Page 581 - Disaster Accident
8 swept away while bathing in waterfall in MP's Shivpuri district
At least eight merrymakers were swept away while bathing in Sultangarh Waterfall in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh today, police said. Over 40 others are stranded as of tonight, they said. "Eight persons have been swept away in the waterfall following a sudden surge in the water," Shivpuri district Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Hingankar told PTI. No bodies have been found yet and it could not be ascertained whether the missing persons have drowned, another police official said. "Nearly 45 others are still stranded near the waterfall and we are unable to carry out rescue operations by helicopter now due to darkness," the SP said. Eyewitnesses had earlier claimed that more than ten persons who were bathing in the waterfall were swept away. A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is involved in the rescue along with the state police. The helicopter, in its first sortie, rescued five persons who were stranded on a rock in the water downstream, while two more ...
Kerala issues red alert, flood death toll rises to 67 (Third Lead)
An incessant downpour battered Kerala again on Wednesday, resulting in 28 more deaths and more destruction and forcing authorities to issue a red alert across the southern state.
Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 67
As many as 67 people have lost their lives in the havoc created by incessant rains in Kerala.In what is being touted as the state's worst flood since 1924, the flooding and landslide have resulted in heavy loss of life and property. For the first time in the history of the state, it has opened 35 of its 39 dams due to rising water levels.On Wednesday morning, Indian Meteorological Department issued a red alert for eight districts of the state. It has predicted heavy to very heavy rains at most places in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and Ernakulam Districts until Thursday.Earlier today, four teams of National Disaster Rescue Force were airlifted from Pune to Kerala for aiding in rescue operations. The teams have been brought in with full-wave rectified (FWR) equipment and communication equipment.In the evening Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the phone to inform them about ...
Two die as rain pounds Odisha for third day
Two persons lost their lives and one went missing as heavy rain pounded five districts in Odisha for the third straight day today, official sources said. Bo respite is likely soon as the Met office has forecast more rains in the next 48 hours. The districts that have been severely hit by the rain include Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur in southern region and Bolangir and Kalahandi districts in the western parts of the state. While the state government has put the district collectors on alert in view of the rains, the East Coast Railway has asked its employees to remain vigilant to possible flooding of tracks in different places. "So far, two deaths have been reported and another person was missing due to rain related incidents," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said adding that 17 persons confined due to flood water have been rescued from the tappoo (island) of river Tel at Banjipali in Titilagarh area in Bolangir district by the Fire Services ...
Kochi airport shut till Saturday, flights diverted to T'puram, Kozhikode
The Cochin International Airport today suspended all flight operations till Saturday as the aerodrome was flooded following unabated rains and the opening of dam shutters in the Periyar river, prompting authorities to divert all incoming and outgoing flights to Thiruvananthapuram or Kozhikode. The Civil Aviation Ministry acceded to the state's request to utilise other airports in Kerala, instead of diverting the flights to Mumbai and other places. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "We have asked all airlines, domestic and foreign, to reschedule their Cochin flights either from Trivandrum or from Calicut (Kozhikode). For international flights, this will require special dispensation which has been granted considering the emergency. DGCA is coordinating." To the state government's request to allow small aircraft to land at the naval airport in Kochi, the minister said they were exploring alternative landing places for small aircraft. "Airport #Kochi is not operating flights .
Two killed in separate accidents in Bengal
A cyclist was fatally run over by a truck and another person was killed in a collision between two motorcycles in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday, police said.
21 teams engaged in relief operations: Navy
Indian Navy today said it has deployed 21 rescue and diving teams with inflatable 'Gemini' boats as the flood situation further worsened across Kerala today due to the heavy rains. "A total of four teams went out today to augment those already deployed. More than 81 people were rescued, many of whom were also provided food and shelter by setting up a rescue camp," the Southern Naval Command said in a release. Overall, five naval teams with an equal number of Gemini boats have been deployed at different places in Wayanad district, it said. Two teams are at Thalapuzha, and one team each at Porunnannur, Anchukunnu and Wayanad respectively. The Wayanad team is employed for assisting the civil administration in distribution of relief materials and vehicle management. The other four teams are employed in general rescue operations, the release said. Seven teams with one Gemini boat each are deployed in Ernakulam district at various places. One team is deployed on Pizhala island .
