge in Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district on Sunday morning. Tragedy was averted as the loco pilot acted swiftly to stop the train, authorities said, adding that no casualties were reported in connection with the incident. As the heavy downpour continued, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) placed five northern districtsMalappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragodunder a 'red alert' for the day, predicting extremely heavy rainfall there. Almost all districts in the state received widespread rains since the previous night, causing severe waterlogging in low-lying areas and traffic snarls. Widespread uprooting of trees caused extensive damage to houses and vehicles across the state and claimed the life of a person in the Kozhikode district. Pavithran, a 64-year-old native of Villyappally in Kozhikode, died after an uprooted coconut tree fell on him while he was riding a scooter. Water levels in the Punnapuzha River, flowing through the Chooralmala-Mundakkai region in Wayanad, and the Korapuzha River in Kozhikode were steadily rising following incessant rainfall, residents said. In landslide-battered Chooralmala in Wayanad, continuous heavy rains caused anxiety among locals the previous night. We are yet to recover from the shock of last years landslide. We havent slept properly at night, fearing heavy rains and something worse, an elderly local told a TV channel. In Pathanamthitta district, a family narrowly escaped tragedy when huge uprooted trees fell on their tile-roofed house near Ezhamkulam during strong winds and heavy rains the previous evening. My daughter narrowly escaped as she had just stepped out of the house when the trees fell on the roof, a family member said, pointing to the broken roof of their old, small house. Five shutters of the Malankara dam in Idukki district were raised on Sunday morning to release excess water, according to an official statement. Residents living along the banks of the Thodupuzha and Moovattupuzha rivers were advised to exercise caution following the dams water release. Tragedy was averted in the heart of Kollam city when a huge flex board, erected by the roadside, fell, locals said. A house and vehicles were damaged after uprooted trees fell on them in Kunnathunad and Munambam Harbour, respectively, in Ernakulam district. An incident of a mudslide was reported in Kuppam in northern Kannur district following continuous rains. Due to the inclement weather, forest authorities on Sunday banned tourists from entering the ecotourism centre in Ponmudi. A zonal review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, scheduled to be held in Kannur on May 26, was postponed due to heavy rains, a CMO source said. Meanwhile, the IMD issued an orange alert on Sunday for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. The IMD had announced the early onset of the monsoon in the state on Saturday, noting that Kerala is witnessing the monsoons early arrival after a gap of 16 years. A 'red alert' indicates heavy to extremely heavy rainfall of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an 'orange alert' means very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm.

Row over Kannur Universitys courses in private registration mode

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kannur Universitys recent notification offering undergraduate, post graduate and certificate courses in private registration mode has courted controversy with a section of the varsitys senate members pointing out that the UGC does not recognise such a method of course delivery. According to them, the UGC regulations explicitly state that only three modes regular, open and distance learning (ODL) and online are the only approved methods for conducting various courses by universities. The legitimacy of the certificates conferred on students in private registration mode is largely questionable due to a breach of UGC regulations, they pointed out. In a notification issued on May 22, the university invited applications for private registration for around 12 UG programmes, six PG programmes and two certificate courses. Students who register for such courses attend classes in private tuition centres and appear for the university exam. Notably, the degree certificates issued to them are the same as those awarded to regular students. Kannur University, which had been offering the option of private registrations, later switched to open and distance learning mode, However, the varsity ceased offering courses through distance learning by 2018 after it failed to meet the NAAC grade required by the UGC. Following this, the private registration option was restarted by the varsity in 2020. The forum of UDF-affiliated Senate members have approached Governor Rajendra Arlekar, the universitys Chancellor, seeking his intervention to stop the university from offering such programmes that could jeopardise the future of students. The members of the Kannur University Syndicate, along with the Vice-Chancellors from different periods, share equal responsibility for misleading the student community by providing a course mode that contravenes UGC regulations, said Shino P Jose, convenor, UDF Senators Forum.

Man arrested for assaulting 8-year-old daughter in Kannur

KANNUR: A Prapoyil resident has been arrested for brutally assaulting his eight-year-old daughter at Cherupuzha in Kannur. The accused is Jose, 39. The arrest was made following a distressing video, wherein he was seen assaulting his daughter, using abusive language and threatening her with a knife. The clip, reportedly sent to the childs mother, surfaced on social media on Friday night, sparking public outrage. In response, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Rupa visited Joses residence on Friday. Initially, no case was registered as the girl claimed the video was a prank staged to persuade her estranged mother to return home. However, mounting public pressure forced the police to consider the case. The video was allegedly recorded by the girls 10-year-old brother, with the assault reportedly carried out due to her proximity towards the mother, who has been living away from the house for some time now. The police expressed doubts over the girls statement, suspecting that he may have coerced them into claiming that the incident was a prank. The children consistently maintained that it was a prank when we recorded their statements. However, the language used and the nature of the act are extremely serious. The girl was beaten and threatened with a knife. On Friday, we had no formal complaint, which is why no arrest was made. We launched an investigation after the mother filed a complaint on Saturday, said Rupa. Both the children have since been moved to a shelter home under the care of the Women and Child Development Department. Jose was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody on Saturday. Meanwhile, Women and Child Development Minister Veena George has directed the department director to take appropriate action in the incident. The ministers office said, The Kannur District Child Protection Officer has already taken necessary measures. Counselling support will be provided to the children, and strict legal action will be pursued against those responsible.

Heavy rains cause widespread disruption across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Overnight heavy rains accompanied by strong winds lashed several parts of Kerala on Saturday , leading to the uprooting of trees, dislodging of electricity poles, and waterlogging of roads. As rainfall continued across various regions of the state, disrupting normal life, State Revenue Minister K. Rajan stated that heavier precipitation was expected in districts north of Kozhikode, as well as in Idukki and Pathanamthitta. The minister added that the strong winds which swept through many parts of the state between Friday night and Saturday morning appeared to have the characteristics of monsoon winds. This also suggests that the monsoon may arrive in the state earlier than anticipated, he told a television channel. Kerala braces for challenging monsoon; NDRF teams to be deployed from June 1 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast on Friday that the monsoon would reach Kerala within two days. Minister Rajan also warned that certain areas might experience sudden, intense downpours without warning, potentially triggering flash floods and landslides. However, he assured that the authorities were prepared to deal with any eventualities and the upcoming monsoon season. He further stated that instructions had been issued to all District Collectors regarding monsoon preparedness and that he would be holding an online meeting with them during the day to assess the situation in each district. The minister also urged the general public to exercise caution in light of the heavy rainfall and to travel only when necessary and to safe locations. He warned against the circulation of unverified or unofficial information related to the weather on social media platforms. The IMD had issued a red alert for Saturday in two districts Kannur and Kasaragod and an orange alert in nine others. A red alert signifies extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours, an orange alert indicates very heavy rainfall between 11 cm and 20 cm, and a yellow alert suggests heavy rainfall ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm.

Monsoon gathers pace, Kerala braces for extreme rain events

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is bracing for extreme rain events with the southwest monsoon gathering pace. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red, orange and yellow alerts for many districts for the next four days. A red alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Saturday. As per the forecast issued on Friday, a well-marked low pressure area has formed over the Arabian Sea and it is likely to intensify and move in a northerly direction and further intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. As per forecast, conditions are likely to become favourable for the monsoon to make landfall over Kerala in the next two days. Squally weather, with 35-45 kmph winds gusting to 55 kmph, is likely to prevail along and off the Kerala coasts. Sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough till Tuesday in the state. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during these days. Red alert* Kannur and Kasaragod (Saturday) Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Sunday) Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Monday) Orange alert** Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad (Saturday) Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad (Sunday) Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad (Monday) Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (Tuesday) Yellow alert*** Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha (Saturday) Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam (Sunday) Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha (Monday) Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram (Tuesday)

Kerala braces for challenging monsoon; NDRF teams to be deployed from June 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Memories of last years devastating landslides in Wayanad still fresh in the mind, Kerala has ramped up preparedness, including deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, to deal with extreme rain events as the southwest monsoon gears up to make an early entry. The northern districts are bracing for extreme rain in the coming days with weather models forecasting an early and strong monsoon onset by Sunday. Even before the seasons official onset, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts across northern Kerala due to cyclonic activity. In view of the impending monsoon and heavy rain, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is gearing up to deploy NDRF teams at vulnerable locations likely in central and north Kerala. Sources said Kerala has requested seven more teams in addition to the two stationed in Thrissur. Kerala is well-prepared to face the monsoon, said KSDMA member-secretary Shekar Lukose Kuriakose. Monsoon is arriving a week early and NDRF teams will be deployed from June 1. We cannot advance their deployment as they have their own calendar, said Shekar. Collectors asked to be prepared, says KSDMA member-secy In the wake of the red alert, the state relief commissioner chaired a meeting with all district collectors on Friday. Sekhar said they reviewed the status with the dam rule curve committee and all collectors have been directed to be prepared for emergency response. He said all arrangements were in place to disseminate rain-related warnings to the public. We have introduced KaWaCHaM (advanced disaster warning system). During the red alert recently, we sounded sirens to alert the public. It was very effective. Even the NDMA is impressed by our preparedness and at the last meeting, mentioned that Kerala and Odisha are the only two states that are well prepared, he said. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has started operating a early warning system for landslides from last year, and started sharing the warnings with the KSDMA, albeit on an experimental basis. An official said landslide susceptibility maps provided by the GIS and National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) are being used for disaster preparedness. We have been using the maps provided by the NCESS. From last year, GIS has been sharing its maps. We have shared this with DDMAs. Special focus will be given to highly vulnerable districts, including Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad and Kannur, Sekhar said.

Red alert for Kannur, Kasaragod on Saturday

On Top Of The World: Kerala Woman's Journey To Peak Of Mount Everest

Kannur native and a resident of Qatar, Safrina Latheef was a banker and a baker before she turned to mountaineering, a long term desire of hers, and became the first woman from Kerala to scale the over 8,000 feet Everest peak.

