Page 757 - Disaster Accident
Assam CM reviews flood preparedness
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today directed Water Resources Department (WRD) and other related departments to remain fully prepared to tackle floods during the coming monsoon season, an official release said here. The chief minister reviewed the flood preparedness with Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta and senior officials. Floods caused by heavy rain in the state as well as in upper reaches of its neighbours are a recurring problem for Assam that affects its people and economy. During the last two years, a total of 12.02 km new embankments were created and 103 km of embankments strengthened, the release said. Moreover, during the same period 44 anti-erosion and town protection works were completed as against 28 during the last two years of the previous government, it said. Sonowal also directed the officials to coordinate between panchayat and rural development, WRD and deputy commissioners and complete plugging of breaches. He also directed the WRD to .
Cargo plane crashes in Nepal, kills both pilots
A small Nepalese cargo plane today crashed in a mountainous district, killing both the pilots onboard the aircraft mostly used for flying food and other supplies to remote regions. Pilot Kiran Bhattarai and co-pilot Aditya Nepali were killed when the Makalu Air cargo aircraft crashed at Simikot pass in Bahun Kharka in Humla district, police said. The single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with call sign 9N-AJU had taken off from Surkhet to Humla district and was flying at a height of 12,800 feet. The bodies of the two pilots have been brought to Kathmandu. There were no other passengers in the ill-fated aircraft, police said. The bodies were brought on board a Simrik Air helicopter at around 1 pm, said Simrik Air staffer Kamal Gautam. The aircraft took off from Surkhet Airport early today and was scheduled to land at 6:55 am in Simikot. Makalu Air has three single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircrafts to its fleet. Based in Nepalgunj, Makalu Air provides chartered passenger and .
FIR against officials in flyover collapse; govt-run corpn faced flak earlier too
The police have registered an FIR over yesterday's flyover collapse against officials of the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Ltd, a government-run entity that has faced criticism also in the past over the standard of its work. The corporation received flak earlier after some bridges built by it developed cracks. There has also been controversy over managing director Rajan Mittal, who was removed from the post by the previous Samajwadi party government but reinstated after the BJP came to power in the state. The FIR was lodged at the Sigra police station here a day after a portion of the flyover being built by the corporation fell on passing vehicles. Officials said yesterday that 18 people were killed when the structure collapsed. But Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who visited Varanasi today and met the injured, put the toll at 15. Apart from the high-level probe announced by Adityanath yesterday, a magisterial inquiry has also begun. Additional District ...
Toll in AP boat mishap put at 12; Search on for 10 missing
At least 12 people died in the boat capsize in Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh with searches still on for ten other missing passengers, feared drowned, officials said today. The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the victims of the mishap that occurred yesterday near Manturu village in East Godavari district with bad weather considered a probable cause. The rescue teams that toiled for hours, to first trace the sunken boat and later to pull it ashore, so far extricated 12 bodies, including that of two children, officials said. Efforts were still on to trace the other ten, they said. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who visited the accident spot, said human error was the main reason for it and assured that those guilty would be brought to book. "There was gale yesterday and the boat was also laden with cement bags and two-wheelers. That caused the mishap. We will not spare anyone responsible for the incident," he said. Though a ...
Worker electrocuted during installation of electric poles in
A worker of Arunachal Pradesh power department has died of electrocution while installing new electric poles near Borduria village, 8 km from Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap district. The deceased, a casault worker, identified as Wangkho alias Akho Wangsa, a native of Pongchau village under Longding district, came in contact with live wire while installing new poles and died on the spot yesterday, an official release said here today. Three other casual workers of the departments Khonsa division sustained severe injuries in the incident. The injured have been sent to the Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh for treatment. Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed shock and grief over death of the worker. While extending condolences to the bereaved family members, Khandu today announced ex-gratia relief to the next of kin as per the laid down norms. He also wished speedy recovery of the injured. Meanwhile, the chief minister cautioned officials and workers ...
