Page 2 - Floods

Mamata to visit disaster-hit north Bengal to oversee relief ops today

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Sunday again visit natural calamity-hit north Bengal to oversee the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work, officials said. She will also hold a series of administrative meetings to expedite assistance to the affected families, they said. At least 32 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in landslides and floods in the northern districts of West Bengal since October 4, following heavy rain. Banerjee was in north Bengal for four days since October 5 to oversee the relief work. The CM will, during the day, visit Hasimara in Alipurduar district, where she will chair a high-level review meeting before touring multiple districts, including Darjeeling, to assess the extent of the damage, the officials said, adding she is expected to stay a few days in the region. Officials said a preliminary assessment report has been prepared, indicating that around 12,000 houses have been damaged, of which nearly 6,000 have completely collapsed in t

Flooding in Mexico kills 28, damages homes, hospitals, and infrastructure

Flooding caused by heavy rains in central and southeastern Mexico has set off landslides, damaged homes and highways, and left at least 28 people dead, authorities said Friday. Videos on social media from different parts of the affected areas showed streets turned into rivers carrying away vehicles and houses almost completely covered in water. Mexico deployed 8,700 military personnel to assist the population. One of the hardest hit areas was the central state of Hidalgo, where 16 deaths have been reported, according to state Interior Secretary Guillermo Olivares Reyna. At least 1,000 homes, 59 hospitals and clinics, and 308 schools have suffered damage in the state because of landslides and rivers topping their banks. Some 17 of the states 84 municipalities were without electricity, he said. In neighbouring Puebla state, nine people died and 13 were missing, according to Governor Alejandro Armenta. He requested help from the federal government to rescue 15 people, including some

Centre okay ₹707 cr for Assam, Gujarat floods; ₹904 cr for fire services

A high-level committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved Rs 707.97 crore of additional central assistance for Assam and Gujarat that were hit by floods and landslides in 2024. The committee has also approved Rs 903.67 crore for Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the expansion and modernisation of the state fire services. "A high-level committee, headed by the Union home minister, has approved Rs 707.97 crore of additional central assistance to Assam and Gujarat, affected by floods and landslides in 2024," an official statement said. The assistance has been provided from the NDRF, subject to an adjustment of 50 per cent of the opening balance for the year available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Of the total amount of Rs 707.97 crore, a share of Rs 313.69 crore has been approved for Assam and Rs 394.28 crore for Gujarat. Of the total outlay of Rs 903.67 crore given to Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and

Centre rejects Mamata's claim, says ₹1,290 cr released for flood relief

The Centre on Tuesday rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegation of "discrimination" over flood management and river cleaning, asserting that India is already working closely with Bhutan on trans-border river issues and has released more than Rs 1,290 crore to the state under flood management programmes. A day after torrential rain wreaked havoc in large parts of north Bengal, leaving 30 dead and several missing across the region, Banerjee on Monday accused the Centre of ignoring her call to set up an Indo-Bhutan River Commission, warning that "north Bengal would continue to bear the consequences" of recurrent floods without it. She also claimed that "the Centre provides no funds for flood management and has even halted the Ganga Action Plan for cleaning the river". In response, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said in a post on X that India and Bhutan already have institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Group of Experts (JGE), Joint Technical Team (JTT), and Join

Bengal floods man-made, DVC releasing water to save Jharkhand: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday called the floods and the ensuing destruction in north Bengal man-made, and blamed the DVC for "unrestricted" release of water, resulting in overflowing rivers in the southern parts of the state. Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those who died in the floods and landslides, besides offering a job of home guard to one member of the bereaved families. We have so far received reports of 23 people who have died in the north Bengal floods. The region received over 300 mm of rainfall, sustaining for over 12 hours on Saturday night and early Sunday, she said. The CM was talking to reporters at Kolkata airport before leaving for Bagdogra to oversee relief and rescue operations in the flood-ravaged areas of north Bengal. Incessant rainfall in the upper reaches of the state over the last 48 hours have led to widespread flooding in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduars and Co

40 killed in Nepal as heavy rain triggers deadly landslides and floods

At least 40 people have been killed in different places of eastern Nepal till Sunday morning and five have gone missing due to landslides and floods triggered by downpour since last night. As many as 37 people were killed in different places of Ilam district in Koshi province due to landslides following heavy rainfall on Saturday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in a press release. Of the 37, eight people each were killed in Deumai and Maijogmai municipalities, six each in Ilam municipality and Sandakpur rural municipality, five in Suryodaya municipality, three in Mangsebung and one in Fakfokthum village, according to the NDRRMA. One person died in Panchthar due to landslide and one each were killed in Khotang and Udayapur districts as they were swept away by floods, said the official. Four people have gone missing from Rasuwa district as they were swept away by floods. A person buried in landslide in Panchthar district has also gon

PM should announce relief for flood-hit farmers during Mumbai visit: Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Mumbai, should announce assistance for farmers who faced losses due to the recent floods in Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters here, Raut said the Central government should have declared a relief package for farmers. Earlier this week, Fadnavis said that rains and floods had damaged 60 lakh hectares of land in Maharashtra, as per the initial estimate, and the government has decided to extend all benefits and measures usually provided during drought to the affected people. He, however, didn't declare a wet drought as demanded by the Opposition, saying no such provision exists in the official manual. Raut said, "A relief package for farmers should have been announced from Delhi. The prime minister should announce assistance for flood-affected farmers during his visit to Mumbai." He further slammed Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam over his claims about a delay in the announcement of party .

