Page 645 - Disaster Accident
MHCC be impleaded in Esplanade building petition: HC
The Bombay High Court today directed that the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) be impleaded as a party to a petition seeking that the heritage Esplanade building in South Mumbai be repaired. A portion of the facade of the building had collapsed earlier this week. The building that houses several small shops, and offices of lawyers from the HC and the city civil and sessions court, has been in a dilapidated condition for years now. In 2015, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) had served eviction notices to all the tenants in the building. However, the tenants, led by advocate Ashok Sarogi who has an office in the building, had secured a stay from the high court on the notice after they told the court that they would continue occupying the building at "their own risk. Today, MHADA informed the bench of Ranjit More and Anuja Prabhudesai that around 15 families who were co-owners of the building and 208 tenants were still occupying the
IRCTC to set up new kitchens, upgrade existing ones: Minister
In order to upgrade quality of food served on trains, the IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones, parliament was told on Wednesday.
Narrow escape for Uttarkashi DM, SP as boulders falls on their vehicle
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan and SP Dadan Pal had a narrow escape when boulders from a landslide fell on their vehicle when they were returning after an inspection of the rain-hit areas of Yamunotri. The incident occurred yesterday evening in the Ojri-Dabarkot area, Chauhan told PTI over the phone. "Three-four boulders fell on our vehicle. However, we got out immediately. We are unharmedby the grace of God," the DM said. Chauhan was accompanied by Uttarkashi SP Pal and SHO, Barkot, when the incident occurred, the DM said. Ojri-Dabarkot area in Uttarkashi district is known for the occurrence of landslides during the monsoon. The officials were returning from the rain-hit areas of Yamunotri where swollen waters of the Yamuna had damaged portions of a steel guarder bridge in the early hours yesterday. Overflowing waters of the river damaged about 30 metres of the trek route to Yamunotri near Ram temple and two rooms of Kali Kamli Dharamshala besides washing out 8 ...
Army lost 106 personnel in battle casualties in 2017: Govt
The Army lost 106 personnel, including eight officers, in battle casualties in 2017, Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre told the Lok Sabha today. There were 155 non-fatal battle casualties last year, he said in a written response. In 2017, 98 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and those of other ranks, and eight officers died in battle casualties which included cease fire violations, enemy fire across the Line of Control, avalanche, terrorist attacks, landslide and mine blasts, the minister said. The MoS was asked whether private companies operating in the defence sector were employing retired bureaucrats and service personnel as well as the kith and kin of bureaucrats and armed forces to "manipulate" and ensure that they have an edge over competitors. "There is no ban on employment of retired bureaucrats, service personnel, kith and kin of bureaucrats and armed forces in private sector companies in defence sector," he replied. Bhamre noted that as per the existing rules, .
IAF pilot dies in MiG-21 crash in Himachal Pradesh
A MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in a village in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district today, killing an Indian Air Force pilot, officials said. The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed at around 1.20 pm, about an hour after taking off from Pathankot air base on a routine sortie, an IAF spokesperson said. Aquadron Leader Meet Kumar, who was flying the Russian origin Mig 21 Bis aircraft died in the accident, he said, adding a Court of Inquiry (COI) has been ordered into it. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed "deep grief" over death of the pilot. "Our heartfelt condolences to the family of brave pilot Sqn Ldr Meet Kumar, who we lost in the fateful crash," she said. The Mig-21 jets were inducted into IAF over four decades back and many of these planes were lost in crashes. Currently the IAF has only one squadron (18 aircraft) of the variant which the force is planning to retire in the next one-and-half to two years. Kangra's Superintendent of Police Santosh Patial said ...
199 security personnel killed in Naxal violence in 2015-17
As many as 199 security personnel were killed due to violence perpetrated by Maoists between 2015-17, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also said 126 people -- civilians, security personnel and Naxals -- lost their lives in the first six months of this year. "199 security personnel have been martyred in Left Wing Extremism affected state in 2015-17," he said, while replying to a written question. Ahir said the casualties due to Naxal violence last year were 263 and in 2016 the casualties were 278.
