Surat, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat government on Saturday continued distributing financial assistance to families affected by recent flooding in Surat, with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil handing over cash doles and compensation for household losses to beneficiaries in Patel Nagar of Godadara after a rapid damage assessment by the administration.

The assistance was distributed in the presence of Surat district in-charge and Finance Minister Kanu Desai. Both ministers also visited flood-hit localities to assess the situation and interact with affected residents.

Speaking to families during the visit, Paatil said the government stood firmly with citizens during natural disasters and was working to ensure that those who had suffered losses received assistance without delay.

"Heavy rainfall in Surat city and the upstream areas caused flooding that resulted in financial losses for many families. To help people resume their normal lives at the earliest, the administration has carried out a rapid survey and is disbursing assistance without delay," he said.

Paatil said responding to disasters in Surat had always been a collective effort involving the district administration, the Surat Municipal Corporation and local residents.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed that immediate relief be provided to affected areas, following which Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel personally visited Surat and neighbouring Navsari to review the situation. Survey work was subsequently launched on a war footing to identify losses and facilitate prompt distribution of assistance," he emphasised.

Patil also acknowledged the contribution of sanitation workers involved in the city's post-flood clean-up operations.

"Surat city will never forget the debt it owes to its sanitation workers. Along with the district administration and the Surat Municipal Corporation, sanitation workers and aware citizens have made a significant contribution to restoring and cleaning the city," he said.

Residents who received assistance thanked the administration for its prompt response and the timely financial support provided by the government.

Source: IANS

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Dehradun, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a detailed forecast warning of heavy rainfall across several districts of Uttarakhand from July 11 to July 14, prompting the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) to direct all district administrations to remain on high alert in view of the possibility of weather-related incidents.

According to the IMD, several districts in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions are likely to witness isolated spells of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and intense showers over the next four days, raising concerns over landslides, flash flooding and disruption of normal life.

In response to the forecast, the State Emergency Operations Centre has instructed all district authorities to remain vigilant and ensure preparedness to deal with any emergency arising from adverse weather conditions.

The weather department has predicted isolated heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat districts on July 11.

Officials have warned that the rainfall could trigger landslides, rockfalls and debris accumulation on roads in the hilly regions, while low-lying areas in the plains may experience waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

The continuing rainfall has already affected transportation in several parts of the state. Traffic on the Karnaprayag–Gwaldam National Highway at Narayanbagad in the Tharali area was briefly suspended after a section of the road was washed away, resulting in a temporary blockage. Authorities later restored the route for vehicular movement after carrying out clearance work.

Landslides were also reported from multiple locations in Pauri Garhwal district. In another incident, a vegetable-laden truck travelling on the Gumkhal-Satpuli highway was struck by a massive boulder that rolled down the hillside near Malli Satpuli. The truck sustained extensive damage, and its cargo was scattered across the road. However, no casualties were reported.

The district administration subsequently undertook restoration work and reopened several key routes that had been blocked due to incessant rainfall after clearing debris and stones.

Traffic has resumed on the Kotdwar–Pauri National Highway after accumulated debris near Satpuli was removed. Similarly, the Srinagar–Rudraprayag National Highway has been reopened after authorities cleared debris near Sirobagar. Police personnel remain deployed at the site to facilitate safe and smooth movement of vehicles.

The Garud Chatti–Neelkanth Mahadev Road has also been cleared of rain-induced debris and reopened for normal vehicular movement.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall in Rudraprayag district has prompted authorities to strengthen safety measures along the Char Dham Yatra route. Rescue and relief teams have been stationed at vulnerable locations to monitor conditions and ensure the safety of pilgrims travelling through the region.

The persistent downpour in the hill districts has also caused the water level of the Ganga River to rise significantly in Rishikesh, with the river nearing the warning mark at Triveni Ghat.

According to the IMD's forecast, weather conditions are expected to remain particularly severe on July 12 in Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Nainital and Champawat districts.

As these districts are directly connected to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, authorities have intensified surveillance along the Badrinath and Kedarnath routes. Pilgrims have been advised to check the latest weather updates and road conditions before beginning their journey.

In its advisory, the IMD said several hazards are expected to persist across sensitive areas of Uttarakhand during the next four days. These include landslides, rockfalls, sudden debris flows, rising water levels in rivulets and streams, flooding in low-lying areas, lightning strikes and severe thunderstorms. Continuous rainfall may also disrupt road connectivity and electricity supply in certain regions.

With the Char Dham Yatra currently underway and thousands of devotees travelling daily to the pilgrimage sites, authorities have stepped up surveillance along the pilgrimage routes.

Teams from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration and Public Works Department are continuously monitoring vulnerable locations. Officials said traffic may be temporarily restricted at certain stretches if required to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The State Emergency Operations Centre has instructed all district magistrates to remain on alert, pre-position JCBs and heavy machinery at vulnerable locations, keep rescue and relief teams on standby, and ensure immediate response in the event of any emergency.

The administration has also appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of adverse weather, stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas, and follow only the official advisories issued by the district administration and the India Meteorological Department.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Surat district authorities have disbursed Rs 1.5 crore in flood relief to 2,500 affected families within two days as surveys continue across waterlogged areas, while insurance companies have been directed to expedite compensation claims for traders who suffered losses during the recent heavy rains.

District Collector Tejas Parmar said survey teams had been deployed immediately after flooding caused damage in several parts of Surat city.

According to the administration, 50 survey teams are currently working across six talukas of the city to assess losses and identify eligible beneficiaries.

"Due to flooding in Surat city, waterlogging in several areas caused damage. Immediate survey work was undertaken, and the process of disbursing cash doles and household assistance was started," Parmar said.

He added that assistance worth Rs 1.5 crore had already been paid to 2,500 families through cash doles and household assistance.

Surveys are still underway in all affected areas, and families that have yet to be covered will receive assistance after verification is complete.

The administration has also begun efforts to address financial losses suffered by businesses after commercial establishments, shops and industrial sheds were inundated.

Parmar said relief measures for traders are under consideration, and a meeting was held with representatives of insurance companies to ensure that claims are processed without unnecessary delay.

"Insurance companies have been instructed to accept and settle all eligible claims as quickly as possible while ensuring claimants face the least possible inconvenience during the process," officials said.

To improve coordination between insurers, industries and the trading community, the district administration has appointed a nodal officer to facilitate claim settlements.

Parmar also announced that an online grievance portal for traders and agencies will be launched shortly. Complaints submitted through the portal will be forwarded directly to the concerned insurance companies for resolution.

The Collector also warned businesses against exploiting the post-flood situation through overcharging.

"The administration had received complaints that some repair shops, including automobile and machinery repair workshops, as well as grain shops, were charging prices above normal levels following the floods," he said.

Issuing a warning, Parmar said any shopkeeper or individual found charging excessive rates during the disaster period would face strict legal action.

"This is a time to help one another, not to take advantage of people's hardships by charging higher prices," he said.

Source: IANS

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Beijing, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) A total of 95,657 people from 36,279 households in Beijing had been evacuated as of 5 pm on Friday, as authorities intensified flood-control measures and carried out emergency relocations in preparation for heavy rainfall.

A new round of heavy rain began battering the city on Friday, with average precipitation reaching 12 mm from 8 am. to 5 pm, according to the Beijing municipal flood control office. The heaviest rainfall was recorded at a marketplace in the suburban district of Pinggu, where precipitation totalled 164 mm.

All large and medium-sized reservoirs in the city are operating below their upper water-level limits, Xinhua news agency reported.

Local meteorological authorities forecast torrential rain and isolated heavy downpours on Friday evening and overnight, with moderate to torrential rainfall expected to continue through Saturday.

Residents are advised to reduce outdoor activities and closely monitor weather warnings and emergency updates.