Kerala severe weather alert: Heavy rains disrupt daily life; Thrissur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and 3 more districts on high alert till May 27

Kerala is experiencing heavy rainfall, disrupting normal life. The India Meteorological Department has issued orange alerts for several districts. Red alerts are in place for Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Pathanamthitta and Idukki will also have a red alert. Strong winds are expected, and fishing is banned along the coasts. High waves are also predicted in some coastal areas.

Heavy rains disrupt life in Kerala; orange alert issued in six districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rains continued to lash various parts of Kerala, affecting the normal way of life, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday sounding an orange alert in six districts of the state for the day. The IMD also said that the monsoon was likely to arrive in the state in the next two days and that there was a possibility of widespread rain in Kerala during the next seven days. It issued an orange alert in Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of the state for the day. Besides that, it issued a red alert in Kannur and Kasaragod from May 24 to May 26 and in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad for May 25 and 26. It also issued a red alert in Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts for May 26. Additionally, it issued an orange alert in nine districts of the state for May 24, seven on May 25, four on May 26 and six on May 27. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while 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 also said that there was a possibility of strong winds along the coastal areas and the interiors and cautioned people, including fishermen, to take precautionary measures. It has been directed that fishing be not permitted along the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts from Friday to May 27. Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) said there was a possibility of high waves of up to 3.5 meters at various places along the coastal areas of the state on Saturday.

IMD declares yellow rainfall alert for 12 districts in Kerala

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS) has issued a special alert for Keralas coastal districts; predicts waves reaching a height of up to 3.2 metres in Kozhikode and Kannur coastal localities

NHRC initiates suo motu case against Kerala prisoners education struggles

KOCHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated suo motu proceedings based on a TNIE report highlighting the lack of infrastructure and manpower for prisoners to pursue education in prisons in Kerala. The report Short-staffed Kerala jails struggle to support inmates education dreams published on April 25, based on proceedings in the Kerala High Court, highlighted that a growing number of inmates, including those convicted of grave crimes, are choosing to turn their lives around by enrolling for regular or online educational courses, but authorities are struggling to support their efforts. The commission observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise issues of violation of human rights of the prisoners who intend to pursue educational programmes/ courses. It issued a notice to the Kerala director general of prisons calling for a detailed report on the matter within four weeks. Opposing the petition filed by Balamurali N, of Kasaragod, who sought one months interim bail to enable him to seek admission in a law college in Mangaluru, the superintendent of Kannur central prison and correctional home had informed the HC that there is no monitoring system in place to ensure that the internet is used solely for educational purposes, raising concerns about potential misuse, which could even affect the security of the prison. Granting access to online educational facilities could lead to unauthorised access of the internet for illegal communications or other illicit activities. It is difficult to effectively supervise online learning, which inmates may exploit for unauthorised purposes, thereby compromising security. There is a need for additional staff and resources, which are currently unavailable at the prison, to ensure proper monitoring and security of online courses, the officer had stated. The superintendent also said that many inmates, including dangerous criminals, are now trying to apply for regular courses as a devious tactic to get interim release and to facilitate their travel outside the prison.

Heavy rain likely across Kerala from May 24, says IMD

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an increase in rainfall intensity across the state starting Friday, with heavy to very heavy showers expected between May 24 and May 28. A yellow alert has been issued for all districts except Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam on May 24. From Saturday onwards, orange alerts will be in place for several northern districts as rain is expected to intensify. In a special bulletin, the IMD said that conditions are likely to become favourable for the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala within the next 2-3 days. A low-pressure area has formed over the east-central Arabian Sea off the south Konkan-Goa coasts and is likely to move northward, intensifying into a depression over the next 36 hours. Another low-pressure system is expected to form over the west-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around May 27. Strong westerly and northwesterly winds are expected to prevail over Kerala and the Lakshadweep region during the next seven days. Orange alert May 24 - Kannur, Kasaragod May 25 - Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod May 26 - Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod Yellow alert May 23 - Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod May 24 - Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad May 25 - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram May 26 - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki

Atop the world: Safrina becomes first Kerala woman to climb Mount Everest

KOZHIKODE: When Safrina Latheef stood on top of the world, her vision was blurred but her purpose had never been clearer. A home baker with sugared hands and a mothers heart, Safrina had never imagined that one day shed trade her cake tools for crampons, or swap the soft textures of fondant for the sharp bite of the Himalayan winds. Yet, last week, on May 18, this quiet, determined woman from Vengad, near Mattanur, in Kannur district, who is settled in Qatar, became the first woman from Kerala to summit Mount Everest. What makes her story extraordinary isnt just the fact that she conquered the worlds highest peak. Its how she got there: Through sacrifice, snowstorms, and self-belief. From crafting delicate cakes to battling snow blindness in the Death Zone, Safrina has become an inspiration for women all around. Like many around the world, the Covid pandemic brought Safrina and her husband, Dr Shameel Musthafa a surgeon at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatarto a standstill. While the world turned to baking and binge-watching, we turned to fitness, she recalls. We had zero stamina, but we joined a gym. And somewhere in that stillness, I heard the whisper of an old dream: Mountains. In just four years, Safrina scaled Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in Tanzania, Aconcagua (6,961 m) in Argentina, and Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia. She even trained on the icy glaciers in Kazakhstan. A pricey commitment Climbing Everest isnt just about fitness or altitude tolerance. Its also about commitment financial and emotional. For Safrina and her husband, that meant selling their apartment in Bengaluru to fund the expedition, which cost over 80,000 US dollars. The decision wasnt easy. But once we made the first payment of $68,000, I told myself: Theres no turning back. Its just the mountain and me now. By January 2025, the preparations became rigorous. With her husband injured and unable to join, Safrina began solo training under a specialised coach in Doha. I used to tell my trainer, I dont want muscles! Now I know: Those muscles saved my life. Ascent of a lifetime On April 12, Safrina began her trek to Everest Base Camp. By April 28, her first rotation to Camp 1 began a 16-hour crawl through an icy maze. Each ascent was gruelling: Camp 1 to Camp 2, a quick stop at Camp 3, then back down. Her body slowly adapted to the thin air and brutal temperatures. But the real test was still ahead. On May 14, when the weather window opened for the summit push, doubts crept in. I called my husband and told him I wanted to come back. But he reminded me: This was our dream. I pushed on, she said. At 7,100 m, in Camp 3, oxygen became essential. The climb to Camp 4--known as the Death Zone--was haunting. I saw the body of a Filipino climber who had died just two days ago, and many other dead bodies. My heart raced. I was scared. But my guide kept me going. On May 17 at 8 pm, Safrina and her guide began their final ascent. The path was congested, the temperature bit through bone, and frostbite began creeping in. Still, at 10:25 am Nepal time on May 18, the 37-year-old stood atop the world. I hoisted the Indian and Qatari flags. I stayed there for 45 minutes, longer than most. I wanted to take in the moment. I removed my glasses just to see Everest clearly with my own eyes. But that moment at a price. I was hit by snow blindness. I couldnt see. The descent became a nightmare. Her guide tied a rope to her and led her down in the darkness. Her body ached. Her hands swelled. Her eyes burned. She reached Camp 4 ten hours later. I kept telling myself: I dont want my husband to spend $50,000 to bring back my dead body. I have to survive this. She did. After a helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu, Safrina was treated for frostbite and vision loss. Speaking to TNIE from her hospital bed, she said, I gave my husband and daughter proper goodbyes before leaving. I knew the risks. But I made it back. Alive. And full of stories for my daughter. I want to be her inspiration. Award-winning cake artist This isnt Safrinas only success story. With her brand Zafrin-Bespoke Sugartales, she is an award-winning cake artist. She won accolades at Cakeology 2020 for a cake honouring Covid front-line workers. Im not just a woman who climbed Everest, she says. Im a mother, an artist, a former banker-and now, a mountaineer. You can be many things. Your mountain might not be Everest, but climb it anyway. Mount Everest may have tested her limits, but it also revealed her boundless strength. And now, standing on the summit of inspiration, Safrina is ready for her next climb.

Kannur University 6th Sem Result 2025 Released at kannuruniversity.ac.in Direct Link to Download 6th Sem Result

Kannur University 6th Sem Result 2025: Kannur University Result 2025 has been released on kannuruniversity.ac.in. Here is the direct Link to check your B.A/B.Com/B.Sc/BBA/Other Exams 6th Sem Results Online.

88-year-old woman dies after alleged assault by grandson at Payyanur in Keralas Kannur

