News Analysis India

Tag: landslides

  • ‘Moon Is Shrinking’: New Study Warns Of More Moonshakes, Landslides In Its South Pole | world news

    New Delhi: NASA’s vision of lunar homesteads faces a precarious future as the Moon tightens its belt, shrinking akin to a raisin, warns a recent study. Amid plans to colonize by 2040, the revelation of lunar shrinkage – 150 feet in circumference over millions of years – poses significant challenges for future missions, says the new study.

    Moon’s Crumpled Surface: Unveiling The Moonquake Menace

    Viewing the lunar surface as a fragile crust, akin to a dried riverbed, reveals the consequences of its contraction. The shrinking triggers crustal deformation, creating deep canyons and active seismic zones called moonquakes. Unlike Earth’s tremors, these lunar quakes persist for hours, echoing like cosmic drum solos across the desolate landscape.



    South Pole’s Quake Cluster: Implications For Artemis III

    Highlighting concerns, researchers have identified a concentration of faults near the Moon’s South Pole, slated for the Artemis III landing in 2026. The region, teeming with potential moonquake epicentres, poses risks for future lunar endeavors. Visualize lunar habitats quivering, instruments trembling, and regolith cascading down slopes in lunar landslides.

    Navigating Lunar Hazards

    Undeterred by challenges, scientists meticulously chart seismic hotspots, charting safe havens for human settlement. Proposals for earthquake-resistant structures and safety protocols aim to safeguard astronauts amid lunar instability.

    Adapting To the Moon’s Dynamic Shifts

    The Moon’s gradual contraction demands a reevaluation of lunar aspirations, emphasizing safety as paramount. Beyond mere lunar landings, it necessitates the cultivation of a sustainable lunar future, embracing the moon’s dynamic nature.

    The study’s insights, detailed in The Planetary Science Journal, shed light on the evolving lunar landscape and the imperative of adapting to its shifting contours. Access the study here for deeper insights into the Moon’s seismic saga.

  • Uttarakhand situation grim, Himachal tourism in tatters

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN:  Normal life remains completely disrupted in Uttarakhand after heavy rains and landslides for the last one week. Rivers are overflowing and highways continues to be inaccessible as debris after landslips are yet to be removed.

    As the situation is grim, the education department has issued  schools in sensitive areas have been asked to go for online classes. Speaking to this daily, state Education Director Banshidhar Tiwari said, “In view of the current weather conditions, some new guidelines have been issued from the point of view of the safety of school children. Under these, schools have been instructed to opt for online classes in sensitive areas where there is excessive rainfall and until there is complete relief from the rains.”

    According to information received from the state disaster control room, “Dharasu-band of Uttarkashi district is closed due to debris on Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway”.  The Karnaprayag-Gairsain national highway was also closed after the road at Kalimati near Gairsain was washed away.

    “The Badrinath National Highway between Nandprayag and Badrinath in Chamoli district was closed at five places due to landslide debris. The national highway between Badrinath and Yamunotri has been closed due to landslides triggered by recent heavy rains”, the state disaster control room spokesperson said.

    State Disaster Response Force Commandant Manikant Mishra said, “SDRF personnel with rescue equipment are still deployed where the route is blocked by the devastation caused by the cloudburst on Friday and Saturday”. “Heavy rains in Uttarkashi wreaked havoc in the Yamuna valley, causing three rivulets in the valley region to overflow”, Commandant Mishra said.

    According to the information received, “The Quick Response Team has also not been able to reach the spot due to the blocking of stones and debris due to continuous rains. Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School in Barkot tehsil was flooded after a cloudburst.

    State Meteorological Centre Director Dr Vikram Singh told, “Heavy rains may occur at a few places in Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, while on the other hand, light to moderate rain may occur at most places in Dehradun, Pauri, Chamoli, Nainital and Bageshwar districts on July 24”.

    Pregnant woman among pilgrims stranded on Yamunotri roadDehradun: Char Dham Yatra devotees find themselves stranded at various places on the Yamunotri Highway. While many devotees decided to go back to Gangotri Dham from Kharari Badkot, some groups are stuck in the middle due to the closure of roads at various places. District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said, “The road near Gangotri National Highway location Sunagar has become smooth, but the Yamunotri Highway is still closed at many places.” Due to continuous rain, the process of falling stones from the mountainous area continues. Meanwhile, a pregnant woman from Kharshaligaon village in laour was stranded on the yatra route as Yamunotri Highway was closed.