On Tuesday, China has deployed flood-control and emergency response measures as Typhoons Maysak and Bavi are expected to bring heavy rainfall and heighten flood risks in several river basins across the country, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Recent extreme rainstorms triggered by Typhoon Maysak, the 10th typhoon of the year, have caused severe flooding in parts of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the Pearl River basin. Continued rain and flooding could pose further threats, the ministry said.

on Tuesday, Guangxi upgraded its flood alert to the highest-level red warning, which was quickly followed by another flood red alert issued by neighbouring Guangdong Province.

From Friday, Super Typhoon Bavi is expected to approach China's eastern coast and affect the country's six major river basins for about a week, bringing a high risk of flood-related disasters.

The ministry urged efforts to strengthen flood prevention in Guangxi, improve monitoring and early warning systems, ensure reservoir safety, guard against mountain torrents and flooding in small and medium-sized rivers, and enhance inspections of dikes and water conservancy projects.

–IANS

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Source: IANS

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Shimla, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Friday said that increasing cloudbursts in the state have been linked to climate change and enhanced evaporation from reservoirs created by large dams.

He said that owing to spike in natural calamities, the government has decided to develop disaster resilience infrastructure with an estimated outlay of Rs 3,500 crore that would help strengthen the capacity to withstand disasters and minimise losses.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the workshop “Towards Resilience Infrastructure Planning in the Western Himalaya”, here, the Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh, being a mountainous state with difficult geographical conditions, has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters.

Recalling the devastating disaster of 2023, he said nearly 75,000 tourists were stranded across the state. The government, with coordinated efforts, ensured the safe evacuation of the stranded tourists and restored essential services on a war footing. He also appreciated the efforts of Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and legislator Sanjay Awasthi, who personally led the rescue operation to evacuate around 300 stranded tourists from the high-altitude lake, Chandratal.

The Chief Minister said the 2023 disaster damaged around 23,000 houses completely and claimed 51 lives. Standing firmly with the affected families, the government introduced historic changes in the relief policy by increasing compensation for fully damaged houses from Rs 1.30 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.

He said that the lessons learnt from the 2023 disaster enabled the government to respond much more effectively during the 2025 disaster, resulting in comparatively lower losses despite the severity of the situation.

“While Himachal Pradesh is currently facing the challenge of climate change”, he said other states “are also likely to experience similar impacts in the coming years”. He emphasised that addressing such challenges would require bold policy decisions and necessary changes in development practices.

The government, he said, was fully prepared to take such decisions in the larger public interest to mitigate the losses.

Chief Secretary K.K. Pant said climate change has emerged as a major challenge.

The disasters of 2023 and 2025 had caused extensive damage to infrastructure and resulted in the loss of precious lives.

He said the government’s objective is not merely to reconstruct damaged infrastructure but to build resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding future climate challenges.

The Chief Secretary also emphasised the importance of institutional capacity building for effective disaster management.

Former Member of NITI Aayog Dr V.K. Paul said that while Himachal Pradesh has always faced unique developmental challenges due to its terrain, the impacts of global warming have further intensified these challenges. He called for a multi-dimensional policy approach involving all stakeholders, stating that disaster resilience cannot be achieved by any single department or institution alone.

Referring to the 2023 disaster as a wake-up call, he said timely and decisive action is essential to develop resilient infrastructure and minimise future loss of life and property.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Under the just-concluded ‘Operation Amistad,’ India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, the Indian Army’s Field Hospital provided critical assistance and care to hundreds of earthquake-impacted persons, carrying out over 8000 medical procedures and laboratory investigations, including over 20 major surgeries.

As the Indian contingent returned home on Friday after the highly successful operation, Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the timely help, support and solidarity.

On June 26, two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carried to Venezuela a 41-member contingent from the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Hospital Unit, comprising surgeons, anaesthesiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, dental and other physicians, paramedical staff and support personnel; along with two Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes, which are state-of-the-art modular and portable mobile mini-hospitals designed for rapid disaster response; six tonnes of essential medicines and medical equipment, and 30 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, including tents, solar lamps, portable water purifiers, and generator sets.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the government of India conveys its sincere appreciation to the government of Venezuela for the assistance and cooperation extended to the Indian contingent throughout the mission.

“Operation Amistad underscores the enduring friendship and solidarity between India and Venezuela and reflects India’s abiding commitment to stand steadfastly with partner countries in difficult times, in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ‘The World Is One Family’,” said the MEA.

A farewell ceremony was held at the 'Simon Bolivar' International Airport in La Guaira, where Venezuela's Vice Minister for International Communication, Rander Pena, thanked the Indian staff and India's Ambassador to Venezuela, P K Ashok Babu.

On Tuesday, Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yvan Gil, expressed gratitude to health professionals from India and lauded their work, as they provided medical assistance to the people of Venezuela at the field hospital set up by the Indian Army. He thanked PM Modi for extending help to Venezuela.

–IANS

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Source: IANS

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Surat, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Surat district authorities have deployed 227 government officials and employees in 41 teams to carry out an immediate door-to-door survey of flood-affected areas across the city, with relief payments already reaching more than 1,100 people following heavy rainfall and flooding.

The exercise has been launched under the supervision of Surat District Collector Tejas Parmar to assess damage caused by creek flooding and waterlogging in different parts of the city.

The survey will cover cases involving loss of life, injuries and damage to movable and immovable property to facilitate the distribution of government assistance, including cash doles, household assistance and clothing aid.

The district administration has assigned 22 Class I and Class II officers to oversee the exercise, supported by Deputy Mamlatdars, Revenue Talatis, coordinators and other staff.

In total, 227 officers and employees from Class I, II and III services have been deployed in 41 survey teams, which have been instructed to begin work immediately in coordination with the Mamlatdars of their allotted talukas.

By 1 p.m. on Friday, cash doles amounting to Rs 11 lakh had been distributed to 701 affected residents in the Katargam, Puna, Majura, Abrama and Udhna areas.

Household assistance worth Rs 24.20 lakh had also been paid to 484 affected people, taking the total relief distributed to Rs 35.21 lakh for 1,185 beneficiaries.

The administration said assistance is being released as soon as surveys are completed.

In the Limbayat area, including Ratanjinagar and Mazda Park-1 and 2 societies, survey teams led by District Planning Officer Shital Mandaviya conducted assessments and distributed cash doles to eligible residents.

The administration has divided the survey work among several senior officers.

In the Puna area, five teams under the supervision of the District Education Officer and Education Inspector are conducting door-to-door surveys in Dhanjivalli Mohollo, Padar Faliya, Khadi Faliya and Pipla Faliya in Kumbhariya, as well as the New Colony in Saroli. Each team comprises five employees.

Another five teams, led by the Deputy Industries Commissioner and General Manager, have been assigned to survey Bawari Faliya and Brahman, Khari, Parsi and Bhut Faliyas in Saniya Hemad.

In the Majura area, four teams under Land Records Inspector D.M. Desai are surveying Ambedkarnagar, Rasulabad, Azadnagar and Indiranagar.

In Udhna, four teams under the District Planning Officer are surveying the Mithi Khadi area, including Islami Chowk, Raza Chowk, Azad Chowk, Bethi Colony, Patrani Chawl, Kantinagar, Phulwadi, Nure Ilahi Nagar, Kadiri Chowk, Mazda Park, Ratanjinagar and Bhedwad, as well as Meera Nagar, Ramkrishna Society, Bhavani Society, Halpativas and Rabarivas in the Godadara area.

Four additional teams under the Deputy Director (Developing Castes) are surveying Godadara, Dhirajnagar, Neelkanth Society, Swaminarayan Nagar, Patel Nagar, the Parvat area, Geetanagar, Halpativas, Khadi Faliya, the Udhna Industrial Association area and the Sanjay Nagar slum.