Police take her grandson into custody. Murder charges to be filed

Cracks and landslips on NH spark protests in Kerala; Gadkari urged to act

KOZHIKODE: As several sections of roads constructed under the NH 66 widening project continued to cave in and develop cracks in various parts of northern Kerala, peoples representatives have sought the urgent intervention of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. On Wednesday, multiple landslips at the NH construction site at Kuppam in Kannur triggered protests by residents who blocked the road. The landslips were reported twice in a single day on the stretch. In Kasaragod, a crack measuring 72 feet in length appeared on the NH near Mavungal, near the location where a crack had developed on Tuesday. The service road near Kooliyangal, near Kanhangad, also collapsed, heightening concerns about the quality of road work in the area. IUML MP E T Muhammed Basheer, who met Gadkari in Delhi and raised the issue, said the minister has promised to take action against the contractor. We have also called for the setting up of a panel comprising experts from IIT Delhi, he said. Meanwhile, Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan, in a letter, asked Gadkari to take immediate steps to address the issue before the onset of monsoon. There are many places in Kozhikode where hills were razed unscientifically for the construction of the road, he said. Residents of Kuppam alleged landslips have been occurring in the area intermittently since Tuesday, and they fear the situation could worsen at night when visibility is poor. They claimed that neither the district collector nor officials from the National Highways Authority visited the site. Residents stage protest at Kuppam The landslip took place at a site where a hill had been excavated for ongoing NH construction.The absence of a proper drainage system caused the mud and debris to enter nearby homes, said Biju, Kuppam resident. After the protest halted vehicular movement, police personnel reached the spot to manage traffic and divert vehicles from the affected area. Later, Taliparamba RDO T V Ranjith, tahsildar P Sajeevan, panchayat president T Sheeba and others reached the spot. In the evening, NHAI authorities and representatives of the contractor company held discussions with the residents. The residents dispersed after assurances from the NH Authority that their project manager and an expert inspection team would visit the site promptly. Meanwhile, an expert team from the NHAI inspected the site where the retaining wall of the under-construction stretch of NH 66 collapsed at Kooriyad in Malappuram on Monday. The team comprising Dr Anil Dixit from Jaipur and Dr Jimmy Thomas from Kochi conducted a preliminary assessment of the damaged section, which includes both the main highway and the service road. According to initial observations, no irregularities were found in the construction of the protective wall, which was built using cement blocks. The initial conclusion points to a soil-related issue, said Jimmy Thomas. We need to conduct a detailed analysis of all aspects, including soil composition, road design, and construction methodology. Only after a thorough study can we confirm the exact cause, he said. The Youth Congress took out a protest march in Kooriyad on Wednesday. The demonstrators, led by state leaders including Abin Varkey, marched towards the office of KNR Constructions Ltd, accusing it of negligence and demanding accountability. Meanwhile, unrest is also brewing in Kunniyoormala in Koyilandi, Kozhikode, with residents complaining that their houses are under threat due to unscientific land excavation and road construction. Around 50 houses on both sides of the service road are facing the risk of collapse. Its a hilly area and when NH authorities excavated the hill to build the underpass, they used the soil nailing technology to prevent mudslides. However, the technology has proven unscientific and many sections of the NH in Kozhikode district have collapsed during rain, said Bhaskaran, a resident of Kunniyoormala. There residents have demanded that the government take over the houses facing the risk. In Kasaragod, the district administration has implemented a contingency plan to prevent rain-related disasters on the NH. The collector has assigned tahsildars to monitor the disaster management work. District Collector Inbasekar K directed the NHAI and the construction contractor to take action to prevent landslides and waterlogging before the onset of monsoon. An expert committee appointed by the collector to study disaster management on NHs in the district found identified problems at 56 places. Its detailed report was presented at a meeting of peoples representatives and officials on Wednesday.

Monsoon onset expected in three to four days in Kerala, says IMD

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the Southwest Monsoon has progressed further, with its onset expected in the next 3-4 days. If the monsoon sets in between May 23 and 27, it will be the earliest onset in the past 15 years. The last time it arrived this early was in 2009, when the onset was recorded on May 23. The monsoon winds, which usually reach Sri Lanka by May 26, have already entered the Comorin region, suggesting an early arrival in Kerala. The IMD had declared the monsoons onset over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on May 13 10 days ahead of schedule. The westerly wind pattern has set in along the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. The state is likely to receive monsoon rain by May 23 or 24, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Even when monsoon rain starts, IMD follows a set of criteria before declaring the onset. It includes rainfall over 60% of 14 designated stations, the presence of westerly winds up to 600 hPa depth, and satellite data showing strong atmospheric convection via Outgoing Longwave Radiation. Strong westerly and northwesterly winds are expected to persist over Kerala for the next seven days. The Met department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state between May 23 and 27. IMD issues orange alert in four dists Northern districts continue to experience heavy rain due to the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation off the North Karnataka-Goa coasts. The IMD has also predicted the formation of a low-pressure area by Thursday, which is expected to move northward and intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours.It stated that the rain will be more evenly distributed across the state from Friday. An orange alert has been issued for Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur on Friday, while a yellow alert has been sounded for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts. From May 23 to 25, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (with speeds reaching 40-50 km/h) are expected to occur in one or two places across the state. Fishermen have been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea until May 25.In the past 48 hours, Trikaripur in Kasaragod and and Pinarayi in Kannur district recorded the highest rainfall of 389 mm and 341 mm, respectively, as of Wednesday morning. Recent Early Onsets 2001 May 23 2004 May 18 2006 May 26 2009 May 23 Normal onset date: June 1

90% disability, 900% determination: Kerala para-swimmer redefines 'ability', one stroke at a time

Muhammed Aasim has just returned to his hometown, Velimanna in Kozhikode, after making waves at the recently concluded World Para Swimming Series in Paris. His voice brims with excitement as he relives his remarkable feat in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m backstroke. Aasim has become a source of pride for Kerala by qualifying for the World Para Swimming Championships, to be held in Singapore from September 21 to 27. Hold on, his achievements go far beyond the pool. He was born without both arms. His right leg is stunted. With 90 per cent physical disability, the 19-year-old has never let his challenges define him. Instead, he has rewritten the meaning of ability. Aasim is the first Indian para swimmer to be ranked internationally in the S2 category (no hand or wrist flexion). Currently, he ranks 10th globally. Picked by the Paralympic Committee of India, a 12-member team including eight swimmers, coach Sanjay Bisht, and physio Dr Ashkar Ali Kelath participated in the Paris series. Making it wasnt easy. Aasim needed Rs 7 lakh. It was out of reach for him. He is the eldest of seven siblings, and the familys sole breadwinner the only income is what Aasim earns through local competitions and events like inaugurations. I sought help via social media. Several sponsors came forward, and thats how my dream became a reality, he says. With just a few months left for the world championship, and under the guidance of coach Sreekanth Mavur, Asim is now training at the Blue Bucks Swimming Centre in Kozhikode. His dream is to win a medal for India. Aasim with his mentor Saji Valasseril during his initial days of training in the Periyar River Taking the plunge It was in 2022, at the age of 16, that Asim decided to learn swimming. Right from my childhood, whenever I saw waterbodies, all I wanted was to dive in, float away for hours, he says. Obviously, I had to suppress that urge. But there were times I could not resist. I would jump in, and people nearby would rescue me. My parents would initially not even consider my desire to learn swimming. Aasims life changed when he met Saji Valasseril, a popular swimming coach in Aluva, who has trained over 10,000 people over the past 16 years. Before he started training me, Saji sir practised for 40 days, tying his hands together and swimming, just to understand what it would take to coach someone like me, Aasim recalls. Once he completed that, we began training in the Periyar River. Soon, for the first time, I could float. It was a magical moment. Within months, Aasim pulled off something extraordinary. From the very spot where he began training, he swam across the Periyar covering about 800m in 61 minutes. It was not just a personal milestone. It was a message to society as well. Now, as I look back, it was a risky adventure. But under Saji sirs guidance and with a support crew in place, I was full of josh. All I ever wanted was to swim. The fact that I could do it, and inspire others in the process, is something I will always cherish, Aasim smiles. Speaking up Aasim says he has never hesitated to voice his needs or stand up for what he rightfully deserved. This trait was evident when he petitioned for the upgrade of the Velimanna Government LP School near his house, as the daily travel to the faraway UP school was arduous. I even got to meet the then chief minister Oommen Chandy. Thanks to his special consideration, the school was eventually upgraded, says Aasim. Later, he campaigned for the school to be upgraded to a high school. He embarked on a wheelchair journey over 450km from the school to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram that was completed in 52 days. Today, the appeal I made to the government, demanding that children with disabilities be granted basic human rights, has reached the Supreme Court, says Aasim. Beyond education, promoting swimming as a vital life skill is another cause close to Aasims heart. Moreover, seeking to inspire others and extend support to those in need, he has set up the Aasim Velimanna Foundation for promoting inclusive education and sports. Kerala, despite being home to numerous waterbodies, sees a significant number of drowning incidents each year. It is high time that we made swimming part of the curriculum. The government must take initiative in this regard, he says. Through my foundation, I aspire to bring about this change so that swimming is recognised as an essential life-saving skill for every person. Lack of government support Aasim says the government has been apathetic towards him despite a string of achievements including sweeping gold in all three events at the 24th National Para Swimming Competition in Panaji, Goa, setting a new national record in the S2 category for the 100m and 50m freestyle, and being chosen as the best para swimmer of 202425 from among over 500 athletes across 26 states. In many states, athletes receive financial support sometimes up to `5 lakh for representing the state. From the Kerala government, forget financial help, we dont even get a congratulatory message at times. Its disheartening, says Aasim, who still does not have access to high-performance coaching and facilities. I just hope that for the upcoming World Para Swimming Championships, we receive some backing from the Central government. Aasim, however, highlights several well-wishers have played a key role in fuelling his journey. As I mentioned earlier, many came forward to support my trip to Paris. Another unforgettable moment was when one Kannur-based businessman offered me a trip to 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, where I got to meet legends such as Messi and Mbappe. Aasim with Lionel Messi and another para-athlete in Qatar Looking ahead Aasim, who was recently nominated for UAEs Golden Visa, aims to scale greater heights by being a part of the Asian Games and the Paralympics. I also aspire to climb Mt Everest. Through these endeavours, I want to inspire those who are stuck in life, he says. I want to convey the message that a person gets curbed when fear takes over the mind. Live life fully with courage even in the face of adversity. Aasim with his physiotherapist Dr Ashkar Ali

Youths murder in Keralas Kannur: one arrested, prime accused at large

Second accused is being questioned by police, while a search is under way to trace the prime accused

Kerala rains: Orange alert sounded for two districts

Kasaragod and Kannur put on orange alert warning of very heavy rains in next 24 hours, while yellow alert issued for Kozhikode and Wayanad districts warning of isolated heavy rains

