Fri May 30 05:15:26 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Heavy rains and strong winds have battered Kerala, India, on May 30, 2025, causing widespread damage and disruption. An estimated 6 million households are without power due to downed power lines and fallen trees. Over 1,200 people have been evacuated to relief camps. The IMD has issued red alerts for several districts, and a holiday has been declared for educational institutions. High waves and tidal surges are expected along coastal areas. Rivers are swelling, and train services have been disrupted. One death has been reported. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) estimates losses of ₹121 crore.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Reels Under Heavy Rain and Power Outages; Red Alert Issued for Several Districts**

*Thiruvananthapuram, May 30, 2025* – Heavy rains and strong winds have plunged Kerala into chaos, leaving an estimated 6 million households without power and forcing the evacuation of over 1,200 residents. The severe weather, which began overnight and continued into early Friday, has caused widespread flooding, damage to homes, and significant disruption to infrastructure.

The Fire and Rescue Services department and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are working to clear fallen trees and restore power. However, large portions of the state, including Thiruvananthapuram district, remain in darkness.

Power Minister K. Krishnankutty attributed some of the problem to public resistance to pre-monsoon tree pruning, stating the Chief Secretary has instructed District Collectors to invoke the Disaster Management Act 2005 to address the issue. He said that approximately 2,500 high-tension and 10,000 low-tension power lines have been damaged, along with a number of transformers. The KSEB has estimated losses at ₹121 crore. The minister cited the long-term need for underground cabling but acknowledged the financial challenges.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Idukki, Kannur, and Kasargod districts, forecasting continued severe weather. The government has declared a holiday for educational institutions in Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kannur and Kasargod districts.

Coastal areas are also facing threats. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS) has warned of high waves and tidal surges, issuing red and orange alerts for various districts and cautioning fishermen against venturing out to sea.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has reported rising water levels in several rivers and is urging residents living along riverbanks to exercise extreme caution. Train services have been delayed due to waterlogging and fallen trees on the tracks. Nighttime travel has been banned in the Idukki district.

Stormwater has flooded residential areas, damaging vehicles. Sadly, one death has been reported: a 65-year-old man drowned in a waterlogged area in Alappuzha district. The KSDMA reports at least 159 houses have been partially damaged. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to those affected.

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