    DEHRADUN:  Normal life remains completely disrupted in Uttarakhand after heavy rains and landslides for the last one week. Rivers are overflowing and highways continues to be inaccessible as debris after landslips are yet to be removed.

    As the situation is grim, the education department has issued  schools in sensitive areas have been asked to go for online classes. Speaking to this daily, state Education Director Banshidhar Tiwari said, “In view of the current weather conditions, some new guidelines have been issued from the point of view of the safety of school children. Under these, schools have been instructed to opt for online classes in sensitive areas where there is excessive rainfall and until there is complete relief from the rains.”

    According to information received from the state disaster control room, “Dharasu-band of Uttarkashi district is closed due to debris on Rishikesh-Yamunotri national highway”.  The Karnaprayag-Gairsain national highway was also closed after the road at Kalimati near Gairsain was washed away.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The Badrinath National Highway between Nandprayag and Badrinath in Chamoli district was closed at five places due to landslide debris. The national highway between Badrinath and Yamunotri has been closed due to landslides triggered by recent heavy rains”, the state disaster control room spokesperson said.

    State Disaster Response Force Commandant Manikant Mishra said, “SDRF personnel with rescue equipment are still deployed where the route is blocked by the devastation caused by the cloudburst on Friday and Saturday”. “Heavy rains in Uttarkashi wreaked havoc in the Yamuna valley, causing three rivulets in the valley region to overflow”, Commandant Mishra said.

    According to the information received, “The Quick Response Team has also not been able to reach the spot due to the blocking of stones and debris due to continuous rains. Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School in Barkot tehsil was flooded after a cloudburst.

    State Meteorological Centre Director Dr Vikram Singh told, “Heavy rains may occur at a few places in Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, while on the other hand, light to moderate rain may occur at most places in Dehradun, Pauri, Chamoli, Nainital and Bageshwar districts on July 24”.

    Pregnant woman among pilgrims stranded on Yamunotri road
    Dehradun: Char Dham Yatra devotees find themselves stranded at various places on the Yamunotri Highway. While many devotees decided to go back to Gangotri Dham from Kharari Badkot, some groups are stuck in the middle due to the closure of roads at various places. District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said, “The road near Gangotri National Highway location Sunagar has become smooth, but the Yamunotri Highway is still closed at many places.” Due to continuous rain, the process of falling stones from the mountainous area continues. Meanwhile, a pregnant woman from Kharshaligaon village in laour was stranded on the yatra route as Yamunotri Highway was closed.

  • Heavy rainfall and landslides worsen situation in Uttarakhand

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Heavy rains and landslides in the hilly and high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand have disrupted normal life and severely affected traffic, while flood-like conditions have arisen due to waterlogging caused by incessant rains in the plains of the state. According to the forecast of the State Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of some relief from the weather outbreak from Friday.

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Office, “More than 30 houses have been damaged in the Roorkee Rural area, while the roof of six has collapsed.” On the other hand, many colonies of Laksar were flooded, and roads were also submerged. The embankment on the Solani river has also broken in two places. Due to this, there is a flood situation in 24 villages.

    District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar told The New Indian Express, “Gangotri highway has been closed due to landslides near Helgugad due to heavy rains. Due to this vehicles have been stopped in Bhatwadi and Gangnani.” 

    According to district disaster management sources, “The Yamunotri highway between Jhargarh and Ranachatti has been closed due to landslides. Efforts are being made to open the highway.” At the same time, devotees are waiting for the highway to open along with locals trapped on both sides in torrential rains.

    “Since July 1, the state has received seven per cent more rainfall than normal,” said State Meteorological Department Director Vikram Singh. This spell of weather is expected to continue till Friday.

    Due to heavy rains, it has also had a direct impact on the roads. More than 1,500 roads have been closed so far due to landslides and other reasons in the hilly areas. Secretary, PWD, Dr Pankaj Gupta told this newspaper, “Due to continuous rains for the last few days, the closure of roads has increased, however, action is also being taken to open them at the same pace as the roads have been blocked”.

    “Along with human resources, GPS-enabled machines have also been installed at identified places and every road is being continuously monitored at the government level. Seven bridges have also been damaged due to the situation arising out of heavy rains in the state,” Secretary Gupta added.

    Deputy Tehsildar Shridhar Nautiyal said, “Late on Tuesday night, a car coming from Dugadda towards Kotdwar fell uncontrollably into the Khoh river due to mud on the road. Four people were missing since the accident, while the police and SDRF team conducted a search operation till late at night and recovered the body of Israr’s resident village Baneda Bijnor.”