Cracks, road collapse raise alarms on NH 66 in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Raising concerns about the safety of motorists, cracks have appeared on two sections of the under-construction NH 66 in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts while a service road caved in at Kasaragod. The damage happened a day after a portion of the retaining wall of the national highway collapsed at Kooriyad in Malappuram on Monday, causing damage to three cars parked on the service road. Following heavy rain on Tuesday, cracks were visible extending upto around 100 metres on the NH at Thalappara in Malappuram. The damage prompted authorities to divert vehicles through service road. Cracks have also developed on the NH 66 at Malaparamba in Kozhikode, where the widening process is in the final stage. The service road also suffered damage there. At Chemmattamvayal near Mavungal in Kasaragod, a service road along the NH caved in around 4 am due to heavy rain, severely impacting flow of vehicles in the area. Maintaining that the NH development work is progressing well across various parts of the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said: However, some recent incidents related to the construction are unfortunate and a cause for concern. In light of these incidents, we will convene a meeting with officials of the National Highways Authority at the earliest, he told reporters in Kozhikode on Tuesday. He said it is crucial to ensure that the construction aligns with the geological characteristics of the state. During the meeting, we will thoroughly examine whether there are any issues or structural flaws in the ongoing work and take necessary steps to address them, he said. In the wake of the road collapse incident at Kooriyad, an urgent meeting was held under the chairmanship of Malappuram Collector V R Vinod in which MLAs, officials, and NHAI representatives participated. The collector said the incident was a cause for concern. MLA Kunhalikutty demands state govt and Centres intervention National Highways Authority of India Project Director Anshul Sharma said the cause of the accident was the pressure on the foundation due to heavy rain in the past few days. This caused the paddy field, where the road was constructed, to expand, crack, and slide, which caused the accident. The NHAI has appointed a three-member independent committee to visit the area on Wednesday to inspect the incident and submit a report, he said. NHAI officials also refuted allegations of unscientific construction of the highway. Vengara MLA P K Kunhalikutty demanded that the central and state governments seriously intervene in the incident. Kunhalikutty alleged that the unscientific nature of the construction had been mentioned earlier and that the suggestion that a bridge was the best option here had not been heeded. He said there was a possibility of major accidents in the future. In Kasaragod, apart from the damage caused to the service road at Chemmattamvayal, a crack has developed on the NH currently under construction on the Kasaragod-Kannur route. District Collector Inbasekar K said emergency measures are being taken as part of preparations for the monsoon season in connection with the NH construction. Written instructions have already been given to the NHAI and construction companies to take steps to prevent muslips by ensuring side wall protection in Mattalayi Kunnu, Veeramala Hill, and Cherkala.

Heavy rain batters northern districts

Service roads of work-in-progress six-lane National Highways in Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur districts collapse or get flooded.

Heavy rain lashes Kerala, TN and Karnataka; eight killed in rain-related incidents

Heavy rains lashed Chennai and neighbouring districts on Tuesday evening, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that conditions are favourable for onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala during next 4-5 days. A total of eight deaths in separate rain-related incidents have been recorded in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu so far. Meanwhile, the IMD, in the forecast bulletin issued on Tuesday at 4.30 pm, predicted widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and strong winds across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the next seven days. The southwest monsoon, which typically arrives towards the end of May, has arrived about two weeks earlier than predicted. The early onset of southwest monsoon can be attributed to climate factors like stronger westerly winds and rising sea surface temperatures, experts told TNIE . Another change in the usual monsoon pattern is the northward tilt in rainfall distribution due to a low-pressure system forming near Karnataka's coast. IMD has issued a red alert for seven districts in Karnataka --which include Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan-- and four districts in northern Kerala --which include Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode. Orange alert has been issued for parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka Various parts of Karnataka continued to receive heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Heavy rain, along with thunder and lightning, was reported in coastal districts. Traffic congestion due to flooding was reported in the arterial roads of Bengaluru. At least five people died in the state, including three in Bengaluru, due to rains. Two people --63-year-old Manmohan Kamath and 12-year-old Dinesh-- died due to electrocution in Bengaluru's BTM layout on Monday while trying to use a motorised pump to clear water out of his house. Though they were rushed to a hospital soon after, they were declared dead on arrival by doctors. Another person, 35-year-old Shashikala, who worked as housekeeping staff at a software firm in Mahadevapura area, died after a wall in company premises collapsed on her. Additionally, two people died due to lightning in Raichur and Karwar regions, officials told Hindustan Times. In the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning, the centres to receive heavy rainfall include, Guttal (dist Haveri) 11 cm, Kalasa (dist Chikkamagaluru) 10, Kolar Pwd (dist Kolar) 8, and T G Halli Hms (dist Bengaluru) 7. Five dead as IMD issues red alert for Karnataka; BJP, HDK slam Congress for celebrations amid crisis Tamil Nadu Chennai received moderate to heavy rains late Monday night and on Tuesday evening. Heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in several isolated places across the state. At least three people died in the state due to rains. Three people were killed in Madurai when a sunshade slab collapsed from the weight of water that stagnated in top. The three --65-year-old Ammapillai, her 10-year-old grandson Veeramani, and her 55-year-old neighbour Venkadammal-- were pulled out of debris a while later. Venkadammal was declared dead by doctors upon admission, while the two others succumbed to their injuries later. The centres to record heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning include, 12 cm in Hosur AWS (dist Krishnagiri), 6 cm in parts of Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Dharmapuri, Salem districts, and 5 cm in parts of Coimbatore, Vellore, Nilgiris. Kerala Widespread waterlogging has been reported in several parts of north Kerala, disrupting daily life and transportation, officials said. While a red alert has been sounded for the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, an orange alert has been issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur. The remaining districts have received a yellow alert. KSDMA officials warned that extremely heavy rainfall could cause serious problems. Officials also issued safety advice, urging people living in hilly areas experiencing heavy rain, particularly those at risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods, to move to safer locations as early as possible, preferably during daylight hours. Stations recorded 22 cm in Kunnamkulam (dist Thrissur), 18 cm in Ams Kannur (dist Cannur); heavy rain of more than 15 cm was recorded across Cannur, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Idukki districts. Heavy rainfall likely in Andhra Pradesh for next two days

Rain wreaks havoc in Kannur, Kasaragod

Rainfall of 165 mm was recorded in Thalassery and 32.6 mm in Taliparamba. With water level rising in rivers, authorities issued an orange alert

IMD issues red alert for north Kerala as heavy rain lashes region; monsoon likely to arrive before May 27

The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a red alert for four northern Kerala districts, including Wayanad, as heavy rains lashed the region and the Southwest monsoon is now expected to arrive earlier than the previously forecast date of May 27. The conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest Monsoon over Kerala during next 4-5 days, the IMD said on Tuesday. Normally, the onset of the Southwest monsoon over Kerala, which marks the beginning of the four-month monsoon season in the country, is June 1. As the monsoon winds strengthen, they gradually advance across the remaining parts of India and typically cover the entire country by mid-July. Meanwhile, due to heavy rain, widespread waterlogging has been reported in several urban centres, significantly affecting daily life and transportation in north Kerala, according to officials. While a red alert has been sounded for the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, an orange alert has been issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, and Thrissur. The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for the districts of Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta. According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the districts where a red alert has been issued are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall, which refers to rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm within 24 hours. Isolated areas in districts under orange alert are expected to receive very heavy rainfall, which the IMD defines as between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm in 24 hours. KSDMA officials warned that extremely heavy rainfall could cause serious problems. A large volume of rain is likely to fall within a short period, which may lead to flash floods and landslides. Waterlogging is also expected in urban and low-lying areas. As the rain continues, the chances of landslides and mudslides may increase, especially in hilly regions, they said. Authorities have urged the public and government departments to exercise extreme caution. Officials also issued safety advice, urging people living in hilly areas experiencing heavy rain, particularly those at risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods, to move to safer locations as early as possible, preferably during daylight hours. Residents in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging should assess the situation and move to nearby relief camps or safer shelters if necessary, they added. The government has asked everyone to remain alert and follow official updates closely as the weather situation develops.

Man hacked to death, wife critically injured in daylight attack in Keralas Kannur

Police suspect workplace dispute triggered the attack

Indian expat couple killed in gas cylinder explosion in Oman

Muscat: In a tragic incident, an Oman-based Indian expat couple died in an explosion caused by a gas cylinder at a restaurant in Bousher district. The victims have been identified as 59-year-old Pankajakshan and his wife, 53-year-old Shajitha, both originally from Kannur in the southern Indian state of Kerala. They were working as accountants for Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Manipur riot accused held in Kerala by NIA sleuths

KANNUR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested a Manipur native from Thalassery in connection with multiple cases linked to Manipur riots, including murder. Rajkumar Maipaksana, 21, was apprehended by a five-member NIA team disguised as health workers. Rajkumar, working at a major restaurant in Thalassery town for the past two weeks, was picked up from a rented house in Keezhantimukku, Thiruvangad, where hotel workers stay. His identity was confirmed through his Aadhaar card and other documents. According to reports, Rajkumar had reportedly undergone armed training with the banned militant outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF). He was identified by a distinctive tattoo on his neck, just below the ear. The NIA had been monitoring his movements for a few days. They tracked him down after he started using his mobile phone in Thalassery, said the hotel owner. When the NIA team arrived at the workers residence, other employees immediately contacted the hotel owner. I spoke to the officers, and they told me that Rajkumar was involved in the Manipur riots and multiple murders. They also asked if we had verified his identity before hiring him, the owner said. The NIA reportedly recovered a fake passport from Rajkumar, who had reached Kerala last month after an unsuccessful attempt to travel abroad. Following the arrest, the NIA team shared details with Kerala Police, but no official statement has been issued regarding the operation so far.

NIA arrests Manipur youth from Kannur hotel in connection with ethnic conflict case The South First

NIA arrests Manipur youth from Kannur hotel in connection with ethnic conflict caseThe South First

Heavy rains in parts of Kerala; IMD issues orange alert in 3 districts

Heavy rains prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala, forecasting very heavy rainfall. A yellow alert, indicating heavy rainfall, was also issued for Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The IMD warned of thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds across these districts.