Air India to phase out remaining 3 Classic A320s by December
Disinvestment-bound flag carrier Air India will phase out its remaining three Classic A320 planes, which are nearly three decade old, from the fleet by the end of this year. The airline had in April 2014 announced its plans to retire all 14 single-isle double-bogey wheel planes from its fleet in a phased manner after it decided to induct more fuel-efficient Airbus A320 neo planes into operations. Air India has already removed 11 classic A320 planes out of operations and the remaining three such aircrafts will be going out of the fleet by December this year, a senior company official told PTI. The official said that though these planes are still flying, but they are carrying out limited operations. "Most of the time these planes are on a stand-by mode and they perform one or two schedule flight in a day," the official said. Earlier, the carrier had planned to retire these planes by March this year. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) - one of Air India's ...
7 killed due to lightning strikes in West Bengal
At least seven people were killed and over 9 injured in different districts of West Bengal after lightning struck them amid heavy rains this morning, officials said. While four persons were killed in Nadia district, two incidents of deaths due to lightning strike were reported from North 24 Parganas district, a state disaster management department official said. A farmer was also killed in Bankura district after lightning struck him during heavy rains and thunderstorm this morning, a police officer in Bankura said. All the four killed in Nadia district were agricultural labourers and two among them were brothers, the district police said. The incident in Nadia happened at Namile under the jurisdiction of Chapra police station, a police officer said. In Bankura, the farmer was working in an agricultural field and the incident happened in Nabagram under the jurisdiction of Sarenga police station, the officer said. So far, 25 people have died in the state due to lightning ..
Andhra launch capsize: 12 bodies recovered
Bodies of 12 persons including two children were retrieved from Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as a search was on for others who went missing after a launch capsized the previous evening.
Varanasi flyover collapsed due to thunderstorm, says official
The under-construction flyover at Varanasi's Cantonment area collapsed due to the recent thunderstorms that struck the region a few days ago, weakening its structure, an official said on Wednesday.R. Mittal, the Managing Director (MD) of Bridge Corporation told ANI, "We think the lock of the bearing underneath the beam broke due to the recent thunderstorms that struck in the region, which led to the accident. The traffic should have been diverted away from the construction site. We should all learn from this incident."Stressing on the need to ensure such incidents do not occur again, he added, "At all other project sites, we will ensure the traffic in the area is diverted away from the site. We have made special teams comprising of six to seven people to identify all the sites and if there are any security lapses at those sites."Meanwhile, a forensic team conducted an investigation at the spot of the incident in Varanasi.At least 18 people were killed and 11 critically injured when a .
Punjab seeks inclusion of 13 road projects under 'Bharatmala'
The Punjab government has sought from the Centre the inclusion of 13 road projects across the state in the 'Bharatmala Pariyojna' and declaration of seven new road projects as National Highways. In a letter to Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Shipping Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sought his intervention in the matter to facilitate better connectivity and smooth commute for the people. The 13 road projects, covering 436.48 km at a cost of Rs 1,737.20 crore, are: Ludhiana-Hambra-Sidhwan to Bet-Dharamkot-Kot Ise Khan (70 km), Patran to Moonak (24 km), Phillaur-Nagar-Rahon (32.50 km), Morinda-Kainaur-Ropar (18.03 km), Pakho Kanchian-Bhagta Bhai Ka (35 km), Abohar-Hanumangarh (21 km), and Kohara-Sehnewal-Dehlon-Pakhowal to Dakha-Barnala Road (63.35 km). The other road projects are: Bhawnigarh-Samana (23km), Samrala-Payal-Rara-Jegara (40.38 km), Amritsar-Fatehgarh Churian-Dera Baba Nanak (45.75 km), Batala-Qadian (15.50 km), Lambi-Gidderbaha (16.75 km), and
Tangency Capital says has launched $50 million reinsurance hedge fund
LONDON (Reuters) - Hedge fund firm Tangency Capital has launched with $50 million in assets to bet on the reinsurance market ahead of the start of the next hurricane season, one of its three founding members told Reuters on Wednesday.
2 dead, thousands without power as storm lashes US
At least two persons have been killed and hundreds of thousands left without power as a powerful storm pummelled the Northeast US with drenching rain, golf-ball-sized hail and damaging winds.
