Page 331 - Disaster Accident
Central team takes stock of drought situation in Rajasthan's Barmer dist
A Union government team took stock of the drought situation in Rajasthan's Barmer district on Monday. A central team from farmer welfare ministry, comprising Joint Secretary Dinesh Kumar, Director Agriculture of Niti Aayog Shiv Singh Meena, Assistant Commissioner Animal Husbandry Sulekha S L and State Disaster Relief and Management Secretary Hemant Gera, visited drought-affected villages in Barmer today, an official release said. During the team's interaction with the villagers, locals raised concern over scarcity of water, fodder, camps for livestock animals, opening fodder depot and demanded additional employment under NREGA. A central team also visited drought-affected areas in Bikaner. Director of Central Water Commission Puneet Kumar Mittal held a meeting with public representatives and officials. Bikaner Collector N K Gupta briefed the water commission director about the drought-affected villages in the district. He said 258 villages in eight out of the nine tehsils in the ...
One killed as cyclone Phethai barrels through coastal AP
Cyclone Phethai barrelled through coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday, triggering heavy rains, uprooting trees and electric poles, and claiming one life, officials said. A boat carrying seven fishermen went missing in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam, even as Phethai crossed the coast in East Godavari district and moved towards Odisha after weakening gradually, the Chief Ministers Office said Monday night. Train and air services were also disrupted because of the cyclone. State HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao apprised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of the situation during a review meeting the latter conducted late in the night at the Real-Time Governance Centre (RTGS) at the state Secretariat. No further details have, however, been disclosed. East Godavari district bore the brunt of the storm as it made landfall near Katrenikona in the afternoon, forcing evacuation of 20,000 people, who have been sheltered in relief camps. Howling winds that gusted up to 85-90 kmph .
Odisha govt evacuates 11,600 people as Cyclone Phethai makes landfall in neighbouring AP
With Cyclone Phethai making landfall in Andhra Pradesh coast and the IMD forecasting heavy rainfall in the region, the Odisha government has evacuated more than 11,000 people to safety zones. The cyclone made landfall near Katrenikona in East Godavari district in the afternoon on Monday, packing windspeed that gusted upto 85-90 kmph, uprooting electric poles and trees in Katrenikona, Tallarevu and Malkipuram in the district. No casualties were reported, though power supply was severely hit in several parts of the district. "We have evacuated about 11,600 people in Gajapati district as their houses are yet to be repaired after Cyclone Titili in October this year," a senior official at the Special Relief Commissinor's (SRC) office said. People from seven vulnerable blocks in Gajapati district have been taken to safe places. The official said relief camps have been opened and evacuated people are being provided food and other essentials. "We shifted the people because there is danger in .
MHA help sought to rescue trapped miners in Meghalaya
The Meghalaya government Monday sought the Union Home Ministry's help to rescue 13 miners who were trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district for the past five days, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said. The decision to seek MHA help comes after the initial rescue operations proved to be futile and the exercise to pump water out of the 370-feet-deep mine yielded little result, he told newsmen here. The miners were 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 district official, who is supervising the rescue operation, said, adding that the miners are now feared dead. "I have spoken to the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and requested him to send in more professional teams and the best equipment they have," Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told mediapersons at the sidelines of a programme here on Monday. The union minister, he said, has ...
Centre sanctions Rs 1,292 cr to Odisha, Tripura for cyclone, flood relief
A high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday approved additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) of Rs 1023.59 crore to Odisha and Rs 268.63 crore to Tripura, on account of relief work to be undertaken in the wake of cyclone Titli and torrential floods, respectively.The meeting was held to consider additional central assistance to these two states affected by natural calamities.Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and senior officers of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance and Agriculture were present in the meeting.Cyclone Titli made landfall in Odisha in October and caused extensive damage to standing crops and plantations, thereby affecting the farmers in the state. Trees and thatched houses were uprooted owing to the gusty winds. The calamity claimed 77 lives.In Tripura and other North-Eastern states, torrential rains during the monsoon .
Cyclone 'Phethai' hits Andhra coast, triggers heavy rains
Cyclonic storm 'Phethai crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in East Godavari district on Monday, causing widespread rains, uprooting trees, paralyzing transport and damaging crops.
Six dead, 147 saved from Mumbai hospital blaze
The death toll in Mumbai's hospital fire shot up to six, while another 147, mostly patients and staff, were rescued from a massive blaze that engulfed the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Andheri (East) here on Monday, BMC Disaster Control said.