    According to police sources in Haridwar, on Wednesday, Arslan, the eight-year-old son of Subhan Ali, a resident of Mohammadpur Kunhari village in the Sultanpur area, was bathing in the rain along with some children. The children reached the edge of the pit while bathing in the rain. During this time, Arslan’s leg slipped and he fell into the pit. About three hours later, the body was pulled out of the pit.

    The Central Zonal Council meeting scheduled for July 15 in Narendranagar in Uttarakhand has been postponed in view of heavy rains. The meeting was to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    Amid heavy rains, Governor Gurmeet Singh also suddenly reached the Disaster Operation Center at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon. The Governor inquired about the damage caused by the rain from the officials.

    DEHRADUN: Heavy rains and landslides in the hilly and high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand have disrupted normal life and severely affected traffic, while flood-like conditions have arisen due to waterlogging caused by incessant rains in the plains of the state. According to the forecast of the State Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of some relief from the weather outbreak from Friday.

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Office, “More than 30 houses have been damaged in the Roorkee Rural area, while the roof of six has collapsed.” On the other hand, many colonies of Laksar were flooded, and roads were also submerged. The embankment on the Solani river has also broken in two places. Due to this, there is a flood situation in 24 villages.

    District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar told The New Indian Express, “Gangotri highway has been closed due to landslides near Helgugad due to heavy rains. Due to this vehicles have been stopped in Bhatwadi and Gangnani.” googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    According to district disaster management sources, “The Yamunotri highway between Jhargarh and Ranachatti has been closed due to landslides. Efforts are being made to open the highway.” At the same time, devotees are waiting for the highway to open along with locals trapped on both sides in torrential rains.

    “Since July 1, the state has received seven per cent more rainfall than normal,” said State Meteorological Department Director Vikram Singh. This spell of weather is expected to continue till Friday.

    Due to heavy rains, it has also had a direct impact on the roads. More than 1,500 roads have been closed so far due to landslides and other reasons in the hilly areas. Secretary, PWD, Dr Pankaj Gupta told this newspaper, “Due to continuous rains for the last few days, the closure of roads has increased, however, action is also being taken to open them at the same pace as the roads have been blocked”.

    “Along with human resources, GPS-enabled machines have also been installed at identified places and every road is being continuously monitored at the government level. Seven bridges have also been damaged due to the situation arising out of heavy rains in the state,” Secretary Gupta added.

    Deputy Tehsildar Shridhar Nautiyal said, “Late on Tuesday night, a car coming from Dugadda towards Kotdwar fell uncontrollably into the Khoh river due to mud on the road. Four people were missing since the accident, while the police and SDRF team conducted a search operation till late at night and recovered the body of Israr’s resident village Baneda Bijnor.”

    According to police sources in Haridwar, on Wednesday, Arslan, the eight-year-old son of Subhan Ali, a resident of Mohammadpur Kunhari village in the Sultanpur area, was bathing in the rain along with some children. The children reached the edge of the pit while bathing in the rain. During this time, Arslan’s leg slipped and he fell into the pit. About three hours later, the body was pulled out of the pit.

    The Central Zonal Council meeting scheduled for July 15 in Narendranagar in Uttarakhand has been postponed in view of heavy rains. The meeting was to be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    Amid heavy rains, Governor Gurmeet Singh also suddenly reached the Disaster Operation Center at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon. The Governor inquired about the damage caused by the rain from the officials.

  • 1.6K died in extreme weather events in ’22, most in floods, landslips: Report

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: According to the annual report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India witnessed over 1,600 people killed in 2022 in extreme weather events.

    Floods and landslides caused over 700 deaths while lightning caused over 900 deaths were reported in 2022. Globally, the report states that climate change has already caused the displacement of 95 million people and more are getting displaced as the impact of climate change is increasing.

    The report “state of the Global Climate 2022”, further states that heatwaves in the 2022 premonsoon season in India and Pakistan caused a decline in crop yields. subsequently, India put a ban on wheat exportwhich further exacerbated the global food crisis.

    The report underlined that the continued increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases is causing socio-economic upheavals and environmental impacts. It is causing a global food crisis, displacement, floods, heat waves and droughts.

    For instance, record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan caused the death of over 1700 people, displaced 8 million people, and affected over 33 million people. It caused a loss of $30 billion.

