Rain Fury: Kerala postpones Nehru Trophy boat race

As torrential rain lashes Kerala, the tourism department has decided to postpone the 67th edition of the Nehru Trophy boat race, which was scheduled on Saturday (Aug 10) at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. The tourism department has made the announcement considering the risk from the heavy rain and flood.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was slated to inaugurate the race at 2 p.m tomorrow. The Champions Boat League (CBL) was also planning to be flagged-off along with the Nehru trophy, with Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as the chief guest cheering the crowds.

A total of 79 boats, including 23 snakeboats, were scheduled to participate in this year’s Nehru trophy. Of the total snakeboats, 20, including nine CBL teams, were to compete in the main race and the rest were to participate in the exhibition race. The boat race were planned in 6 heats with the CBL teams competing in the first three heats. Competitions were also scheduled to be held under Iruttu Kuthi ‘A’ , Iruttu Kuthi ‘B”, Iruttu Kuthi ‘C”, Veppu ‘A’, Veppu ‘B’, and Thekkanodi categories.

Twelve boat races under the CBL were scheduled be held between August and October, hoping to attract more tourists to the State.