Old bridge over Barakar river collapses
A dilapidated old bridge over Barakar river in Giridih district collapsed today and a truck fell into the river, police said. The Giridih district administration had already banned plying of vehicles over the bridge as it was in a dilapidated condition and a new bridge has already been constructed, they said. The bridge collapsed as the driver of the maize-laden truck drove the vehicle over it, they said. The local people rescued the driver and rushed him to Sadar hospital, they said.
No Shortage Of Coal For Power Sector
There is no shortage of coal for the Power Sector, noted a latest update from the Ministry Of Coal. In the beginning of 2018-19, Coal India Limited (CIL) had a pithead stock of 55.55 Million Tonne (MT) and stock at Power House end was 16.27 MT. In the 1st Quarter of 2018-19, CIL dispatched a record quantity of 122.2 MT coal to Power Sector, thereby achieving a growth of 15% over the dispatch in the corresponding period of last year. The growth in dispatch of coal to Power Sector has helped coal based generation to achieve positive growth of 5.3% in the 1st Quarter of 2018-19.
Truck higher load capacity: Safety concerns need to be addressed, says SIAM
Automobile industry body SIAM today said the government's move to increase load carrying capacities of trucks could pose serious road safety threats due to rampant overloading in the absence of adequate enforcement. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) also called for better clarity on the issue saying existing vehicles on the road are not certified for safety with higher axle loads. Yesterday, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced increasing the load carrying capacities of heavy vehicles, including trucks, by 20-25 per cent at par with global standards. In a statement, SIAM President Abhay Firodia said the notification "raises some concerns related to safety, applicable date of the change and the readiness of the supply chain". While welcoming the government's step as "a move in right direction which will improve the efficiency of commercial transport in the country", he, however, said the new norms should be applicable only to new vehicles which are ...
Northern region 4.30 pm
Following are the top stories from the northern region at 4.30 pm. NOIDA DEL30 UP-BUILDING-5THLD COLLAPSE Noida (UP): At least three persons were killed and several others trapped under the debris as two adjacent buildings collapsed in Greater Noida, officials said today. SHIMLA DEL32 2NDLD CRASH Shimla/New Delhi: A MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in a village in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district today, killing an Indian Air Force pilot, officials said. NAINITAL LGD21 UKD-HC-BALKRISHNA Nainital: In a relief to yoga guru Ramdev's close aide Balkrishna, the Uttarakhand High Court has issued orders for the release of his passport.
MiG-21 crashes in Himachal, pilot missing
A MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed on Wednesday during a routine sortie in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, officials said.
Heavy rains batter parts of Saurashtra, south Guj for 3rd day
Normal life was paralysed in parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions as heavy rains continued to lash for the third consecutive day today, which caused major water-logging and damaged rail tracks at a few points that led to cancellation of several trains, officials said. In Saurashtra, districts like Devbhumi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar and Gir Somnath witnessed heavy rainfall, while Navsari and Dang districts in south Gujarat received considerable downpour in the last 24 hours till 7 am. As per the data released by the Gujarat government, Khambhalia taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka received as much as 412 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. Khambhalia was followed by Manavadar taluka in Junagadh (283 mm), Vansda in Navsari (245 mm), Waghai in Dang (214 mm), Mangrol in Junagadh (210 mm), Porbandar taluka in Porbandar (197 mm), Ranavav in Porbandar (194 mm) and Maliya taluka in Junagadh district (191 mm). Around 15 villages across the affected regions were marooned as a result of the ...
Water tank collapses near Hisar, none hurt
A 95-feet high water tank collapsed in Mothsara village, about 45 km from Hisar district, but the staff there escaped unhurt, officials said today. The 37-year-old water tank collapsed last evening and the cause behind the incident was being ascertained, they said. On receiving information about the incident, Sub Divisional Officer of the Haryana Public Health Department, Amrit Pal, reached the spot. He collected the information about the incident from the staff posted there. According to officials, the tank, which had a maximum storage capacity of about 20 lakhs litres, contained 10 lakh litres of water when the incident took place.
