Heavy rains lash Kerala: Alappuzha's Nehru trophy boat race postponed

The 66th edition of the race was to be held on Saturday and a new date for the race will be announced later.
Heavy rains lash Kerala: Alappuzha's Nehru trophy boat race postponed
Heavy rains lash Kerala: Alappuzha's Nehru trophy boat race postponed
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Kerala's famed Nehru trophy boat race in Alappuzha has been postponed this year due to the heavy downpour and flooding in the state. Sources from the Collectorate confirmed to TNM that the race, which was to be held on August 11th, Saturday, will be moved to a later date.

The tourism department made the announcement factoring in the risks of conducting the race on the same day. Following this, official authorities too stated that the decision was taken by the Chief Minister and that an executive meeting will be held following which an official announcement to postpone the race made to the public.

The famed Nehru trophy boat race, which sees competing Chundan Vallams or snake boats, is held at the Punnamada lake on the second Saturday of August every year. This is the 66th year of the Nehru trophy boat race.

This year, 78 boats were to contest in different categories in the race this time. Around 25 chundan vallams (snake boats) were to participate in the 66th edition of the boat race. Additionally, 26 boats in Iruttu Kuthi ‘A’, four boats each in Churulan and Iruttu Kuthi ‘B’, nine boats in Veppu ‘A’ and seven boats in ‘Veppu’ B categories were to compete in the race. Three boats were to participate in the kanodi category for women. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was invited as the chief guest of the event.

An official announcement on the postponement of the boat race will be made on Thursday evening. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the press meet also added that new dates for the race will also be announced.

Several districts in Kerala have been hit by unprecedented rains. Landslides and floods have been reported from different areas of the state bringing normal life to a standstill.

The Chief Minister announced in an emergency press meeting that 20 people have died due to heavy rains. The rains have left six dead in Malappuram, two in Kozhikode, 11 in Idukki, and another two in Wayanad.

Twenty three dams in the state, including the Idukki dam, have been opened after the heavy downpour.  CM took stock of the situation in the state and talked about the measures the centre and the state government were taking to deal with the crisis and listed precautionary measures that are to be taken by the people.  

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