AP boat capsize: 2 bodies recovered as rescue operation continues
Two bodies have been recovered so far from the ill-fated boat that sank in Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district even as rescue operation is underway, police said today. As the boat got stuck in the sand of the riverbed at least 40 feet below the surface, and with all its doors and windows closed, extricating the bodies trapped inside is proving cumbersome, a senior official involved in the rescue operation said. Besides Navy, personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Fire Services, revenue and police departments were carrying out the search and rescue operation as over 30 passengers travelling in the boat were said to be missing. However, there was no clarity on the exact number of people missing with conflicting claims made by government authorities. At least 13 persons swam to safety yesterday after the boat capsized because of strong winds, West Godavari Superintendent of Police Ravi Prakash said this morning. "As per ..
Cargo plane crashes in Nepal, killing two pilots
A small cargo plane today crashed in Nepal, killing both pilots onboard the aircraft, according to a media report. Deputy Director General at Civil Aviation Authority of NepalRajan Pokharel said the Makalu Air cargo aircraft crashed at Simikot Pass in Bahun Kharka, Humla, Kathmandu Post reported. The plane was flying at a height of 12,800 feet. The single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with call sign 9N-AJU had taken off from Surkhet to Humla district headquarters Simikot. It took off from Surkhet Airport at 6:12 am this morning and was scheduled to land at 6:55 am in Simikot, the report said. Makalu Air has three single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircrafts to its fleet. Based in Nepalgunj, Makalu Air provides chartered passenger and cargo services, it said. The freight transporter aircraft was discovered wrecked and fragmented into three parts in Ekalbajkharka at around 11:00 am. The plane was mostly used for flying food and other supplies in the mountainous region.
One killed in fire at shoe factory in Palghar
A worker was killed when a fire broke out at a shoe factory in the district's Vasai township in the wee hours today, an official said. The blaze occurred around 4 am and gutted the entire shoe manufacturing unit located in an industrial estate in Sativali area, Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation's chief fire officer Dileep Palav said. A worker, identified as Javed (40), was sleeping inside the unit and was charred to death in the mishap, he said. He used to live near the unit but last night went to sleep in the factory apparently after having a tiff with his family members, the official said. Six fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was brought under control after four hours, Palav said. A short-circuit was suspected to have caused the fire, the official said. An investigation was on into the incident, he said, adding that the body was sent for postmortem.
Truck mows down 8 in UP; 6 killed
At least six persons were killed and two others seriously injured in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district on Wednesday when a speeding truck ran them over, police said.
Andhra boat capsize: Chandrababu Naidu to visit the spot
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday, will be visiting the spot where a boat had capsized yesterday.The CM had left his Amaravati residence earlier today by helicopter.Prior to that, he held a review meeting on the incident this morning.CM Naidu spoke to the Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other officials, inquiring about the search and rescue operations.He directed them to use cranes for recovering the bodies and make arrangements for their post-mortem. Naidu also suggested he would ensure that the families of the bereaved would be looked after. At a party-internal meeting that followed the review meeting, the CM and others observed a two-minute silence for the deceased.The boat, which was travelling from Devipatnam to Kondamodalu at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, had 40 people on board. When the boat was 10 minutes away from the banks, heavy rain and high-velocity winds started during which the small vessel lost its balance and capsized.According
Cargo copter crashes in Nepal, two dead
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday, will be visiting the spot where a boat had capsized yesterday.The CM had left his Amaravati residence earlier today by helicopter.Prior to that, he held a review meeting on the incident this morning.CM Naidu spoke to the Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other officials, inquiring about the search and rescue operations.He directed them to use cranes for recovering the bodies and make arrangements for their post-mortem. Naidu also suggested he would ensure that the families of the bereaved would be looked after. At a party-internal meeting that followed the review meeting, the CM and others observed a two-minute silence for the deceased.The boat, which was travelling from Devipatnam to Kondamodalu at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, had 40 people on board. When the boat was 10 minutes away from the banks, heavy rain and high-velocity winds started during which the small vessel lost its balance and capsized.According
US issues red alert for Hawaii volcanic eruption
The US Geological Survey (USGS) on Wednesday issued a red alert for the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, which led to the evacuation of hundreds of people from the area last week.
Andhra launch capsize: Two bodies recovered
Bodies of two children were retrieved from Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as a search was on for others who went missing after a launch capsized the previous evening.