Page 883 - Disaster Accident
Maharashtra brings safety policy for factories, shops
Maharashtra has brought in a state labour safety and health policy which provides for rewarding establishments for meeting safety and health norms and their inspection. The policy was unveiled by state skill development and enterprise minister Sambhaji Diliprao Patil Nilangekar at Marathwada Auto Cluster at Aurangabad last week, a statement by an NGO, Mutual Aid Response Group stated. This comprehensive policy will cover all the workers in organised and unorganised sectors like construction, contact workers, factory workers, daily wage earners etc. The making of safety policy for workers for state is a dream for labour minister.
Australia helps Indian Ocean neighbors enhance rescue skills
Australian authorities say they have helped make the Indian Ocean safer for air and sea travellers since the Malaysian airliner vanished in the vast expanse four years ago through search and rescue training with island nations. Search and rescue officials from Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka are visiting the Australian Maritime Safety Authority headquarters in Canberra this week as part of a regional training program that began in 2015. Rick Allen, an Australian search and rescue coordinator who is taking part in the training, said five Sri Lankan fishermen were rescued faster and more efficiently after their boat sank in 2016 thanks to the three countries having an Australian online broadcast system to alert merchant shipping to emergencies. "We're all about strengthening the response options that are available in search and rescue. We're particularly dealing in that remote northwestern part of the Indian Ocean," Allen said. "Already we're seeing benefits. So the program not only ..
Rash of forest fires breaks out in Indonesia
Indonesia was battling a rash of forest fires today as it raised an alert over the blazes which occur every year and emit choking smog that can envelop neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia. Fires have broken out in four provinces -- South Sumatra, Riau, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan -- prompting them to declare "alert emergency" status, one notch below the most severe warning. Hundreds of hectares of land have been destroyed over the past week and the government is stepping up efforts to contain the fires. The blazes are frequently deliberately set by farmers using fire to clear land for cultivation. "We are now preparing planes for cloud seeding and helicopters for water bombing," said disaster mitigation agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The agency will deploy soldiers, police, firefighters and volunteers to combat the fires, officials said. The annual forest fires on Sumatra island and the Indonesian part of Borneo island typically occur during the months-long dry season which ..
US Navy rescues 3 fishermen adrift in Pacific for 8 days
The US Navy said it has rescued three fishermen who were adrift on a boat in the Pacific Ocean for eight days. The men were reported missing February 12 after failing to return from a fishing trip in Micronesia, the Navy said. The men had food and water aboard their 19-foot skiff but no safety equipment or radios. The US Coast Guard based in Guam searched for the men for several days before calling in a Navy team from Japan, who used a Poseidon plane equipped with advanced radar to find the boat within three hours. The Navy said yesterday they dropped a kit to the boat containing food, water, medicine and communications equipment before a nearby police boat picked up the fishermen a few hours later. "It was incredibly rewarding to be a part of saving lives, it's what everyone joins the Navy to do," said Lt. Miles Schumacher, the tactical coordinator of the Patrol Squadron Eight aircrew. Schumacher said in a statement that the P-8A Poseidon aircraft had enabled a "massive step forward"
8 die in MP road accident
A speeding truck on Wednesday crushed eight persons to death at a roadside in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, police said.
Pak to follow IAEA guidance on trade of radioactive sources
Pakistan today said it has conveyed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) its intention to subscribe to the guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources. The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that the guidance supplements the code of conduct on the safety and security of radioactive sources which, although not legally binding in nature, is an important component of the global nuclear safety and security regime. The code of conduct seeks to help countries ensure that radioactive sources are used in a manner consistent with the highest standards of safety and security. "Pakistan has been voluntarily adhering to the code of conduct since 2005 and has put in place all the necessary arrangements and systems consistent with the recommendations of the code," said the FO. The supplementary guidance is aimed at enhancing the safety of radioactive sources during transfer from one state to another, in accordance with their respective national .
