Page 568 - Disaster Accident
SRK's Meer Foundation contributes towards Kerala relief fund
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's Meer Foundation, which has been actively helping and supporting the needy, has taken yet another noble step.The non-profit welfare organisation has made a donation of Rs. 21 lakhs to the relief organisations working towards the welfare of Kerala floods victims.Apart from Khan, many other Bollywood celebrities including Hrithik Roshan, Sonali Bendre, Farhan Akhtar, Abhishek Bachchan and Anushka Sharma, have extended their support, urging people to come forward and help the people of Kerala.The death toll in the flood-hit state has reached 357.The central government has launched massive rescue and relief operations in the southern state. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been asked to mobilize additional manpower, boats, and helicopters to scale up the operations. Food packets and drinking water are also being rushed for those in need.The chief ministers of various states have also come forward with ...
Railways announces free transportation cost of sending relief material to Kerala
The railways has issued a set of guidelines allowing all government organisations as well as private bodies to transport relief material to flood-ravaged Kerala for free. However, non-government organisations have to be vetted by divisional railway managers in order to avail this provision, said the guidelines issued yesterday. "No freight is to be charged for transportation of relief material to Kerala. That is to all stations in Kerala as of now," the railways said. All consignments in passenger-carrying trains through parcel vans as well as intra-state coaching trains carrying relief material shall be covered under these guidelines so as to ensure faster transit, the Railway Board said in a letter to all zonal general managers. "All government organisations across the country can book relief material free of cost to Kerala. Other organisations, as deemed fit by divisional railway managers (DRM) may also avail of this provision," it said. The DRMs have also been empowered to take ...
WB govt to give Rs ten crore for Kerala flood relief: Mamata
West Bengal government will contribute Rs 10 crore to the Kerala Chief Ministers relief fund in the wake of the recent rain-fed floods in the southern state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said. "My heart goes out to the people of Kerala battling #KeralaFloods In this hour of crisis, to stand beside the flood-affected people of Kerala, we have decided to make a contribution of Rs Ten Crore to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund," Banerjee wrote in her Twitter handle. She said that the state was willing to extend all form of assistance and support to the Kerala government to deal with the current flood situation there. "We are also ready to extend all other assistance and support that may be needed to tackle the calamity. We pray that our brothers and sisters of Kerala resume normal life soon," Banerjee added. In the rain-battered Kerala, 194 people have so far lost their lives since August 8.
Coast Guard undertakes 'Operation Water Baby' in Kerala
From flood-ravaged Kerala comes a story of grit of the Coast Guard and armed forces personnel who saved a newly-born baby in a night-long rescue operation near the Idukki dam two days ago. The rescue operation began after a call from the Mumbai Coast Guard about rising water level in the Idukki dam area, the Army officer, who led the team, said. "We were in the weekly commanders' conference at Kochi when a call came from the Coast Guard office in Mumbai to send the best team near the dam where water was flowing above the danger level," Lt Col Shashikant Waghmode said. Lt Col Waghmode, an assault engineer officer, currently on deputation to the Coast Guard, volunteered to lead the team and within 30 minutes, the team members were selected. Many Coast Guard personnel were called from various ships, he told PTI when asked about the operation. They were equipped with boats, outboard motor, ropes, digging tools, survival ration and medical kits, he said. "After the briefing by
Kerala floods: Andhra IAS officers donate a day's salary for victims
The IAS Officers Association of Andhra Pradesh (IASOA -AP) on Sunday decided to contribute one day's salary of its members to support the flood-ravaged victims of Kerala.In a statement, the association took note of the "unprecedented havoc and hardship being faced by people of Kerala in the wake of the worst ever floods facing the state," adding that they stood "as one with the people of Kerala and the countless members of Civil and Military Administrations as well as Civil Society who are working tirelessly to provide rescue, relief and rehabilitation to the flood affected people.""As a token of our shared pain with the flood ravaged people of Kerala and as a mark of our heartfelt wish for their quick recovery, the IAS Officers Association of AP resolves to contribute one day salary of its members to the CM Relief Funds of Kerala," the statement added.On Sunday, red alerts that were issued earlier by the Kerala authorities have also been withdrawn from all districts in the state, ...