Cyclone Phethai to weaken into deep depression, wind speed touches nearly 75 kmph
Gushing winds at nearly 75 kilometres per hour (kmph) have wreaked havoc along and off central Andhra Pradesh coast, with trees and mobile towers being uprooted due to the cyclonic storm 'Phethai'.Strong wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph will prevail during the subsequent nine hours, with the cyclone likely to weaken into a deep depression, according to a statement issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The cyclone crossed Andhra Pradesh coast, 25 km south of Yanam and 40 km south of Kakinada between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm today. It lay centered at 2.30 pm over coastal Andhra Pradesh, close to Yanam and 25 km south of Kakinada. It is very likely to move northeastwards and emerge into the west-central Bay of Bengal off Kakinada coast during the next three hours, the IMD said."Thereafter, it is very likely to continue to move northeastwards, weaken further and again cross Andhra Pradesh coast close to Tuni, during the late evening, as a deep depression with a ..
5 killed, over 100 injured in Mumbai hospital blaze
Five persons were killed and over 100 patients and visitors suffered injuries in a fire at a government-run hospital in Mumbai Monday evening, officials said. As many as 108 people, including patients, were trapped inside when the fire broke out at ESIC Kamgar Hospital at Marol in suburban Andheri, an official of the Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. "They were subsequently rescued from different floors by firemen using ladders," he said. "The building is a ground plus five-floor structure and the blaze erupted on the fourth floor," the official said. "Fifteen innjured were rushed to the Cooper Hospital, where two were declared brought dead," the official said. Those injured were taken to five other hospitals in the city, he said. The deceased are yet to be identified, the official said, adding the cause of the fire was not yet known. The fire brigade got a call at around 4 pm about the blaze. Ten fire tenders and 15 ambulances
Two killed, over 100 injured in fire at Mumbai hospital
Two persons were killed and as many as 106 patients and visitors suffered injuries in a fire at a government-run hospital in Mumbai Monday evening, officials said. As many as 108 people, including patients, were trapped inside when the fire broke out at ESIC Kamgar Hospital at Marol in suburban Andheri, said the official of the Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). "They were subsequently rescued from different floors by firemen using ladders," he said. He added, "The building is a ground plus five-floor structure and the blaze erupted on the fourth floor," official said. "Of the 108 injured patients and visitors, 15 were admitted in Cooper Hospital where two were declared brought dead," said the civic official. Apart from Cooper Hospital, those injured were taken to different hospitals in the city. 40 persons were admitted at the Holy Spirit Hospital, 23 in P Thackeray Trauma Hospital and 30 in Seven Hills hospital, he said. The deceased are yet to
2 dead, over 100 injured after fire breaks out in Mumbai hospital
Two persons were killed and 106 injured as a massive fire engulfed a hospital in suburban Andheri area of Mumbai on Monday, the fire department said.A number of doctors, nurses, and patients are feared trapped in the ESIC Kamgar Hospital, the department said.Ten fire tenders were pressed into service and the firemen are making efforts to douse the blaze. A rescue van and 16 ambulances are at the spot to provide necessary assistance.As per officials, the injured have been rushed to Cooper Hospital, P. Thakrey Hospital (Trauma), Holi Spirit Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital for treatment.Further details are awaited.
Four killed after truck falls into ditch in UP
A truck carrying labourers fell into a ditch in Chopan area here Monday, killing one of them and injuring 40 others, police said. The incident occurred when the truck was on its way to Chopan from Robertsganj. The driver lost control and the vehicle fell into the ditch, they said. The four deceased could not be identified yet, they said, adding the injured have been rushed to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be stable.
Odisha, Tripura to get Rs 1,292 crore for cyclone, floods relief
The Centre Monday approved release of additional assistance of Rs 1,292 crore to Odisha and Tripura, which were hit by cyclone and floods respectively. In a statement, the Home Ministry said the additional assistance of Rs 1,023.59 crore will be released to Odisha, which was affected by cyclone Titli early this year, and Rs 268.63 crore to Tripura, hit by floods and landslides during monsoon. The decisions have been taken at a meeting of a high level committee, chaired Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and senior officers of the ministries of home, finance and agriculture also attended it.
