Page 12 - Cyclone

'We aim to leverage tech to detect all small-scale severe weather events'

India aims to detect and predict all small-scale severe weather events through the augmentation of its weather observation network and the procurement of more powerful computing systems, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday. While launching the yearlong 150th-anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Rijiju emphasised that weather and climate impacts are more pronounced than ever, and India strives to become a more climate-resilient country. He said that although the IMD's forecast accuracy has improved by 40 per cent in the last five years compared to the preceding five years, challenges persist in predicting small-scale severe weather events such as cloudbursts. To address this challenge, Rijiju highlighted the importance of augmenting the network of doppler radars and automatic weather stations. The procurement of high-power computing systems will enable the IMD to run higher-resolution models, enhancing the ability to detect and predict all ..

Centre stands with those affected in Tamil Nadu: PM Modi after Michaung

Significantly, during his address at the event, Chief Minister MK Stalin urged PM Modi to declare the Tamil Nadu floods as a national calamity and commit more central funds

Insurance claims drop 30-35% during Chennai floods compared to 2015

This is noteworthy considering the number of policies issued across India by general insurers rose by 74 per cent in 2021-22 compared to 2014-15

PMO takes stock of relief, rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit Tamil Nadu

The Prime Minister's Office on Sunday held a high-level meeting to take stock of the post-flood situation in Tamil Nadu and deliberated on various measures to support the state. PMO officials have interacted with Tamil Nadu government functionaries to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures in the state, official sources said. The deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well and help from armed forces, including helicopters, in case of need was also discussed, they added. A visit of an inter-ministerial central team to assess the damage was also discussed in the meeting. Intense rains and heavy inundation, unseen in the recent times, have hit parts of the southern state. Chief Minister M K Stalin had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss relief initiatives.

Lives were saved during cyclones due to world-class equipment: RMC Chennai

Amid the criticism that there was a delay in the forecast on the amount of heavy rainfall that occurred last week, the Regional Meteorological Centre here said it has world-class equipment and because of warning issued huge loss of lives was prevented when cyclones like Vardah, Michaung crossed the Eastern coast. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and a host of leaders from the ruling DMK had claimed that the India Meteorological Department failed to predict the accurate amount of rainfall in its forecast for the southern districts which faced 'historic' rains last week leading to severe flooding. Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, countered the comments by Stalin and said the RMC in Chennai has 'modern' equipment and is a 'state-of-the-art' facility and it had forecast 'heavy rains' in southern states well in advance. The RMC Chennai, in a statement, on Sunday said there were media reports that the centre did not have any modern equipment an

Special camps to settle insurance claims once flood water recedes in TN: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said a special camp was organised in Chennai for expeditious settlement of claims by general insurance companies in areas impacted by cyclone Michaung and similar efforts would be made in four districts of Tamil Nadu affected by excessive rains and flood. Following Michaung cyclone, four districts--Tirunelveli, Toothukudi, Kanyakumari and Tenkasi -- received excessive rainfall leading to flood like situation in these areas. Once the water in these districts recedes, she said, special camps by insurance companies would be organised to settle claims caused due to flood. Under the aegis of General Insurance Council of India, 19 insurers organised a special camp on December 20-21 at Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai for expeditious settlement of claims related to the cyclone. She further said spot settlements were made after survey of the affected industrial units. As many as 31 people have lost their lives in the four districts while

IRDAI eases claim settlement norms for victims of Cyclone Michaung

The regulator's circular added that the special dispensation granted is applicable to the claims arising out of Cyclone Michaung and the resulting heavy rains/floods

Chennai needs at least 2,000 km more of modern stormwater drains: Official

Ten days after Cyclone Michuang brought more than 50 cm of rain inundating many parts of Chennai, a senior official of Greater Chennai Corporation said the city needs to add at least 2,000 km more of modern stormwater drains with a higher capacity to handle showers of this magnitude. The city currently has around 2,950 km of drains, most of which have an inadequate handling capacity of 2-5 cm per hour, S Rajendiran, GCC chief engineer for stormwater drains (SWD), told PTI. "Chennai has a road length of 5,500 km. At least 5,000 km of drains with higher capacity are required for the city to handle such heavy rains. New drains coming up in the northern, western and southern parts of the city are being built to handle rain precipitation of 7-8 cm/hour," he said. The official was referring to the 767 km of drains being constructed at a cost of Rs 3,520 crore in Kosasthalaiyar river basin (North and West Chennai) and 360 km of drains built in Kovalam river basin (South Chennai) at Rs 1,71

Tropical cyclone Jasper weakens while still lashing northeastern Australia

The first tropical cyclone to hit Australia in the current season weakened to a low pressure system but continued to lash the northeast coast Thursday with flooding rain and left almost 40,000 homes and businesses without power. Cyclone Jasper crossed the Queensland state coast late Wednesday as a category 2 storm on a five-tier scale that whipped the sparsely populated region with winds of up to 140 kph (87 mph). The cyclone crossed near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal, 110 kilometers (68 miles) north of the city of Cairns, though many of its 300 residents evacuated before Jasper struck. Katrina Hewitt, who operates tourist accommodation at Wujal Wujal and did not evacuate, said the community was largely unscathed except for damaged trees. It looks amazing. No flooding, no breakages of buildings, Hewitt said. It was a big waiting game. We just didn't know what was going to happen, she said. Hewitt expected Wujal Wujal would be isolated for days by fallen trees blocking .