Senior Left service organisation leader T Narayanan passes away

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Left service organisation leader and author T Narayanan, 85, passed away on Saturday. Former office-bearer of the All India Audit and Accounts Association, Narayanan served in various positions during his career. He worked in the Accountant-Generals Office in Thiruvananthapuram for 35 years and retired as Assistant Accounts Officer on March31,1998. He led strikes of Central government employees in 1968 and 1974. He held posts, including general secretary and president of the AGs Office NGO Association, president and additional secretary-general of the All India Audit and Accounts Association, state president and all-India organising secretary of the Confederation of Central Government Employees. He was a member of the governing body of the Kerala State Institute of Childrens Literature and served as treasurer of the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare. Narayanan was born on September22,1940, in Nhangattiri, Pattambi in Palakkad. His wife T Radhamani is former president of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad and vice-president of the Central Government Pensioners Association. He is survived by daughters N Sukanya, member of the CPM Kannur district secretariat and joint secretary of the Democratic Womens Association, and Susmitha, news editor at Mathrubhumi, Palakkad. His sons-in-law are former MLA James Mathew and U P Joseph, member of the CPM Thrissur district secretariat. His books published by the Kerala Bhasha Institute include Vidyabhyasam, Samskaram, Samooham, Mathi Manushya Kathanugayikal and Vayanayum Pratikaranavum. The cremation will be held at Thycaud SanthiKavadam at 4.30 pmon Sunday.

Heavy rainfall likely in Kerala from Sunday

Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod are on yellow alert on Sunday

Sunny Joseph has his task cut out as new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president

With his relative inexperience at the top level, Sunny Joseph, whose political activity is largely confined to Kannur district, appears to face a more daunting task than his predecessors K. Sudhakaran and Mullappally Ramachandran

CPM leader Pradeep Kumar appointed as new private secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending all speculations, senior CPM leader A Pradeep Kumar has been appointed as the new Private Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Former Kozhikode north MLA, Pradeep is currently a CPM state committee member. The position fell vacant, after incumbent KK Ragesh was elected as CPM Kannur district secretary on April 15. There were major speculations on who would replace Ragesh. By the end of April, the chief minister had directed his special private secretary, A Rajasekharan Nair totemporarily perform the duties of the private secretary. Speaking to the media on Saturday, A Pradeep Kumar said he would discharge the responsibility entrusted by the party to the best of his ability. Pradeep said the chief minister had already informed him of the decision and that he would take charge on May 21. It is an important responsibility, and I believe I shall be able to perform efficiently. The people have already decided to give a third term for the Left government, he added.

Congress plans major revamp in Kerala; PAC to be spared

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the state Congress is going for a major organisational revamp, there wont be any reorganisation of its political affairs committee (PAC). Now the ball is in the state Congress court as the central leadership has asked it to select new KPCC office-bearers and reorganise the district Congress committees. Congress state president Sunny Joseph, UDF convener Adoor Prakash, working presidents A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunadh, Shafi Parambil, CWC member Ramesh Chennithala and leader of Opposition V D Satheesan held meetings with the AICC leadership in this regard. The state leadership has been asked to prepare the draft list of new KPCC office-bearers and DCC presidents who are to be relieved from the post. Meanwhile, there is a consensus among senior leaders that there is no need to reorganise the PAC now. The PAC was formed recently, Sunny Joseph told TNIE. Hence, there is no question about its reorganisation, he said. However, the real test for the new KPCC leadership would be selecting new office-bearers and DCC presidents. All senior leaders and groups affiliated to them are closely watching the moves of the new state president. After K Sudhakaran assumed charge as KPCC president last time, there were allegations from some sections within the party that the appointments of office-bearers were carried out unilaterally by him and the leader of opposition. Sunny is rather a low-profile leader compared to Sudhakaran, a KPCC executive member told TNIE. He is closely connected only to leaders in Kannur. Hence he will have to find his own men and install them in crucial posts. However, it is also to be seen how he will withstand the pressure tactics of the Satheesan-Venugopal group, he added.

IMD forecasts heavy rainfall across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across the state in the coming days. As per the prediction, the state will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places from Monday to Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is expected in isolated places in Kerala in the coming days. An orange alert has been issued for several districts in the state for Monday and Tuesday and yellow alert has been issued for many districts till May 20. Orange alert Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hours ) to very heavy (12-20cm in 24 hours ) Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 19) Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 20) Yellow alert (7-11cm in 24 hours) Pathanamthitta and Idukki (May 17) Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod (May 18). Ernakulam , Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad (May 19). Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram (May 20).

Flavour feud! Kerala grower invites mango lovers to settle virtual taste debate

KOZHIKODE: A passionate farmer from Kozhikode finds himself in the middle of an unexpected storm over the taste of a mango grown in his backyard. The fruit of one of Poyiil Abdurahmans mango trees has become the subject of a statewide debate, thanks to a viral video posted by a popular vlogger. An expatriate, Abdurahman started gaining attention on social media after news of him having grafted more than 80 varieties of mango onto a single tree came to light. The controversy began when a vlogger visited Abdurahmans home to taste a mango that he proudly claimed was one of the best in the region. While Abdurahman described the fruit as purely sweet with a honey-like finish, the vlogger argued it had a distinct sour-sweet complexity that lingers on the tongue. The disagreement, captured on camera, quickly went viral. The mango in question is the Nam Dok Mai, a variety from Thailand. According to Abdurahman, it is similar to the Imam Pasand or Himam Pasand and he always gives the mango a 10 on 10 for taste. The conflicting opinions sparked a flood of comments, memes, and friendly debates online. Mango enthusiasts and others started giving conflicting thoughts regarding the taste of the mango. What started as a simple fruit tasting has now grown into a full-blown flavour feud with mango lovers taking sides. Refusing to put to rest the virtual debate, Abdurahman has now taken it forward. He has extended a public invitation to mango aficionados to visit his home and judge the mango themselves. I dont want this mangos reputation to be decided by two people alone, said Abdurahman with a smile. Let the people of Kerala taste it and tell me what they think: Is it sweet, sour, or both? The event, dubbed the mango verdict gathering, is scheduled to take place on Saturday at Abdurahmans residence in Karuthaparamba, Kozhikode. Enthusiasts from as far as Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Kannur have already expressed interest to be part of the event. Abdurahman has also invited researchers from the agricultural sector, non-smokers and non-alcohol users who, according to him, will be able to better judge the fruit.He plans to harvest a few dozen mangoes from the tree and serve freshly sliced samples to all the guests. A feedback chart will be placed near the tasting table, where visitors can cast their final verdict.

Post-Celebi, no hiccups in baggage handling

NEW DELHI: Despite the sudden termination of the contract with Turkish-based ground handling firm, Celebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd, and urgent measures adopted on Thursday night, ground handling operations at the nine airports and the airlines it served remained smooth, said multiple sources across the country. The retention of the employees and the distribution of the workload among other ground handling agencies have facilitated the smooth transition. Nearly 7,800 employees of Celebi annually handled 5,40,000 tonnes of cargo for 54,000 flights at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Chennai, Goa, Ahmedabad and Kannur. The civil aviation ministry and airports have gone all out to ensure that passengers were not inconvenienced in any manner due to the sudden decision. A top official at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport told this newspaper, We entrusted the responsibility to both AISATS (Tata owned Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd) and the Bird Group. Celebis staff has migrated to the new groups. We have not had any confusion at all. A source at Indigo, Indias biggest airline, said, Our ground handling operations across flights and airports were handled by our own subsidiary, Agile Airport Services. So, we were not impacted in any manner. A Spicejet spokesperson said there was no major issue reported at any of the airports for its flights. An official at Chennai airport said, There was limited usage of Celebi here as only Scoot, Spicejet, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines and US-Bangla airlines availed the services of the Turkish firm. They flew only few flights and have moved to other ground handlers. The spokesperson of Bangalore International Airport Limited, which operates Kempegowda International Airport said, All operations are fine here. A source at Hyderabad airport too reported no glitches. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu released a statement after the termination of the contract on Thursday night stating that he was personally monitoring the situation at all the airports. He assured the Ministry was going all out to ensure smooth operations. In an official statement in the aftermath of the termination, Celebi Aviation India said it is a professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company which has operated in India for 15 years. Today, it is majority-owned (65%) by international institutional investors from across Canada, the US, the UK, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Western Europe. Actera Partners II L P, a Jersey-registered fund, holds 50% ownership in elebi Havaclk Holding.The remaining 15% is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity. Meanwhile, Celebi India has reportedly moved a plea in Delhi High Court stating that it operates as an Indian entity, employing over 3,000 Indians, with management also led by Indian citizens, underscoring the substantial local workforce and leadership impacted by the Centres decision. Turkish firm moves court against Indias decision A day after the Centre revoked its security clearance citing national security concerns, aviation services firm Celebi is reported to have approached the Delhi High Court challenging the decision. Celebi Airport Services India reportedly filed a petition in the Delhi High Court contesting the Centres decision, arguing that the cited security concerns lacked sufficient explanation, according to a Reuters report. This development was independently verified by this newspaper.

Turkiye's Celebi Explores Legal Remedies To Challenge Termination Of Pacts In India

CASI was operating at Delhi, Bengaluru, Cochin, Hyderabad, Goa, (GOX) and Kannur airports.

