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The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Boating suspended in Thekkadi till May 27; Monitoring Officer reviews preparedness in Theni district
Following the southwest monsoon setting in a week in advance, heavy rainfall in many parts of neighbouring Kerala has led to the suspension of boat rides in Thekkadi (Kerala) till Tuesday (May 27, 2025) after Red Alert was issued, officials said on Sunday. While the Indian Meteorological Department has given an orange alert for Theni and Dindigul districts, the officials here, led by Monitoring Officer M. Govinda Rao, Collector Ranjith Singh, and others took stock, of the preparedness at the District Collectorate. The special control room will monitor the rainfall level, to check on dam storage level, and to keep watch for floods at low-lying areas. The Disaster Management Department officials said they expected rainfall between Sunday (May 25) and Monday (May 26) along the Western Ghats. A warning has already been issued to people in areas along the river, with first responders put on alert. Officials in the Department of Highways and the police said the ghat section in the district was being closely monitored, especially the Cumbum Mettu, which connects Theni, Munnar, and other destinations. So far, there have been no problems. On Saturday, there was widespread rain in parts of the district, including Thekkadi and Mullaperiyar dam. Besides mild showers in some parts, there was largely no rain till 6 p.m. on Sunday, officials said.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
New library to come up in Palayamkottai at a cost of ₹100 crore
Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district is all set to get a new library on three acres of land belonging to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital near District Industries Centre on South High Ground Road on an outlay of ₹100 crore. Speaking to reporters here on Monday after inspecting the proposed site for the library, Mr. Velu said the Tamil Nadu Government had earlier sanctioned libraries for Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchi districts. Three acres of land near the District Industries Centre had been selected for the library in Tirunelveli. The facility would come up on an 77,586 square feet area and include a 250-seat auditorium, competitive examination section, children's section with mini theatre, digital library, food court and five lifts. The detailed project report was being prepared, and drawings from private architects were being received for the proposed landmark structure. 'All works will be completed before May 15 and submitted to the government for final approval. Hence, civil work will start this fiscal itself once the funds are released. If Revised Administrative Sanction is needed for adding more facilities in the library, it will also be done as we will get special permission from the Chief Minister', Mr. Velu said. On the progress of construction of Porunai Museum on the outskirts of Palayamkottai on an outlay of ₹33 crore, Mr. Velu said civil work of the museum, which would exhibit the Adichanallur, Sivakalai and Korkai artefacts, would be completed before May-end. Visitor-friendly amenities such as ramps, battery-operated vehicles, lawns and fountains were being created. Interior work such as showcases with proper lighting would start in the first week of June by Chennai and Mumbai-based firms so as to complete the work by August-end. After getting the Chief Minister's approval, the museum would be inaugurated. The Minister said infrastructure development works in southern districts such as laying of 33 km-long west Tirunelveli Bypass Road were gaining momentum. Even as the laying to the road for 11 km in the first phase at a cost of ₹160 crore was going on, land acquisition for laying the road for 22 km was going on. The funds for the second phase would be released once land acquisition was completed. Land acquisition for constructing the 'Y'-shaped rail over bridge at Kulavanigarpuram manned level crossing at a cost of ₹99 crore was going on following appeal from Palayamkottai MLA M. Abdul Wahab. A Detailed Project Report had been submitted with the Department of Highways. The tender for the ROB would be floated for starting the civil work once the DPR was approved. Asked about the accident in which a couple from Tirupur was killed after their two-wheeler fell in a deep pit dug for bridge construction, Mr. Velu said extra precautionary measures were being taken to avert mishaps. Officials had been instructed to take all preventive measures to caution the public in places where road works were going on. 'Unfortunately, some accidents happen despite the precautionary measures. If the officials do not take due precautionary steps, they will face stringent action.' Following improved patronage for Nagapattinam-Sri Lanka ferry service, the Tamil Nadu Government had submitted with the Centre a Detailed Project Report proposing introduction of a similar service between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka. 'We are waiting for approval and funds from the Central Government for the project,' said Mr. Velu, lamenting about the delay in release of funds to the tune of ₹4,000 crore from the Union Government for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. Collector R. Sukumar, Mr. Abdul Wahab and Mayor G. Ramakrishnan were present.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
McDowell County students returning to school March 10
