Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press conference that cyclone Tauktae, which formed in the Arabian Sea, is getting stronger. Although the epicenter of the cyclone was moving north from our coast, the impact of the cyclone continued in Kerala.
Hurricane Tauktae is expected to make landfall in Kerala in the next 24 hours. The CM also said that the Central Meteorological Department has issued red alerts in various districts. The state is receiving widespread rainfall. Two days of torrential rains and strong winds have wreaked havoc across the state. Strong winds are expected in the northern districts tonight as part of the cyclone. The wind poses a great danger.

Even if the cyclone changes, the monsoon will reach the state in the next few days. The Central Meteorological Department has announced that the monsoon will reach Kerala by May 31. Even during monsoons, we are more prone to falling trees. Therefore, it is necessary to show seriousness in this matter, said the Chief Minister.

The Central Water Commission had issued a flood warning in the wake of rising water levels in rivers like Manimalayar and Achankovilar. Just because we are not in a rainy season does not mean that there is no danger of a great flood. However, if the heavy rains continue, the water level is likely to rise to dangerous levels. Therefore, those living on the banks of rivers should be careful, the CM said.

It has been directed to evacuate people from flood-prone areas at the required stage. Large dams do not store large amounts of water. Don’t worry about that either. There is a situation where some small dams open and a limited amount of water flows out. The CM said those living under such dams should remain vigilant.

The government has launched the ‘Punargeham’ project as a permanent solution for the safety of endangered coastal residents. The scheme provides financial assistance to those living in houses that are considered to be at risk within a 50-meter tidal range to relocate and buy land in a safe place. Now we are in an emergency.
The epicenter was reported below the Pacific Ocean floor, however; no tsunami alert was issued. So at this point, we need to move to temporary relief camps to make sure no one’s life is in danger. The CM said that the government is requesting the cooperation of all in this matter.

Two deaths have been reported so far in the last two days due to the severe natural calamities in Kerala. The deaths occurred in Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts. Both were drowning. Condolences on death. Avoid going into the water and crossing the river during heavy rains and winds. The Chief Minister said that if the monsoon is strong and there is a possibility of floods, everyone should be ready to accept and follow the instructions given by the government.

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the triple lockdown will come into effect from midnight tomorrow in four districts in Kerala. The triple lockdown will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts. District boundaries will be closed. Bakeries and grocery stores will be open on alternate days. The Chief Minister said in a press conference that a special order in this regard would be issued by the Disaster Management Authority in the respective districts. He also warned that stern action would be taken against those who come out unnecessarily.

The Chief Minister said that triple lockdown is the most rigorous way to control the disease. There is only one way to enter such areas. Violations of the Covid protocol can result in severe penalties, including unnecessary release. Such areas will be divided into different zones to ensure the supervision of top officials. Geofencing and drone surveillance. Strict action will be taken against those who violate the quarantine and those who help it. The ward-level committee will oversee the activities including food preparation. Community kitchens and Janakeeya hotels will be used for this. Apart from this, there will be no other catering facilities in the areas where the triple lockdown exists. The CM also said that drug stores and petrol pumps would be functioning.
10,000 policemen have been deployed to strictly enforce the triple lockdown. Newspaper and milk should arrive home before 6 p.m. Domestic workers, home nurses, plumbers, and electricians can buy passes and go to work. Air and train passengers are allowed to travel. Bakery and grocery stores are open on alternate days. Banks in the four districts will have minimum staff on Tuesdays and Fridays and Co-operative Banks on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm. The boundaries of these districts will be closed. Only essential services that come with an ID card will be allowed. The CM said in a press conference that one road would be maintained inside and out and all other roads would be closed.

Kavaratti: A fishing boat sank near Lakshadweep in Hurricane Taukate. It is learned that the boat was carrying natives of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

It is learned that a fishing boat named Murugan Thunai, which was fishing from Tamil Nadu, sank in strong winds and waves. It is said that there were eight people in the boat at the time of the accident.

The Coast Guard is searching the scene after learning of the accident. No information is currently available on who was on board the boat.

Pathanamthitta: The Central Water Commission has released an orange bulletin for the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the wake of Cyclone Tauktae. Extreme levels of flood danger were announced in at least two places. The water level in Manimala and Achankovil rivers in Kerala and Kodayar rivers in Tamil Nadu will rise sharply. Those living on the banks of Manimalayar and Achankovilar should be extremely careful.

Following the cyclone, Kerala received heavy rainfall. In this context, the Central Water Commission assessed the water level in the rivers of Kerala. According to the Water Commission, the Achankovilar and Manimalayar rivers are above dangerous levels in some places. At the same time, a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister is being convened to assess the situation of the cyclone.

New Delhi: The body of Soumya, who was killed in a rocket attack in Israel, has been brought to Kochi. Arrived on an Air India flight. Soumya’s body was taken to the Nedumbassery airport by her relatives.

The ambulance returned to Idukki with the body. The body was flown to India on a special flight from Israel. Union Minister V Muraleedharan received the body at the Delhi International Airport. Then the body was flown to Kochi by an Air India flight. Burial will be on Sunday afternoon at Keerithode Nityasahayamatha Church. Soumya, who worked as a caretaker in Ashkelon, Israel, was killed on Tuesday. Soumya was killed around 5.30 pm last Tuesday while calling her husband. The woman who cared for Soumya was also killed in the attack. Soumya’s husband Idukki Keerithode Kanjiranthanam Santosh.

Thiruvananthapuram: The lockdown has been extended for another week due to the increasing number of Covid victims in the state. The lockdown has been extended till May 23. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press conference that the triple lockdown has been imposed in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Malappuram districts after 16. The move is aimed at controlling the spread of the disease while existing controls will remain in place. The panel of experts had recommended that the lockdown be extended at the Covid review meeting held today. At the same time, the Chief Minister said that May is crucial for Kerala. If the rains are heavy, the spread of the disease is likely to increase.

Kochi: Swapna Suresh, accused in a gold smuggling case, has been remanded in custody by the Crime Branch for making false allegations against an Air India employee. Crime Branch was remanded in custody until the 22nd of this month. False allegations were made against employee Sibu LS. Swapna, who is currently in customs custody, was arrested in the case by the Crime Branch Jail yesterday. Swapna was presented in court online today. The Thiruvananthapuram JFCM court remanded him in custody as per the Crime Branch application.

Swapna, made false allegations against Sibu while she was an HR manager at Air India Sats. Former Air India Sats vice president Binoy Jacob is also a defendant in the case. Binoy Jacob and Swapna Suresh are facing a crime branch investigation in connection with the case. Air India had taken action against Sibu for talking to media persons after his arrest in the Swapna case. Swapna Suresh is lodged in the Thiruvananthapuram jail on a charge of gold smuggling.