Page 596 - Disaster Accident
As Kerala battles floods, death toll reaches 26
At least 26 people have lost their lives so far across rain-battered Kerala due to flooding and landslides caused by the torrential downpour in the state.Owing to incessant rains and a subsequent rise in the water level in various dams, shutters of few reservoirs are being opened to accommodate the additional flow of water.On Thursday, the Karnataka government agreed to release 75000 cusecs water from Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district as the backwaters were adding to the woes of the flood-hit state.In a bid to assist the Kerala government in rehabilitation and rescue operations, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had announced a relief fund worth Rs. 10 crores to all flood-affected areas. He also directed his Chief Secretary T.M. Vijayabhaskar to send relief materials and a team of doctors to the state.Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via a telephonic conversation with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, took stock of the situation and offered all required ...
Flames inch close to California homes as thousands evacuate
An intentionally set wildfire grew perilously close to homes in Southern California yesterday as evacuation orders expanded to more than 20,000 residents, though some homeowners stayed behind to fend off the flames themselves. Firefighters fought a desperate battle to stop the Holy Fire from reaching homes as the blaze surged through the Cleveland National Forest above the city of Lake Elsinore and its surrounding communities. They were trying to keep the flames from devouring neighborhoods and taking lives, as gigantic fires still burning in Northern California have done. "Our main focus this afternoon was getting everyone out safely," said Thanh Nguyen, a spokesman for the fire crews. As flames raged closer, some residents stood in driveways or on top of roofs and used garden hoses to keep their homes wet and to fight the flames as smoke billowed around them. Joe Rodriguez was using a power washer to wet down his patio in the McVicker Canyon Park neighborhood yesterday ...
K'taka announces relief fund for flood-hit Kerala
Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday announced a relief fund worth Rs. 10 crores to the flood-hit Kerala. The Chief Minister has also directed his Chief Secretary T.M. Vijayabhaskar to send relief materials and a team of doctors to the state.Kerala has been witnessing incessant rain since past two days, causing flooding and landslide. Till now, at least 22 people have lost their lives in the state in rain-related incidents."Expressing shock over death of 22 persons due to flood in Kerala, Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said that Government of Karnataka would extend every possible support for flood relief in Kerala," read an official statement.On request of Kerala Government, Karnataka agreed to release 75000 cusecs water from Kabini reservoir in Mysuru districts as the backwaters are adding to the woes of flood-hit state.Kumaraswamy also called Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed about the flood situation in the state.Earlier, Prime Minister ...
French rescuers evacuate 750 campers amid flash floods
French rescuers backed by helicopters evacuated about 750 people, including many children and tourists, from campsites in southern France after torrential rain swelled rivers in the Gard region yesterday. One person was reported missing. After a hot spell, flash flooding hit the northern part of the Gard region, turning the Ceze and L'Ardeche rivers into churning waterways that quickly spilled out of their banks. Nearby regions - all part of the verdant and mountainous Cevennes - also were hit with flooding. A top regional official, Thierry Dousset, told French news channel BFM TV that the some 750 people evacuated came from five campsites. The missing man, a 70-year-old German citizen, was a monitor at one of the campsites who was feared to have been swept away by flood waters along with his van, BFM-TV reported. A search was underway for him. However, Dousset, the top aide of the Gard administration, said no one knew for certain yet that the man was in his van at the time. The Gard .
Karnataka rushes relief materials to flood-hit Kerala
Karnataka is rushing Rs 10 crore worth relief materials to the neighbouring flood-hit Kerala following heavy monsoon rains, said an official statement on Thursday.
Kerala rains: US asks its citizens not to visit state
The US today issued an advisory, asking its citizens not to visit Kerala because of the flash floods in the state. In the advisory, the US said the heavy southwest monsoon rains triggered landslides and floods in the state, and American citizens should avoid visiting all affected areas in the state. "Avoid all areas throughout Kerala affected by landslides and flash floods," it read. At least 22 people have died in Kerala due to incessant rainfall and flooding in the past two days, the Home Ministry said today. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the situation as "very grim". With water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost their maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water. Heavy rains for the past two days and release of water from the Idamalayar dam yesterday, resulted into localised flooding in low-lying areas in the northern districts of Kerala. The flood water also triggered landslides at some places.