Three teams led by the Deputy Director of D.I.S.S. are surveying affected localities around Godadara, including Aaspaas Nagar, Astik Nagar, Kaushal Nagar, Kalakunj, Prakash Nagar, Gayatri Nagar, Priyanka Nagar and Dumbhal.

District Registrar Haresh Kachhad is overseeing five teams surveying extensive parts of the Puna area, including Simada, Sarthana and Nana Varachha, covering residential societies, commercial establishments and row house developments.

Two teams under the District Registrar (Housing) are surveying Khodiyar Nagar, Laxman Nagar, Kalyan Nagar, Laskana, Kathodara and Pasodara.

The Deputy Director of D.I.S.H. has deployed two teams in the affected areas of Majura taluka.

The district administration said additional personnel would be deployed if required to complete the survey and ensure relief reaches all eligible flood-affected residents.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) More than 2,000 flood-affected families in Surat's Bhatar area have begun receiving immediate financial assistance after the district administration completed door-to-door surveys in some of the worst-affected localities following the recent heavy rainfall and flooding.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday distributed financial assistance of Rs 6,800 per family to residents of Ambedkar Nagar, Azad Nagar, Indira Nagar and Rasulabad in Bhatar.

The assistance comprises cash doles along with support for household articles and clothing for families whose homes, belongings and livelihoods were affected by the floods.

The distribution followed relief operations launched by the district administration on a war footing after floodwaters receded.

Officials conducted house-to-house surveys to identify affected households and facilitate the immediate disbursal of assistance in the presence of District Collector Tejas Parmar and Surat Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan.

Addressing residents, Sanghavi urged people in the flood-affected areas to maintain cleanliness and cooperate fully with officials carrying out the door-to-door survey.

He assured residents that no eligible family would be left without assistance. "No affected family will be deprived of assistance, and financial aid will be delivered by reaching every household," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said Surat had once again demonstrated resilience, patience and unity in the aftermath of the heavy rainfall.

He noted that residents had supported one another despite difficult circumstances and expressed hope that the financial assistance would help families whose household belongings, businesses and sources of livelihood had been affected.

"The government will stand shoulder to shoulder with flood-affected families not only through this financial assistance but throughout their rehabilitation and return to normal life," Sanghavi said.

Following the torrential rainfall, District Collector Tejas Parmar directed officials to begin an immediate survey of affected areas.

Acting under the guidance of South Sub-Divisional Magistrate V.J. Bhandari, the administration surveyed affected households in the Majura area and initiated the distribution of assistance amounting to Rs 6,800 per family.

The package includes household assistance as well as daily wage support under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

According to the district administration, more than 2,500 families across Surat city have so far received financial relief under the supervision of Bhandari.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Surat district administration has launched an intensive post-flood recovery operation, with the Gujarat government aiming to restore normal life, business activities and commercial operations in the city’s worst-affected areas within the next 48 to 72 hours after floodwaters receded.

The large-scale relief and restoration exercise is being carried out under the supervision of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi chaired a high-level review meeting late on Thursday night. The meeting was attended by district coordination officers, senior officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation and the district administration.

Sanghavi directed officials to prioritise three immediate tasks -- rapid drainage of waterlogged areas, large-scale sanitation and cleaning operations, and public health measures to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

He issued strict instructions to the administration and the municipal corporation to ensure there was no delay in the relief effort.

The administration has already completed a door-to-door survey of more than 9,100 families affected by the floods.

According to Sanghavi, more than 800 affected families have received financial assistance of Rs 6,800 each towards household essentials and cash dole.

"The administration is working round the clock to provide immediate relief to citizens affected by the floods. A door-to-door survey of around 9,100 families has been completed, and assistance of Rs 6,800 each has already reached more than 800 affected families. Separate teams have been deployed to ensure that all remaining eligible families receive the assistance by late tonight," Sanghavi said.

The government has also begun assessing damage suffered by traders. Surveys covering markets, shops and commercial establishments in around 58 small and large lanes, neighbourhoods and commercial areas across Surat will be completed on priority.

"The survey findings would be placed before Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, under whose chairmanship a decision on government assistance for affected traders would be taken in the coming days," he asserted.

He said the government was proactively compiling data so that financial assistance could be extended without unnecessary delay. To ensure no affected household is left out, the administration has appointed a special officer at the Surat Collector's office and activated a dedicated helpline. If any locality or housing society has been omitted from the survey due to technical reasons, residents can contact the helpline.

Sanghavi said the entire government machinery, district administration and municipal corporation were working day and night under the Chief Minister's leadership to restore normalcy. "Within a very short time, Surat will once again stand resilient and resume its role as one of the country's engines of development," he said.

Source: IANS

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Kochi/Kalpetta, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the death toll in the Wayanad tunnel road landslide climbing to seven after one more body was recovered on Friday, the Kerala High Court directed the state government to immediately disburse ex gratia compensation to the victims' families, provide free treatment to the injured and ensure that the bodies of those killed are handed over to their relatives without delay.

One person remains missing, with rescue teams continuing an intensive search at the accident site near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where work on the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project, connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode districts, was underway when the massive mudslide struck on July 7.

Hearing the matter on Friday, a Division Bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice A.K.Preeta made it clear that relief measures should take precedence over questions of liability.

On being informed that the bodies of the deceased were being embalmed after post-mortem examinations for transportation to their native places, the Bench orally observed that there should be no delay in handing over the bodies to their families so that the last rites could be performed without unnecessary hardship.

The court also directed that all expenses relating to the treatment and hospitalisation of the injured, including the needs of bystanders attending them, should be borne by the state government for the present.

"Ensure that treatment happens without insisting on any payment till discharge from hospital," the Bench said, adding that the expenditure could initially be treated as a charge on the project, while the issue of recovering the amount from those ultimately found responsible would be decided later.

The Bench further directed that ex gratia compensation announced by the government for the families of those killed and injured should be disbursed immediately, and sought a fresh status report from the state by next week.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) informed the court that rescue operations were continuing with excavators and other heavy machinery, although unstable terrain and slushy conditions had necessitated extensive manual search operations in the final stages.

The court was also told that construction activity at the project site had been ordered to stop in May.

The High Court said it would continue to monitor the matter on a weekly basis, with particular emphasis on the prompt payment of compensation and rehabilitation measures.

The directions came as part of the court's continuing suo motu proceedings initiated after the devastating 2024 Wayanad landslides.

The Bench has now expanded its scrutiny to include the latest tunnel project tragedy, signalling close judicial oversight of both the rescue efforts and the circumstances that led to the disaster.

Even as rescue operations entered another day, the tragedy continued to generate political and administrative scrutiny, with the state government having already announced a high-level expert probe into all aspects of the project and the Kerala High Court now closely monitoring every stage of relief, rehabilitation and the investigation into the disaster.

Source: IANS

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Kalpetta, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The death toll in the Wayanad tunnel road mudslide rose to seven on Friday after rescue teams recovered one more body from the debris, while the search continued for the lone remaining missing person amid difficult weather and treacherous terrain.

The victim's body was recovered during an intensive search operation involving personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, Forest Department and local volunteers.

Excavators and other heavy machinery have been pressed into service to clear the massive debris, though intermittent rain and unstable soil have continued to hamper the operation.

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge in Kalladi, where work on the Wayanad end of the ambitious tunnel road project was underway.

Six bodies had been recovered by Thursday after three more victims were pulled out from the debris.

Even as rescue efforts continue, the tragedy has triggered a political confrontation over the project and the circumstances leading to the disaster.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has announced that a special team of experts will conduct a comprehensive probe into all aspects of the tunnel road project, including whether safety protocols were adequately followed and if any lapses contributed to the accident.

Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, under whose tenure as Chief Minister the project received clearance earlier this year, defended the approval process on Thursday.

