Heavy rains prompt warnings and travel bans in many Kerala districts
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): As rains lashed many parts of Kerala, authorities on Sunday urged people, particularly those living in hilly and coastal areas, to exercise vigil.
The Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Idukki districts for Sunday and Monday, and sounded orange alerts for four other districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam, for these days.
The Met office predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 km/h at one or two places in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala till 1 pm on Sunday.
The Idukki District Collector has ordered a ban on night travel through the hilly areas of the district from Sunday until the red and orange alerts are withdrawn.
"Strict instructions have been issued to the District Superintendent of Police, Sub Divisional Magistrates, Regional Transport Officers, and Tehsildars to implement the ban effectively," an official statement said.
Mining activities have been banned in Ernakulam and Kottayam districts in view of the forecast for heavy rain.
The southern district of Thiruvananthapuram experienced heavy rains on Saturday night, leading to waterlogging in the city and its suburbs, affecting normal life.
Visuals aired by news channels showed that houses and shops were flooded in some parts.
Due to the non-completion of the Smart City Road, waterlogging has worsened in many places.
In some areas, canals crisscrossing the capital city and its suburbs overflowed.
The affected people alleged that the lack of pre-monsoon cleaning of canals and drainage systems was the reason for the waterlogging in the capital city and its suburbs.
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NCB seizes over 39 kgs of Alprazolam in Telangana; three arrested
Hyderabad (PTI): A gang allegedly manufacturing and trafficking Alprazolam drug in bulk quantity illegally in Siddipet district of Telangana has been busted, NCB officials said on Sunday.
Three people, including a Chemist freelancer, have been arrested in this regard, they added.
As much as 39.470 kgs of Alprazolam worth around Rs 12 crore and Rs 85.36 lakhs in cash were seized on May 15, the Hyderabad Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said in a release.
On the basis of specific information, NCB officials intercepted two four-wheelers and two persons when they were exchanging Alprazolam illegally without any valid license.
The search resulted in the recovery of 39.470 kgs of Alprazolam and Rs 85,36,200 in cash, found to be proceeds of Alprazolam sales, it said.
On the basis of a disclosure made by one of the accused about the supplier of the Alprazolam, NCB officials apprehended another person from Hyderabad.
On interrogation, it was revealed that the person who supplied the drug had studied MSc Chemistry. He is working as a chemist freelancer, and he disclosed that he manufactured the seized Alprazolam clandestinely in his laboratory at Prashantnagar here, the NCB said.
All three persons "confessed to their involvement in manufacturing and trafficking of Alprazolam illegally" and were arrested under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act 1985.
Preliminary investigation suggested that they transacted around 150 kgs of Alprazolam over the last five years.
All three accused were produced before the magistrate and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is ongoing, the release added.
