The storm had already claimed the lives of at least two people in China's Hainan and 16 people in the Philippines
asia10 hours ago
Heavy rains dampened voting for bypolls to the five Assembly constituencies in Kerala on Monday morning and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the showers to continue through the day.
The worst affected were Ernakulam and Konni constituencies, which recorded 4.9 per cent and 11.5 per cent voting till 9 am respectively. Among the other three constituencies, Vatiyoorkavu witnessed 11.5 per cent, Aroor 12.8 per cent, and Manjeswaram 16.5 per cent polling till 9 am
"A few polling stations have been shifted from the ground floor to the first floor in Ernakulam Assembly constituency. Around 500 officials, including police, are making the arrangements. We will wait for the reports from the district collectors of the constituencies. We have made arrangements to transport voters to the polling stations in some places. If needed, we will extend the polling time as well," said Tika Ram Meena, the Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer.
"In all these years, I have not lost the opportunity to cast my vote. I have never seen such rain on a voting day in my life, but I am determined to vote," said a 78-year-old nun, who arrived at a flooded polling station in Ernakulam.
In Konni, a constituency with a hilly terrain, voters living in higher areas are finding it hard to reach polling stations after flooding left several roads unmotorable.
A total of 9,57,509 voters, including 4,91,455 women, 4,66,047 men and seven transgenders, are deciding the fate of 35 candidates at 846 polling stations in Vatiyoorkavu, Aroor, Konni, Ernakulam and Manjeswaram.
Polling began at 7 am and will go on till 6.30 pm in the state.
The storm had already claimed the lives of at least two people in China's Hainan and 16 people in the Philippines
asia10 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
transport10 hours ago
The former all-rounder has returned to cricket during the past year after a horrific car crash at the end of 2022
cricket10 hours ago
Dubai Police have asked drivers to be extra cautious
emergencies11 hours ago
The country has set a new Guinness World Record by creating the largest falcon hood, beating the previous record of 1.65 metres
uae11 hours ago
Hamas' health ministry said that 94,616 people have been wounded since the conflict began on October 7
mena12 hours ago
In most Islamic countries, including the Gulf countries, the Prophet's birthday is observed on 12 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1444
uae holidays13 hours ago
Traffic will be diverted to the opposite side during this period
transport13 hours ago