He maintained that all mandatory procedures and statutory protocols had been complied with before the project was sanctioned.

His remarks, however, drew a sharp response from Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, who has been camping at the accident site since the tragedy.

Questioning Vijayan's attempt to rule out lapses even before an inquiry, Anil Kumar said, "Why is he in such a hurry to arrive at conclusions? Let the expert committee submit its report first. We will act on the basis of its findings."

The disaster has also come under judicial scrutiny, with the Kerala High Court seeking a detailed report on the incident.

The findings of the expert panel and the court-monitored proceedings are now expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the tragedy was an unavoidable natural disaster or the result of human and administrative failures.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday visited flood-affected neighbourhoods in Surat, directing officials to accelerate relief, drainage and restoration work after heavy rainfall caused widespread waterlogging across parts of the city.

Sanghavi toured the affected areas of Limbayat, Dindoli and Saroli to assess the situation on the ground and met residents, shopkeepers and families impacted by the flooding.

During the visit, he listened to their grievances and reviewed the extent of damage, losses and immediate requirements.

After interacting with those affected, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the administration to ensure that essential assistance reaches residents without delay.

He directed officials to expedite the drainage of rainwater from inundated areas, intensify cleaning operations, maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply and take special precautions to safeguard public health and sanitation in the affected localities.

He also instructed the authorities to provide cash doles and household assistance to eligible flood-affected families at the earliest.

Sanghavi gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised by local residents during the visit and issued directions to the concerned departments for the immediate resolution of their problems.

The visit came after exceptionally heavy rainfall left several parts of Surat under water, disrupting normal life and prompting emergency response measures by the administration.

Authorities have been engaged in pumping out water, restoring essential services and monitoring vulnerable areas as the city recovers from the flooding.

MLA Sangeeta Patil, Surat Mayor Maya Mavani, Surat District In-charge Secretary Shalini Agrawal, Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Police Commissioner In-Charge Wabang Jamir, Standing Committee Chairman Rajan Patel and officials of the Surat Municipal Corporation accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the inspection.

Source: IANS

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Kalpetta (Kerala), July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala's Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Thursday mounted a sharp attack on Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan over his remarks on the environmental clearance granted to the Wayanad tunnel road project, accusing the government of attempting to create a controversy to divert attention from administrative lapses that may have contributed to the devastating mudslide at Kalladi.

The tunnel project was cleared by Vijayan when he was the Chief Minister and he inaugurated the tunnel construction early this year.

Addressing reporters after visiting the disaster site, Vijayan said the Chief Minister's claim that the environmental clearance had been secured through questionable means was factually incorrect.

The clearance, he said, followed a transparent process that began with detailed scientific studies in 2023 and received approvals from both the state and Central governments.

He pointed out that the Kerala High Court had dismissed petitions challenging the environmental clearance on December 16, 2025, and that the Supreme Court subsequently upheld the verdict.

Alleging that the clearance was obtained through pressure or manipulation amounted to disregarding judicial findings, he said.

"Instead of shifting the blame onto others, ministers should explain how lapses occurred," Vijayan said.

Questioning the handling of the project, he said a high-level meeting had earlier directed that excavated soil from the tunnel project be removed.

"How was that decision overturned? Who is responsible?" he asked.

According to him, the excavated earth left piled up at the site mixed with soil that came crashing down from the hill, aggravating the mudslide.

At the same time, he maintained that the tunnel road project itself was of immense importance and held the potential to transform connectivity and development in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the tragedy climbed to six on Thursday after rescue teams recovered three more bodies from the debris.

Two people remain missing.

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where work on the Wayanad end of the tunnel road project is under way.

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, Forest Department and local volunteers continued the search with the help of excavators and other heavy machinery, despite intermittent rain and unstable terrain that hampered operations.

Vijayan also drew attention to the condition of inmates at relief camps, saying many lacked adequate clothing, with several women still wearing the clothes they had on when the disaster struck.

Offering condolences to the families of those killed, he assured the government of the opposition's full cooperation in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.

The latest tragedy has once again renewed concerns over Wayanad's fragile hill ecology, the execution of infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive areas, and the state's disaster preparedness.

In a related development, the Kerala High Court took up the issue suo moto and asked the Advocate General to give a complete and detailed account of the entire incidents that took place at the accident site.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday reviewed the flood situation in Surat during a meeting at the Surat Municipal Corporation office as authorities continued relief and restoration work following days of intense monsoon rainfall that inundated large parts of the city.

The review meeting was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, State Finance Minister Kanu Desai, State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and other senior officials.

In a post on social media platform X, Sanghavi said: "At the office of the Surat Municipal Corporation, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister C. R. Patil, a review meeting was held regarding the situation arising due to the rainfall."

The Chief Minister's visit came after exceptionally heavy rainfall triggered flooding across several parts of Surat, disrupting transport, affecting residential neighbourhoods and prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations.

State authorities have been monitoring the situation closely as water levels remained high in several low-lying areas.

According to official updates and reports, Surat received around 358 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending on Wednesday morning, leading to severe waterlogging and flood-like conditions across the city.

As per latest update, 7,386 residents were shifted or rescued from inundated areas by teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and other agencies.

Although rainfall eased on Thursday, floodwaters continued to affect several residential areas, roads, markets, commercial establishments and industrial zones, with civic authorities focusing on pumping out water, restoring essential services and assisting affected residents.

The heavy rainfall has also resulted in multiple rain-related deaths in the state, while emergency teams remain deployed as authorities continue relief measures and monitor weather conditions across South Gujarat.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of further spells of heavy rain in parts of the state, prompting officials to maintain a high level of preparedness.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The national capital is experiencing one of the most intense periods of rainfall this monsoon season, resulting in significant waterlogging in various areas and causing major traffic disruptions throughout the Delhi-NCR region on Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the entire national capital, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and intense showers. An orange alert was also issued for parts of Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, and Gurugram, where more heavy rainfall is expected during the day.

The overnight rain led to severe waterlogging and hours-long traffic congestion in several areas of Delhi-NCR. Gurugram was among the worst-affected cities, with waterlogged roads slowing vehicular movement and prompting several private companies to issue work-from-home advisories for employees.

According to the IMD, Mayur Vihar recorded the highest rainfall in Delhi, receiving 103 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. Other major rainfall figures included Delhi University 90 mm, Mehrauli 86 mm, Pusa 83 mm, Lodhi Road 80 mm, Ridge 78 mm, Safdarjung 73 mm, Chhatarpur 72 mm, Palam 63 mm, Narayana 63 mm, Janakpuri 62 mm, Ayanagar 57 mm, Pragati Maidan 50 mm, Najafgarh 43 mm, Mungeshpur 41 mm, Jharoda Kalan 33 mm, and Jafarpur 6 mm.

In neighbouring Ghaziabad, Kamla Nehru Nagar recorded 164 mm of rainfall, while Hindon received 134 mm. Tanda in Gautam Buddha Nagar recorded 62 mm, while Gurugram's NorthCap University and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) recorded 27 mm and 36 mm, respectively.

Several stretches across Delhi witnessed severe waterlogging, including Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Shani Bazar Road in Sangam Vihar, Vikas Marg, and the stretch between Mayur Vihar Phase-1 Metro Station and Akshardham. Flooded roads and submerged potholes disrupted traffic and made commuting difficult for motorists.

A local resident told IANS, "As soon as we step out of our homes, the problems begin. Every street, intersection, and road is waterlogged. Vehicles are slipping on flooded roads, making commuting extremely difficult and unsafe."

In Ghaziabad, heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging in the Bhopura area, affecting traffic movement on the Mohan Nagar-Wazirabad Road. Waterlogging was also reported at the Vijay Nagar underpass, causing inconvenience to commuters travelling towards Vijay Nagar.