CPI(M) and Congress blame each other for Kannur violence

CPI(M) says the Congress sought to divert attention from the public embarrassment caused by its internal leadership rifts. Congress says CPI(M) had shamed the Sangh Parivar by violently opposing the erection of a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi at Malapattam

SFI protest in Keralas Kannur turns violent; Congress flagpole, flex board destroyed

The protest was in response to a demonstration by Youth Congress and KSU members in Malapattam recently, which the SFI claimed insulted Dheeraj, a slain SFI activist

K Sudhakaran's remark over his removal from KPCC president post leaves leaders, supporters in a tight spot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The remarks of former KPCC president K Sudhakaran have put his close followers and leaders in a tight spot. Sudhakarans criticism against his removal from the post of Congress chief by the national leadership has not been taken in a positive way by the high command. Followingly, AICC has also instructed the senior leaders in the State not to reply or respond to the open statements made by Sudhakaran. Both AICC and state Congress leadership have decided to completely ignore the former KPCC president. The statement of Sudhakaran is a breach of party discipline, a senior Congress leader told TNIE. Both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had conveyed to him personally about the need for a revamp and a new leadership ahead of local body and assembly elections. As a member of CWC, he is bound to ensure partydiscipline, he said. There is criticism and disappointment in the Sudhakaran camp too, against his open revolt for a second consecutive time. Sudhakaran is the only leader who was given an honourable exit from the KPCC president post by the high command after a long time, a leader close to him said. Former presidents Thennala Balakrishnapilla, PP Thankachan, VM Sudheeran, Mullapally Ramachandran and MM Hassan left without any honour. K Muralidharan and Ramesh Chennithala were two exceptions. K Sudhakaran has also been elevated to the working committee by the high command, he said. As the AICC has given a free hand to the new team led by KPCC president Sunny Joseph in reorganisation, the leaders close to Sudhakaran are in high hopes to be accommodated in the newly formed committees at various levels. They also express that by openly revolting against the high command and making remarks against senior leaders, Sudhakaran has lost the bargaining capacity and edge over hisopponents. The lack of support from his supporters is also viewed as a sign of waning grip of former Kannur strongman on his ground. Meanwhile, the VD Satheeshan and KC Venugopal camp is likely to be benefited from Sudhakarangroup's loss of power.

88-year-old woman brutally attacked by grandson in Keralas Kannur

The attack is believed to have stemmed from resentment over her decision not to live with him

Turkish firm handling ground operations in airports including Kochi ousted

KOCHI: A Turkish firm handling ground operations in various airports in the country, including Kochi, was denied the security clearance on Thursday by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The move follows the Turkish government openly supporting Pakistan post Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces after the Pahalgam terror attack. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd provides the services at nine airports Kochi, Kannur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The development is expected to affect international flight operations from these airports, including Kochi and Kannur. The firm can no longer operate as the BCAS issued an order on Thursday revoking its security clearance. While it will have no bearings on the domestic operation, the international operations of at least 10 airlines from Kochi will be hit, a senior CIAL official told TNIE . Celebi is one of the three firms handling the ground operations in the Kochi airport. The two others are Bird Worldwide Flight Services (India) Pvt Ltd (BWFS) and Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AITSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. Airports handling 10 to 15 million passengers are allowed to engage up to three ground handling firms. CIAL handled over 1 crore passengers for the second consecutive year in 2024. Hence we availed ourselves of the service of three firms, the official added. The company handles everything from passenger services and load control and flight operations to ramp services. Earlier, the BCAS issued an order revoking the security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India, which is part of Turkiye-based Celebi. Turkiye had backed Islamabad and condemned Indias recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, which also used weapons including drones supplied by Turkiye, in the four-day war with New Delhi. Meanwhile, IndiGo Airlines is facing a lot of backlash on social media as it has a code share partnership with Turkish Airlines and Corendon Airlines and leases its aircraft from both domestic and international operations. Air India Express also signed a deal in February with Turkish Technic for the maintenance of its Boeing 737 fleet.

Ente Keralam expo concludes in Kannur

K. Sudhakaran expresses disappointment over removal as KPCC president, blames vested interest within party

The Kannur MP hinted that he might be given a key role ahead of the upcoming elections

Railways to fully fund 55 RoBs as Kerala Government fails to share costs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Southern Railway has announced that it will bear the entire cost of constructing 55 Rail Over Bridges (RoBs) in the state, overriding the usual 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement with the state government. The decision comes in the wake of states inability to release its agreed share of funds, which has caused years of delay in executing several major infrastructure projects to replace busy level-crossings. A total of 126 ROBs were originally sanctioned in the state on a cost-sharing basis. However, due to the state governments failure to provide its portion of the funds, most of these projects have remained languishing, despite their importance for public safety and smoother transportation. Southern Railway has identified 55 of the most vital ROBs and decided to fund them fully in public interest. These include busy level crossings at several high-traffic areas across the state, such as LC No. 69A between Edappally and Ernakulam North, LC No. 28 between Pudukad and Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, LC No. 558 between Kappil and Varkala Sivagiri in Thiruvananthapuram, LC No. 230 between Thalassery and Etakkot in Kannur, and LC No. 567 between Kadakkavur and Murukkampuzha in Kollam. The execution of these ROBs has been entrusted to the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL), a joint venture of the state government and the Ministry of Railways. However, the projects are yet to take off due to a range of issues, including non-approval of project plans, delays in land acquisition, and pending contract finalisations.

When police had to 'break up' a runaway love story

'Man missing and kidnapping complaints are not uncommon in Kerala, and law enforcement agencies are well equipped to deal with either. However, sometimes, these are often filed against runaway lovers by their family members who disapprove of the relationship. A similar complaint was recently received by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) stationed at Ernakulam Town. But this one stood out for its very uncanny ending that left the officers and the victim perplexed. The incident occurred in early April. Raghavendra (name changed), a 26-year-old who hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was seen wandering nervously at Ernakulam Town railway station. He had with him a large travel bag and was often seen glancing at his phone, as if waiting for someone. RPF officers on duty approached him to check if he needed any assistance. To them, the man muttered, I lost my girlfriend. Initially, the officers suspected a missing person case. When they enquired for more details, Raghavendra showed them photographs of the woman. He admitted, they had only been chatting online and he had never met her in person. Indeed, their relationship had blossomed entirely through social media. He had come all the way down to Kerala for their first meeting, carrying with him hopes of marriage. Curious and confused by the strange circumstances, officers took him to the nearby RPF office for a proper inquiry. Assistant sub-inspector Suresh P Abraham took charge of the case. Soon, Raghavendra narrated the whole story. Five months earlier, he had come across a profile on Instagram belonging to a woman named Ashwathy, supposedly hailing from Kannur. Enchanted by her appearance and intrigued by her Malayali charm, he sent her a friend request, which she readily accepted. Their conversations began casually just a friendly hi, but with time, their exchanges drew deeper and more personal, eventually turning into what Raghavendra described as love. The emotional intimacy between them culminated in a virtual proposal. Interestingly, from Ashwathy. She wrote, Shall we get married?. It was this question that prompted Raghavendra to hurtle down to Kerala. The investigation soon thickened the RPF reviewed his phone and chat history, and cyber experts with the RPF and the Kochi city police helped trace the Instagram account. But what they learned subsequently was outright shocking. Ashwathy was not a real woman, but an AI-powered chatbot. When this was relayed back to Raghavendra, he refused to even acknowledge it, never mind accept it. But after he was shown clear evidence, the matter sank in, and the young man broke down in tears. Sitting before ASI Suresh, Raghavendra cried, I believed her I believed everything she said. This was unlike any cyber fraud case we handled. The man, it seems, truly believed in the love he found online and had even bought a wedding dress for the girl, Suresh says. Reiterating the need to be cautious when engaging the cyber space, Kochi city police commissioner Putta Vimaladitya states, There is an uptick in the number of cyber offences. People fall in love with accounts they stumble online without even knowing whos on the other side. They even share personal information and build emotional connections. There are many who exploit this. Further, the officer stressed the importance of responsible behaviour and called for a clear code of conduct when in digital spaces.

Clashes between CPI(M) and Youth Congress workers in Malapattam in Kannur

Situation remains tense and police are camping in the area to prevent further violence

Two suspected steel bombs recovered by police from Kerala's Kannur

Suspected bombs recovered from the same area where a blast occurred a year ago during the manufacturing of country-made explosives, in which one person died and another was seriously injured

Sunny Joseph takes charge as Congress state president in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vowing to end the reign of the Pinarayi Vijayan government and bring back the UDF to power in the 2026 assembly election, Sunny Joseph took charge as the 38th state president of the Congress in Kerala. At a function organised at the Indira Bhavan on Monday in the presence of senior leaders and workers, he also assured the party workers that the new team under him would win the local body election and would function with unity, taking into consideration all the sections. Incidentally, Sunny Joseph is the first leader from the high ranges of the state to become the KPCC president. Apart from Sunny, Adoor Prakash also took charge as UDF convenor while A P Anil Kumar, P C Vishnunath and Shafi Parambil assumed office as working presidents of the Congress. Following the footsteps of outgoing president K Sudhakaran, who was the face of anti -CPM sentiment, Sunny who also hails from Kannur criticised the CPM for its violent political activities. The misgovernance of the Pinarayi government must end, he said. In Kannur, the CPM is still following the path of political violence against Congress. However, the party that once claimed that they would form the third front, now remains only in Kerala, he said. Inaugurating the function, AICC general secretary in charge of the organisation, K C Venugopal has said that the new president could make any change in the state organisation in consultation with the AICC leadership. The AICC will hold discussion with the new team on Tuesday. They have the responsibility to bring back the Congress to power in the 2026 assembly election. The Congress has always worked as a team and the party has won elections as a team. If there is no organisation, we all will be a big zero. M M Hassan was removed from the post of UDF convenor only because the AICC decided to present a new team, he said. The AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi, said that it is the collective responsibility of the party leaders to fight the LDF government and communal forces. The Leader of Opposition, V D Satheesan, assured the leaders that with the new team the UDF will come back to power with more than hundred seats like in 2001. The outgoing KPCC president K Sudhakaran said that during his time as party president, the party achieved a lot of gains and did not suffer any losses. Even in the Chelakkara byelection, although the party lost the contest, it managed to reduce the winning margin of the CPM. I was with the workers for the last four years. There were times when my enemies tried to put me behind bars. However, I had never made any compromises with certain people who boast of having a 56-inch chest and iratta chanku (a strongman). I will continue to work in the coming days also and will be with the workers, he added. CWC members Ramesh Chennithala and Kodikkunnil Suresh, former KPCC presidents K Muralidharan, M M Hassan and working presidents Anil Kumar, Vishnunath, Shafi Parambil also spoke on the occasion. First KPCC president from the high ranges: Antony TPuram: For the first time in the history of the Congress, the son of a farmer from the high ranges has become the president of the KPCC, said veteran Congress leader A K Antony. He was speaking to the media after the KPCC president Sunny Joseph, UDF convener Adoor Prakash and the three working presidents visited the leader at his residence on Monday. He also said that he has full confidence in the new team led by Sunny Joseph. If the team takes into confidence all sections of society, the Congress-led UDF will register a victory bigger than what it managed in the 2001 Assembly election.