Iron rod-laden truck rams 3 houses,6 killed
At least six people were today killed and two others seriously injured when a 16-wheel truck laden with iron rods rammed three houses at the Barela village, which is around 15 kms from Jabalpur district headquarters, police said. The incident occurred on the Jabalpur-Mandla road. "While six people died, two others sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment. Rescue operation is underway," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jabalpur, B S Chouhan, told PTI. Following the incident, a mob blocked the road and pelted stones at a police team and also torched their vehicle, he said. According to Chouhan, the 16-wheel truck was coming from Chhattisgarh and it has caused heavy damaged. "We have arrested the truck driver and further details are awaited," the officer said.
India gives $1 mn for rehabilitation work in cyclone-hit Tonga
India has contributed USD one million for the rehabilitation efforts in Tonga after the Tropical Cyclone Gita caused massive destruction in the Pacific island nation. India has allocated USD 500,000 in the India-UN Development Partnership Fund for the rehabilitation efforts while USD 500,000 will be provided for immediate relief assistance. "In the spirit of South-South cooperation, which emphasises partner government ownership, following the assessment of the damages caused and priorities needing support, the Government of Tonga will identify the rehabilitation projects to be supported through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund," United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation said in a statement. The India-UN Development Partnership Fund is supported and led by the Government of India and managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. The Fund supports Southern-owned and led, demand-driven, transformational sustainable development projects across the ...
UP BJP MLA dies in road crash on way to Investors' Summit
BJP MLA Lokendra Singh, who was on his way to attend the UP Investors' Summit in Lucknow, was killed along with three others when their vehicle collided with a truck in Kamlapur area here today, police said. They said the accident took place when the MLA's driver lost control of the vehicle, which crossed over to the other side of divider and collided head on with the truck. Besides Singh, the 45-year-old MLA from Noorpur constituency in Bijnore district, his two bodyguards and the truck's cleaner were also killed, police said. The bodyguards were identified as Deepak Kumar (32) and Brijesh Mishra (30). The drivers of both the truck and MLA's vehicle were seriously injured and admitted to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be stable. The summit in Lucknow was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
8 killed in Telangana road accident
Eight persons, including two women, were killed and three others were injured in a collision between two cars in Telangana's Wanaparthy district on Wednesday, police said.
'Vajra' decommissioned in Paradip
The Indian Coast Guard ship 'Vajra', which rendered three decades of service in maritime security, was decommissioned at a ceremony here, an official said today. A guard of honour was given to it yesterday and with sunset the Coast Guard Ensign was hauled down on the ship for the last time. Soon after, the Decommissioning Pennant which is equal to the length of the ship, was lowered, Paradip Coast Guard Commandant Ashis said. "We bade farewell to it for its yeomen service rendered for the past three decades", he said. Inspector General, Coast Guard, K S Sheoran who presided over the function highlighted the contribution of the vessel in ensuring maritime security along the north east coastal water. Built by Mazagon Dock, 'Vajra', named after the weapon of Lord Indra, was commissioned on December 22, 1988. It was inducted into the Paradip Coast Guard on April 11, 2013. The ship sailed for 52966 hours in the sea and covered a total distance of 524299 nautical miles, Coast
Seven dead, one injured in road accident in T'gana
Seven persons were killed and another one was injured in a road accident involving two cars in Wanaparthy district of Telangana today, police said. The accident took place in Kothakota mandal of the district around 8 am, they said. "Seven persons travelling in the cars died on the spot and another one sustained injuries," a police official supervising the rescue efforts told PTI over phone. "One of the cars was proceeding from Hyderabad to Kurnool. It as apparently being driven at a high speed. The vehicle initially rammed into a road divider and landed on the other side of the road, where it was hit by another car," the official said. According to police, the injured person has been rushed to a nearby hospital and further investigation is on.
Mild intensity earthquake hits Nepal
A mild intensity earthquake jolted Kathmandu early today with no reports of any damage or casualties. The 3.6 magnitude quake with its epicentre in Kathmandu city was felt at 2.23 am, causing panic among the city dwellers, according to the National Seismological Centre. This was an aftershock of the powerful earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015. A total of 488 significant aftershocks have been recorded since the massive earthquake hit the country in April 2015 killing 9,000 people. Last month, an aftershock of 4.3 magnitude was recorded with the epicentre located in Dolakha district.