Neighbouring Gurugram also witnessed widespread waterlogging, with traffic moving at a crawl on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway service lane near Narsinghpur. Congestion was also reported from Basai, Umang Bhardwaj Chowk, Kadipur, Sector 10A, Sohna Road and several other major stretches.

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory stating that traffic movement on NH-24 near Ghazipur had been affected due to waterlogging caused by continuous rainfall since Wednesday. Officials from the Traffic Police and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are engaged in clearing the accumulated water.

Motorists travelling from Ghaziabad towards Delhi have been advised to avoid NH-24 and instead take the Sector-62 -- Vasundhara-Buddh Chowk-Mohan Nagar route before entering Delhi through Seemapuri until traffic conditions improve.

Source: IANS

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Kalpetta, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The death toll in the Wayanad mudslide tragedy climbed to five on Thursday after rescue teams recovered two bodies from the debris, even as the search resumed for three people who remain missing.

State Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who is at the accident site, said that both bodies have been removed to the hospital.

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi on Thursday, where the Wayanad end of the tunnel road project is under construction.

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, police, forest officials and local volunteers fanned out across the accident site as excavators and earth-moving equipment continued the painstaking effort to clear tonnes of slush and boulders.

Intermittent rain and unstable terrain continued to hamper rescue operations.

The tragedy has once again turned the spotlight on the fragile hill terrain of Wayanad, where recurring landslides and mudslips have raised concerns over habitation, infrastructure projects and disaster preparedness.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who visited the disaster site on Wednesday evening after reviewing the situation, directed officials to continue the rescue mission without interruption and ensure all possible assistance to the affected families.

The government has also ordered close monitoring of vulnerable locations in the district in view of continuing rainfall.

Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan reached the site on Thursday morning along with CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan to assess the situation and interact with rescue personnel and local residents.

Vijayan's visit comes barely two months after he had travelled to the same area as Chief Minister to inaugurate work on the proposed tunnel road project, highlighting the dramatic transformation of the location from a development site to the scene of a major disaster.

As anxiety mounted among relatives of those still unaccounted for, rescue teams pressed ahead with the search, expressing hope that the remaining missing persons could be traced despite the difficult conditions.

With heavy rain continuing across parts of the district, authorities have urged people living in landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation advisories issued by the district administration.

Source: IANS

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Jammu, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A landslide hit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine track on Wednesday evening, but the yatra continued unaffected.

Officials said a landslide triggered by rain hit the Mata Vaishno Devi track atop the Trikuta Hills in Katra town of Reasi district on Wednesday evening.

The landslide forced temporary suspension of the battery car service, but the yatra to the shrine remained unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims continuing their to-and-fro trek despite the landslide.

The officials said the landslide occurred near Himkoti on the new track leading to the shrine following heavy rainfall.

The Shrine Board immediately rushed men and machines to clear the debris from the route, they said.

The officials said the battery car service was temporarily suspended, while the yatra continued through the old route.

Mata Vaishno Devi, also known as Vaishnavi, Trikuta, and Sherawali, is a Hindu deity considered to embody the nature of Shakti and, at the Vaishno Devi Temple, is self-manifest as three Pindis, described as the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

The deity is worshipped as an ascetic, vegetarian, and virgin goddess who is associated with Vishnu. Believed to be the Mahadevi, she is revered as a divine "Mother" who protects and grants boons to her devotees. She is also described in certain regional traditions as the eldest of the Seven Sisters, the goddesses of North India.

The Vaishno Devi Temple is a highly revered Hindu shrine nestled in the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 5,200 feet.

Dedicated to a manifestation of the Goddess Durga, the shrine requires a 13-kilometre trek (or helicopter ride) starting from the base camp town of Katra.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) More than 3,400 people have been rescued and nearly 3,900 evacuated after exceptionally heavy rainfall inundated large parts of Surat over the past two days, prompting large-scale rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.

Officials said Surat city recorded 19 inches of rain in the last 38 hours, while 3,416 people were rescued and 3,862 residents were shifted to safer locations as floodwaters entered residential neighbourhoods.

Authorities also distributed 9,563 food packets to those rescued and accommodated in relief shelters.

In Surat rural district, 7.59 inches of rainfall was recorded during the last 24 hours. In Palsana taluka, 19 people were evacuated, with shelter homes and food packets arranged for them.

The NDRF carried out multiple rescue operations across the city as low-lying areas remained waterlogged. In Godadara, rescue teams evacuated 313 people to safer shelters.

In Pandesara's Shriram Nagar Society, where floodwaters entered residential premises, the NDRF rescued 85 people, comprising 36 men, 27 women and 22 children.

NDRF Team 06 also conducted flood relief operations in the Mithikhadi area, where women rescuers helped evacuate residents safely. The heavy rainfall also disrupted Surat's textile trade.

More than 500 shops at the Raghukul Textile Market were inundated after continuous rain over two days, causing extensive damage to stock and infrastructure.

Water levels had begun receding after rainfall eased, allowing traders to assess losses.

Dinesh Kataria, General Secretary of the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association, said the scale of rainfall was unprecedented for the city.

"The city received an estimated 15 to 20 inches of rain yesterday... something we had never imagined would happen in Surat. Such rainfall is usually associated with places like Cherrapunji. The heavy rain caused water to gush in from all sides, flooding basements and even reaching ground-level shops. Many traders have suffered losses worth crores of rupees," he said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that rainfall over Surat is expected to moderate over the coming days, with no heavy rain warning currently in place for the city after the recent spell.

However, active monsoon conditions are expected to persist across Gujarat, with heavy to very heavy rainfall still likely in parts of south Gujarat and a flash flood risk remaining for some districts.

Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.

Source: IANS

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Surat/Valsad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will visit rain-affected Surat and Valsad districts on Thursday to assess the flood situation, review relief and rescue operations, and take stock of the condition of affected residents, government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said on Wednesday.

The announcement came after the state Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister in Gandhinagar, conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing rainfall situation across Gujarat.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Vaghani said: "The Chief Minister would undertake the visit to obtain a first-hand assessment of the current rainfall situation, understand the condition of the affected people, and personally inspect the ongoing relief and rescue operations."

The Chief Minister has also directed local ministers and ministers in charge of all rain-affected districts to undertake field visits and review the situation on the ground.

According to Vaghani, the ministers have been instructed to personally assess the preparedness of the administrative machinery and disaster management arrangements in their respective districts.

The review of the flood situation comes as Gujarat continues to experience an active monsoon spell. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of the state and issued alerts for several districts, with a risk of localised flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying regions to remain cautious and follow official advisories as the wet spell is expected to continue.

Apart from reviewing the monsoon situation, the Cabinet also discussed measures to promote cleaner transport.

"The Chief Minister had instructed the concerned officials to prepare a comprehensive and robust 'EV Charging Station Policy' for Gujarat to strengthen environment-friendly transportation," he said.

The proposed policy is intended to facilitate wider adoption of green energy and electric vehicles across the state.

The Cabinet also paid tribute to 11 people who died during the recent spell of heavy rainfall due to incidents including wall and tree collapses and lightning strikes.

The Council of Ministers paid condolences, prayed for the peace of the departed souls and expressed sympathy to the bereaved families.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi/Gandhinagar, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the situation arising from heavy rainfall and waterlogging across the state, assuring that the Centre would extend all possible assistance for relief and rescue operations.

According to officials, HM Shah held a telephone conversation with the Chief Minister to obtain an update on the heavy rainfall affecting several parts of Gujarat and the resulting waterlogging.

The two leaders reviewed the progress of relief and rescue operations in the affected areas and discussed measures being taken to ensure the safety of residents.

The Union Home Minister said the Central Government was closely monitoring the rainfall situation in Gujarat and remained in constant contact with the state government.

He expressed confidence that all the agencies concerned were working in coordination to provide immediate relief to people affected by the heavy rain.