Cyclone Jasper expected to intensify before it crosses Australian coast

Powerful winds began uprooting trees on the northeast Australian coast on Wednesday as Tropical Cyclone Jasper gathered strength while approaching the area. Jasper is forecast to intensify from a category 1 to category 2 storm on a 5-tier scale before it becomes the first cyclone of the current season to cross the Australian coast late on Wednesday, Queensland state Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. The cyclone is expected to cross the Queensland coast somewhere along a sparsely populated 200-kilometer (124-mile) stretch from the city of Cairns north to Hope Vale, an Aboriginal community of 1,000. Jasper is expected to lash the coast with winds of up to 140 kph (87 mph) as it crosses from the Coral Sea. This is a serious event and it has been some time since this part of the coast has seen a cyclone of this intensity, Miles told reporters in the state capital Brisbane. More than 90 people had left their homes for evacuation centres by Wednesday, Police Deputy Commissioner Shane ...

Tamil Nadu CM announces Rs 6,000 aid to people affected by Cyclone Michaung

Corporates too joined the bandwagon in extending aid to the state. TVS Motor Company, India's third largest two-wheeler company has donated Rs 3 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund

Indian coast sees rise in cyclones; 2.9 mn vulnerable people in Andhra only

El Nino, Indian Ocean Dipole, and Madden-Julian Oscillationamong major reasons for rising cyclones

Andhra Pradesh Oppn questions govt's handling of Cyclone Michaung, drought

The roundtable meeting, attended by leaders from various parties, presented several demands, which included recognition of cyclone, drought damage as national calamities and immediate aid allocation

Tata, Nissan among automakers assisting Cyclone Michaung-affected customers

Automobile manufacturer Tata Motors has launched a service plan to assist customers impacted by cyclone Michaung in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The company has implemented a comprehensive service plan across its range of passengers and electric vehicles. Accordingly, it has extended the standard warranty and annual maintenance contract period for vehicles in the affected region. Tata Motors has also set up a 24x7 helpdesk 1800-209-9292 enabling customers to reach out to them. "The helpline serves as a central hub for emergency assistance offering timely support," a company statement said on Saturday. A dedicated road assistance team has also been established to handle cases, prioritising based on customer call dates and area accessibility. "This ensures a streamlined response to the unique needs of each affected customer," the statement said. Free towing assistance has also been set up for customers, providing a crucial lifeline during these challenging ...

MoS Chandrasekhar to take stock of relief efforts in cyclone-hit Chennai

Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar will visit Chennai and meet government officials to see how the Centre can further help people and administration in the aftermath of cyclone Michaung. "I'm travelling today to Chennai to visit flood-affected areas and meet government officials to see how our government can help people and the administration further. PM Narendra Modi's government has responded fast and decisively to support the government of Tamil Nadu with almost 1000 crores and to deploy the Navy and Air Force for relief and rescue operations," Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted on X.The Minister's agenda includes a comprehensive review of waterlogged areas, overseeing the distribution of relief materials, evaluating ongoing rescue missions and engaging with the residents who have been severely affected by the extensive waterlogging following the cyclone.Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ...

Michaung: AIADMK sends relief materials to flood-affected areas in Chennai

Former minister and AIADMK leader Sellur Raju also sent a truck carrying relief supplies including rice, water bottles and vegetables to the flood-affected people in Chennai

Cyclone Michaung: Stalin to donate one-month salary to CM's relief fund

CM Stalin also requested the PM to send a central team to review the damages caused by the Cyclone in the state

Cyclone Michaung: Congress MP demands Rs 5,100 cr aid for Tamil Nadu

Calling the situation in Tamil Nadu, especially its capital city Chennai 'highly abnormal', Tagore, a Lok Sabha MP from Virudhunagar said

Cyclone Michaung: PM directs release of Rs 450 cr second instalment to TN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Union Home Ministry to release Rs 450 crore, the second instalment to Tamil Nadu for cyclone relief, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Thursday. Following an aerial survey and a hi-level meeting with Chief Minister M K Stalin at the Secretariat, Singh said the first instalment of Rs 450 crore had been released earlier to the state. "PM Modi is distressed by loss of lives in TN due to rains, flood," he said. Since the problem of urban floods has become repetitive in Chennai in recent years, the Government of India has approved a central funding of Rs 500 crore for urban flood management activities, he said. All the Central agencies including NDRF are doing their best as regards mitigation work in Tamil Nadu, he added. "I have been directed by PM Modi to monitor the situation; PM has spoken to CM Stalin." Earlier, Singh undertook an aerial survey of flood hit northern Tamil Nadu and held discussions with Stalin over the extent

Struggling to keep its head above water, Ambattur counts its losses

South Asia's largest small-scale industrial hub lost Rs 2,000 crore during the Chennai flood