Death toll from California fires rises to 10
The toll from the California wildfires rose to 10 Thursday after a heavy equipment mechanic assigned to the Carr Fire was killed in a road accident, authorities said. The Carr Fire, near the city of Redding, has proved to be the deadliest of nearly 20 major fires raging across the state, having previously claimed seven lives, including two firefighters. Two other people have died in the Ferguson Fire, which has forced the partial closure of Yosemite National Park. "We are saddened to report the death of a CAL FIRE heavy equipment mechanic from the Butte Unit assigned to the Carr Fire," Cal Fire, the state's department of forestry and fire protection, said. "He was killed early this morning as the result of a traffic accident on Highway 99 in Tehama County," it said. The Carr Fire is 48 percent contained but has burned through 177,450 since it ignited July 23. The biggest fire currently is the Mendocino Complex fire, which actually consists of two big fires -- the Ranch Fire and the ...
Army columns deployed in flood-hit areas of Kerala
The Army has deployed three columns comprising about 75 personnel each in flood-hit areas of Kerala, sources said today. The Army columns have been deployed at Ayannkulu, Idukki and Wayanad. Two more columns have been requisitioned and are moving to Kozikode and Mallapuram, they said. Three Engineer Task Force will soon assist in the operations, the sources added. At least 22 people have died in the state due to incessant rainfall and flooding in the past two days, the Home Ministry said today. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan describing the situation as "very grim". With water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost their maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water. Heavy rains for the past two days and release of water from the Idamalayar dam yesterday, resulted into localised flooding in low-lying areas in the northern districts of Kerala. The flood water also triggered landslides at some places.
Gadkari seeks support on Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill
Stating that 65 per cent of the people killed in road accidents belong to the age group of 18-35, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday called for cooperation from all political parties to pass the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill.
Kerala flood: PM Modi takes stock of situation
Taking note of the flood situation in Kerala, which claimed the lives of at least 22 people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday offered all required assistance to state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan."Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the state. Offered all possible assistance to those affected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in the wake of this calamity," the Prime Minister tweeted.The National Disaster Response Force in a pre-empt action to tackle the situation deployed six flood rescue teams at Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Palakkad to carry out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) work.To augment the deployment, four additional teams have been airlifted from Rajali Airbase, Arakkonam to Kozhikode, Kerala. All teams are fully equipped with lifesaving equipment and also armed with modern communication gadgets like QD VSAT, HF and VHF including ..
Kerala rains: PM speaks with Kerala CM, offers assistance to those affected
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of heavy rains and floods in the state, and offered all possible assistance to those affected. "Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation arising due to floods in various parts of the state. Offered all possible assistance to those affected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kerala in the wake of this calamity," the PM said in a tweet. At least 22 people have died in the state due to incessant rainfall and flooding in the past two days, the Home Ministry said today. Minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons told the media earlier in the day that personnel from the the army, the navy and air force will reach Kerala shortly to assist in the rescue and relief operations. An inter-ministerial team of the central government is also visiting the flood-affected areas in Kerala, while Army troops are being mobilised from Bengaluru for deployment in the ...
Kerala seeks Army help, flood toll is 24 (Intro Roundup)
The Kerala government on Thursday sought the Army's help as the death toll in the rain-related incidents rose to 24 with large-scale damage reported from various parts of the state.
Four of family injured in fire following LPG cylinder leak
Four members of a family were injured in a fire that broke out following a leak from LPG cylinder in Nehru Nagar area of suburban Andheri today. The incident took place around 7.25 PM. Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire, a civic official said. Mangesh Shinde (40) and Ramila Shinde (37) received about 60 per cent burn injuries while Vaijayanti Shinde (60) and Ramesh Patade (54) received minor injuries in the mishap. They were being treated at Cooper Hospital, the official added.