Kerala government sharpens Nipah detection readiness

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Early alerts and sensitisation efforts, in place from February, have helped the health department prepare for potential Nipah outbreaks during the high-risk period from April to September. This was indicated in an advisory released after a top-level meeting convened by Health Minister Veena George to review preparedness against various communicable diseases. This timely alert played a crucial role in identifying recent Nipah cases that initially presented as dengue. The state remains on high alert during the Nipah transmission season, which aligns with the mating period of fruit bats (Pteropus medius), believed to be the natural reservoirs of the virus. The state has historically recorded Nipah cases between May and September, with the first occurring in May 2018. A 42-year-old woman from Valanchery in Malappuram tested positive for Nipah earlier this month. In both this case and previous ones, transmission is believed to have started by mid-April, with symptoms appearing towards the end of the month. Similarly, cases were recorded in July and September last year. We began issuing alerts early to ensure both the public and healthcare workers are prepared and aware, said Dr T S Anish, professor and nodal officer at the Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience, Kozhikode Government Medical College. The Centre launched awareness campaigns in March across five districts identified as hotspots: Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad, and Ernakulam. According to Dr Anish, the early advisories have encouraged the public to adopt safer practices--avoiding contact with bats, washing hands thoroughly after handling animals, and refraining from eating partially consumed fruits. This year, the patient was admitted with fever and initially tested positive for dengue. When her condition didnt improve, we tested for Nipah. Such cross-detection happens in busy hospital settings where dengue, chicken pox, and West Nile fever are also being reported, he explained. Dr Anish noted that while bats carrying the virus are present in other parts of the country, Nipah is more likely to be detected in Kerala due to heightened surveillance and awareness. Complete eradication of the virus from the environment may not be possible, but we can work to minimise its transmission, he added. Though fruit bats of a particular species are confirmed carriers, the exact mechanisms that lead to human infection and localised outbreaks remain poorly understood.

Transfer of vigilance director at crucial juncture raises eyebrows

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government on May 9 transferred or reassigned duties of several IPS officers. Among them was Yogesh Gupta, the director of the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB), who was shifted to the fire and rescue services department. Guptas transfer came when the bureau was in the middle of something. It had recommended dismissal of a forest official caught taking bribery. Not just that. Sources said the bureau wanted FIRs registered against former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya for allegedly helping a benami firm get government contracts. The VACB had even sought government nod to probe the corruption plaguing a few public sector companies and alerted authorities about financial discrepancies in government departments, including mining and geology. In the middle of these developments, which could have given the state government a few headaches, the VACB head was transferred, sources in the VACB told TNIE. The sources said since his posting as their director, Gupta had personally trained officers SP and above on how to handle financial crimes, including those in cooperative banks. During his nine-month tenure, Gupta led two prolonged training sessions and around eight brief sessions for the officers, mostly on how to map money trail, scrutinising balance sheets, evidence collection and other aspects. He was very particular that every allegation we made was backed with evidence. He put the experience he gained while working in the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI to good use and imparted the knowledge to officers, said a source. Gupta, a trained and certified chartered and cost and management accountant , had headed the CBI team that probed sensational cases including the Harshad Mehta security fraud and Ketan Parekh stock market scam. VACB sources said Guptas efforts yielded results as sleuths managed to detect irregularities in more than three government enterprises. Under him, the VACB transformed from a unit carrying out trap operations and occasional special drives to a more robust wing that began learning how to handle financial crimes. Given the sort of complaints increasingly coming up in the cooperative sector, the work he did was meaningful, said a source. Currently, he is among the officers in the governments list of probables for the next state police chief. Gupta is the third senior-most officer after Nitin Agrawal and Ravada Chandrasekhar in the list and could be included in the UPSCs shortlist given his track record and seniority. However, it remains to be seen whether the recent developments would have a bearing on his chances for the top post as the state government has the final say in picking its candidate from the three-member shortlist returned by the UPSC.

36 per cent of highways in Kerala unsafe for motorists

KOCHI: More than one-third of the highways in the state are prone to accidents, reveals a latest study report prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). According to the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala State (2025-2030), more than 2,200 km of road corridors -- national highways (NH) and state highways -- in the state are found to be crash vulnerable. The study has been done to facilitate the government to form a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan which aims to cut the accident fatalities in the state by half by 2030. While a whopping 60% (1,089.4 km out of the total 1,811.52 km) of the NH is accident-prone, 26% of the state highways (1,144 km out of the total 4,342 km) falls under the category. Combined, 36% (2,233km out of 6,153 km) of the highways are crash vulnerable, shows the report. The Average Annual Traffic Crashes (AATC) for all major categories of roads in Kerala was found to be higher for NH with 5.15 crashes/km, followed by state highways (2.23 crashes/km). Other roads reported a low crash rate of around 0.10 crashes/km, the report states. As per the report, a major portion of the vulnerable stretches is in Thrissur (289.9 km) while Ernakulam is second with 265.7 km, followed by Kozhikode (224.3 km), Malappuram (219.7 km), Alappuzha (192.4 km), Kottayam (183.1 km), Thiruvananthapuram (174) km), Palakkad (168.2 km), Kollam (143.1 km), Kannur (137.8 km), Pathanamthitta (83.8 km), Kasaragod (55.3 km), Idukki (49.8 km) and Wayanad (47.7 km). Out of the states total road network of 2.05 lakh km, NATPAC identified a total of 323 vulnerable road stretches. Of these, 149 stretches are on the NH and 174 on the state highways. Meanwhile, NATPAC has identified a total of 4,592 black spots across the state, with Ernakulam having the highest number of such stretches (703), followed by Thiruvananthapuram (694) and Thrissur (548). A total of 374 priority black spots have been identified, where immediate rectification action is required. They are further classified into Priority I (250 locations) and Priority II (124 locations). While 227 priority black spots were identified on NH, 84 were identified on State Highways and 63 on other roads, says the report. In the wake of the persistent increase in road accidents over the past decade, the state is now preparing a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan to address the challenges and achieve safe mobility. The main objective of the Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala is to enhance safety on roads in line with the Integrated System Approach, thereby reducing road crash-related fatalities and injuries to at least 50% in the state by 2030, the report says. Kerala, which recorded 9.5% of the total road accidents across the country, is third among states. With 13.9% of the total accidents, Tamil Nadu tops the chart, followed by Madhya Pradesh (11.8 %). Despite its relatively small geographical size, Kerala faces significant road safety issues, with a high incidence of crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries. As per the figures made available by the State Crime Records Bureau, the number of accidents on the state roads increased from 36,000 in 2014 to 48,141 in 2023 and 48,919 in 2024.

Theyyam artists demand safer rituals as calls grow to reform dangerous traditions in Malabar

KANNUR: The theyyam community in northern Malabar is calling for a major shift in age-old customs that expose performers to serious physical risks. Amid growing concerns, theyyam artists and folklorists are urging immediate intervention from the government and judiciary to address the welfare of performers who suffer life-altering injuries during traditional rituals. Malabar is witnessing deepening divisions over the safety of its artists, with demands intensifying for the ban on certain dangerous performances. A recent gathering of theyyam artists and folklorists called for an outright ban on Ottakolams ritual performances believed to pose grave threats to the lives and well-being of the artists involved. Gireesh Pookoth, a folklore researcher from Kannur, has appealed for an end to particularly hazardous rituals such as Theechamundi, Kandanarkelan, Puthiyabhagavathi, and Agnikanda Karnan. He warns that these performances subject artists to extreme physical danger. Ive met numerous individuals who perform and assist in the preparation of theyyam kolams and have documented alarming testimonies. Some have had to undergo leg amputations, while others are battling severe, life-altering illnesses, he said. Kidney-related ailments are especially common among veteran theyyam performers. During performances, artists are required to tie tight knots as part of their elaborate costumes. They often remain dehydrated for nearly two days, unable to change attire or even relieve themselves. These harsh conditions have led to chronic kidney diseases, the symptoms of which often emerge only after the artists retire, leaving them to endure a miserable old age, Gireesh added. However, not everyone in the community agrees with the call for a complete ban. Some argue that while artists safety is paramount, it is neither practical nor culturally appropriate to outlaw traditional rituals that have been observed for centuries. Instead, they advocate for stricter safety regulations and medical supervision. Banning Ottakolams is not an option. Its true that many theyyam artists face risks during and after performances, but it is the artists themselves and the temple committees who need to initiate reforms. In recent times, these rituals have turned into a competition to prove who is superior. Its the responsibility of temple authorities to consider limiting the Thottams to essential rituals, said Ottakolam artist Manesh Lal Panicker. Meanwhile, Folklore Academy director Ajayakumar Aroli told TNIE that while the academy currently provides financial assistance for artists welfare, offering comprehensive insurance coverage remains a massive challenge. We disburse between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 25 lakh annually for folklore artists welfare. However, the sheer number of artists in the state makes it impractical to bring everyone under insurance coverage. What we can recommend is for each Kavu or temple committee to arrange general insurance coverage ahead of every Ottakolam performance, Ajayakumar said.