    Record-breaking heatwaves in Europe in 2022 caused the deaths of over 15000 people across Spain, Ger many, the UK, France, and Portugal. Moreover, between the years 2015-2022, there were the eighth warmest on record despite the cooling impact of a La niña event for the past three years.

    The melting of glaciers and sea level rise again reached record levels in 2022. Climate change has alsocaused serious consequences on the environment. The snow reserve of the Tibet plateau at a higher elevation is expanding, migratory birds’ routes and foods are mismatching, and shift in time of blooming of the flowers. It is alarming for the whole planetary system.

    NEW DELHI: According to the annual report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), India witnessed over 1,600 people killed in 2022 in extreme weather events.

    Floods and landslides caused over 700 deaths while lightning caused over 900 deaths were reported in 2022. Globally, the report states that climate change has already caused the displacement of 95 million people and more are getting displaced as the impact of climate change is increasing.

    The report “state of the Global Climate 2022”, further states that heatwaves in the 2022 premonsoon season in India and Pakistan caused a decline in crop yields. subsequently, India put a ban on wheat export
    which further exacerbated the global food crisis.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    The report underlined that the continued increase of heat-trapping greenhouse gases is causing socio-economic upheavals and environmental impacts. It is causing a global food crisis, displacement, floods, heat waves and droughts.

    For instance, record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan caused the death of over 1700 people, displaced 8 million people, and affected over 33 million people. It caused a loss of $30 billion.

    Record-breaking heatwaves in Europe in 2022 caused the deaths of over 15000 people across Spain, Ger many, the UK, France, and Portugal. Moreover, between the years 2015-2022, there were the eighth warmest on record despite the cooling impact of a La niña event for the past three years.

    The melting of glaciers and sea level rise again reached record levels in 2022. Climate change has also
    caused serious consequences on the environment. The snow reserve of the Tibet plateau at a higher elevation is expanding, migratory birds’ routes and foods are mismatching, and shift in time of blooming of the flowers. It is alarming for the whole planetary system.

  • Fresh landslides hit Jammu-Srinagar highway; closed for third consecutive day

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following fresh landslides in Ramban district, leaving more than 800 vehicles stranded on the road.

    The 270 kilometre-long highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by mudslides and shooting stones between Chanderkote and Banihal in the district on Monday.

    “There was a major landslide on the highway at Rampari area in Banihal tehsil Wednesday morning.

    Besides, another landslide took place in Wagon,” an official told PTI.

    Men and machines have been deployed to clear the highway, officials said, adding that it will take several hours to clear the area.

    Meanwhile, traffic officials have issued an advisory asking people not to travel on the highway.

    According to them, more than 800 vehicles are stranded at different points of the highway.

    The Mughal road, which connects Shopian district of Kashmir with Poonch district of Jammu, was also blocked for traffic due to heavy snowfall, they said.

    Several inter-district roads are closed due to heavy snowfall in the mountainous districts of Jammu region, the officials added.

    JAMMU: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following fresh landslides in Ramban district, leaving more than 800 vehicles stranded on the road.

    The 270 kilometre-long highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by mudslides and shooting stones between Chanderkote and Banihal in the district on Monday.

    “There was a major landslide on the highway at Rampari area in Banihal tehsil Wednesday morning.

    Besides, another landslide took place in Wagon,” an official told PTI.

    Men and machines have been deployed to clear the highway, officials said, adding that it will take several hours to clear the area.

    Meanwhile, traffic officials have issued an advisory asking people not to travel on the highway.

    According to them, more than 800 vehicles are stranded at different points of the highway.

    The Mughal road, which connects Shopian district of Kashmir with Poonch district of Jammu, was also blocked for traffic due to heavy snowfall, they said.

    Several inter-district roads are closed due to heavy snowfall in the mountainous districts of Jammu region, the officials added.

  • Monsoon fury: At least 50 dead in rain-related incidents in Himachal, other states in three days

    By Online Desk

    At least 50 people have died in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha over the last three days in flash floods and landslides triggered by intense monsoon rains, according to news agency Reuters.

    22 people were killed and 12 injured in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday.

    The maximum damage was reported from Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts.

    Five people who went missing after heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh remained untraceable on Sunday, State Disaster Management Department director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta told PTI.

    The five who went missing after a flash flood in Baghi nullah on the Mandi-Katola-Prashar road in Mandi are still untraceable, he added.

    Several families fled their homes located between Baghi and Old Katola after a cloudburst in the area on Saturday and took shelter at safer places.

