Kerala gov cancels Onam festivals

Reeling under the unprecedented havoc caused by heavy rains, the Kerala government today decided to do away with the ‘Onam’ celebrations this year and instead utilise the amount for relief operations.

Thirtynine persons have so far lost their lives in landslides and floods caused due to the heavy rains, which has destroyed 20,000 houses and damaged 10,000 km of roads in the state since August 8

City streets are illuminated, handicrafts fairs, folk arts and various programmes are organised during the celebrations which concludes with a grand procession of floats in the state capital. Earlier, the state government had also postponed the annual Nehru trophy boat race.