Yamuna crosses danger mark; 613 people evacuated
The water level in the Yamuna river today continued to flow above danger mark, with the authorities evacuating around 600 people so far, officials said. The authorities had yesterday issued directions to take appropriate measures to avoid flood-like situation in Delhi. According to the east Delhi district administration, the water level of the Yamuna river reached 205.72 metres at 7 pm today, while its danger mark is 204.83 metres. Officials said 613 people have been evacuated so far. Last month, the water level of the Yamuna river had crossed the danger mark, prompting authorities to evacuate people living in the low-lying areas. Yesterday, Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash held an emergency meeting with top officers of departments concerned and directed them to be "pro-active" in taking measures for evacuation and providing relief to the people living in the low-lying areas. He had directed all stakeholders to depute their staffers at the central control room round-the-clock.
Navy rescues over 80 people in flood-battered Kerala
The Navy on Wednesday rescued more than 80 persons as the flood situation worsened in Kerala again, leaving a fresh trail of death and destruction.
Five feared drowned near waterfall in MP's Shivpuri district
Five holidaymakers were swept away while bathing near Sultangarh Waterfall in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh this afternoon, police said. Twenty-seven others were stranded on rocks downstream, and eight of them have been rescued so far, police said, adding that a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had reached the spot. The waterfall is located in Subhashpura area bordering Gwalior district. "It is feared that five persons were swept away," said district Superintendent of Police R Hingankar. A helicopter was pressed into service to rescue others who were trapped on two big rocks in the water downstream. Eight of the 27 stranded persons have been rescued, Shivpuri Collector Shilpa Gupta told PTI over phone from the spot. Tourists thronged the place today due to the Independence Day holiday. The waterfall is near Mohana village, 55 km from the district headquarters. There was a sudden surge in water around 4.30 PM, possibly due to heavy rain upstream, ...
Heavy rain pounds Karnataka, flood alert in affected districts
With the coastal and other districts of Karnataka receiving heavy rain a flood alert has been sounded in the southern state, officials said on Wednesday.
Indonesia raises Lombok island earthquake toll to 460
Indonesian authorities on Wednesday raised the death toll in a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Lombok Island to 460, as search and rescue efforts continued.
Kerala rains: 4 more NDRF teams rushed to assist in rescue ops
The Centre rushed four more NDRF teams to Kerala today to assist the local administration in the relief-and-rescue operations for those affected by the incessant rains in the southern state. "In view of the unprecedented rains and the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) red alert for several districts, four more teams of the NDRF are being airlifted from Pune to Kerala to strengthen the response," a spokesperson of the force said. Till now, 14 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the affected areas of Idukki, Ernakulam,Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Thrissur and Pathanamthitta districts, he added. One NDRF team consists of about 45 personnel. The NDRF spokesperson said the federal disaster response force evacuated 53 people in Kozhikode, 60 in Pathanamthitta, 115 in Ernakulam, 47 in Thrissur and 24 in Alappuzha today. "The force is also assisting the state authorities in distributing the relief material," he added. So far, the NDRF ..
Flood situation in Ker worsens; toll mounts to 67
The flood situation in Kerala further worsened today with many areas inundated and flight operations suspended till Saturday at Kochi airport, as the toll rose to 67 with rain fury claiming 25 lives today. Officials said a red alert has been sounded in all the 14 districts of the state. From Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, all rivers are in spate and shutters of 35 dams, including Mullaperiyar, have been opened. The toll in rain-related incidents since August 8 mounted to 67 with 25 deaths reported today, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Eleven deaths were reported from Malappuram alone, officials said. Vijayan said the heavy rains would continue for some more days, which will further worsen the situation. More than 1.5 lakh people have been lodged in relief across the state, he said. A government release said Vijayan spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the grave situation the state was facing following .
