Page 328 - Disaster Accident
Compensation for Odisha's cyclone-hit farmers after assessment reports
The Odisha government on Wednesday said the farmers affected by cyclone Phethai will be provided compensation after getting reports from district collectors.
Samples of milk, dairy items collected to check for adulteration in Punjab
As many as 135 samples of milk and other dairy products were collected from different places in Punjab by food safety teams as part of a drive against adulteration, officials said Wednesday. The teams collected samples of 'desi ghee' (clarified butter), dahi (curd), cheese, butter, 'khoya', 'burfi' etc., from various food business operators across the state, they said. The samples have been sent to the State Food Safety Laboratory in Kharar for analysis, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner K S Pannu said in an official release. The state government is taking the matter of adulteration of food materials very seriously and regular inspections are being carried out, he added. "Our mandate is to ensure availability of quality food and compliance with standards laid down by the FSSAI," Pannu said, adding that food business operators have been instructed to maintain strict hygiene and sanitary conditions. He said besides regular inspection of milk and milk products, special campaigns .
Odisha assesses crop damage caused by Cyclone Phethai
The Odisha government Wednesday said the damage caused to standing crops and stocked paddy due to heavy rain triggered by Cyclone 'Phethai' is being assessed to provide assistance to affected farmers. The government stepped up the exercise to ascertain the extent of damage to the farm sector as the situation limped back to normal in the southern and western regions of Odisha, which were battered by downpour due to the cyclone. Phethai struck coastal Andhra Pradesh Monday. Heavy rainfall coupled with high-velocity squally winds had pounded several parts of south and west Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said district collectors have been directed to submit reports about the damage and details about farmers affected by the calamity in their respective areas. Based on their reports, the extent of damage caused by the cyclone would be assessed to provide financial assistance to the affected farmers, he said. The minister said assistance would be extended to
Coast Guard to supervise dredger's recovery
The Coast Guard and Pollution Control Board will supervise efforts to recover a dredger that ran aground off Karaikal coast last month due to Cyclone 'Gaja,' Karaikal district collector R Kesavan said Wednesday. The dredger 'Veera Prem' is owned by Mumbai-based Mercator Ltd and had been anchored at Karaikal port for the past few months.It holds about 250 tonnes of oil, according to officials. "The challenge is to recover the dredger without causing any oil spill. So, we have taken guidance from the Indian Coast Guard and the pollution control board," the collector said. The shipping company has sought the help of a Gujarat based company to recover the dredger. The collector said the company has been directed to submit a detailed plan before commencing the recovery efforts. A team from a Gujarat-based company has arrived at Karaikal to recover the dredger which ran aground near TR Pattinam in the district on November 16 due to the cylone. 'Gaja' crossed the Tamil Nadu ...
P&W taking steps to address issue of smoke from engines, says DGCA
Aviation regulator DGCA Wednesday said that Pratt & Whitney is taking steps to fix the issue of smoke being emitted from its engine, after an IndiGo plane made an emergency landing last week after detection of smoke mid-air. The IndiGo incident, involving an A320 neo aircraft, was the first time globally that smoke was detected from a Pratt & Whitney engine, a senior DGCA official said. IndiGo and GoAir operate A320 neo planes powered with P&W engines and in recent times, some of these aircraft have faced glitches. On December 11, a Jaipur-Kolkata IndiGo flight made an emergency landing in Kolkata after smoke engulfed the plane mid-air and the government has ordered a probe into it. Following the incident, Pratt & Whitney is taking steps to cool the combustion chamber of engines and bring down the temperature by up to 40 degree celsius, DGCA Director General B S Bhullar said. According to him, P&W is taking the steps on its own and is expected to be done for the ..
Saudi-led coalition bombs air base in Yemen's capital
The Saudi-led coalition bombed an air base in Yemen's rebel-held capital on Wednesday as a local cease-fire held around the Red Sea port city of Hodeida. In comments aired by Saudi state-run TV, the coalition said it struck the air base next to Sanaa's international airport, destroying a rocket launcher and a drone that it said was preparing to carry out an attack. Yemen's rebel-run al-Masirah TV said the airstrikes hit the base and surrounding areas. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. The coalition, allied with Yemen's internationally-recognized government, has been at war with the Iran-aligned rebels, known as Houthis, for nearly four years. Coalition airstrikes have killed thousands of people, while the Houthis have launched ballistic missiles into Saudi Arabia and attacked vessels in the Red Sea. A fragile cease-fire this week halted months of heavy fighting in Yemen's port city of Hodeida, through which the country imports 70 per cent of its food and ...