    Mokhta said the Shimla-Chandigarh highway, which was blocked on Saturday evening following a landslide at Sonu Bangla between Shoghi and Tara Devi, has been cleared for vehicular movement.

    However, several roads, especially in Mandi, are still closed for traffic and work is on clear them, he added.

    Principal secretary, Revenue, Onkar Sharma said Rs 232.31 crore has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund to the affected districts.

    Two major rivers in Odisha breach danger mark

    In the state of Odisha, authorities in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts have launched a massive evacuation drive in low-lying areas, officials said Sunday, as water in Subarnarekha and Baitarani – the two major rivers flowing through the region  breached the danger mark at many places.

    As many as 58 rescue teams comprising personnel of the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service were deployed in Balasore and Mayurbahnj districts, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep K Jena said, adding similar arrangements were also being made in adjoining districts of Bhadrak and Jajpur.

    The water level in all the rivers located in north Odisha are in spate due to heavy rains caused by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, and subsequent flood water release from Jharkhand.

    According to Jena, nearly 6 lakh cusecs of water were discharged by Jharkhand from Galudih barrage on the Subarnarekha river system, following a heavy downpour.

    Most rivers flowing through the northern region of Odisha into the Bay of Bengal originate in neighbouring Jharkhand.

    Four blocks in coastal Balasore district –Baliapal, Bhograi, Basta and Jaleswar –were identified as most vulnerable to the latest flooding.

    On Sunday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik delegated powers of a special relief commissioner to the collector of Balasore district so that the local administration could be more effective.

    A helicopter was also placed at his disposal to deal with any emergency.

    Odisha is already reeling under the impact of moderate floods in the Mahanadi river system following incessant rainfall, which has affected above 7 lakh people.

    Nearly 5 lakh are still marooned in 763 villages, according to government estimates.

    Rains and flood-related incidents have so far claimed six lives.

    Two bodies were recovered in Kuchinda area of Sambalpur district on Saturday, while four people, including two minor girls, were killed in a wall collapse on Friday night.

    ALSO READ | Odisha floods: It has been raining misery for Kandhamal, Kalahandi

    Jharkhand hit by torrential rains

     
    Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, three persons lost their lives amid heavy rain and strong winds that lashed several districts of the state, inundating low-lying areas and uprooting trees and electricity poles, officials said.

    A woman died when a mud wall of her house collapsed in West Singhbhum district, as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal brought torrential rainfall in various parts of the state on Saturday, they said.

    Two persons drowned in Ramgarh district and two more went missing when their vehicles fell into the swollen Nalkari river, and were swept away by the strong current, the officials said.

    Flood-like situation on Vaishno Devi yatra track

    In Jammu, the yatra to the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir was temporarily suspended on Friday evening following heavy rain, officials said.

    Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Anshul Garg said the situation was under control and there was no report of any casualty or damage.

    Several videos shared on social media show flood-like situation on the Vaishno Devi track.

    An official said heavy rains lashed Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the revered shrine, for several hours in the evening, prompting the authorities to suspend the yatra as a precautionary measure till 5 am on Saturday.

    (With inputs from PTI)

    At least 50 people have died in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Odisha over the last three days in flash floods and landslides triggered by intense monsoon rains, according to news agency Reuters.

    22 people were killed and 12 injured in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday.

    The maximum damage was reported from Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts.

    Five people who went missing after heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh remained untraceable on Sunday, State Disaster Management Department director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta told PTI.

    The five who went missing after a flash flood in Baghi nullah on the Mandi-Katola-Prashar road in Mandi are still untraceable, he added.

    Several families fled their homes located between Baghi and Old Katola after a cloudburst in the area on Saturday and took shelter at safer places.

    Mokhta said the Shimla-Chandigarh highway, which was blocked on Saturday evening following a landslide at Sonu Bangla between Shoghi and Tara Devi, has been cleared for vehicular movement.

    However, several roads, especially in Mandi, are still closed for traffic and work is on clear them, he added.

    Principal secretary, Revenue, Onkar Sharma said Rs 232.31 crore has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund to the affected districts.

    Two major rivers in Odisha breach danger mark

    In the state of Odisha, authorities in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts have launched a massive evacuation drive in low-lying areas, officials said Sunday, as water in Subarnarekha and Baitarani – the two major rivers flowing through the region  breached the danger mark at many places.

    As many as 58 rescue teams comprising personnel of the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service were deployed in Balasore and Mayurbahnj districts, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep K Jena said, adding similar arrangements were also being made in adjoining districts of Bhadrak and Jajpur.