Central Kerala badly affected by rains
Unabated rains over the past few days have badly affected normal life in Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki districts in Kerala. At least 14 people have died in the past 10 days.
Greater Noida buildings collapsed after weekend house warming party
Shiv Trivedi, 25, threw a house warming party on the weekend when he and his mother moved into his new home in the now collapsed Greater Noida building. His sister-in-law with her one-year-old daughter stayed back to help him manage his "dream house".
Filipinos grapple as heavy rains lash country
Normal life was hit in the Philippines as heavy rains induced by Tropical Storm Henry continued to pound the country on Wednesday.
3 killed, many feared trapped as 2 buildings collapse in Greater Noida; 3 held
At least three persons were killed and several others trapped under the debris as two adjacent buildings collapsed in Greater Noida, officials said today. A six-storey under-construction building fell on an adjacent building in Shah Beri village under the Bisrakh police station last night. The second building also collapsed under the impact. At least 12 labourers were in the under-construction building on the outskirts of Delhi when the incident took place and all of them were feared trapped, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Arun Kumar Singh said. Two bodies were pulled out of the rubble late last night, while another body was pulled out this morning, he added as the rescue operations continued into the day. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, police said. A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the incident, a spokesperson of the Uttar Pradesh government said. Inspector General of Police, Meerut Zone, Ram Kumar said the owner of the land, Gangashankar ...
Home Minister assures all assistance to flood-hit Kerala
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today assured all assistance and NDRF support to flood-hit Kerala where over 90 people have been killed in rain-related incidents since May 29. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, A Sampath (CPM) said 14 districts in the state have been affected so far, and 90 people have died and 329 houses destroyed due to torrential rains. The monetary loss suffered by the state is to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. Singh, who was present in the House, said he personally speaks to ministers whenever a natural calamity strikes any state. "I want to assure you that if the state government needs any assistance or NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team, we will provide all assistance," Singh said. With regard to financial support from the Centre, Singh said as per norms, the state affected by calamity has to first send a memorandum to the Centre following which the Centre sends a team to the state to assess the quantum of loss. Based on the ..
Indian woman among 3 killed as two training aircraft collide midair in US
A 19-year-old trainee pilot from India was among three people killed when two small training aircraft from a flight school collided midair in the US state of Florida. The two small planes likely to piloted by trainers smashed into each other yesterday over the Florida Everglades near Miami, the Federal Aviation Administration said, the Miami Herald reported. The two aircraft -- Piper PA-34 and Cessna 172 -- belonged to Dean International, a flight school in Miami that has a history of more than two dozen incidents and accidents in the decade between 2007 and 2017, Miami Dade County Mayor said. Police confirmed at least three deaths and are investigating whether a fourth person was killed. Police identified the three victims as Nisha Sejwal from India and Jorge Sanchez, 22 and Ralph Knight, 72. Sejwal had enrolled in flight school in September 2017, according to her Facebook page. The debris of the crashed planes was located in a region only accessible by airboats. Two victims were ...
1,006 lost lives in May-June due to thunderstorms, floods
Over 1,000 people lost their lives in May and June due to natural calamities like thunderstorms and floods in the country, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said today. Rijiju said in the Rajya Sabha that among the total casualty of 1,006 people, 252 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh, where 360 others were also injured due to thunderstorms, floods and lightning. Altogether 97 people were killed in Odisha due to natural calamities, 74 people each died in West Bengal and Bihar, 73 died in Andhra Pradesh, 71 each in Karnataka and Kerala, 51 died in Jharkhand, 45 in Rajasthan and 44 in Assam. As many as 635 people were also injured in the country due to natural calamities in the two months, he said in a written reply to a question.