The British High Commission has been amongst the earliest organisations to provide relief interventions, following devastating floods in Chitral…reports Asian Lite News
From July 29 to August 3, Chitral faced severe destruction caused by torrential rains, flash floods, and glacial lake outburst floods. The catastrophic events led to the obliteration of 14 drinking water supply schemes, 15 jeep-accessible bridges, 55 irrigation channels, 9 link roads, 3 school buildings, 4,000 feet of protection walls, and 20 local shops.
In response, the British High Commission utilized its presence in the region, collaborating with Concern Worldwide and the Aga Khan Foundation to deliver emergency relief and support the restoration of essential infrastructure and livelihoods.
So far, the UK has funded essential items like kitchen sets, hygiene kits, water storage containers and more for around 300 families. Partners continue to work on immediate restoration of damaged drinking water systems, the restoration of essential irrigation channels, and debris removal to re-enable access and livelihoods, UK support is expected to benefit over 20,000 people in Chitral. The UK are also considering on longer-term recovery plans for affected areas, in close coordination with government counterparts and humanitarian partners.
Chargé d’Affaires of the British High Commission, Andrew Dalgleish said that, ‘The recent floods in Chitral are devastating. Lives and livelihoods have been destroyed. The UK is here to support Pakistan. These floods are a stark reminder that there is much more to be done to improve Pakistan’s climate resilience.’
Floods have already led to 141 deaths, 266 injuries and damage to over 1,000 houses in Pakistan this year. Climate change is a priority for the UK Government. During the devastating floods of 2022, the UK helped over 2.3 million people, dedicating a total of £39 million in UK aid. The British public mobilised, and raised £41.5m as part of the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. Support included emergency cash assistance, shelter kits, nutritional support, learning kits and infrastructure repair.
The UK’s focus is on improving Pakistan’s climate resilience long-term, rather than purely responding to disasters. The UK has already helped 1.5 million people improve their resilience to extreme climate events, and aims to support a further 3 million people in the next 4-5 years.
In the East Midlands, floodwater either breached or surrounded several homes in Bottleacre Lane in Loughborough, Leicestershire, according to PA Media, leaving some people trapped inside their homes…reports Asian Lite News
Travel has been seriously disrupted after Storm Henk battered a large swathe of the UK, with hundreds of flood warnings still in place.
On Tuesday, a man in his 50s died after a tree fell on the car he was driving in Gloucestershire, police said. Large parts of England and Wales experienced strong winds and heavy rain during the storm.
More than 250 flood warnings are in place in England, while thousands of homes are without power.
At Billing Aquadrome, a leisure park in Northampton, and surrounding business units, hundreds of people were told to evacuate amid rising water levels from the River Nene, locals said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of properties near the River Severn in the West Midlands are flooded, in some cases for the fourth time this winter.
In the East Midlands, floodwater either breached or surrounded several homes in Bottleacre Lane in Loughborough, Leicestershire, according to PA Media, leaving some people trapped inside their homes.
In Tenby, a severe flood warning is in place along the River Ritec where there is a substantial risk to life and reports of raw sewage in floodwater.
Eight other flood warnings are in place across Wales, and one in Scotland.
There is likely to be little let-up in the wet weather; the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain across much of southern England from 12:00 GMT on Thursday until 03:00 on Friday.
The forecaster says further flooding, travel disruption and power cuts may occur. It comes as train services were slowly getting back on track after flooding and power failures on Tuesday and further disruption on some lines throughout Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday evening, Network Rail, which owns and manages the infrastructure, said the situation was “much improved” after fallen trees had disrupted several South Western services on Tuesday and overnight.
However, some lines remained blocked on Great Western Railway’s network and parts of Thameslink, Southern, and Great Northern services continued to face disruption while infrastructure repairs were being carried out.
The bad weather also uprooted trees and felled branches, causing treacherous conditions, power cuts and major road closures.
