Thiruvananthapuram: The Central Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains in Kerala due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. A red alert was declared in Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts today. An orange alert is issued in all districts except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta. The Meteorological Department said a yellow alert had been issued in these districts.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has directed the public and government agencies to take precautionary measures against landslides and floods in low-lying areas. There is a risk of falling tree trunks due to strong winds. The notice also said that fish workers should not go to sea for any reason.

A red alert has been declared in Idukki, Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts tomorrow. A yellow alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts and an orange alert has been declared elsewhere.

The announcement said those in disaster-prone areas in districts where a red-orange alert has been declared should be shifted to camps immediately as part of precaution. Due to heavy rains during the night, people are forced to relocate during the day in areas prone to landslides and mudslides.

Night traffic to hilly areas should be completely avoided. The disaster management authority also directed that an order be issued banning night traffic to the hilly region between 7 am and 7 pm.

Thiruvananthapuram: The 25th Kerala International Film Festival will be held next year. The film academy has announced that the fair will be held from February 12 to 19, 2021. The film festival scheduled for December has been postponed to next year due to the special circumstances of the current COVID.

The academy has said that the film festival will be held in February to meet the COVID norms. Entries for the film festival can be submitted through the IFFK website till October 31 this year.

Films completed between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020, will have the opportunity to participate in the fair. Entries must be submitted by October 31 and preview material must be submitted by November 2. A shortlist of selected films will be released on December 10. It has been informed that the screening material should be submitted before January 20 next year.

Kochi: The High Court has granted bail to three accused in a gold smuggling case. The court granted bail to ninth accused Mohammad Anwar, 13th accused Abdul Shemeem and 14th accused CV Gifsal. Defendants must appear before the investigating officer.

The conditions are bail of Rs. 50,000 and equivalent bail. The court’s order was based on the defendants’ contention that they should not be remanded in custody indefinitely.

Thiruvananthapuram: The CBI is questioning the music director Stephen Devassy in connection with the death of violinist Balabhaskar. The interrogation took place at the CBI office in Thiruvananthapuram. Stephen arrived for questioning around noon. Stephen Devasy is also a close friend of Balabhaskar.

Relatives and family say Balabhaskar’s death was not an accident but a premeditated murder. Earlier, allegations were leveled against Stephen  Devassy. Based on this, the CBI summoned him. The CBI is seeking information from Stephen Devasya on his financial dealings with Balabhaskar.

Kochi: Minister KD Jaleel has returned after completing the NIA’s ten-hour interrogation on the delivery of religious texts through a diplomatic parcel. He was questioned at 3.30 pm but returned after receiving police clearance. He returned in the vehicle of former Aluva MLA AM Yusuf.

Jaleel, who was present at the NIA office at around 6 am, was interrogated at around 8 am. The minister arrived in the car of former MLA AM Yusuf. The minister arrived at the NIA office based on a notice received the previous day. Earlier, the Directorate of Enforcement had also questioned Jaleel.

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister EP Jayarajan’s son Jayson Jayarajan will be issued a notice to appear for enforcement questioning on allegations that he took a commission from Swapna Suresh as part of the Life Mission project. Enforcement will soon question Minister KT Jaleel and Beenish Kodiyeri.

Earlier, the BJP and Congress had alleged that Jayson Jayarajan, son of minister EP Jayarajan, had taken a commission of Rs 1 crore from Swapna Suresh, the accused in the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case, as part of the Life Mission project. Following this, the enforcement decided to question Jayson Jayarajan. Jason ED will give immediate notice to appear for questioning. The ED is investigating whether Jaison was involved in any way in the Life Mission project.

Meanwhile, the jail authorities handed over the medical report of Swapna Suresh, the accused in the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case, to the NIA court. The report was handed over after the Swapna was sought in NIA custody. Meanwhile, the NIA has started questioning the accused in custody.