Latest news with #Krishnankutty
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Heavy rains batter Kerala overnight, cause widespread havoc and power outages
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds battered Kerala overnight and into early Friday (May 30, 2025), inundating residential areas, damaging homes and forcing at least 1,200 citizens to seek refuge in government-run relief camps. The heavy weather uprooted trees and downed power lines. The Fire and Rescue Services department and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) scrambled to clear fallen trees and restore power to an estimated 60 lakh households across the State. Nevertheless, large swathes of the State, including much of Thiruvananthapuram district, remained without power. Power Minister K. Krishnankutty told reporters that public resistance to pre-monsoon pruning off overhanging branches and precariously leaning trees jeopardised the safety of overhead powerlines and transformers. He said the Chief Secretary had instructed the District Collectors to invoke the Disaster Management Act 2005 provisions to overcome such resistance. He said the heavy rains and falling tree branches damaged 2,500 high-tension and 10,000 low-tension power lines across the State and that scores of transformers malfunctioned. The KSEB has sustained a loss of ₹121 crore by a conservative preliminary estimate. He said KSEB has deployed more engineers and line workers to restore power distribution. He said using underground cables to transmit electricity was the long-term solution to ensure uninterrupted power during inclement weather. However, he said the KSEB's goal remained elusive, given the high costs involved and the public utility's inability to raise power charges. Mr Krishnankutty noted the water level in 16 major and 15 small hydroelectric power dams remained within the safety threshold. Red alert Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the severe weather was set to continue with the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensifying incrementally. It has issued a red alert for Idukki, Kannur and Kasargod districts. The government has declared a holiday for educational institutions, including private tuition centres. in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur and Kasargod. High waves The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS) has forecast high waves reaching up to 3.7 m in height along Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. It has issued a red alert in the coastal localities and cautioned fishers from putting their boats out to sea. The INCOIS has issued an orange alert, warning of tidal surges and high waves along the coasts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasargod, and Kannur. The respective district administrations have suspended beach activities. Swollen rivers The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has flagged a rise in water levels in Manimala, Achankovil and Meenachil rivers in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, respectively. It has warned people living on the banks of Korapuzha (Kozhikode) and Kabani (Wayanad) to exercise extreme caution. Delayed trains The heavy rains have delayed several trains, including the Jan Shatabdi Express. Several more were running late, chiefly due to waterlogging of tracks and trees falling on the railway lines. The government has banned nighttime travel in the Idukki district. In several residential localities across Kerala, stormwater pooled under parked cars and motorcycles, damaging the vehicles. So far, the government has evacuated 1,200 people to relief camps. At least 159 houses were partially damaged, according to KSDMA estimates. Reports of rain-related deaths were also trickling in from different parts of the State. A 65-year-old man, K J James, drowned in a waterlogged locality at Punnapra in the Alappuzha district.
News18
12-05-2025
- Health
- News18
International Nurses Day: How India's Nurses Are Being Empowered to Lead the Future of Healthcare
Last Updated: On International Nurses Day, the message is clear: India's nurses are not just caregivers—they are the architects of a stronger, more resilient healthcare future. Every year on May 12, the world observes International Nurses Day, celebrating the tireless commitment, skill, and compassion of nurses who form the backbone of global healthcare. In India, where the healthcare landscape is vast and diverse, nurses do far more than provide bedside care—they are leaders, educators, advocates, and often the first and only line of support in underserved regions. 'Nurses play an imperative role in the health services network, acting as a backbone in bridging the gap between those seeking treatments and equitable healthcare access," says Vinodh Krishnankutty, Director of Nursing, Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon. 'Amongst diverse communities, specifically those which have inadequate medical infrastructure, nurses are mostly the initial ones and sometimes the only line of support." Whether it's responding to emergencies, managing chronic conditions, or educating patients, nurses are central to the continuum of care. Recognizing their expanding responsibilities, many Indian hospitals are making deliberate efforts to empower this crucial workforce. At Medanta, initiatives such as advanced clinical training, leadership development, and continuous learning programs are actively being rolled out. 'These provisions are tailored not only to improve patient care outcomes but also to enrich confidence and empowerment of nursing staff," Krishnankutty adds. 'By providing them with the latest insights and practical expertise, these programs ensure that nurses are ready to meet modern healthcare challenges with efficiency and empathy." 'We are committed to empowering them through continuous professional development programs, specialized training in emerging technologies, and leadership opportunities," Panja explains. 'These initiatives not only enhance their skills but also foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, ensuring they are equipped to meet the evolving needs of our patients and contribute meaningfully to a healthier future for all." In today's post-pandemic world, the need to support and uplift nursing professionals is greater than ever. Their roles are no longer limited to clinical settings—they are shaping policies, influencing patient outcomes, and serving as change-makers in healthcare ecosystems. As Krishnankutty aptly puts it, 'Their position is adapting, and it's important that we continue to identify and invest in their growth as frontline healthcare leaders." On International Nurses Day, the message is clear: India's nurses are not just caregivers—they are the architects of a stronger, more resilient healthcare future. First Published: May 12, 2025, 18:49 IST
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No political decision to revive Athirappilly project: Kerala power minister Krishnankutty
1 2 3 4 5 T'puram: Power minister K Krishnankutty said the govt has not taken any policy decision to go ahead with the Athirappilly hydel power project . KSEB is only trying to explore the project site's tourism potential without directly pushing the 163MW controversial hydel project, he said. The minister told TOI that KSEB was exploring the possibility of setting up a couple of weirs, diverting water from the upper regions of the proposed Athirappilly hydel project site and that it was not for electricity generation purposes. "The weirs would help ensure the Athirappilly waterfall remains a year-round spectacle, increasing tourism attraction. The board is only exploring such possibilities to convince the local public regarding the proposed hydel project's sustainable nature," Krishnankutty said. KSEB chairman and managing director Biju Prabhakar has taken the initiative to explore the tourism potential of the Athirappilly project site and nearby areas and engaged a Kozhikode-based agency, Environment Architecture and Human Settlements (C-EARTH), to submit a report on the same. The move, however, is seen as yet another attempt to push the Athirappilly project through the backdoor. Following the queries raised by TOI over the proposed move, the KSEB CMD's office issued a press statement, saying that the move was indeed to explore the tourism potential along with the proposed hydel power project. Prabhakar stated the criticism raised against the project was totally unfounded and the dam would boost tourism and avoid flooding of the Chalakudy river. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Highest Earning College Majors—2025 Edition Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo The successive govts were unable to go ahead with the Athirappilly power project on account of the protests from greens as well as political parties, including CPI. Since the KSEB move is to increase the project's acceptability, it doesn't require any political clearance from the govt, Krishnankutty said, adding that Kerala should explore more options to utilise the abundant hydel potential of the state if it wants to get out of the over-reliance on power from other states.