Two killed in separate accidents in West Bengal
Two persons were killed today in separate road accidents in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, a police officer said. In the first incident, a cyclist was crushed under the wheels of a truck at Gourbanga Road in Habra police station area of the district around 2pm, he said. The truck hit two vans before running over the cyclist, identified as 55-year-old Basudeb Ghosh, the officer said. Five people who received injuries in the incident were taken to a Habra State General Hospital, he said, adding that the driver fled the spot leaving his vehicle behind. In another incident, two motorcycles collided near Icchapur crossing in the district, killing one person and injuring two others. Shyamsujjaman Mondol, 31, was killed on spot, while the two injured were taken to a nearby hospital by local people, the officer said.
Modi promises all help to Kerala CM
Prime Minister Narednra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on phone and took stock of the flood situation in the state, besides assuring him of providing "any assistance needed".
Modi speaks to Vijayan over Kerala rains
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today over the flood situation in the state. Modi told him that the Centre stood firmly behind Kerala and ready yo provide any assistance. "Centre stands firmly with the people of Kerala and is ready to provide any assistance needed," he tweeted. Rains in Kerala have claimed 47 lives, officials said, adding that a red alert had been sounded in 12 of the 14 districts.
Anger grows in Italy as bridge toll rises to 39
Rescuers scoured crushed mountains of rubble for victims of a bridge collapse in Genoa as the toll rose to 39 today and Italy's government blamed the company in charge of motorways for the disaster. A vast span of the Morandi bridge caved in during a heavy rainstorm in the northern port city yesterday, sending about 35 cars and several trucks plunging 45 metres (150 feet) onto the railway tracks below. At least 39 people are known to have died and 15 injured, according to Italy's Civil Protection service. Children aged eight, 12 and 13 were among the dead, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said today, adding that more people were still missing. Three Chileans, who live in Italy, and three French nationals were also killed, according to their respective diplomatic services. Hundreds of rescuers continued their search today after scouring the huge piles of concrete and twisted metal overnight by floodlight, hoping to find survivors. The tragedy has focused anger on the structural ...
Kerala floods: Death toll rises to 42, red alert for 8 districts
As rains continue to wreak havoc across the state, the death toll in Kerala rose to 42.Rain-related calamities have rendered hundreds homeless and around 17,974 people have been sheltered in relief camps.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while addressing the media here informed that the state is witnessing such a situation for the first time.For the first time in the history of Kerala, the state has opened 35 of its 39 dams. According to media reports, it is the worst floods the state had experienced since 1924."We're witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala. Almost all dams are opened. Most of our water treatment plants are submerged, motors are damaged. We're keeping all this in mind but our priority is to get drinking water to the people," said the Kerala Chief Minister.India Meteorological Department has issued red alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places) for Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Idukki and ...
Blast on SCI oil tanker; fire doused, two 'casualties'
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) today said there were two "casualties" following an explosion and fire on its oil tanker MT Desh Vaibhav in the Gulf of Oman. The fire was extinguished and the ship "is in full command", the SCI said here. The incident took place yesterday around 9.35 AM off the Oman coast, it said, without specifying clearly if there were any deaths or only cases of injury. The vessel was en route to Fujairah on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, and the blast took place in one of its cargo tanks, the national shipper said here. When contacted, SCI spokesman refused to share details saying more information is awaited. "Explosion struck the MT Desh Vaibhav on Tuesday morning in the Gulf of Oman while sailing to Fujairah on the Eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates," the Shipping Corporation said in a statement. "The fire is put out and the vessel is totally under control and continues to be in full command. All personnel who had left the vessel ..