The Home Ministry (MHA) on Tuesday issued an advance financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore to four states for preventive and relief measures in response to cyclonic storm 'Fani', a Ministry statement said.


Cyclone Fani: Rs 1,086-cr Central aid to 4 states


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The Indian Army has claimed that an expedition team sighted the "mysterious Footprints of mythical beast 'Yeti'" at the Makalu Base Camp in the Himalayas.


Indian Army team spots 'Yeti' footprints on Himalayas


As the cyclone storm Fani was intensifying into a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' over the south-east and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is on high alert to render necessary humanitarian assistance, a Navy spokesperson said on Tuesday.


Indian Navy on high alert for cyclone Fani


Coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal will be on high alert as the cyclone storm 'Fani' is "very likely" to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in next 24 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department warned on Monday evening.


Fani likely to become very severe, coastal states on alert (2nd Lead)


The normal life in the northeastern region has been affected due to heat wave in several areas and deficit pre-monsoon rains, officials said on Monday.


Heat wave, deficit rain affect normal life in NE


Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha on Monday took stock of the situation arising out of the cyclonic storm 'Fani' that has been intensifying in the in southeast Bay of Bengal in a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting here, a Home Ministry statement said.


Official assesses preparedness for cyclone 'Fani'


With cyclonic storm 'Fani' likely to trigger rainfall in Odisha from Thursday (May 2), the state government on Monday asked all its District Collectors to stay alert.


Cyclone Fani: Odisha alerts District Collectors


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday directed officials to take stock of preparedness for Cyclone 'Fani' that has been gaining strength in the southeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, a Home Ministry statement said.


PM Modi monitoring preparedness for cyclone 'Fani'


The death toll from floods and landslides in Indonesia's Bengkulu province and the capital Jakarta increased to 31 on Monday, while the search for 13 missing people was underway, disaster agency officials said.


Toll from Indonesia floods, landslides reaches 31


The UN Command (UNC) has approved phase one of South Korea's "Peace Trail" project, which will allow travellers to experience the abundance of wildlife that's thriving on the Korean Peninsula's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), described as the world's most heavily armed border.


S. Korea opens hiking trails on heavily armed DMZ


Award-winning wildlife filmmaker Ajay Bedi isn't against the idea of roping in celebrities as narrators for his movies. But he says getting funds for such projects isn't easy and adding big names will only increase the cost.


Getting funds for wildlife films is a big challenge: Ajay Bedi


Central Chinese customs have said they recently seized over 1,000 live ants from a parcel from Britain, the latest of such seizures fuelled by the rising fashion for exotic pets in China.


1,000 ants seized from mail parcel in China


With the Election Commission (EC) barring Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu from holding review meetings, a senior cabinet minister on Sunday asked who will be responsible if cyclonic storm 'Fani' causes damage to the state.


Who'll be responsible for cyclone damages: AP minister


At least 12 people were killed, eight others reported missing and almost 15,000 evacuated as floods and landslides hit the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Bengkulu province, a disaster official said on Sunday.


12 killed in Indonesia floods, landslides


An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 struck Japan's northernmost Hokkaido prefecture on Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.


5.6-magnitude earthquake hits Japan


Hundreds of people are set to lose their jobs after the district administrations in Uttarakhand on Friday began closing 17 factories for causing pollution.


Uttarakhand firms' closure to render hundreds jobless


Three persons have been killed in northern Mozambique after cyclone Kenneth made landfall only a month after another huge storm battered the coastal nation, authorities said.


Cyclone Kenneth: Storm-battered Mozambique hit again


Illegal cultivation of Bt brinjal has been found in some parts of Haryana, the Coalition for a GM-Free India alleged on Thursday, citing tests it conducted on suspected genetically modified brinjals collected from two farms in the state's Sirsa and Fatehabad districts.


Illegal Bt brinjal farming in Haryana, allege activists


With 10 more deaths being reported on Thursday, the toll due to severe storms in South Africa has risen to 70, according to authorities.


Storm death toll increases to 70 in South Africa


Five people were killed and nine others injured when a landslide hit a mini bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday, police said.


Five killed, 9 injured in landslide in J&K's Doda


At least 51 people have died after heavy rains battered South Africa, authorities said on Wednesday.

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