ATMA Kicks off Safety Training for CV Drivers with ISRPL on Board
Having undertaken several campaigns aimed at sensitizing Passenger Vehicle (PV) owners on tyre safety, ATMA has sharpened focus on Tyre Care & Road Safety awareness amongst Commercial Vehicle (CV) drivers.Commencing the drive in right earnest, Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has joined hands with Indian Synthetic Rubber P Ltd. (ISRPL), a joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation & TSRC - Taiwan for increasing tyre safety awareness amongst a large number of transporters and supply chain drivers associated with ISRPL.A day-long session was held at Panipat Refinery campus of Indian Oil recently attended by drivers, logistics in-charge, fleet owners and top management of ISRPL. The session was held by ATMA in association with its technical partner Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC)."It is the commercial vehicle drivers who drive the wheels of economy. ATMA TESS (Technology, Environment, Safety & Standards) Group felt a heightened need for training
One killed, 47 rescued from Mumbai hospital blaze
At least one person was killed and other 47, mostly patients and staffers, were rescued from a massive fire that broke out in the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Andheri (East) here on Monday, BMC Disaster Control said.
Hassan takes swipe at govt over storm relief work
: Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan Monday alleged that Tamil Nadu government officials had not yet inspected many villages affected by the recent severe cyclonic storm 'Gaja.' Speaking to reporters after visiting cyclone hit hilly villages here, he said people in several places had told him that the officials had not yet inspected their areas. "..in many places the people said this...they (officials) should have visited...," he said when his comment was sought on the relief work being undertaken by the government. "The question is why they did not come and our request is officials should visit all cyclone hit villages," he said. The government had faced flak from political parties, who had alleged that government officials had not even visited the affected villages before preparing the assessment of damage to crops and the travails faced by the people. Haasan visited Perumalmalai that saw extensive damage and distributed relief assistance at places, including ...
5 days on, efforts to trace trapped miners in Meghalaya fail to yield result
Five days since 13 miners were reportedly trapped in a rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, all efforts to locate them have turned futile. The miners were now feared dead as water from a nearby river has been gushing into the 370-feet-deep pit. One person, identified as Krip Chullet, has been arrested so far pertaining to the case. Chullet was allegedly involved in hiring labourers, overseeing the work and sending them down the shaft. A senior district official, who is supervising the operation, told PTI that authorities have drawn a blank over the past five days in their attempt to pump out water from the mine. "There is no sign of dip in water level even after putting three pumps into service. We have not been able to trace any victim as yet," he said. Over 100 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with police teams, are waiting for the water level to subside to begin rescue operations, .
Four killed in road accident due to fog in UP
Four men died while one was injured when a car in which they were travelling hit a divider on Ayodhya-Lucknow highway early Monday morning, police said. Low visibility due to fog was stated to have been the cause that led to the accident, they said. The deceased were identified as Kedar Yadav (60), Kamla Yadav (35), Firtu (32) and Chandra Shekhar (38), the police said. The injured person was referred to a hospital in Lucknow, they added.
C'garh: 3 die of asphyxiation in coal mine; SECL orders probe
Three employees of the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), including a mining supervisor, were killed allegedly due to asphyxiation in a non-functional tunnel of an underground coal mine in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, a company official said Monday. The accident took place on Sunday evening in Bagdewa coal mines of SECL, which is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, when mining work was underway, SECL's Area General Manager, Korba, J P Dwivedi said. The deceased were identified as mining supervisor Laxmikant Prasad (42), workers Ramadhar (35) and Ajay (33), he said. Work was underway in the underground mine to approach a new coal patch panel from the existing one. "In between these two panels, there was an old non-functional panel which was closed earlier after coal reserves had exhausted there. The old panel had to be crossed while approaching the new one," Dwivedi said. As per information, Prasad entered the non-functional panel where the oxygen level was very low without any
Difficult, complicated situation, says Meghalaya CM on rescue of 13 miners
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conard Sangama on Monday threw light on complications being faced by rescue teams to evacuate 13 trapped miners. He also highlighted that the high water level is making the operation difficult.As many as 13 miners have been trapped in a coal pit, full of water, at Ksan near Lyteiñ River under Saipung police station in East Jaintia Hills on December 13.Despite the difficulties, the rescue operation is still underway."It is a very difficult and complicated situation. NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) is trying to save them but it looks very difficult," said Sangama while sharing details of the rescue operation."No matter how many pumps we put, water force is too much to bring it down to a level where we can enter and save them. We are trying really hard but the water level is really high," said the chief minister while explaining the situation.He further informed, "I spoke to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju the day after this incident took place and requested .