The Energy Networks Association, which collates data from all energy providers, said about 800 homes were without power as of Wednesday evening. Power went down in more than 107,000 other homes during Storm Henk but has since been restored.
On Tuesday, a man in his 50s from Bath, who has not yet been named, died after a tree fell on his car, police said. Emergency services were called to Tetbury Road near Kemble at about 15:15 GMT, but despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he died at the scene.
In Orpington, south-east London, a woman was taken to hospital after being struck by a falling tree. Her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
One man told of the “nerve-wracking” moment a roof hatch on a London Eye pod began to blow off in the high winds, while he was 135 metres up in the air. “One guy was saying his prayers – he was very nervous indeed,” he said.
In Birmingham, Liam Stych was hailed a hero after jumping into floodwater to rescue a woman and her three-year-old daughter from a partially submerged car.
“I said to the woman, ‘now’s your time you know, take my hand and we can go’,” he said. “At that moment she just put her arms out to me for help.”
The strongest gusts on Tuesday were recorded at the Needles Old Battery – an exposed, unpopulated, coastal site in the Isle of Wight – reaching 94mph (151km/h). The biggest inland gust of 81mph (130km/h) was recorded at Exeter Airport.
The storm has now largely moved onto Scandinavia. Winds are forecast to be lighter and there will also be sunnier spells during the rest of the week.
Henk was the eighth named storm in three months. It was named much later than usual – hours before its impact – because it was small and still developing early on Tuesday.
Chennai, Dec 04 (ANI): A view of the waterlogged road following heavy rainfall triggered by cyclone Michaung, in Chennai on Monday. (ANI Photo)
Tamil Nadu state government has asked the authorities about the availability of ready-made items including rice-dals-vegetables and their quality to arrange food for those staying in the relief camps…reports Asian Lite News
Eight people have lost their lives while multiple roads and subways are closed due to waterlogging in the wake of the Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Michaung’, which is expected to make landfall on the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam today.
“Traffic has been closed on Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from the Puzhal Lake,” police said on Tuesday.
The police further informed that 8 deaths have been reported so far in the state.
“A dead body of an unidentified man aged about 70 years who was found dead at the platform near the Vaidyanathan flyover, Padmanaban (M/50), Senthurai, Natluun, Dindigul district was electrocuted and died at loan square road, Murugan (M/35), died by fallen tree on himself at Besant Nagar, a dead body of an unidentified woman aged about 60 years was found dead at Foreshore Estate Bus Depot, Ganesan (M/70 years) of Thuraipakkam was electrocuted while walking on the road near his house,” Tamil Nadu police said.
“Dharath (M/53 years) died due to a compound wall collapse at Ellaiamman Boyd Street, Sehlim (M/50), was found dead in the rainwater inside the School campus, Mirajul Islam (M/19) of Assam State, who stayed at Kotturpuram Corporation School relief Centre died due to epilepsy today,” the police added.
The police also added that many families including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens were rescued from different areas who were stuck due to wreak havoc of Cyclone Michaung.
Around 17 subways including the Ganesapuram Subway, Gengureddy Subway, Sembium (Perambur), Villivakkam and Duraisamy Subway are closed due to water logging, the police informed further.
“Fallen trees have been removed at 58 places in the GCP limit,” police said.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Tuesday morning inspected the Cyclone affected areas in the state. The Tamil Nadu CM inspected the rain relief camp set up in Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centres in which 43 are operated accommodating 2477 Chennai residents. There are 20 kitchens operational providing food to these relief centres.
The state government has asked the authorities about the availability of ready-made items including rice-dals-vegetables and their quality to arrange food for those staying in the relief camps.
Earlier CM Stalin said ” We have reduced/prevented loss of life to a great extent due to systematic improvements and comprehensive structural preparations. Rescue and relief work is going on at a wartime pace.”
5000 workers from other districts are moved to Chennai for the mitigation works. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and other top officials are monitoring operations at the Integrated Command &Control Center. For the Chennai corporation the focus is on prioritizing rescue operations, providing food to individuals relocated to relief centers and clearing roads.