BJP MLA Lokendra Singh dies in road accident
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Lokendra Singh, lost his life in a road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur today.Singh, an MLA from Bijnor's Noorpur, died in a collision between his vehicle and a truck in Sitapur.In the accident, two of his gunners and truck's driver also died.The BJP has today lost two of its legislators, wherein, party MLA Kalyan Singh passed away at the GBH American Hospital in Udaipur from a prolonged illness.Kalyan Singh, MLA from Rajasthan's Nathdwara, was suffering from cancer since last three years.
BJP MLA killed in UP road accident
A Bharatiya Janata Party MLA was killed on Wednesday in a road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur while he on his way to the 'Investors Meet' in Lucknow, police said.
Tourists stranded as cyclone's tail hits New Zealand
Up to 1,000 tourists were stranded in New Zealand's Golden Bay today after the remnants of Cyclone Gita buffeted the South Pacific nation, officials said. Authorities said they were considering sending ferries to ship the holiday-makers out of the remote South Island region after huge landslips closed the main highway. Elsewhere, the storm cut power to tens of thousands of homes, felled trees and washed away roads. Cyclone Gita caused extensive damage as it tore through Tonga and Samoa last week, peaking as a top-of-the-scale Category Five super-storm. It has since been downgraded but still carried a sting in the tail when it reached New Zealand overnight, bringing 140 kmh winds and around 7.8 inches of rainfall. Seven local council areas, including the South Island's main city of Christchurch, declared a state of emergency on yesterday as officials anticipated the worst. Most reported early today that the weather had not been as extreme as predicted, with the top of the South Island .
India contributes $1 mn for Tonga devastated by Cyclone Gita: UN
India in contributing $1 million for relief efforts in the Pacific Ocean Kingdom of Tonga that was devastated by Cyclone Gita last week, according to the UN.
Opening coal sector for pvt cos to boost FDI: Anil Agarwal
Mining mogul Anil Agarwal today welcomed the Centre's decision to open up coal mining to the private sector for commercial use and said the move will usher in much needed competition and increase domestic and foreign direct investment in the sector. This is a path breaking and bold reform by the government. Opening the coal sector for private players will usher in much needed competition, increase domestic and FDI investment in the sector, drive in efficiencies, as well as help in stabilising the irregularities in coal supplies and linkages," the Vedanta Group chairman said in a statement. The move will go a long way in making the entire coal sector vibrant and transparent, he said. "Some of the most evident benefits of this measure would be enhanced energy sufficiency for India and availability of power at lower costs for the end consumer; also thousands of jobs will be created in the process," he added. Anjani Agrawal, Partner and National Leader Metals and Mining, EY said that ...
GoAir's A320 neo plane faces glitch
GoAir's A320 neo aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engine, enroute to Lucknow was forced to return to the national capital last week following a warning of 'potential oil chip detection'. P&W engine-powered A320 neo planes -- which are operated in the country by GoAir and IndiGo -- have been facing engine problems. Sources said the aircraft had faced issues thrice in a span of two days -- February 14 and 15 -- related to reported oil chip detection. When contacted, a GoAir spokesperson said the aircraft is presently in operation and that its engine had exhibited an "indication issue of intermittent nature". "On February 15 while operating on Delhi-Lucknow sector, the aircraft returned to Delhi due to an indication for a potential oil chip. After arrival, the manufacturer's procedures to evaluate the potential presence of an oil chip were carried out. No oil chips were detected," the spokesperson said in a statement. There was no immediate response to queries sent to Pratt ..
CMRS to inspect Majlis Park-South Campus section next week
The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will inspect the over 20 km-long Majlis Park-Durgabhai Deshmukh South Campus section of the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro for three days, starting February 26. The testing on this stretch of the Pink Line of the Delhi Metro was successfully completed recently. The 59-km-long Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar corridor (Line 7) of the metro network, also known as the Pink Line, is part of the Phase-III project, and trial runs on its other stretches have also been conducted, starting last year. "The Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will inspect the Majlis Park-Durgabhai Deshmukh South Campus section from February 26-28," a senior official of the DMRC said today. The corridor, including this stretch, will open in parts, by June 2018. Most of the mandatory clearances required for inviting the CMRS to inspect the section, including fire safety clearance, license for working lifts, preliminary independent safety assessment reports for signalling and