Six more dead in UP, toll climbs to 212 in rain-related incidents since July
Six more rain-related deaths were reported from Uttar Pradesh, taking the toll to 212 since July 1, officials said today. In a statement issued here today, Aditi Umrao the project director of emergency operation, UP State Disaster Managment Authority, said that in the last 24 hours two persons died in Khiri, while one person each died in Allahabad, Ghaziabad, Farrukhabad and Rampur. "As many as 13 persons were injured in the state. This includes 10 in Ghaziabad." She added that as many as 212 persons have died in the state since July 1, 2018. "As many as 171 persons have died due to house collapse (after rains), 34 died due to lightning, two died after falling into borewell and five died due to snake bite," she said. The number of injured stands at 168, while 242 animals have died. As many as 2,732 houses have suffered damage, she said.
HC notice to Raj pollution control board on pollution in canals
The Rajasthan High Court has issued notice to the state pollution control board seeking its reply within four weeks on efforts to stop pollution in Rajasthan and Gang canals. A bench of justices Nirmaljit Kaur and Dinesh Mehta issued the notice while hearing a PIL which claimed the "rampant pollution" in the canal water was posing a "severe health hazard" to people and livestock. "This water, coming from Punjab, has been carrying industrial effluent from the tanneries, steel industries and other industries from Punjab which use hazardous chemicals. Mostly, these industries are located on the banks of the rivers and the hazardous effluent of these industries is openly dropped into the rivers, said petitioner counsel D K Gaur. This polluted and highly toxic water is making its way to Rajasthan and Gang canals entering Rajasthan from Sri Ganganagar. About 19 districts, which are dependent on the water from these canals have been witnessing a spurt in the incidence of cancer, he said. "No
22 dead in Kerala due to rains, landslides: MHA
At least 22 people have died in Kerala due to heavy rains and landslides, the Home Ministry said today. According to Kerala State Emergency Operations Centre, 22 people have lost their lives due to the heavy rains and landslides last night. Among the total deaths, 11 people died in Idukki district, five in Malappuram district, three in Wayanad, two in Kannur and one in Kozhikode, a home ministry spokesperson said. Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 45 personnel each, have been deployed in Kerala to assist the rescue and relief operations. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team of the Union government is also visiting flood-affected areas in Kerala, while Army troops are being mobilised from Bengaluru for deployment in the rain-battered southern state. With water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost their maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in Kerala have been opened to drain out excess water. Heavy rains for past two days and .
Operation of wide-body aircraft from Calicut to commence soon: Prabhu
Aviation watchdog DGCA gave go-ahead to operations of wide-body aircraft at the Calicut airport in Kerala and Saudi Arabian Airlines would soon start its service with the large A-330 and B-777 planes from there, the Centre said today. The airport will also serve as an embarkation point for Haj pilgrims from the next year. Operations of wide-body aircraft from the city was stopped in May 2015 over safety concerns, creating a furore from the locals and the large number of expatriates who made the city their hub for international travel. For sometime in the past, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) discovered that Calicut needs to be upgraded to conforms to international safety standards, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu told reporters here. "We took up the matter to get the mitigation in place soon and keeping passenger convenience in mind. The DGCA safety aspects are in place and DGCA has asked Airport Authority of India for commencing operations..," he ...
Puerto Rico cites storm death toll of 1,427 in damage report
Puerto Rico is now estimating that Hurricane Maria killed more than 1,400 people, far more than the official death toll of 64, in a report to Congress seeking billions to help the island recover from the devastating storm. The government, relying on updated statistics it first reported in June, said there were 1,427 more deaths from September to December 2017 than the average for the same time period over the previous four years. In a report to Congress detailing a USD 139 billion reconstruction plan, the territory's government said that the additional deaths resulted from the effects of a storm that led to a "cascading failures" in infrastructure across the island of 3.3 million people. Hurricane Maria, as well as Hurricane Irma two weeks later, knocked out power and water to the island and caused widespread flooding that left many sick and elderly people unable to get medical treatment. "The hurricanes' devastating effects on people's health and safety cannot be overstated," the ...
De-boarding of Indian family in UK under probe: British Airways
The alleged incident of an Indian passenger and his family being asked to de-board a British Airways flight in the UK is under investigation, the airline said on Thursday.
1,800 projects to solve traffic problems on highways
The government is undertaking over 1,800 road projects across the country with a total length of over 60,000 km in order to resolve the problem of traffic jams on national highways, Parliament was told on Thursday.