The bridge in the Nerkundram area is surrounded by water overflowing from the Koovam River. Due to release of water from the Chembarambakkam Lake Madha engineering college near Chembarambakkam was partially submerged. Water reached nearly neck level and people struggled to walk.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said “Severe Cyclonic Storm “MICHAUNG” over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts moved northwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, the 5th December 2023 over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh coast near Latitude14.9°N and Longitude 80.2°E, about 20 km east of Kavali, 50 km north-northeast of Nellore, 200 km north of Chennai, 110 km south-southwest of Bapatla and 170km south-southwest of Machilipatnam.”
It further said that Cyclone ‘Michaung’ is likely to cross south Andhra Pradesh during the forenoon of December 5 with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 Kmph.
“As the system is nearly moving northwards close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lie overland. The system is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” the IMD added.
Chennai Airfield remains closed for arrival and departure operations till 0900 hrs IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions.
Public life was severely affected in Chennai as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas, were inundated due to persistent heavy rainfall.
Chennai Airport resumes operations
Chennai Airport has resumed operations after being temporarily shut down due to heavy rains that caused flooding and waterlogging on the runways, said an airport official.
The airport will be open for both arrivals and departures from 0900 hours IST onwards.
According to a statement released by the airport authorities, the rains have stopped, and the water has receded. However, there is a lot of slush and filth on the runways and taxiways, which is being cleared by four Civilian Firearms Teams (CFTs) and additional manpower.
The Chennai Team has confirmed that all CNS and ATM facilities are functioning normally, and the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) will be withdrawn shortly. Airlines and other stakeholders have been informed about the resumption of operations and have been asked to plan their flights accordingly.
Air Traffic Management (ATM) will prioritize departures to clear the backlog of stranded passengers at the airport. There are currently 21 aircraft on the ground and around 1500 passengers in the terminals. The F&B Concessionaire has ensured that adequate food is available at all outlets. (ANI)
The humanitarians said many people are still grappling with five consecutive seasons of severe droughts in the Horn of Africa, Xinhua news agency reported…reports Asian Lite News
Flooding in the last month has impacted 1.5 million people in Ethiopia, displacing more than 600,000 of them from their homes, UN humanitarians said.
The UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday that the Somali region accounts for 80 per cent of those most affected, including in the South East, Gambela, Oromia, Afar and Sidama regions.
“The floods have caused extensive damage to crops, livestock and vital infrastructure,” OCHA added.
“Houses, shops, schools and agricultural lands are submerged. There is also a rise in health risks with increased cases of cholera, malaria and dengue fever.”
The humanitarians said many people are still grappling with five consecutive seasons of severe droughts in the Horn of Africa, Xinhua news agency reported.
OCHA said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov, Ethiopian officials and United Nations and non-governmental organisation representatives visited flood-affected areas to assess the situation and explore how to scale up relief efforts.
“The United Nations and our partners are supporting the government response and providing food, shelter, water and sanitation, as well as logistics support,” the office said.
“In addition to increased logistical capacity, we also need increased funding beyond the immediate humanitarian response to help communities adapt to climate change.”
OCHA said this year’s Humanitarian Response Plan for Ethiopia, calling for nearly $4 billion, is only one-third funded, at $1.3 billion.
In the south, October saw unseasonal high temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius on multiple occasions…reports Asian Lite News
Italy has been bracing for the latest round of extreme weather, with heavy rains and potential flooding forecast for large parts of central and northern Italy. Meanwhile, high temperatures were predicted in the south.
Italian civil protection officials on Wednesday said that two thunderstorm systems would be moving over the country this week, resulting in red alerts for flooding in the northeastern regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Orange alerts have been issued across large parts of northwestern and central Italy, including Milan.
The coming thunderstorms are likely to spark floods that could close roads, interrupt commercial and passenger sea transport, and damage crops. The forecast comes after several days of heavy rainfall over much of northern Italy.
