Thiruvananthapuram: The State Pollution Control Board has published a list of banned plastic items and alternatives. With this, the dispute between the traders and the officials of the local bodies has been resolved due to the plastic ban. The use of plastic containers for packing food items and covers for wrapping food items above 50 microns is allowed. The dispute regarding these two plastic products has been going on for some time.

A central decision banning single-use plastics below 50 microns came into effect on July 1. Since the introduction of the ban, the health department officials of the local bodies have been inspecting the business establishments and imposing fines on various criteria. Following this, the All Kerala Disposable Dealers Association approached the board.

As per the board’s list, the following are the banned plastics:-

Plastic shopping bag, plastic carry bag, plastic or plastic coated paper to glass, plastic-coated paper plate, plastic straw, plastic coated paper leaf, plastic spoon
Plates, cups, and decorative items made of thermocol, and plastic garbage bags (hospital use).

Prohibited plastics include candy sticks, earbuds with plastic sticks, balloon with plastic sticks, invitation cards wrapped in plastic, cigarette packet, sweet box, drinking water packed in bottles less than 500 ml, non-branded plastic juice packets, PVC flex material, and cloth with plastic cover.

Plastics recommended in the list instead are Compostable carry bags, cloth bags, paper bags Polylactic acid (PLA) coated paper cups Paper plates Paper straws Plastic containers Wooden spoons, steel spoons Compostable garbage bags Cover above 50 microns for packing groceries and snacks.

Thiruvananthapuram: In the face of a slight increase in covid in the state, the government has again issued an order wearing masks mandatory. The health department has issued a notification wearing masks and sanitizers is mandatory for six months.
Everyone must wear a mask in public, at work, in all places accessible to the public, in social gatherings, and vehicles. Sanitizer should be provided by operators of establishments, shops, and theatres. To be provided by the organizers at the functions. The new order was issued by the principal secretary of the health department, Tinku Biswal.

Idukki: A red alert was announced at the Idukki Dam as the water level rose. A red alert was announced in the morning as part of the first phase of the Idukki dam’s spillway to release excess water. Officials told people on both sides of Periyar to be cautious.

Meanwhile, despite the opening of 10 spillway shutters, the water level in Mullaperiyar is still high as rain continues in the catchment area. According to the latest information, the water level in Mullaperiyar has reached 138.05 feet. The inflow of water into the dam is strong following the rains in the catchment areas. If the water level rises exponentially, more shutters will be raised and excess water will flow into the Periyar. If the water in the Mullaperiyar dam is full, the water level will rise again. Rainfall in the catchment area is also a concern.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Chalakudy river has started to decrease as the rainfall in the catchment area has decreased. Currently, the water level in the river has reached 6.90 meters below the warning level. The release of water from Peringalkuthu Dam has reduced. Only 8500 cusecs of water reaches Peringalkum from Parambikulam and Thunakadav.

Idukki:  The spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam were opened. Three shutters of the dam were opened. 534 cubic feet of water is discharged into Periyar. After 2 hours, 1,000 cubic feet of water will be released. The water flow is 9066 cubic feet.
The released water reaches Idukki Dam via Vallakadavu, Vandiperiyar, Chappath, Upputhara, and Ayyappan Kovil. An alert has been issued along the Periyar coast. It is also advised not to land in Periyar.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressing concern over the rising water level in Mullaperiyar Dam. The letter demanded immediate intervention to take more water from the Mullaperiyar dam, which has a strong flow of water. In the letter, the Chief Minister asked Tamil Nadu to transport more water to reduce the water level in the dam and to inform Kerala 24 hours in advance of the steps to be taken.

Last year, Tamil Nadu’s Mullaperiyar shutters were opened at night without giving proper warnings, causing trouble for people. The water flow in the river increased and many houses were flooded. Following this, Kerala requested to inform Kerala of the measures 24 hours in advance.

Thiruvananthapuram: KSRTC cuts services as the diesel crisis worsens in the state. Many services have been canceled in the state today. At present, ordinary services have been cut. More than half of the services have been canceled across the state. KSRTC has clarified that only 25 percent of ordinary services will be operated tomorrow. Ordinary buses will be completely stopped on Sunday.

As part of the current severe financial difficulties, the availability of diesel is reduced and the situation of operating services without revenue in bad weather conditions has been directed to avoid the situation.

According to the order, super class services from fast passengers which generate revenue should be fully operated on Friday and Saturday afternoon as much as possible, all long-distance services should be operated on Sunday afternoon and almost fully operated on Monday during peak hours.

The order also states that the maximum number of ordinary services should be arranged and operated with the diesel available on Monday to avoid inconvenience to the passengers. KSRTC explained that the fuel crisis will be resolved on Monday or Tuesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: In view of the continuing rains in the state, the District Collectors have declared a holiday for educational institutions in 9 districts today. While a complete holiday has been announced in 9 districts, the holiday has been announced on a taluk basis in some districts.

A complete holiday has been announced for educational institutions in Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad and Kannur districts. A holiday has also been declared in some taluks of Malappuram and Kasaragod districts.

The district collector said that the campaign that declared a complete holiday in Malappuram district is fake. The holiday is applicable including for professional colleges. MG University has postponed the exams scheduled for tomorrow. The revised date will be announced later. Holiday is not applicable for residential schools in Wayanad. Only Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kozhikode districts have not announced any kind of holiday.