14 injured as tent collapses at 'Backstreet Boys' Concert
As many as 14 people were reportedly injured after a tent collapsed at a Backstreet Boys concert in Oklahoma on Saturday evening. The show was later canceled.According to a report by Billboard, noticing the bad weather, fans were asked to seek shelter at around 5:00 p.m. (local time). The warning was continuously ignored by the fans who kept on waiting in queues.The show was later canceled. Confirming the same, Backstreet Boys tweeted "We never want to put our fans in harm's way and with tonight's weather and the injuries from earlier, we have decided to cancel the show and will attempt to reschedule. The most important thing is for everyone to get home safely and we will see you all very soon!"Kevin Richardson, one of the band members, Tweeted "Update... unfortunately, due to damage sustained in the storm earlier this evening, we are unable to perform the show tonight. Safety is always #1. Keep your tickets because Backstreet WILL BE BACK!".
Thousands still waiting to be rescued in rain-battered Kerala
Thousands of people in flood-hit areas in Kerala are battling all odds to survive as the death toll has touched 197 in the past 10 days in the second spell of monsoon fury since August 8. Many are still stranded in their homes with no food and sheaths of water around them at various places in Alapuzha, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. The maximum death toll has been reported from Idukki district, where 43 people have lost their lives so far, as per official estimates. Twenty eight deaths were reported in Malappuram and 27 in Thrissur. At Chengannur in Alapuzha district, at least 5,000 are stranded, according to revenue officials. Over six lakh people are in relief camps across the state. "This is a second birth for us. We did not have any food for the last four days and there was neck deep water all around," said a woman survivor in a relief camp at Ranni in Pathanamthitta district. A woman at Aranmula near Alapuzha said they had not had any food or water for two days. Many ...
Kodavas in coast to send relief items to Kodagu
Kodava Students' Association (KSA) in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have decided to collect and send relief material to Kodagu, which has been ravaged by heavy rains and floods in the last few days. The materials would be collected from the public at SDM law college here from 9 AM to 5 PM today and tomorrow, KSA advisor S P Chnegappa said in a statement. Clothes, medicines, food items, blankets, tooth paste, brush and other items would be collected and sent to Kodagu district, where rains have claimed six lives so far and many people have been reported missing. He said the state government, which had announced Rs 100 crore as relief to Kodagu, should enhance the amount and requested the people of DK and Udupi to contribute generously towards relief measures in Kodagu.
Strong 6.3 earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island
A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok today, sending people fleeing into the streets just two weeks after a quake which killed more than 460 people. The quake was centred west-southwest of Belanting town in East Lombok, the US Geological Survey said, at a relatively shallow depth of seven kilometres. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries from the latest tremor. "The earthquake caused people to panic and flee their houses," national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Metro TV. "We are still checking." He added that landslides were reported in a national park where hundreds of hikers had been trapped on a volcano after a quake in late July. Residents said the earthquake was felt strongly in East Lombok. "I was driving to deliver aid to evacuees when suddenly the electricity pole was swaying. I realised it was an earthquake. "People started to scream and cry. They all ran to the street," East Lombok resident Augus Salim
CAG pulls up SAIL for huge coking coal import despite 3 captive mines
The government's audit watchdog CAG has pulled up steel giant SAIL for being heavily dependent on imported coking coal despite having three mines for captive use. State-run SAIL requires about 15 million tonne (MT) coking coal annually, of which 12-13 MT is imported, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) noted in its latest report. Coking coal is imported either through global tenders or under Long Term Agreements (LTAs). "The company is heavily dependent on import of coal though it has three captive coking coal mines. Development of captive mines augments indigenous coking coal availability and safeguards against volatility of import prices," CAG pointed in the report. SAIL has two fully functional captive mines at Jitpur and Chasnalla to extract coking coal. Besides, mining is done at Tasra colliery on a small scale, the report said. SAIL has cited reasons like non-deployment of outside agencies, non-availability of equipment and material, shortage of sand and equipment breakdown, ..
Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar donate to 'save Kerala'
Filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Akshay Kumar have donated money to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund towards the flood-ravaged Kerala.
Kerala flood toll reaches 370, rescue operations continue
The death toll due to the devastating rains and floods in Kerala increased to 370, as two more deaths were reported on Sunday with rescue operations continuing in the worst affected districts of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur.