    The water level in all the rivers located in north Odisha are in spate due to heavy rains caused by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, and subsequent flood water release from Jharkhand.

    According to Jena, nearly 6 lakh cusecs of water were discharged by Jharkhand from Galudih barrage on the Subarnarekha river system, following a heavy downpour.

    Most rivers flowing through the northern region of Odisha into the Bay of Bengal originate in neighbouring Jharkhand.

    Four blocks in coastal Balasore district –Baliapal, Bhograi, Basta and Jaleswar –were identified as most vulnerable to the latest flooding.

    On Sunday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik delegated powers of a special relief commissioner to the collector of Balasore district so that the local administration could be more effective.

    A helicopter was also placed at his disposal to deal with any emergency.

    Odisha is already reeling under the impact of moderate floods in the Mahanadi river system following incessant rainfall, which has affected above 7 lakh people.

    Nearly 5 lakh are still marooned in 763 villages, according to government estimates.

    Rains and flood-related incidents have so far claimed six lives.

    Two bodies were recovered in Kuchinda area of Sambalpur district on Saturday, while four people, including two minor girls, were killed in a wall collapse on Friday night.

    ALSO READ | Odisha floods: It has been raining misery for Kandhamal, Kalahandi

    Jharkhand hit by torrential rains

     
    Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, three persons lost their lives amid heavy rain and strong winds that lashed several districts of the state, inundating low-lying areas and uprooting trees and electricity poles, officials said.

    A woman died when a mud wall of her house collapsed in West Singhbhum district, as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal brought torrential rainfall in various parts of the state on Saturday, they said.

    Two persons drowned in Ramgarh district and two more went missing when their vehicles fell into the swollen Nalkari river, and were swept away by the strong current, the officials said.

    Flood-like situation on Vaishno Devi yatra track

    In Jammu, the yatra to the Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir was temporarily suspended on Friday evening following heavy rain, officials said.

    Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Anshul Garg said the situation was under control and there was no report of any casualty or damage.

    Several videos shared on social media show flood-like situation on the Vaishno Devi track.

    An official said heavy rains lashed Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the revered shrine, for several hours in the evening, prompting the authorities to suspend the yatra as a precautionary measure till 5 am on Saturday.

    (With inputs from PTI)

  • At least 31 people killed, 22 in Himachal, following rain triggered flash floods and landslides

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: More than 30 people were reported killed following flash floods and landslides in parts of the country on Saturday.

    Rain wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and Jharkhand. 

    At least 31 people were killed, 22 of them in Himachal Pradesh alone, as heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and house collapses, upending normal life across large swathes of the country.

    The fatalities included four each in Uttarakhand and Odisha, and one in Jharkhand.

    Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh since Friday caused landslides and flash floods, with officials saying 22 people, including eight members of a family, died.

    Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the government of Himachal Pradesh to provide all possible help to those affected by flash floods and landslides in the state.

    “There has been heavy destruction in Himachal Pradesh due to landslides, cloudbursts and floods. News of mishaps coming from different parts of the state is very saddening,” Gandhi said in a Facebook post in Hindi.

    “I appeal to the government to provide all possible help to those affected as soon as possible. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

    Gandhi also expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

    NEW DELHI: More than 30 people were reported killed following flash floods and landslides in parts of the country on Saturday.

    Rain wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and Jharkhand. 

    At least 31 people were killed, 22 of them in Himachal Pradesh alone, as heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and house collapses, upending normal life across large swathes of the country.

    The fatalities included four each in Uttarakhand and Odisha, and one in Jharkhand.

    Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh since Friday caused landslides and flash floods, with officials saying 22 people, including eight members of a family, died.

    Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the government of Himachal Pradesh to provide all possible help to those affected by flash floods and landslides in the state.

    “There has been heavy destruction in Himachal Pradesh due to landslides, cloudbursts and floods. News of mishaps coming from different parts of the state is very saddening,” Gandhi said in a Facebook post in Hindi.

    “I appeal to the government to provide all possible help to those affected as soon as possible. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

    Gandhi also expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

  • Heavy rain, landslides and flash floods strike MP, Himachal, Uttarakhand  

    By Express News Service

    DEHRADUN/BHOPAL/CHANDIGARH: Torrential rains and flash floods have thrown life out of gear in several parts of the country, leading to the loss of lives and property in several separate incidents. In Himachal Pradesh, two people were buried alive under debris following a landslide in the Kullu district. Ten shops and three vehicles were washed away after a cloudburst hit the Deuthi panchayat in Anni tehsil on Thursday morning, Director of state disaster management department, Sudesh Mokhta, said.

