Page 657 - Disaster Accident
Japan tackles clean-up as rains toll tops 200
Japanese rescue workers searched the ruins of homes today looking for dozens of people still missing after deadly rains that killed more than 200 people. Operations were under way to dig out and clear up after the devastating floods and landslides that engulfed entire neighbourhoods. But with around 60 people still feared missing, local authorities said they would continue searching house by house looking for survivors, or victims. "The critical 72 hours have passed," acknowledged Mutsunari Imawaka, an official with Okayama prefecture, one of the worst-hit regions. "But we will continue our search believing there are still survivors," he told AFP. He said at least 18 people were missing in Okayama alone, and that several thousand people were checking houses across the region. Television footage showed dozens of rescuers, including troops, removing massive rocks with mechanical diggers from houses buried in landslides. Rescuers were also manually shovelling dirt to search for missing ..
Two killed in rain-related incidents in U'khand
Two people were killed and as many injured inseparate rain-related incidents as heavy overnight rains lashed Uttarakhand, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said today. A resident of Jiwangarh, identified as Tasin (19), died today when a tree fell on his motorcycle in Vikasnagar area of the Dehradun district, the SEOC here said. Tasin was on his way to Selaqui, on the outskirts of the district, it added. In another incident, one person was killed and two others were injured when a load carrier veered off a slippery road and fell into a gorge near the Lakhwar bend in Dehradun late last night, it said. The accident took place between 9 pm to 10 pm, when the vehicle was on its way from Mandi to Chakrata, the SEOC added. A woman's body was recovered from Pithoragarh district's Dharchula area, it said. Authorities said the body's condition suggested that the woman died 8-10 days ago. A swollen Ramganga river in Pithoragarh's Thal area damaged the boundary wall and courtyard of ...
The heat is on: IOC braces for scorching Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Olympic organisers insisted Thursday they would take no chances with the safety of athletes competing in the fierce summer heat at the 2020 Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was given a timely reminder of Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters this week as heavy rains battered the west of the country, leaving more than 200 people dead. "I was here as the floods impacted," IOC vice president John Coates told reporters on the final day of a three-day visit. "We expressed our sorrow and condolences to those affected. I certainly hope there are no such natural disasters during Games -- but I am mindful we have to prepare for extreme heat here." Coates, who is also chairman of the IOC's Coordination Committee for the 2020 Tokyo Games, added: "Japan is not the first country to host a Games in extreme heat and it is a natural consequence of it being July and August, I'm afraid." Local organisers did little to dampen fears earlier this year when they announced that ...
NGO Coordination Committee lauds agreement to repatriate Brus
NGO Coordination Committee, an umbrella organisation of major civil societies and student bodies, today lauded the agreement made between the Centre, Mizoram and Tripura governments and Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum to repatriate Brus from Tripura relief camps. The NGO Coordination Committee, in a press statement, lauded the decision to close down the six relief camps in North Tripura district once the camps are vacated by the inmates lodged since late 1997. The NGO Coordination Committee reiterated that the people of Mizoram would never agree that people living outside the state should exercise franchise in the state polls. The Centre convened a meeting of chief ministers of Mizoram and Tripura on July two in which it was agreed that repatriation of all the Brus lodged in the six relief camps should be completed by September 30. The Centre would deposit Rs four lakh in the bank account of each repatriated family which could be withdrawn after three years and a ...
Death toll in Japan floods rises to 200
The death toll from the torrential rains that have battered Japan reached 200, authorities said on Thursday, as search and rescue missions continue to find dozens still missing in the wake of flooding and landslides.
Nearly 200 dead in Japan flash floods
At least 195 people have been killed in landslides and floods caused by torrential rains in Japan since the past few days.CNN quoted Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, saying that 42 people were unaccounted for, while two persons were confirmed missing.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the rain-hit Okayama Prefecture on Wednesday, surveying the damage from above in a helicopter, calling it the "scars of the terrible damage of heavy rain."During his visit, he also visited an evacuation centre and implied that his government was making efforts to deal with the crisis. The Japanese Prime Minister visited Kurashiki and met with the Okayama governor.Last Thursday, the rain began and the intensity picked up from Friday. Over the weekend, some parts of Japan received between 300 to 500 millimetres (12 to 20 inches) of rain.Hiroshima, Okayama and Hyogo prefectures were the worst affected prefectures, receiving over 500 millimetres of rain, and some cities were ...