Netaji's daughter appeals to govt: Bring his mortal remains to India
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter Anita Bose-Pfaff has renewed her appeal to the governments of India and Japan for bringing her father's mortal remains back home. According to her, Netaji died in an air crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945 and his remains are preserved at Tokyo's Renkoji temple since September 1945. "On the 73rd anniversary of my father's passing away, I renew my appeal to the governments of India and Japan to facilitate a transfer of his mortal remains from Japan to India for a final disposal," she said. "It was my father's ambition to return to a free India. This was unfortunately not fulfilled. Therefore, it would be appropriate if at least his remains touch the soil of Independent India. My father was a devout Hindu. Thus, it is perhaps befitting as per custom to immerse at least part of his remains in the river Ganga," she added. Hiroshi Hirabayashi, president of the 115-year-old Tokyo-based Japan-India Association, also requested the Indian government to ...
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island: USGS
A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok today, just weeks after a quake which killed more than 460 people, the US Geological Survey said. The tremor was centered west-southwest of Belanting town in East Lombok, the USGS said, at a relatively shallow depth of seven kilometres. Residents said the quake was felt strongly in East Lombok.
Horrified to see loss of life, destruction by Kerala floods: Krishnamoorthi
A top Indian-American Congressman has said he is "horrified" by the destruction and loss of life caused by the severe floods in rain-battered Kerala, saying the "unimaginable" human cost of the tragedy is felt by families across India and the world. As many as 194 people have lost their lives and 36 are missing in Kerala since August 8 due to rains and landslides, while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps. The southern state is facing its worst flood in 100 years with 80 dams opened and all rivers in spate. A body blow has been dealt to the scenic state, with its infrastructure, standing crops and tourism facilities severely hit. "I'm horrified to see the loss of life and broader destruction caused by the continuing floods in Kerala. With more than a quarter of a million people displaced and hundreds dead, the human cost of this continuing tragedy is nearly unimaginable, and it is felt far beyond Kerala by countless families across the whole of India, here in the ...
Mumbai-based NGO pitches in to help Kerala flood victims
A Mumbai-based NGO has started a campaign to collect food and other items here to help the flood victims in Kerala. It has formed 12 collection centres across the city where citizens can donate food, clothes and other items which would be sent to the flood-affected people, NGO Muse founder Nishant Bangera said. "We have collaborated with 'anbodu kochi', a Bengaluru -based organisation that is sending relief material to Kerala," Bangera said. The items collected at the centres here would be airlifted to Kochi by the Indian Air Force, he said. "We have two truck loads of material, like ready-to- eat food items, toiletries, medicines and clothes," Bangera said. He said those willing to help the flood victims with food and other items could contact him on the mobile number: +91-9833500987. The Kerala floods have left 357 people dead since May 29, when the south west monsoon hit the southern state, according to authorities. Over 3.53 lakh people are in 3,026 relief camps ...
Kochi's naval base to be used for commercial flights from Monday
The Centre today said the Cochin Naval Base will be thrown open for commercial flight operations from the morning of August 20, bringing a huge relief to people awaiting resumption of air service from Kochi. The main Kochi international airport, the seventh busiest in the country, has been rendered non-functional from August 14 due to flooding and torrential rains, and would remain closed till August 26. As a result, both domestic and international flights to Kochi are being diverted to other destinations such as Trivendrum and Calicut. "In view of disruption of flights from Cochin airport due to floods, a joint team sent by @MoCA_GoI has approved starting of scheduled commercial flights using ATRs by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, between Bangalore and Cochin Naval Air base," Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted this evening. In another tweet, he said, "flight operations between Bangalore and Cochin Naval airbase will be starting from 20th August morning." He said .
8.2-magnitude quake strikes off Fiji
A massive earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale on Sundat struck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, roughly 200 miles off Fiji and almost the same distance from Tonga, according to the US Geological Survey.
Saudi Arabia announces readiness for Hajj rituals
The Saudi government on Sunday announced its full readiness for the Hajj season starting on Sunday.
Strong earthquake hits off Fiji: USGS
A strong 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off Fiji today, the US Geological Survey said, but it was too deep to generate a tsunami and there were no immediate reports of damage. The tremor hit at 12:19 pm (0019 GMT) local time 361 kilometres (224 miles) east of the Pacific nation's capital Suva, at a depth of 559 kilometres, the US seismologists said. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was "no tsunami threat because the earthquake is located too deep inside the Earth". The quake occurred in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of frequent seismic activity due to collisions between continental plates.