Rajasthan seeks over Rs 2,819 cr from Centre for 9 drought-affected districts
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday sought an assistance of Rs 2,819.58 crore from the inter-ministerial Centre's team to tackle problems in drought affected areas in nine districts of the state. In a meeting held Wednesday, state chief secretary D B Gupta briefed the Centre's team about the status of drought affected areas in the state. He informed the team that a large area was affected due to drought as the state received scanty rainfall this monsoon. Kharif crop has suffered losses due to less rainfall recorded in several parts of the state, and timely relief measure, fodder depot for livestock animals and additional funds for cow shelters can help address the problem, he said. State Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Hemant Kumar Gera briefed about water availability and ground water status in the nine affected districts of Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Hanumangarh, Pali, Churu and Nagaur. He said the nine districts recorded 217.44 mm rainfall from June to .
Airports increased from 67 to 101 in 2014: Jayant Sinha
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Wednesday asserted that the number of airports in the country has increased from 67 to 101, while air traffic has doubled since 2014.Addressing the media a day after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) retained India's aviation safety assessment at Category 1, Sinha said: "In 2014, when our government came to power, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) had just downgraded India. Subsequent to that we have doubled air traffic now. We have increased the number of airports from 67 to 101 now, so there has been an exponential and dramatic increase in both air traffic and airports."Speaking about safety and quality of the aviation sector, Sinha asserted that the government has immeasurably strengthened our systems. "It is a matter of tremendous satisfaction for us that two of the premier regulators in the world- the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the FAA have come to India, have conducted a very serious audit
Navy inducts new transport ship
The Vice Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P. on Wednesday commissioned the indigenously designed and built transport ship LCU L55 into the Indian Navy here.
Indian Navy commissions fifth Landing Craft Utility ship
The Indian Navy on Wednesday inducted the IN LCU L55, the fifth ship of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV class. The ship was commissioned into the Navy by Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.Designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), LCU Mk-IV is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore.This ship can be used for activities like beaching operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands. Commanded by Lt Cdr Abhishek Kumar, the ship has a complement of five officers, 45 sailors and is capable of carrying around 160 troopsThe ship is capable of transporting various kinds of combat equipment such as the Main Battle Tank, T72 and other vehicles. It is also fitted with various advanced systems such as the Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and the Integrated ...
C'garh coal mine deaths: Two SECL officials suspended
Two officials of the South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) have been suspended in connection with the death of its three employees at an underground coal mine of the company in Korba district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday. Senior Manager Radhelal Sinha and Deputy Manager (mining) Omprakash Singh were suspended on Tuesday for alleged negligence, SECL Area General Manager (Korba) J P Dwivedi said on Wednesday. "The action was taken based on the probe report of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) into the incident that took place at Bagdewa mines of the SECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd," he said. Both the officials were posted at Bagdewa mines located under Bakimongra police station area, around 250 kms from the state capital Raipur. Mining supervisor Laxmikant Prasad (42), workers Ramadhar (35) and Ajay (33), were killed on December 16 evening after they allegedly entered into a non-functional tunnel, where the oxygen level was very low. The probe into the ...
Japan to make alcohol tests mandatory for pilots
Japan plans to make alcohol tests mandatory for pilots, officials said Wednesday, following a series of flight delays caused by drunk or hungover pilots at Japanese carriers. The move comes after a Japan Airlines co-pilot was arrested in Britain last month shortly before a flight for being almost 10 times over the legal blood alcohol limit. A transport ministry panel on Wednesday agreed a proposal to impose mandatory testing on airlines and breath alcohol limits of 0.09 milligrammes per litre. The drink-drive limit is 0.15 milligrammes. The official proposal is expected to be unveiled on Friday. Under Japan's current system, while plane crew members are banned from drinking within eight hours of working, there is no legal limit set and breath tests are not required. The JAL co-pilot cleared an in-house breath test but aroused the suspicion of a bus driver taking him to the plane at Heathrow Airport. London police said a test on the co-pilot taken 50 minutes before the flight's ...
Talcher shutdown affects vehicular movement & train services
The dawn-to-dusk Talcher shutdown called by a citizens' body demanding steps to contain air pollution and land subsidence affected vehicular movement and train services in the town on Wednesday. The band was called by Talcher Surakshya Samiti. Vehicular movement in the town located in Angul district came to a grinding halt as the bandh supporters staged road blockade and picketing at several places places, police said. The shutdown also affected train services. Some trains were delayed as activists of the samiti staged a 'rail roko'. Shops, business establishments, markets, educational institutions and offices remained closed in the town located in Angul district. However, emergency services including ambulance and healthcare facilities were kept out of the purview of the bandh, a police official said adding the bandh remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Convenor of the samiti, Balaram Kunda said the shutdown was called to press for a ...