100 NDRF teams deployed in 71 locations across country to deal with floods
Nearly 100 teams comprising about 4,500 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in 71 locations across the country to deal with floods and heavy rains. Additional teams are also on standby in all NDRF battalions and will be mobilised as per demand. The NDRF has deployed 97 teams at 71 locations in at least 14 states across the country for rescue and relief operations of flood affected people, a Home Ministry official said. A team of NDRF comprises 45 personnel. The force is in constant touch with the India Metrological Department (IMD), the Central Water Commission (CWC) and other agencies. Battalion commanders are in touch with state authorities to render all possible assistance in time of crisis, the official said. A 24x7, NDRF control room in Delhi is closely monitoring the situation round-the-clock. The disaster emergency force is fully geared up to face any eventuality arising due to floods and has mobilised its resources at vulnerable ...
Three dead, seven injured in two accidents in JK
Three people were killed and seven others injured when two vehicles rolled down gorges at separate places in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi and Doda districts, police said today. Tiku Rana (19) from Uttar Pradesh and Abhishek (22) from Punjab were killed when a load carrier skidded off a hilly road and fell into a stream near Chamayra in Reasi, an official said. He said seven other people were injured in the accident which occurred last night when a group of labourers were returning from a construction site. While Rana was declared "brought dead" at the Government Medical College Hospital here last night, Abhishek succumbed to injuries this morning, the official said. Khushi Ram Rukwal (62) was killed when his car fell down a 200-feet deep gorge near Bhatta village in Doda district yesterday, he said. Rukwal was travelling alone in the vehicle, the official said, adding that the body was handed over to the family for last rites.
10 dead, hundreds of houses destroyed in Afghan landslide: Officials
At least 10 people were killed and hundreds of homes destroyed in northeastern Afghanistan after melting snow triggered a landslide, officials said today. A mountain lake in Panjshir, a province known for its snowcapped peaks north of Kabul, overflowed and caused a landslide, Omar Mohammadi, spokesman for the disaster management ministry, told AFP.
NASA needs contingency plan for US presence on ISS
NASA needs a contingency plan for ensuring US presence on the International Space Station (ISS), given additional delays for new commercial crew capsules from Boeing and SpaceX, a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has warned.
Tragedy averted, 2 IndiGo planes come face to face
A mid-air collision was averted after two IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face on July 10 in Bengaluru airspace. The incident was reported when 6E-779 (Coimbatore-Hyderabad) and 6E-6505 (Bangalore-Cochin) were in the air. All the passengers onboard the Indigo flights were de-boarded safely after landing.Commenting on the incident, Indigo Airlines said in its statement: "The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)-Resolution Advisory system was triggered on two of our aircraft operating Coimbatore-Hyderabad and Bangalore-Cochin routes respectively on July 10. Following normal procedure this has been reported to the regulator."The TCAS or traffic alert and collision avoidance system is an aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircrafts.Similar incidents were reported earlier as well. In January this year, two aircraft came face-to-face after landing at different runways of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport. In ...
Gujarat govt swings into action, begins constructing bridge
Within hours of media reporting about locals risking their lives while crossing a collapsed bridge in Gujarat's Kheda district, officials have swung into action.The construction of a temporary bridge to connect Naika and Bherai villages here has begun.Locals, including school children, had been crossing the collapsed structure on a daily basis to commute between the abovementioned villages every day.Despite relentless appealing from natives, no action was taken to reconstruct the bridge, which had collapsed over two months ago."If we don't use this bridge, we will have to travel a distance of 10 km instead of 1 km," a local told ANI.However, Kheda collector said construction work had been initiated, but came to a halt due to torrential downpours.
Afghan officials: Dilapidated dam crumbles, at least 10 die
Afghan officials say a dilapidated dam in a scenic northern valley has crumbled under the weight of heavy summer rains, killing at least 10 people. Omar Mohammadi, a spokesman for the ministry for humanitarian assistance, said that along with the 10 killed, about 300 houses were completely destroyed in the Panjshir Valley. The scenic valley, popular with tourists, is located about 140 kilometers, or 95 miles, north of Kabul. After the dam burst, the floodwaters swept into villages downstream, engulfing homes and sending panicked residents fleeing last night. Deputy police chief Najim Khan said today that 13 people remain missing in the Khinj district and that here are fears they might have been swept away in the disaster, which also damaged 1,000 hectares, or 2,470 acres, of farmland.