HM Shah assured the Chief Minister that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre stood shoulder to shoulder with the state during every natural disaster.

"The Central Government would immediately provide all necessary resources, technical assistance and any other support required because of the ongoing heavy rainfall," he said.

He also assured every possible assistance for the effective management of relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

The review comes as Gujarat continues to experience an active monsoon spell. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of the state and issued alerts for several districts, with a risk of localised flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying regions to remain cautious and follow official advisories as the wet spell is expected to continue.

Rainfall has been widespread across Gujarat over the past 24 hours, with several districts reporting waterlogging and disruption to normal life.

The southwest monsoon has now covered the entire state, while Ahmedabad also received rainfall as the weather system intensified.

Red alerts had earlier been issued for parts of South Gujarat and Saurashtra, where emergency response agencies have remained on standby amid forecasts of continued heavy precipitation.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Wednesday said that the humanitarian assistance following the devastating June 24 twin earthquakes in Venezuela was an "honour" and reflected the enduring friendship between the two nations.

In a statement posted on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that it was an honour for India to serve the people of Venezuela through Operation Amistad.

India had launched 'Operation Amistad' to support Venezuela following devastating twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24 that claimed over 2,900 lives and caused widespread destruction across the country. Indian Army had established a field hospital in Venezuela to provide medical assistance to the people affected by the earthquake.

"Thank you for your kind words. It was an honour to serve the people of Venezuela through Operation Amistad, reflecting the enduring friendship between our two countries," Jaiswal posted on X.

The MEA's response came after the Venezuelan government thanked the Indian team for the assistance. More than 1900 affected people were provided treatment at the field hospital set up by the Indian Army in Venezuela, according to the statement shared by Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Venezuelan government bid farewell to 41 doctors and paramedics of the Indian Army, who arrived on June 27 to provide humanitarian assistance after the twin earthquakes on June 24.

A farewell ceremony was held at the 'Simon Bolivar' International Airport in La Guaira, where Venezuela's Vice Minister for International Communication, Rander Pena, thanked the Indian staff and India's Ambassador to Venezuela, P.K. Ashok Babu.

On Tuesday, Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil expressed gratitude to health professionals from India and lauded their work, as they provided medical assistance to the people of Venezuela at the field hospital set up by the Indian Army. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending help to Venezuela.

"On behalf of the Bolivarian Government, we wish to express our most sincere gratitude to all the health professionals from the sister Republic of India, who provided care to the Venezuelan men and women affected by the earthquakes at the field hospital set up in La Rinconada, as part of Operation Friendship," Yvan Gil posted on X.

"Venezuela has been a witness to the admirable humanitarian work carried out by the Indian doctors, performing everything from complex surgeries to dental treatments. Likewise, we extend our gratitude to Ambassador P.K. Ashok Babu and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their generous support and for extending a helping hand to the Venezuelan people," he added.

India's Operation Amistad concluded on Monday with the Army Field Hospital being closed after serving the people of Venezuela.

"Operation Amistad - The Army Field Hospital closed this afternoon. The medical team has won over the hearts and minds of the Venezuelan people during their week of operations," the Indian Embassy in Venezuela wrote on X.

According to the MEA, the Army Field Hospital provided timely medical assistance to the people of the country following the disaster.

“The Army Field Hospital concluded its operations in Venezuela. Over the past week, the Army Field Hospital touched several lives and provided timely medical assistance,” the MEA wrote on X.

Many survivors and their families expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the treatment and care extended by the Indian personnel at the hospital.

Several videos shared by the MEA on X showed people praising the Indian medical team and thanking them for providing medical assistance.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Severe monsoon weather continues to batter Maharashtra, with relentless downpours over the past 24 hours triggering flash floods, river overflows, and structural collapses. According to the latest situation summary report released by the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Wednesday, the state has recorded 62 human casualties and 200 animal deaths since the start of the monsoon season on June 1.

The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) reported extreme rainfall across several coastal and western districts in the last 24 hours. Thane and Palghar bore the brunt of the deluge, recording massive precipitation levels, including Thane: 196.9 mm, Palghar: 185.4 mm, Raigad: 134.1 mm, Mumbai Suburban: 125.0 mm and Pune: 69.4 mm. The cumulative rainfall since June 1 has put almost all districts in the "Large Excess" category, with Palghar receiving 457.3 per cent and Pune receiving 435.4 per cent of their normal rainfall figures for this period.

Out of the 62 human fatalities documented over the last five weeks, structural collapses and lightning strikes have emerged as the leading causes of death. Of these 62 fatalities, 25 deaths and 41 injuries were reported due to structural collapses across multiple districts, including Nashik, Thane, and Mumbai Suburban, and 23 deaths and 17 injuries happened due to thunder and lightning.

The lightning strikes also took a massive toll on livestock, accounting for 181 out of the 200 total animal deaths in the state.

About 6 deaths and 4 injuries were reported due to landslides and mudflows, primarily impacting mountainous regions in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Satara, and Pune.

Tree falls claimed 6 lives, while direct flooding caused 2 deaths. In recent daily incidents, a wall collapse in Mumbai Suburban left one person injured, while a tree fell in Ratnagiri, injuring two others.

Heavy regional precipitation has caused severe swelling across Maharashtra’s river networks. Several major rivers have officially breached their critical danger levels, prompting local evacuations and high-alert warnings for low-lying villages.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a red alert for the entire Maharashtra coastline valid until midnight. Extremely high waves and strong tidal surges are forecasted, posing a severe threat to coastal infrastructure and maritime safety.

Disaster management officials have advised a complete suspension of all nearshore recreational activities. Small fishing vessels and commercial boats have been strictly ordered not to venture out into the sea due to the imminent threat of wave surges and severe coastal erosion.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan over the Wayanad mudslide, assuring the Centre's full support for the ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts while calling for a high-level probe into the tragedy.

The conversation came after three workers died, and five people remain missing.

Nine injured persons are undergoing treatment in hospital, two of them in a serious condition, as rescue teams continue an intensive search operation amid unstable terrain and the risk of further landslides.

The accident occurred after a massive portion of a hill of excavated mud collapsed, trapping workers under tonnes of debris.

For the past two days, heavy rain has been witnessed in the area. During the telephone conversation, HM Shah sought a detailed briefing from the Chief Minister on the scale of the disaster, the progress of rescue operations and the relief measures being undertaken by the state government.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Union Home Minister expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Kerala has responded to the emergency and assured all possible assistance from the Centre for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

HM Shah also underlined the need for a comprehensive, high-level investigation into the circumstances that led to the landslide so that the causes of the disaster could be established and measures evolved to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Chief Minister informed the Union Home Minister that the State Cabinet, which met earlier in the day, had already decided to institute a detailed inquiry into the incident.

The investigation will examine all aspects of the accident, including adherence to safety protocols, environmental safeguards and other factors that may have contributed to the landslide.

The conversation assumes significance as it reflects close coordination between the Centre and the state at a time when multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, Fire and Rescue Services, Police and district authorities, are engaged in rescue operations.

With search efforts continuing and rehabilitation measures being planned, the Centre's assurance of full support is expected to strengthen the state government's response while the proposed inquiry seeks to fix responsibility and recommend safeguards to avert similar tragedies in the future.

Source: IANS

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Visakhapatnam, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Authorities have called off the search operation for six fishermen who went missing off the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, after their boat capsized on July 4, dashing the hopes of finding them alive.

The fishermen remained untraced after a four-day-long search and rescue operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

The authorities now presume the missing fishermen dead on the basis of information given by a fisherman, who was rescued by a cargo ship on Sunday.

The search operation, involving two ships and two helicopters of the Coast Guard, continued till Tuesday midnight, but all efforts by the search teams involved proved futile.