Haryana govt gives relief to farmers, defers loan, power bill repayments

In a relief to flood-hit farmers, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday announced the postponement of crop loan repayment and payment of agricultural electricity bills. Addressing the media here, Saini said the recent heavy rains and floods caused extensive damage to crops, adding, "The Haryana government stands firmly by the flood-hit people." He informed that through the e-Kshatipurti portal, the government on Wednesday transferred the compensation amount of Rs 4.72 crore into the accounts of 2,386 people whose houses got damaged, and livestock had perished. He said the compensation amount included Rs 4.67 crore for damage to houses and Rs 4.21 lakh for cattle loss. The CM said 5.37 lakh farmers in 6,397 villages have registered themselves with the e-Kshatipurti portal for crop damage. He further informed that the state government would provide compensation of Rs 15,000 per acre to farmers after verification is complete. "Before Diwali, the affected farmers will

Rahul Gandhi urges PM to announce full relief package for flood-hit Punjab

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soon give a comprehensive relief package to flood-hit Punjab and said the initial relief of Rs 1600 announced by him is an "injustice" to the people of the state. In a post on X, Gandhi shared a 10-minute video of his visit to flood-affected areas of Punjab along the India-Pakistan border, where he had interacted with people who lost their houses and livestock in the deluge. During their conversation with Gandhi, the affected people in the border areas highlighted the lack of facilities, including connectivity, and demanded the construction of roads and bridges. Some people also spoke about how they lost everything they had and sought help for their rehabilitation. A few also said that the Punjab government has promised them help but that it appears like "false promises" as no assistance is forthcoming and they have to fend for themselves. "Punjab has suffered losses of nearly Rs 20,000 crore due to the ..

10 missing as landslide, flooding hit chamoli villages after heavy rain

Eight people, including four members of a family, are missing in Kuntari village, where the landslide hit about half a dozen houses

India's renewable story needs better forecasting, stronger infrastructure

The devastating floods across northern India turned the spotlight on the fact that a surfeit of water is as disastrous as a scarcity of rain

Rahul Gandhi visits flood-hit areas in Amritsar, interacts with residents

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the flood-affected areas of Punjab on Monday and interact with those hit by the natural calamity in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. Gandhi landed at the Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport in Amritsar where he was received by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa and Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla. During his visit, Gandhi will be visiting flood-affected areas in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. He will pay obeisance at the historic gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib in Ramdas area in Amritsar before leaving for Gurchak village in Dera Baba Nanak and Makaura in Gurdaspur. The MP will also meet flood-affected people during his visit. Punjab faced one of its worst flood disasters in decades. The floods were a result of swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers along with seasonal rivulets caused by heavy rainfall in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and .

SBI Life simplifies processes to accept claims by North India flood victims

Company says it will not insist on death certificate as sole document for proof

Delhi seeks Haryana's assistance to drain floodwater from southwest areas

The Delhi government has sought help from Haryana to drain out the floodwater from Jharoda Kalan and some areas of Najafgarh that were inundated after a 50-foot embankment of Mungeshpur drain was breached. The breach occurred on Tuesday evening, leading to nearly five feet of water entering Geetanjali Enclave and adjoining pockets of Jharoda Kalan village near Baba Haridass Nagar in Delhi's Dwarka. Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated following the breach. "The drain breach has been repaired in coordination with the Haryana government. But the flooding is still there. We are pumping out the water using submersible pumps but it is taking time," an official said. He added that they have sought help from the Haryana government to deploy manpower and pumps to aid the operation. "Waiting for the sun to dry the water will take a considerable amount of time. We have asked them to help us in the operation," the official said. The evacuated people have been housed in temporary shelters at B

PM to conduct aerial survey of Uttarakhand's disaster-affected areas today

PM Modi will also visit Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, where he will host the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam

₹1,600 cr 'token' for immediate works, more help to be given: Punjab Guv

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Wednesday said Rs 1,600-crore assistance announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flood-hit state is a 'token' amount for immediate relief works and asserted that more assistance will be given. After PM Modi announced the financial aid on Tuesday, ministers of the AAP government in Punjab lashed out at the Centre terming it a "cruel joke" and an "insult" for a state staring at losses exceeding Rs 20,000 crore. Asserting that Rs 1,600 crore is a "token" amount, Governor Kataria said after assessment, what maximum help can be given to the farmers and people whose houses have been damaged, farmers who lost their animals in floods and suffered other damage, will be given. When asked if more central assistance can come for flood-hit Punjab, the Governor, who was replying to questions from reporters in Mohali, said, "Hundred percent it will come. This is only a token." "This is for immediate (relief) works being done, it is like a token for tha

Veggie prices rise in Delhi as flood waters recede in neighbouring states

Flood-hit crop supplies push vegetable prices up 11-34% in Delhi's Azadpur mandi; experts warn of inflation risks as food costs climb across NCR

PM Modi announces ₹1,600 crore relief package for flood-hit Punjab

PM also expressed his condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2,00,000 for their next of kin

Punjab floods turn into real-time test lab for flood-resistant maize crops

Punjab's devastating floods have inadvertently created a natural laboratory for testing flood-resistant maize crops, providing crucial data for scientists working to restore 1.9 lakh hectares of damaged farmland across the state. International agricultural research organisation CIMMYT was already field-testing 10 maize hybrid varieties at its Ludhiana facility when floodwaters struck, submerging agricultural land across 1,400 villages in the state. Four of the experimental hybrids had been specifically developed for water-logging tolerance. "God is testing those hybrids," said Dr B M Prasanna, Managing Director of the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), told reporters here. "Within a few weeks, we will come to know the difference between a water-logging tolerance hybrid from a susceptible hybrid." The floods came just two weeks after Punjab's additional chief secretary had approached CIMMYT-BISA, requesting development of improved maize hybrids with three specific traits: ...

BoB to PNB: Banks act to ensure uninterrupted services in flood-hit Punjab

Banks have issued advisories to branches in flood-hit Punjab to maintain customer services by stocking ATMs, keeping digital channels live and relocating operations if required