Five killed in road accident in UP's Amethi
Five people, including two brothers, were killed when their car was hit by a speeding truck on the Faizabad-Rebareli National Highway here, police said today. The accident occurred near the Haliyapur crossing under the Jagdishpur police station area last evening, they said. Two people were killed on the spot and three more died at a hospital while undergoing treatment, police said. Traffic movement on the highway was affected for almost three hours after the accident, they added. The deceased, identified as Sajan Lal (40), Rameshwar Prasad Pandey (62), Raj Karan Pandey (53), driver Ram Kumar (40) and Hanuman Prasad (40), were all residents of nearby Saresar village, police said. Meanwhile, Rijwan Ahmad (19) of Suratgarh was killed when the tractor he was driving in a farm overturned, police said.
Japan floods toll reaches 199
The death toll from devastating floods resulting from torrential rains in Japan has increased to 199, a government official said on Thursday.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay to start in Fukushima
Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics say the torch relay will start in Fukushima, an area hit by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. The route was approved by the organizing committee at a meeting with the central and Tokyo governments today. The relay will start on March 26, 2020 in Fukushima and will head southward to Okinawa before making its way north again and arriving in Tokyo on July 10. Organisers want the 2020 Olympics to help showcase Japan's recovery from the disaster that took more than 18,000 lives and triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. While reconstruction from the disaster is making steady progress, more than 70,000 people remain displaced from their communities. The 2020 Olympics, the second in the Japanese capital following 1964, run from July 24 to August 9.
Amarnath Yatra: 13 pilgrims injured as tempo rams into truck
As many as 13 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were injured on Thursday after the tempo they were travelling in crashed into a parked truck near Birma Bridge in Udhampur.Three of the 13 passengers were seriously injured while the rest sustained minor injuries. The injured passengers were immediately shifted to District Hospital, Udhampur for treatment and they are now out of danger.Meanwhile, the tempo driver fled the spot following the accident.In light of the incident, Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that he was in constant touch with officials to ensure all help was being provided to the injured."I am in constant touch with District Collector, Udhampur and other administration officials since morning. All injured pilgrims are out of danger and have been admitted to the District Hospital. All necessary help is being provided. Most of them belong to Jhansi and surrounding parts of Uttar Pradesh," said Singh.On a related note, five people were killed and three sustained injuries after .
13 Amarnath pilgrims injured in accident
Thirteen Amarnath pilgrims were injured when their vehicle rammed into a stationary truck on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway here today, a police official said. The pilgrims were part of a convoy carrying a fresh batch of 3,419 pilgrims including 680 women and 201 'sadhus' from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here to Kashmir to undertake the annual pilgrimage, the official said. He said the accident occurred near Dherma bridge in Mallard area of Udhampur district, about 70 kms from here, around 5.30 am whenthe driver of the tempolost control and hit the parked truck. Thirteen pilgrims travelling in the vehicle were injured and admitted to a district hospital in Udhampur, the official said. He said the condition of three of the injured pilgrims was stated to be serious and they are being taken to the Government Medical College Hospital here. While 10 of the injured pilgrims are residents of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, three others are from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, the official ...
UN official says N Korea needs food, medicine, clean water
A senior UN official visiting North Korea is highlighting malnutrition, drinking water and a shortage of medicines as problems facing the country. Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock told a news conference in Pyongyang on Wednesday that much progress has been made in the last 20 years but "significant humanitarian challenges" remain. The UN released a transcript of his remarks. Lowcock said about 20 percent of children are stunted because of malnutrition, and about half the children in rural areas are drinking contaminated water. He said a shortage of drugs and medical supplies and equipment is making it very difficult to treat people. The UN is trying to raise USD 111 million for North Korea. Lowrock said only 10 percent has been raised so far, from Sweden, Switzerland and Canada.
Japan rains disaster toll rises to 199: government
The toll in record rains that have devastated parts of Japan today rose to 199, with dozens still missing, a top government spokesman said. Yoshihide Suga said search operations were continuing after the worst weather-related disaster in Japan in over three decades. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who visited one of the worst-affected regions yesterday, plans to travel yesterday to another area hit by deadly flooding and landslides after the rains, Suga said. Abe cancelled a four-stop foreign trip due this week as the death toll in the disaster rose. Hopes for finding survivors have faded a week after the rains began, even though the downpours have now stopped and flood waters have receded. At least 10,000 people who evacuated their homes or were rescued are now living in shelters, and the government has pledged to set aside emergency funding to help people return home. "We will do everything we can so that people will not have to continue living in uncomfortable situations in shelters," ..