Fate of 14 trapped in Meghalaya mine remains uncertain
The fate of 14 miners, who have been trapped in a flooded coal pit in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district for a week, remains unknown as rescuers are battling with the surging water level inside the 370-feet coal pit, an official said on Wednesday.
Mumbai hospital fire: Food delivery boy saves 10 lives
A 20-year-old Swiggy executive, who was out delivering food, saved 10 lives from the massive fire at a Mumbai hospital that killed eight people. Sidhu Humanabade was passing by when he saw smoke bellowing out from upper floors of the ESIC Kamgar Hospital. He left his bike and asked the firemen if he can join them in rescuing people. After a nod from officials, he reached fourth floor of the building with the help of fire brigade's ladder and rescued some stranded patients and visitors. Braving the dense smoke that engulfed the area, he managed to bring out 10 people to safety in two hours. During this, he chocked on the smoke and is currently admitted at the nearby Seven Hills Hospital. Speaking to PTI from his hospital bed, Sidhu said when he heard people crying for help, he could not stop himself. "I joined the firemen in their rescue operation. Thankfully, the firemen allowed me to climb their ladder to reach the fourth floor. I broke the building's glass with an axe and entered ...
Fresh traffic not allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway, stranded vehicles being cleared
The authorities Wednesday did not allow fresh traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway after shooting of stones from a hillock overlooking the road left hundreds of vehicles stranded, officials said. It was decided to clear the stranded vehicles and therefore no fresh traffic was allowed on the 270-km highway either from Srinagar or Jammu this morning, the officials said. They said the decision to reopen the traffic on the highway will be taken later in the day after all the stranded vehicles are cleared and the situation near the scene of shooting of stones reviewed. A massive landslide struck the highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, at Gangroo near Ramsu on December 19, forcing the closure of the highway for two days. Though the authorities after hectic efforts removed the debris and ensured reopening of the road Friday, the intermittent shooting of stones at the same spot over the past five days caused frequent disruption in the ...
Odisha to assess crop damage caused by Cyclone Phethai
The Odisha government Wednesday geared up for assessment of damage caused to standing crops and stocked paddy following an improvement in the situation after Cyclone Phethai triggered heavy rain in many parts of the state. Heavy rainfall coupled with high-velocity squally wind had pounded several parts of south and west Odisha for two days under the impact of Cyclone Phethai that barrelled through coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday, officials said. Though no major destruction was inflicted on Odisha, the cyclonic storm caused major damage to standing crops and harvested paddy stocked in the southern and western regions of the state, they said. While weather was gradually turning dry, the state will witness a fall in temperature by 2 to 3 degree Celsius from Thursday, H R Biswas, Director of the Meteorological Centre here, said. Inclement weather affected normal life in different parts of south and western Odisha but no casualty was reported, a senior official said, adding that power ...
Search operation to trace trapped miners resumes in Meghalaya
The search operation launched to trace at least 14 labourers, trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, resumed Wednesday after it took a hit due to strong winds and heavy rains, police said. The labourers were reportedly trapped on December 13 after water from nearby Lytein river had gushed into the illegal rat-hole mine at Ksan area Lumthari village, a senior official said. The exact number of labourers trapped inside the pit could not be ascertained as the mine owners did not maintain a logbook, a top police officer said. They are now feared dead as water from a nearby river has been gushing into the 370-feet-deep pit. Incessant rainfall affected Tuesday's operations as the road leading to the mine was not accessible, the officer said. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Assistant Commandant, S K Singh said, "We need to pump out 500 gallons of water per minute to drain out water from the mine." Two pumps could be put into service to flush out ..
6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Easter Island
An earthquake measuring 6.2 on Richter scale struck Easter Islands in South Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the jolts were registered at 7.07 am (IST) with its epicentre located in the southeastern part of the Easter Islands. The focus of the earthquake was located at the depth of 10.0 kilometres.No immediate casualties or damages have been reported.
Meghalaya: No trace of 13 trapped miners, says NDRF
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Tuesday informed that it had not been able to locate bodies of 13 miners who were trapped while working in an illegal coal mine in Ksan village of Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district.Updating about the rescue efforts being made to trace the miners, Chief Officer (CO) NDRF, SK Sastri told ANI, "On 13 December, Meghalaya administration informed us that 13 labourers are trapped in a mine in East Jaintia Hills. two teams with equipment were sent immediately. The operation started on December 14. No body found till now."Yesterday, the state police informed that the rescuers were failed to reach the 13 miners on the sixth day as heavy rains made the operation difficult.The NDRF, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been fighting against time to rescue the workers after the illegal coal mine, full of water, at Ksan in Saipung area of the district collapsed on Thursday and got flooded by the adjacent Lytein River.According to .