Evacuation of 5,000 persons begins as Kerala dams' level rises
Idukki (Kerala), Aug 14 : With increased water flow into the Idamalayar and Idukki dams in Kerala late Tuesday night due to incessant rains, authorities began to evacuate about 5,000 persons living in and around the two reservoirs, a police official said.
He told the media that the decision was taken after heavy rains led to rise in Mullaperiyar dam water level.
"We have already asked people to move out, especially those living between Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams. The aged and the sick are being moved by government officials," the official added.
According to authorities, water level in Mullaperiyar dam was 138 feet on Tuesday night. If its shutters are opened, the water will flow to the Idukki dam, where water level stands at 2,397.42 feet.
Rains in Idukki yet again on Tuesday increased water inflow into the Idukki dam, forcing authorities in the night to open two of the five sluices shut down on Monday.
The Idukki dam was discharging 7.50 lakh litres of water per second, causing worry to authorities as more water in the Periyar river and its tributaries could lead to flooding of parts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, as was seen in the past week.
Unprecedented rains and flooding -- the worst since 1924 -- have left at least 39 people dead and thousands in relief camps in Kerala. Many rued that they had lost virtually all their possessions after surging waters swept away their possessions.
Consequent to the heavy rains, 27 dams of the state had to open their shutters.
According to the state's preliminary estimates, the rains have caused loss of over Rs 8,000 crore in rain-affected districts.
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Breaking American laws can have serious consequences for student visa: US Embassy
New Delhi (PTI): The US Embassy in India on Wednesday said breaking American laws can have "serious consequences" for a student visa, as it termed a sojourn in the country a privilege, not a right.
The embassy in a post on X cautioned that one could become ineligible for future US visas if they are "arrested or violate any laws."
"Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas. Follow the rules and don't jeopardize your travel," the embassy posted on X.
"A US visa is a privilege, not a right," it said in an assertion it has made through many posts on X in the past several months.
On June 19, it wrote, "A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law."
On June 23, the US Embassy asked those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa to switch the privacy settings of their social media accounts to "public" for vetting, which it said was necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US.