State Minister Kollu Ravindra told media persons after consoling the families of missing fishermen and distributing ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each that since no trace of the missing fishermen was found even after extensive search for more than 72 hours, they are presumed dead.

A group of seven fishermen belonging to Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts had left in a boat for fishing from Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1.

The boat developed mechanical failure and capsized on Saturday while they were returning to the coast. One of them was rescued by the crew of a merchant vessel, and he reached the coast on Monday.

With the search operation being called off, the state government announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the six fishermen.

A pall of gloom descended on the families of the fishermen, who were hoping for their safe return.

The fishermen had set off for fishing on July 1. As the sea conditions turned rough due to a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, their families contacted them over mobile phones to alert them. The fishermen told their families they would return to the coast by the afternoon of July 4.

As they did not return and their mobile phones were found switched off, anxious families alerted the Coast Guard and Marine Police.

Kari Chinna, who owns the missing fishing boat, was rescued by the Panama-flagged merchant vessel 'MV Universe Wealthy' on Sunday.

The Indian Navy airlifted him from the vessel to INS Dega on Monday evening. He was later shifted to KIMS ICON Hospital. According to doctors, he is in stable condition.

Doctors quoted him as saying the boat capsized on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. He kept swimming to save himself and remained in the sea for about 18 hours before he was rescued by the crew of a merchant vessel around 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Minister for Excise and Mines Kollu Ravindra, along with MLAs Vamsi Krishna Yadav and Lokam Madhavi, Visakhapatnam District Collector Abhijit Kishore, and Fisheries Commissioner Rama Shankar Naik, handed over cheques worth Rs 10 lakh each to the families of six fishermen.

The minister and other officials presented cheques comprising Rs 5 lakh from the Fisheries Department and another Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, stated that the agony, anxiety, and uncertainty currently being endured by the families of the missing fishermen are deeply distressing.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rajasthan has launched a month-long statewide drive to inspect private and government buses following recent road accidents and concerns over weak enforcement of safety norms. Authorities have warned that buses found violating safety or transport regulations will face immediate action, including fines and seizure.

The campaign commenced on Tuesday under the aegis of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA).

As part of the campaign, Secretaries (Judges) of the District Legal Services Authorities in 12 major cities, including Jaipur, will conduct surprise inspections with assistance from transport department officials.

The first phase will focus on long-distance luxury buses.

Authorities have decided that buses found violating safety or transport regulations will face immediate action, including fines and seizure. The decision follows the recent bus accident in Dausa district and comes in the backdrop of Supreme Court guidelines issued in connection with the Phalodi road accident case.

On Monday, RSLSA Member Secretary Hariom Attri held a video conference with Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities to review the campaign. He said the initiative has been launched under the directions of RSLSA Executive Chairman and Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who has taken serious note of recent road safety incidents.

Attri instructed officials to seize buses operating in violation of the rules on the spot. He also directed them to educate passengers about their legal rights and assist eligible victims in filing claims before the Permanent Lok Adalat to seek compensation.

During the meeting, Judicial Officer Naveen Kilaniya raised concerns over buses registered in Nagaland and other neighbouring states operating in Rajasthan.

He informed participants that the matter has already been registered with the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Responding to the issue, Attri said that if adequate action is not being taken by the SOG, the matter would also be pursued seriously. He further directed district authority secretaries to expand inspections in the second phase of the campaign to include private and public transport buses found operating in violation of prescribed norms.

Source: IANS

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Wayanad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rescue operations at the landslide site in Kalladi, Wayanad, will continue on Wednesday, with Kerala Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar announcing that a comprehensive search will be carried out to trace the five persons still missing.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who is in the state capital, will reach the disaster site at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

He will leave for Wayanad immediately after briefing the media following the weekly Cabinet meeting.

After visiting the affected area, Minister T. Siddique told reporters late on Tuesday night that only three people have been confirmed dead in the landslide, while five others remain missing.

The deceased have been identified as Chandrabhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vikas Kumar from Bihar and Anmol from Jharkhand.

Those missing are Vikram, Rahul, Mohammed Imran, Rakesh and Asraruddin Ansari.

Describing the incident as an extremely painful tragedy, Minister Anil Kumar said the government had completed all possible monsoon preparedness measures well before the rainy season.

Rescue teams had reached the spot without delay, and operations would continue through the night as long as weather conditions remained favourable.

Minister Siddique said work to restore road connectivity to the affected area would begin immediately.

A scientific assessment of the landslide site will be conducted by dividing the area into four zones.

Cadaver dogs will be deployed to assist the search, while volunteers will also be involved in the rescue efforts.

He added that the deceased’s bodies will be sent to their native states.

Rahul is among those still missing, and his wife is currently at the site awaiting news.

The victims are natives of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Two injured persons are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with the condition of Dileep reported to be critical.

Entry to the landslide site will remain restricted on Wednesday to facilitate an intensive scientific search and ensure the safety of rescue personnel, the minister said.

Meanwhile, former Wayanad Lok Sabha MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed grief over the tragedy in a message posted on his social media account.

"The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected," he wrote.

He said relief and rescue operations were underway and that every possible effort was being made to reach those still trapped.

Gandhi also appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

"Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy," he said.

Source: IANS

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Beijing, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Six people are dead, and 11 others are missing as of Tuesday evening after torrential rains triggered flooding in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities reported.

Source: IANS

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Chandigarh, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday said that the government has put in place a monitoring and response mechanism to ensure the safety of human lives, agricultural land and public infrastructure during monsoon.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Water Resources Department here to assess the state’s flood preparedness and monsoon management, he undertook a review of flood protection and drainage management works, including drain cleaning, boulder stone and hybrid protection works, raising and strengthening of embankments, operation of flood control gates and other flood mitigation measures at vulnerable locations.

Goyal directed officers to keep all critical flood-prone sites under constant surveillance and ensure continuous monitoring of rivers, drains, embankments and flood protection structures. He also instructed officers to take immediate corrective measures wherever any vulnerability is noticed so that people do not face inconvenience during the monsoon.

Reviewing the progress of desilting works, Goyal assessed works being executed under various implementation models, including tender-based projects, volume-sharing arrangements, sites conveyed to the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) for approval, and other identified critical locations.

He directed officers to ensure timely completion of all desilting works ahead of the peak monsoon period to facilitate smooth drainage and prevent waterlogging during heavy rainfall.

The officials informed the minister that flood protection works include 101 boulder and hybrid protection works, 17 embankment raising works, 22 embankment strengthening works, 188 drain cleaning works and five flood control gate operation works involving an overall expenditure of around Rs 414.75 crore.

Directing all field officers to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season, the minister instructed them to maintain round-the-clock vigil at flood-sensitive locations and ensure swift response to every emergency.

The Water Resources Minister said the government is fully geared up to tackle any flood-related situation through timely execution of flood protection works, continuous field monitoring and close coordination with all departments concerned and agencies to ensure public safety and minimise the impact of floods.

Source: IANS

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Dausa, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to inspect the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Wednesday, days after a devastating bus-trailer collision and fire in Rajasthan's Dausa district claimed eight lives and left 28 others injured.

According to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, Gadkari will travel by road from Delhi and proceed towards Kota-Ratlam through the expressway.

He is expected to pass through Dausa district at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, where he may visit the site of the fire incident.

During the inspection, the Minister is likely to review the condition and maintenance of the expressway, ongoing construction work, safety measures, and arrangements at the Dara Tunnel in Mukundara Hills, Kota. The inspection will also extend to sections of the expressway in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Following the announcement of Gadkari's visit, NHAI officials and other concerned departments have begun preparations along the expressway. Authorities are reviewing safety arrangements and other facilities ahead of the Minister's inspection.