welch — Arrangements are underway to bring McDowell County's students back to their classrooms next month while the county and much of southern West Virginia is still recovering from the devastating Feb. 15 flood. McDowell County Schools announced Thursday that schools will be reopening on March 10. School officials said in their website post that the school system will work with families living in places where bus routes are currently inaccessible and will work with them individually to find ways to make sure their children can return to school as soon as possible. 'We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students,' school officials said. 'Our district is working closely with the (state) Department of Highways to ensure that buses will run safely where roads are clear. Please note, bus routes may change as areas improve, and we will keep you informed.' School bus routes and changes to them will be posted on the McDowell County Schools website by March 5. Until the county's schools reopen, the school system is encouraging students to focus on a 'technology supportive lesson' so they can review math and reading skills. Schools will be distributing Chromebook devices to students so they can complete their lessons. The lessons are designed to help students keep up with their skills and help ease the transition back to their classrooms, school officials said in their announcement. Soon after the county's flood recovery efforts started, the county schools have been aiding the effort by being places where flood victims and volunteers can find shelter, charge their devices and get hot meals. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced late Wednesday that the federal government had approved his request for Individual Assistance in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties. The Individual Assistance (IA) Program provides funds to individuals dealing with major damage to their homes or property. The governor's request for Public Assistance, which would be spent on repairs for roads, water systems and other infrastructure in McDowell County and the other counties, was still being reviewed by FEMA. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Snow-covered roads lead to treacherous travel as winter storm barrels across US toward East Coast
Snow adding insult to injury across the Tennessee Valley as the region continues to recover in wake of deadly flooding Heavy snow expected to impact travel in mid-Atlantic Norfolk, Virginia, could see biggest snowstorm since 2018 A powerful winter storm slammed communities from the Plains and Midwest through the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday, dumping heavy snow that led to reports of numerous crashes due to the treacherous travel conditions. The storm is now continuing on its journey to the east. How To Watch Fox Weather Early Wednesday morning, snow was falling across the Appalachians ahead of unleashing its last round of winter weather in the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Southeast. Millions of people from the Midwest and mid-Mississippi Valley to the Carolinas and Virginia on the East Coast are all included in winter weather alerts, including Winter Storm Warnings for cities such as Nashville in Tennessee and Louisville, London and Paducah in Kentucky. Download The Free Fox Weather App Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that state offices would be closed on Wednesday due to the winter weather, and Nasa's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, said it would be opening late because of the conditions. Similar announcements were made in Tennessee, where Gov. Bill Lee announced that state offices in the West and Middle Grand divisions would remain closed on Wednesday. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has urged his residents to remain vigilant because of the winter weather as the region continues to recover in the wake of deadly flash flooding that slammed the region last weekend. He warned that snow and bitterly cold temperatures are expected across much of the state through the rest of the week. "If you can't turn your heat on by (Tuesday) afternoon, you need to call a family member or friend to go stay with them," Beshear said. "If that option isn't available, please go to an emergency shelter." Thousands of Department of Highways crews have been working tirelessly to remove mud and debris from hundreds of roads because of the flooding. Now, to add insult to injury, those same crews have been preparing for the onslaught of winter weather. Beshear said snowplows and salt trucks were working to keep state highways passable but warned that the incoming extreme cold would make it difficult for them as salt and other anti-icing agents become less effective. The mid-Atlantic is the next target for the winter storm as it continues to barrel out of the Ohio Valley and into the Appalachians. The FOX Forecast Center said that after a "break" in the intensity of the snow in the central Appalachians, renewed heavy precipitation will develop later Wednesday morning, especially across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, as a secondary low-pressure system develops off the East Coast. Due to the winter weather threat, the governor of North Carolina declared a state of emergency and prepared residents for treacherous travel conditions and power outages. Snow and freezing rain will spread across the region through Wednesday morning, and some strong, quick bursts of snow will cover parts of Virginia. Starting Wednesday afternoon and into the evening, the heaviest snow will fall across the mid-Atlantic, especially in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia and far northeastern North Carolina. The biggest snowstorm of the season so far in the Richmond, Virginia, area was reported on Jan. 5-6, when about 6 inches of snow fell. The FOX Forecast Center said there is a good chance that this storm could eclipse that threshold. In Norfolk, Virginia, the biggest winter storm of the season occurred on Jan. 22-23, when 3.8 inches fell. "Not only will this storm likely shatter (that measurement), it will have the chance to be the biggest in the city since 2018," the FOX Forecast Center said. And it's not only the snow that will be an issue. An icy swath is expected across portions of the Carolinas near and to the south of the storm's track. Portions of southern Virginia and North Carolina, including Raleigh and Charlotte, are expected to experience icing late Wednesday through late Wednesday article source: Snow-covered roads lead to treacherous travel as winter storm barrels across US toward East Coast
