: The Navy and Coast Guard today conducted search operations in the coastal area here following reports that a boat with four fishermen was missing, but it later turned out to be a 'false alarm'.
Police said confusion was created after local people saw parts of a boat floating in the choppy seas, following which help was sought from the Navy and Coast Guard.
Two helicopters each of the Navy and Coast Guard with two divers each conducted search operations and an area of two square km near Alapuzha beach was searched for one and half hours, Naval sources said.
However, nothing was found and it turned out to be a 'false alarm', an official said.
Initial reports had said that a fishing boat had capsized near Vatakkal, south of Alapuzha harbour this morning after some debris of a boat was found floating on the water.
Meanwhile, an IMD weather bulletin said rain occurred at most places in Kerala and Lakshadweep. Heavy rainfall of 10 cm was recorded at Vaikom in Kottayam,while Piravom in Ernakulam, and Karipur, Manjeri, Anakayam in Malappuram district recorded 7 cm each
Rain and thunder shower is most likely to occur at most places in Kerala and lakshadweep in the next 5 days, it said.
Fishermen have been warned that squally weather with wind speed reaching 45-55 Kmph and gusting to 60 Kmph is likely to occur along and off Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts by tomorrow afternoon.
(REOPEN MDS11)
Meanwhile, in a relief for students, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed that schools should not insist that children come to schools wearing shoes and socks during rainy months.
A bench comprising Shobha Koshy and K Nazeer directed the general education secretary, director and CBSE Thiruvananthapuram regional officer to ensure that all schools comply with the direction.
A parent had approached the commisson complaining that children were facing health problems due to wearing of wet shoes and socks.