Firecrackers, explosives, and drones banned for a week in Kannur

First batch of Hajj pilgrims leaves Kannur

A total of 170 pilgrims boarded the Air India Express flight at 3.45 a.m

Kerala Dinesh Beedi merges its branches as struggle for survival continues

KANNUR: The Dinesh Beedi Workers Cooperative Society, a landmark institution born from a labour movement in 1969, is now teetering on the edge of extinction. As part of its survival strategy, the Pappinissery and third-level branches of the society have been merged with the Chirakkal branch. Also, the office-bearers have decided to consolidate other primary branches, including those in Azhikode and Kannur, to function as a single entity in a bid to sustain operations. At its peak, Dinesh Beedi provided employment to around 42,000 workers across the Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Today, only 2,001 workers remain. There are 16 Dinesh beedi branches under which 82 small scale units exist, each having an average of 20 workers. Until now, the Pappinissery and Azhikode branches were operating under the Azhikode Dinesh Beedi Industrial Cooperative Centre. The Pappinissery branch launched operations in its own building on May 1, 1985, with around 130 workers. Then MLA E P Jayarajan inaugurated the branch. Following the latest closure, 21 workers from Pappinissery and 16 from neighbouring units will now be absorbed into the Chirakkal branch. The Karikkamkulam branch, which opened in a rented building on January 3, 1975, with 150 workers, was closed nearly a decade ago. Several other branches, including one in Kannur town, have also downed shutters. I joined Dinesh Beedi when I was 18. For the past 36 years, I have spent my days making beedis, said Savithri P V, a beedi worker. All of us are around the same age now. There were once 40,000 workers in these units. Today, there are 2,001. It was once considered as good as a government job. We married off our children like proud government employees. Things have changed, said Savithri. Growing awareness about the health risks of tobacco, combined with strict anti-smoking laws and public health campaigns, triggered a sharp decline in beedi consumption since the 1990s. Kerala Dinesh Beedi (KDB) also faced stiff competition from low-cost beedis produced in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where production costs are substantially lower. While KDB pays around Rs 500 for every 1,000 beedis rolled, competitors pay as little as Rs 75, enabling them to undercut prices. The pandemic worsened the industrys situation. To counter these challenges, KDB diversified into sectors such as food processing, umbrella manufacturing, information technology and apparel, but the ventures have struggled to match the scale and profitability of the beedi business. Though the beedi business is running at a loss, we cannot let the workers suffer. We have ensured that existing workers can continue in their roles until they retire. However, we cannot appoint new people in the beedi sector, Kerala Dinesh chairman Dinesh Babu told TNIE . Diversification was the only way to support our people. As the industry declined, many beedi workers moved to other ventures under Kerala Dinesh, such as umbrella manufacturing and Dinesh Cafe, he said. Dwindling fortunes At its peak, Dinesh Beedi provided employment to around 42,000 workers across the Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Today, only 2,001 workers remain Growing awareness about the health risks of tobacco has triggered a sharp decline in beedi consumption since the 1990s KDB also faces stiff competition from low-cost beedis produced in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu

Kerala SSLC Result 2025 Out: Kannur Tops with 99.87%, Over 61,000 Students Secure A+

Kerala SSLC Result 2025 Out: This year, the overall pass percentage stands at an impressive 99.5 per cent. Out of the 4,27,020 students who took the exams, 4,24,583 have passed.

Kerala SSLC Class 10 results declared; 99.5% pass rate

As many as 61,449 students secured A+ certification in all subjects. Kannur district secured the highest pass percentage

Kerala SSLC Results 2025 Announced: Pass percentage at 99.5%, Kannur emerges as top performing district, Details here

Kerala SSLC 2025 results are out, with an impressive 99.5% pass rate among over 4.27 lakh students. Girls outperformed boys, and students can check their results on official websites using their roll number and date of birth. Kannur district achieved the highest pass percentage, while Thiruvananthapuram recorded the lowest. The marksheets will be available for download after 4 PM.

Kerala SSLC Result Out: Check pass percentages and how to access your results

Kerala Class 10th Result 2025 Declared: Education Minister V Sivankutty announced the Kerala SSLC (Class 10) Result 2025 on May 9th. A total of 4,27,021 students appeared, with Kannur achieving the highest pass percentage at 99.87%. Students can check their results on official websites, mobile apps like Saphalam and DigiLocker, or via SMS.

Chief Minister to inaugurate State-level Hajj camp in Kannur on May 9

The first Hajj flight from Kannur scheduled to leave at 4 a.m. on May 11

Teachers return as Kannur University fails to provide answer sheets at evaluation camps

Kannur University Library Assistant Recruitment 2025 Walk in for 01 Posts

Kannur University Recruitment 2025 for 01 posts of Library Assistant. Candidates with 10TH Can attend the walkin.The Walk-in on 12-05-2025. For detailed information please visit Kannur University official website, kannuruniversity.ac.in.

ASHA workers protest draws wide support in Kannur

The march, which began in Kasaragod on May 5, 2025, is organised by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association to press its long-standing demands for better pay and working conditions

Kerala has 63 properties of Pakistan nationals

Enemy properties are assets owned by individuals or entities that are deemed enemies of the country, particularly those who fled India during times of conflict. In Kerala, the assets are mainly of those who moved to Pakistan or were trapped there during partition as well as the post-Independence period. These properties are chiefly spread across Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur

Clashes erupt during Congress march to Kannur Collectorate demanding Kerala CMs resignation

Police use water cannons to disperse protesters, leading to further confrontation

Kannur University question paper leak: college loses affiliation

SFI protest over Kannur University Dean appointments ends in clashes

Ente Keralam mega expo, marketing fair to begin in Kannur on May 8

Kannur Press Club clinches Thulasi Bhaskaran Memorial Trophy

Deans appointed by flouting norms in Kannur varsity, alleges forum

Thalassery engg. students develop IRIS software for Kannur airport

Sixth State Journalist Volleyball Tournament begins in Kannur

Kannur University teachers worried over delay in promotion

Indian nursing couple in Kuwait found dead with knives in hand

Kuwait City: A Kuwait-based Indian couple from Kerala was found stabbed to death in their apartment in Abbasiya on Thursday morning, May 1. The deceased have been identified as Suraj, a native of Kannur and a nurse at Jabir Hospital under Kuwaits ministry of health, and his wife Binsi, a nurse with the defence forces Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Keralas inaugural Haj flight from Karipur on May 10

Haj services are being operated from Kannur and Kochi airports as well

Three held with suspected MDMA in Kannur

Chaos erupts at Kannur Corpn. meet over Payyambalam crematorium issue

Vishal, Shreya to represent India at World & Asian Fencing Cship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: Jammu and Kashmirs fencing stars, Vishal Thapar and Shreya Gupta, have been selected to represent India at the World and Asian Fencing Championships, following stellar performances at the national selection trials held on April 25, in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Their selection comes on the back of a strong showing at the 35th Senior National Fencing Championship 2024-25 in Kannur, Kerala, where both athletes secured bronze medals in the sabre event, representing J&K under the J&K [] The post Vishal, Shreya to represent India at World & Asian Fencing Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Exams postponed as question papers fail to arrive in Kannur varsity

Students had received answer sheets and were seated in examination halls. They were kept waiting for over an hour before learning that the exams have been postponed

How a salty rogan josh saved a 11-member Kerala family from Pahalgam terror attack

KOCHI: Lavanya Alby and her extended family were ascending the road to Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam when -- a few kilometres away from their destination -- a swarm of horses rushed past them from uphill. Then followed panic-stricken people and a stream of vehicles including an ambulance. Little did they know that they had narrowly escaped the terror attack up there. Their unlikely saviour? A salty rogan josh. Lavanya and her family had been touring Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other attractions in Kashmir for two days from April 20, and skipped their lunch on both days to save time. Since it is the peak tourist season, all the restaurants are heavily packed during lunch hours. It might take hours to get lunch which cuts into our sight-seeing time. So we used to skip the lunch. But that day, my husband casually suggested that we have lunch before we ascend the hill. Even though not hungry, the family stopped at Moonwalk restaurant, a few kilometres from Pahalgam as it was not very crowded, wanting to try the Kashmiri mutton delight rogan josh. But the dish was a let-down as it was too salty and had bony mutton pieces. Seeing their disappointment, the restaurant owner insisted that it would be prepared again so that they would not return to Kerala with a bad rogan josh experience. Pahalgam attack and the gathering of war clouds over South Asia Even though the family hopped in for a quick lunch, they were compelled to stay back until they tasted the newly-prepared dish. The preparation of the dish and us complimenting them on their hospitality took almost an hour and a half. If we had left earlier, we would have been right at the spot of the terror attack when it happened, recalled Lavanya with a shudder. The initial hustle from the top of the hill did not raise any alarm for the family as their driver repeatedly assured that they were safe. Soon they realised something had gone wrong uphill, though it was still not clear what had happened. The family decided to spend some time at a lake beneath the valley and took some photographs before they returned to their resort. Only as we reached the stay, our phones got connected to the wifi and we got to know about the bad news. The terror and fright of realizing what we had narrowly escaped still sends chills through my body, she said. The family thanked the locals and the resort staff for their safe return to Srinagar and then back to Kerala. The owner of the restaurant reassured us of our safety for two days until we could return back to the capital. The attack has affected their livelihoods very badly. If no tourists visit anymore, they are concerned about what they will do tomorrow, said Lavanya, recollecting her conversations with the resort staff. Lavanya, who is a Kannur native, her husband Alby George, their three children, parents and the four-member family of her cousin Lesli, who lives in Ernakulam, returned to Kerala safely on April 25. Pahalgam terror attack: Kashmir's message and Delhi's blind spot

Opposition protest disrupts Kannur Corporation Council meet

The meeting, which began at 11 a.m., was wrapped up within five minutes after Mayor Muslih Madathil rushed through the agenda amid the chaos

Here's HOW a horse-riding mishap saved Kannur's Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher's family from Pahalgam massacre

A three- member family from Taliparamba in the district had a narrow escape, after their travel plans were delayed due to an accident during a horseback ride in Kashmir.

Kannur family narrowly escapes Pahalgam terror attack, credits lunch break for survival

The familys trip to the site where the attack occurred was delayed as they stopped for lunch. Afterwards, seeing the chaos on the way to the place, they decided to return back, narrowly escaping from the attack