    At least seven persons, including a toddler girl, were swept away in flooded rivers and nullahs in the Indore and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh over the last 24 hours. In Indore, 23-year-old Jafar Khan has been swept away in the Chandan Nagar area, a 26-year-old woman jumped into an overflowing nullah to save her son (who has slipped in the water body) was washed away, even as local residents saved her son. While Jafar’s body was recovered on Thursday, the woman is untraceable.

    In Betul district, at least five persons were lost in flooded rivers and nullahs in three places. The first mishap happened in the Amla area on Wednesday when a youth Rajendra Omkar was driving sister Sandhya and toddler niece Lavanya on a motorbike for the Raksha Bandhan festival.

    Unable to gauge the flow of water in the Kharpada river, he drove the motorbike through the bridge but was swept away with his sister and niece. While Sandhya and daughter Lavanya’s bodies were recovered on Thursday, Rajendra remains untraced.

    Youth in an inebriated state was washed away in the Marghat river in the Athner area of the Betul district, while another youth was swept away in a flooded nullah elsewhere in the same district. Only one of the two bodies has been recovered until now.

    In Uttarakhand, during the last 24 hours, unabated rainfall caused heavy damage to property in the Garhwal hills. Eight shops, including two jewellery shops, got washed away on Kumola Road in the Purola area of Uttarkashi district at around 2 am. The ATM of Punjab National Bank has also been swept away. Branch manager Chanchal Joshi said Rs 24 lakh was deposited in the ATM on Wednesday evening itself.

    DEHRADUN/BHOPAL/CHANDIGARH: Torrential rains and flash floods have thrown life out of gear in several parts of the country, leading to the loss of lives and property in several separate incidents. In Himachal Pradesh, two people were buried alive under debris following a landslide in the Kullu district. Ten shops and three vehicles were washed away after a cloudburst hit the Deuthi panchayat in Anni tehsil on Thursday morning, Director of state disaster management department, Sudesh Mokhta, said.

    At least seven persons, including a toddler girl, were swept away in flooded rivers and nullahs in the Indore and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh over the last 24 hours. In Indore, 23-year-old Jafar Khan has been swept away in the Chandan Nagar area, a 26-year-old woman jumped into an overflowing nullah to save her son (who has slipped in the water body) was washed away, even as local residents saved her son. While Jafar’s body was recovered on Thursday, the woman is untraceable.

    In Betul district, at least five persons were lost in flooded rivers and nullahs in three places. The first mishap happened in the Amla area on Wednesday when a youth Rajendra Omkar was driving sister Sandhya and toddler niece Lavanya on a motorbike for the Raksha Bandhan festival.

    Unable to gauge the flow of water in the Kharpada river, he drove the motorbike through the bridge but was swept away with his sister and niece. While Sandhya and daughter Lavanya’s bodies were recovered on Thursday, Rajendra remains untraced.

    Youth in an inebriated state was washed away in the Marghat river in the Athner area of the Betul district, while another youth was swept away in a flooded nullah elsewhere in the same district. Only one of the two bodies has been recovered until now.

    In Uttarakhand, during the last 24 hours, unabated rainfall caused heavy damage to property in the Garhwal hills. Eight shops, including two jewellery shops, got washed away on Kumola Road in the Purola area of Uttarkashi district at around 2 am. The ATM of Punjab National Bank has also been swept away. Branch manager Chanchal Joshi said Rs 24 lakh was deposited in the ATM on Wednesday evening itself.

  • 13 people killed in Meghalaya landslides, floods continue to ravage Assam

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Thirteen persons were killed in the rain-induced landslides in Meghalaya on Friday.

    The deaths were reported from three districts – East Khasi Hill, South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills. One of the victims was a BSF jawan. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma mourned the deaths.

    “Pained to learn about the death of 7 individuals in Mawsynram Block, #EastKhasiHills District due to landslides & 2 deaths in #SouthWestKhasiHills District (1 civilian & 1 @BSF_Meghalayajawan),” he tweeted about the latest incidents.

    Earlier in the day, four persons died in two incidents of landslides in South Garo Hills. In one of the incidents, three members of a family, including a minor, had lost their lives.

    Several roads in the state were either damaged or washed away by the rains and the landslides.

    The movement of vehicles from Assam’s Brahmaputra valley to Barak valley in the state remained disrupted following landslides in Meghalaya through which the road passes.