Additionally, the canal city of Venice has been repeatedly threatened by sea levels up to 1.54 meters above normal levels, but significant damage was averted due to the city’s high-tech flood barriers.
In the south, October saw unseasonal high temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius on multiple occasions. In Sicily, although October temperatures were cooler than the all-time high recorded in July and August, the averages in some parts of the island were nearly ten degrees higher than historical norms, local reports said.
The weather in Sicily has also been unusually dry and multiple wildfires were reported this week, following widespread fires throughout the long and dry summer.
Italian agricultural union Coldiretti said earlier this week that the high temperatures in August and the predicted thunderstorms were bad news for the agricultural sector. The olive harvest, which this year suffered from a one-third reduction due to the hot and dry summer, could see low production again next year due to the extreme weather in fall and winter.
The agricultural group said that repeated bouts of unpredictable weather this year have reduced wheat production by a tenth, while cherry production was 60 percent lower than normal, and the honey harvest was 70 percent below last year’s levels.
Over the last 18 months, Italy has suffered from a string of extreme weather events, ranging from record-high temperatures and drought in the summer months of 2022 and 2023, to wildfires, floods, landslides, hail and severe winds.
Bathily also underlined the urgency for Libya to have unified and legitimate institutions to respond effectively to all challenges facing the country…reports Asian Lite News
The special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, has stressed the importance of swift, coordinated and united efforts to recover from the floods that hit eastern Libya last week.
Bathily made the remarks in a meeting with President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed Menfi in the capital Tripoli, during which he expressed condolences on behalf of the UN after deadly floods swept the city of Derna and other areas, Bathily wrote on Sunday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The UN envoy said he emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the use of resources during the recovery and reconstruction process and proposed the establishment of an inclusive mechanism to oversee the recovery efforts, Xinhua news agency reported.
Bathily also underlined the urgency for Libya to have unified and legitimate institutions to respond effectively to all challenges facing the country.
On September 10, Mediterranean storm Daniel triggered the worst floods in Libya in decades, which have so far claimed at least 5,500 lives and left another 10,000 missing, according to official statistics.
Oil-rich Libya has been divided for years between rival administrations in the east and west after the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Asylum-seekers gather in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Al-Sarraj, Tripoli, Libya, on Oct. 9, 2021. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua/IANS)
The storm made landfall in eastern Libya on Sunday, triggering flooding and destroying facilities along its path…reports Asian Lite News
More than 2,000 people have died and about 6,000 others are reportedly missing in Libya after torrential rain brought by storm Daniel triggered the collapse of two dams which swept entire neighborhoods into the sea.
Speaking to a local TV channel on Monday, Osama Hammad, the eastern-based Prime Minister of Libya, confirmed the toll in “catastrophic” floods that hit eastern Libya on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Hammad said most of the casualties were reported in the port city of Derna, where “the entire neighborhoods were swept away”.
He called on medical personnel and rescue teams nationwide to provide assistance to the city, while the eastern-based Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Gatrani has appealed for international aid .
Local authorities have declared three days of mourning for the victims.
The storm made landfall in eastern Libya on Sunday, triggering flooding and destroying facilities along its path.
Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah, the prime minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, on Sunday instructed relevant authorities to remain on high alert and take measures to deal with the storm, vowing to “protect the people and ease the damage”.
President of the Libyan Presidency Council, Mohamed Menfi, also called for international assistance to cope with the aftermath of the deadly floods.
“We call on the brotherly and friendly countries and the international organisations to provide assistance and support for the disaster areas,” Menfi said in a statement on Monday.
He declared Derna, Al-Bayda and Shahhat as stricken cities, and called on the people to abide by the instructions of the authorities “to overcome this crisis”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Libyan Red Crescent Society have started to offer urgent assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Libya, a country of six million people, has been dividedbetween rival administrations in the east and west since 2014, following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Each administration is backed by armed groups and militias.
