Kochi: The major railway reservation counters in the state which were closed due to Corona will start functioning from today. The counters at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam junctions are open from 8 am to 8 pm. Elsewhere, it runs from nine in the morning to five in the evening.

At the same time, there are reports that Indian Railways will lose about Rs 35,000 crore in passenger revenue in the financial year 2020-2021 due to corona expansion, lockdown, and subsequent train cancellations.

The main reason for the loss was the low number of train journeys following the epidemic. At present, only 230 special trains of Indian Railways are in service. According to the Ministry of Railways, only a quarter of these trains have 100% fare. But the railways are trying to make up for the current loss with revenue from freight. Freight movement is almost the same as last year.

The passenger section is not currently working properly. Only 230 trains are in service. These trains also do not fully accommodate passengers. Only 75% travel.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Met Office has forecast heavy rains in the state from tomorrow. A yellow alert has been declared in ten districts of the state today. The yellow alert has been issued in Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Kottayam, and Alappuzha districts. There is no special alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam districts.

District administrations and local bodies have been asked to be extra vigilant as there is a risk of heavy rains and floods. The low-pressure area forming in the Bay of Bengal will cause heavy rainfall in Kerala. According to meteorologists, extreme caution should be exercised until August 20.

Kochi: Judge Honey M Varghese has written to the Supreme Court seeking more time to complete the trial in the case of actress attack in Kochi. The trial is expected to be extended by another three months.

The apex court had earlier directed that the trial be completed within six months, but the trial could not be held due to COVID. That is why the trial required more time. A special court has been constituted to hear the case as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

The cross-examination of the actress in the case is currently in progress. Defendant Dileep had repeatedly approached the High Court and the Supreme Court seeking his removal from the accused list delayed the trail.

He seeks the court to allow himself and experts to examine the footage of the attack on the actress. This is also delayed the trial. In view of all this, the request is for an extension of the trial period, reports said.

Thiruvananthapuram: The police headquarters in the state has been closed for two days due to the COVID. The police headquarters at Vellayambalam was closed for cleaning and disinfection. The headquarters will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and will be open on Mondays.

COVID had confirmed to two officers who were on duty at the police headquarters the previous day. In this case, it is closed for disinfection.

Eight people had earlier been diagnosed with the disease in the special branch section in the annex of the police headquarters. Then that part was closed.