    Meanwhile, the floods continued to ravage neighbouring Assam.

    A flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Friday said over 11 lakh people across 25 districts of the state had been affected by the second wave of the floods.

    Cropland affected was in areas of 20,141.99 hectares. Since May, 45 persons have lost their lives – 34 in floods and 11 in landslides.

    Rivers such as Brahmaputra, Kopili, Jia Bharali, Puthimari, Manas and Beki were in a spate, flowing above the danger level. Several areas of Guwahati, Rangiya and Nalbari remained inundated.

    The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were among agencies engaged in the rescue and evacuation of the marooned.

    The Regional Meteorological Centre issued a warning for thunderstorm with lightning and extremely heavy rain at isolated places in parts of the Northeast.

  • Maharashtra: At least 112 dead in rain fury as landslides and floods leave trail of destruction

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The death toll from the torrential rains that battered Maharashtra’s Pune and Konkan divisions over the last three days and triggered landslides in some areas rose to 112 on Saturday, including 52 in the coastal Raigad district alone, the state government said in a release.

    As many as 1,35,313 people have been shifted to safer places including 78,111 in Western Maharashtra’s Sangli district followed by 40,882 in Kolhapur district.

    The Krishna river in Sangli and Panchganga in Kolhapur are in flood though the rains have subsided, officials said.

    As people in flood-hit towns such as Chiplun, Khed and Mahad in Konkan struggled to come to terms with the disaster, the challenge before the administration is to restore water and electricity supply and arrange food and medicines in affected areas.

    As many as 41 bodies have been recovered at Taliye village in Raigad where a landslide struck on Thursday.

    Several others are still missing, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Konkan) Sanjay Mohite told PTI.

    The India Meteorology Department (IMD) said rainfall intensity along the west coast was expected to decrease over the next 24 hours.

    Between July 21 and 24, Raigad district reported 52 deaths, followed by Ratnagiri (21), Satara (13) and Thane (12).

    Kolhapur reported seven deaths, Mumbai four, Sindhudurg two and Pune one, the release said.

    A total of 99 people are missing in these areas, including 53 in Raigad, 27 in Satara, 14 in Ratnagiri, three in Thane and one each in Sindhudurg and Kolhapur.

    At least 53 people were injured in rain-related incidents.

    As many as 3,221 cattle also perished, including 3,024 in Satara district and 115 in Ratnagiri, the official release said.

    The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 34 teams for rescue operations in the state, its spokesperson said.

    Besides, teams of local administration and the Army are engaged in rescue and relief work.

    In Satara district, at least 13 bodies have been recovered from the sites of landslide at Ambeghar and Dhokawale villages, collector Shekhar Singh said.

    The landslides had occurred on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

    President Ram Nath Kovind called Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari during the day and expressed his concern over the loss of life and property in the state due to rains and floods.

    Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the kin of the victims, while the Central government has announced Rs 2 lakh each.

    Besides, ration kits including rice, pulses and kerosene will be distributed in affected areas, he said.

    The Maharashtra government was coordinating with the neighbouring Karnataka to ensure timely release of water from Almatti dam so as to ease the floods in the Kolhapur district which is upstream of the reservoir, he said.

    As landslides proved fatal in many parts of the state, the government would come up with a plan to permanently relocate people living in hilly areas, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    He was speaking to reporters at Taliye village, the site of the deadliest landslide.

    “People living on hill slopes and hilly areas would be shifted and relocated.

    A plan would be made to shift small settlements from such places,” he said.

    Two more landslides took place in the Raigad district, while three took place in Satara district including the one at Ambeghar village.

    “Flooding is witnessed in Western Maharashtra during monsoon due to rise in water level of rivers.

    Hence, a policy would be formulated for the management of water in this region,’” the chief minister added.

    “You will be taken care of. Don’t worry,” Thackeray told the villagers.

    In Ratnagiri district, towns of Chiplun and Khed were among the worst-affected by the floods.

    “Schools as well as some private properties are being used as shelters as well as primary treatment centres for the injured. The real challenge is identifying and tracing missing people,” a senior official of the NDRF said.

    State minister Uday Samant said water has receded from some areas of Chiplun town, but some parts are still inundated.

    The topography of Chiplun town is like a bowl, said a district official.

    “In the past, locals have seen roads going under water when it rains heavily. But this time it was different. In many places, the water level was higher than 14 feet, submerging entire houses,” he said.