Heavy rain has drenched the state, prompting road closures, evacuations and rescues…reports Asian Lite News
US President Joe Biden has declared an emergency in Vermont in the wake of catastrophic flooding in the state.
In a statement late Tuesday, the White House said in a statement that Biden has ordered federal assistance to supplement the northeastern state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the areas affected by flooding beginning on Sunday and continuing, reports Xinhua news agency.
Today, I spoke with @GovPhilScott, @SenSanders, and @FEMA_Deanne to reiterate my commitment to getting Vermont the federal assistance it needs to respond to severe floods.
Additionally, we have approved an Emergency Declaration, will continue coordinating with officials on the…
“Vermont’s capital city, and many other communities across the state, are under water. The devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic,” state Governor Phil Scott said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Drone footage shows intense flood damage after Vermont was impacted by heavy rain. "The devastation and flooding we are experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/4lXHgBVnDC
Heavy rain has drenched the state, prompting road closures, evacuations and rescues.
Some areas saw over nine inches of rain during the “historic two-day rainstorm”, according to the U. National Weather Service.
“Even though skies are blue in some places, the threat of flooding has not ended,” Vermont Department of Health warned local residents in a tweet on Tuesday.
Officials said that flooding has created fast-moving, dangerous, potentially contaminated water conditions that can last for days.
People are still trapped in homes and cars.
Right now, families across America are experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis – from floods to extreme heat.
My Administration will continue to deliver on our historic climate agenda to get communities the resources they need to prepare and keep folks safe. https://t.co/eIenjPmaiM
Some of these areas are just too dangerous to get to by boat, and five helicopters are in the air trying to find and reach people, reported local TV station WCAX, adding that drones will also be used to try to locate anyone stranded.
There have been more than 110 rescues so far and the Vermont National Guard deployed Tuesday morning to hard-hit areas to help, said the report.
Patiala, July 11 (ANI): National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel during the rescue operation of people stuck in the flood-affected Rishi Colony area after heavy monsoon rains caused rapid rise in the water level of Badi Nadi river, in Patiala on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)
Due to incessant rainfall in the region, many tourists have been stranded in Manali….reports Asian Lite News
Incessant rain, which has led to flash floods and landslides, has caused significant damage in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali.
Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that the flash floods have damaged the national highway and disrupted water and electricity supply.
“The Manali Vidhansabha constituency has suffered significant damage due to flash floods. Houses, land, and gardens have been destroyed, and the national highway is damaged due to flash floods. The link road adjacent to the bridge is also badly damaged. There is no net connectivity, electricity and water. We have made arrangements to provide food to the stranded tourists,” Negi said.
Due to incessant rainfall in the region, many tourists have been stranded in Manali.
Internet services and electricity supply have been disrupted due to the flood in the area.
Neha, a tourist from, Ludhiana, Punjab said, “We want to go home. We were scheduled to return on Sunday but we are stuck due to flood.”
Another tourist, Sanjeev Arora, said they have been trying to go back for the past two days.
“We are here in Manali since 5th July. The main track is damaged. We have been trying to go back for the past two days. The internet services and electricity supply is disrupted,” he added.
Meanwhile, Himachal Chief Minister’s Office informed that 2000 people stranded in the Kasol area have been evacuated so far.
“So far 2000 people stranded in the Kasol area of Kullu district have been evacuated. On the way at one point named Dunkhara, there is a heavy landslide and one poclain and two machines have been deployed round the clock to clear the Kasol-Bhuntar road. A team of the district administration has reached Kasol. More than 2200 vehicles have passed through Kullu from Manali so far and food is being distributed to them at Ramshilla Chowk. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is closely monitoring the situation”, the CMO statement said.
Speaking on the relief and rescue operations being conducted in the state amidst heavy rainfall, acting DGP of Himachal Pradesh Satwant Atwal Trivedi said that evacuation procedure is underway with 1000 vehicles already having left from Kullu – Manali and are enroute to Chandigarh.
