KERALA

Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to social media to speak about the steps he has taken to resolve complaints of Kerala students regarding NEET-PG exam centers. The government had allotted exam centers to students in Kerala in states like Andhra Pradesh.

Kannada actress Rashmika Mandanna's Rs 10 lakh donation to Kerala's Wayanad relief fund sparked criticism from Kannadigas, who felt she should have prioritized Karnataka's disaster-affected areas. The controversy highlights a broader debate on regional priorities during disasters, emphasizing the need for balanced support.

The devastating landslides that struck Wayanad on July 30 have resulted in the deaths of around 300 people and injuries to over 250. Many individuals remain missing, and the situation remains critical.

The price of gold in Kerala today (Aug 3) is Rs 6,480 per gram for 22 karat gold and Rs 7,069 per gram for 24 karat gold (also called 999 gold).
 

Malayalam actor and Lt Col Mohanlal on Saturday visited the landslide-hit Punchiri Mattam, Mundakkai in Wayanad. He was also accompanied by the film director Major Ravi. After visiting the site, Mohanlal announced Rs 3 crore for the rehabilitation of the tragedy-struck region.

Mohanlal also donated Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund following the landslides in Wayanad. Earlier, the actor's message on social media about the rescue workers had drawn attention.

An orange alert for very heavy rains has been issued for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Hope emerged in Wayanad, Kerala, as rescuers found a stranded family safe after the Mundakkai landslide, despite the death toll reaching 344. The family, isolated since Tuesday, was rescued thanks to their relatives’ coordinates. Efforts continue with 1,374 personnel, radars, and drones. MP Rahul Gandhi pledged 100 new houses for the affected.

The Vavu Bali ceremony is a sacred ritual conducted to pay homage to ancestors. This auspicious occasion falls during the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam, typically in July or August. 

Amid ongoing rescue operations in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Punchirimala areas, a thermal imaging radar search has detected signs of life.  It is possible that there are people trapped under the debris.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali is a significant Hindu ritual observed in Kerala on the new moon day in the month of Karkidakam (July-August). It involves honoring and appeasing the spirits of ancestors by offering rice balls at riverbanks, seashores, or temple ponds.
 

India’s coastline offers some great surf spots, though they might not be as widely known as those in places like Hawaii or Australia. Here are six of the best beaches in India for surfing.

A family of four, including three small children, was trapped in a colony at the foot of the Soochipara waterfall. Forest officials embarked on a challenging journey to rescue them, climbing steep slopes using ropes.
 

Malayalam ace actor Mohanlal took to social media to issue a strong message amid the devastating landslides in Wayanad. He also thanked workers who works tirelessly at the face of disaster.

In response to a catastrophic landslide in Wayanad, a team of young Kodagu volunteers provided aid and searched for survivors. Facing severe conditions, they retrieved 18 bodies, including a disfigured child, from the rubble. The emotionally draining task was further compounded by the grim scene at Mundakkai Hospital.