The Nurpur police on Wednesday informed that water will be released from Pandoh Dam (Mandi) from 6 pm today to 3 pm tomorrow due to incessant rains in the district.
“People are urged not to go near low-lying areas like rivers, drains and dam areas for the next few days”, the Nurpur Police said.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Manali Bhuvneshwar Gaur hit out at the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) over the poor construction of the highways which were washed away during the flash floods.
Red alert for Uttarakhand
Amid the heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for July 11 and 12.
Earlier today, four persons died and 10 people were injured due to falling debris on Gangotri National Highway near Gangnani in Uttarakhand.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that the state administration is on full alert mode in view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) heavy rainfall alert in the region.
Rain fury in Punjab
Swinging into action to take stock of the relief and rescue measures going on at the grassroots, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday conducted a tour of rain-affected areas and interacted with people evacuated from low-lying areas in the aftermath of downpour.
The Chief Minister said the situation was alarming but the government was making efforts to minimise the loss of lives. Mann said teams of the NDRF have been roped in for rescue work but the Indian Army has not been yet pressed in officially for this work.
The Chief Minister said he had a word with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday during which he apprised him about the entire situation. “As of now Central assistance is not required for relief and rescue work as the situation is under control.”
However, Mann said “if need arises, then help will be sought from the Union government to tackle the situation”.
The Chief Minister also said that a special ‘girdwari’ will be conducted to ascertain the loss of crops, houses and others. Detailed instructions will be issued to the Deputy Commissioners to immediately carry out ‘girdwari’ in the areas lashed by rains to ascertain the damage.
Mann assured the people that the government was committed to safeguarding their interests against nature’s fury.
The Chief Minister said an elaborate flood protection mechanism has been put in place to safeguard the life and property of people.
He said that Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) are expediting the relief work in their respective districts so as to provide succor to the masses. Mann said an alert has already been issued in low-lying areas and help is being provided to the needy people.
Meanwhile, flood control rooms have been set up in all districts of the state and numbers have been made public.
Mann said the officials have been directed to ensure immediate action on any sort of distress call by people in case of emergency.
Tovino, incidentally, volunteered his services for flood relief back in 2018. In the film, he plays a young man who leaves the Indian Army with a fake medical certificate and redeems himself during the floods…reports Asian Lite News
The Malayalam Tovino Thomas-starrer ‘2018 Everyone Is A Hero’, directed by the award-winning popular director, Jude Anthany Joseph, is having a dream run and moving toward the Rs 100-crore club, a rare feat for a Mollywood movie.
And coming as it does at a time when ‘The Kerala Story’ is attracting nationwide attention, people close to the Malayalam film industry are saying that ‘2018’ is “the real Kerala Story” and not the one that claims to be one.
The film is centred around stories of humanity triumphing over adversity in the backdrop of the 2018 floods that devastated parts of Kerala. It is the second Tovino project to attract national attention and draw an adulatory audience response after the 2021 superhero movie ‘Minnal Murali’. And it also brings back memories of his performance in ‘Virus’, the 2019 film about the Nipah outbreak in Kerala.
Tovino, incidentally, volunteered his services for flood relief back in 2018. In the film, he plays a young man who leaves the Indian Army with a fake medical certificate and redeems himself during the floods.
The ensemble cast includes top Malayalam talents, notably Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Lal and the National Award-winning actress, Aparna Balamurali, who plays a TV reporter.
The movie, which was released on May 5, raked in around Rs 5.18 crore on its ninth day from Kerala alone, which is an all-time record in Mollywood history. The worldwide collection is reported to be more than Rs 80 crore in the first nine days. The film is reported to be getting a standing ovation in theatres across the state.
Produced by Venu Kunnappilly, C.K. Padma Kumar and Anto Joseph under the banner of Kavya Film Company and P.K. Prime Productions, the film is the second back-to-back blockbuster from Kavya after the 2022 action adventure drama ‘Malikappuram’ starring Unni Mukundan.