The proposed visit comes after the deadly bus-trailer collision and fire incident in Dausa, which claimed eight lives and raised concerns over highway safety, vehicle movement, and emergency response systems on the expressway. Eight people, most of them from Madhya Pradesh, were killed, and 28 were injured after a private sleeper bus rear-ended a multi-axle trailer truck in the early hours of July 1.

The collision triggered a devastating blaze in which six passengers were burnt alive and charred beyond recognition, while two others died later of severe head injuries.

The accident, according to a police technical report, unfolded around 2.50 a.m. when the air-conditioned sleeper coach travelling from Haridwar to Indore with 36 passengers on board collided with a truck coming in the same direction. The impact was followed by what survivors described as a loud explosion, with fire engulfing the bus within moments and leaving passengers scrambling to escape through thick smoke and intense heat.

Source: IANS

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Shimla, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday said 4,228 multi-task workers have been deployed to restore road connectivity disrupted by the monsoon.

Chairing a review meeting of the Public Works Department to assess the preparedness for the monsoon season, the minister directed the officers to remain fully prepared to respond to any emergent situation.

He said the department has deployed 11,137 'beldars' across the state to restore road connectivity wherever it has been disrupted. In addition, 1,156 departmental and private machines, including JCBs, bulldozers, robotic equipment and tippers, have been positioned for round-the-clock road restoration work. Besides, six Bailey bridges have been made available for emergency use.

The minister directed officials to ensure that machinery, Bailey bridges and construction materials were strategically positioned at important locations. He also directed them to complete advance tendering to ensure the availability of additional private machinery whenever required.

The minister said before the onset of the monsoon, the department had resurfaced 155.95 km of roads, carried out patchwork on 924.94 km, cleaned drainage channels along 8,893.58 km of roads and cleared culverts on 9,414 km of roads.

He directed officials to continue regularly cleaning drains and culverts to minimise damage from waterlogging. He also directed officials to ensure uninterrupted road connectivity to essential institutions, including hospitals, police stations, educational institutions, fire stations, pumping stations, and power installations.

They were directed to identify vulnerable roads, bridges, and landslide-prone areas in their respective jurisdictions and to monitor them closely during the monsoon.

The minister further directed officials to immediately share details of damage caused by landslides, cloudbursts or floods with the revenue authorities, along with photographs and videos for proper assessment.

He also directed the department to establish round-the-clock control rooms during the monsoon to ensure a prompt response to emergencies.

Source: IANS

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Srinagar, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed authorities to provide immediate relief to people affected by the cloudburst in the Thathri area of Doda district.

A press statement from the J&K Lok Bhavan said the Lieutenant Governor has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Doda to provide immediate relief to affected families.

The statement said the J&K L-G is closely monitoring the situation following the cloudburst.

He spoke to Deputy Commissioner Doda, Krishan Lal, and directed him to ensure immediate relief and assistance to the affected families and expedite restoration work.

In a post on X, the J&K L-G said he spoke with the DC Doda to assess the situation following the cloudburst in the Thathri region. While several houses and shops have suffered damage, fortunately no casualties or injuries have been reported.

He directed the DC to ensure immediate relief and assistance to the affected families and expedite restoration work, including the clearance of NH-244.

While many shops, residential houses, roads, and other infrastructure were damaged by the cloudburst, no loss of life occurred due to the natural disaster.

Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir has a long, vulnerable history of cloudbursts that trigger devastating flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous pockets like Bhalesa and Thathri. These sudden, intense downpours frequently sweep away local infrastructure, damage homes, and disrupt major transportation routes.

Besides today's cloudburst, other notable historical events and recurring incidents include a severe cloudburst in August 2025 that struck Doda district, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least four people.

The flash floods swept away several residential houses and pedestrian bridges, prompting widespread relief and rescue operations.

In June 2026, heavy rainfall triggered a localised cloudburst in Bandekhra Nalla near Thathri, resulting in significant debris flow. While there were no casualties, the event caused blockages and prompted authorities to issue localised weather warnings.

In July 2017, one of the most destructive cloudbursts hit Thathri town in the dead of night. The sudden deluge inundated vast areas, washed away several homes and shops, and trapped many residents, resulting in six fatalities.

The mountainous terrain and narrow gorges in Doda amplify the impact of sudden rains, often turning small streams into dangerous, debris-heavy flash floods.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram/Wayanad, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) At least five people were killed in a major mudslide at the Meppadi-Kalladi tunnel construction site in Kerala's Wayanad on Tuesday, while three persons remained missing and seven others were undergoing treatment in hospital, as rescue teams pressed ahead with a massive search operation involving personnel, heavy earth-moving machinery, and sniffer dogs.

Authorities said the rescue efforts would continue through the night in the hope of tracing the missing workers buried under the huge mound of earth that collapsed at the construction site. Meppadi police have registered a case in connection with the incident, and investigations are under way.

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where the Wayanad end of the tunnel road project is under construction. Preliminary reports indicate that incessant rain triggered the collapse of massive heaps of excavated earth stacked at the site, burying parts of the work area.

The incident followed exceptionally heavy rainfall in Meppadi, which recorded 226 mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

The area is a popular tourist stop, and several private vehicles, along with a bus used to transport construction workers, were parked nearby when the mudslide occurred.

The massive mudslide also swept away a church and a nearby house.

Fortunately, the house was locked as its occupants had left on a pilgrimage to Mecca, while no one was inside the church when the incident occurred.

A couple who were waiting at the local bus stop witnessed the mountain of stacked mud crumbling down.

"We were waiting at the bus stop, and suddenly we saw the mud coming down; we both ran. Had we remained there, we would have been buried in the mud. While my husband did not suffer any injuries, my hands were bruised as I fell down. We are both happy that our lives were saved," the woman said.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who reviewed the situation with senior officials at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, said all available agencies had been pressed into service for the rescue operations.

He said that he has directed that every possible effort be made to trace the missing persons and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.

The Chief Minister has also deputed two ministers -- Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister T. Siddique -- to Wayanad to coordinate the rescue and relief operations on the ground.

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan expressed grief over the tragedy and said the immediate priority should be to rescue those trapped and provide all possible assistance to the affected families.

He urged authorities to ensure that the rescue operations were carried out without any delay and called for a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances that led to the accident.

Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi said he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the landslide and the prevailing situation in Wayanad. Describing the incident as deeply distressing, Gopi alleged that directions to remove the excavated earth piled up at the tunnel construction site had not been complied with, terming it a serious lapse.

He stressed that greater caution was required during tunnel construction in hilly regions and said the state government should take action against those responsible if lapses were established.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said all possible efforts were being made to rescue those trapped.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, she conveyed her deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured them of every possible support during the difficult time.

"Our prayers and hope are with those who are still missing. May they remain strong while rescue teams strive to reach them, and may their loved ones find the courage to endure this painful moment," she said.

She also appealed to UDF workers, party functionaries, and the general public to extend every possible assistance while strictly adhering to the directions of the district administration.

PWD Minister P.K. Basheer said the rescue operations were progressing in full swing.

Speaking from Delhi, he said he would reach Wayanad on Wednesday.

Basheer said he had taken up the issue after complaints reached him on June 10 and that officials had inspected the site on June 25.

According to the minister, clear instructions had been issued to remove the accumulated excavated earth, while the company had assured the government that adequate safety measures had been put in place.

"However, it appears things did not go as promised. I had repeatedly cautioned them that this was Wayanad where monsoon rains are heavy and extreme care was essential," he said.

Earlier in the day, talking to the media before leaving for the accident site, Siddique said preliminary findings pointed to the manner in which excavated earth had been dumped at the tunnel construction site despite concerns having been raised earlier.

"This is not a natural landslide. This is a man-made disaster," he said, adding that the government would examine whether action had been taken after the earlier warnings.

Meanwhile, authorities are simultaneously drawing up plans to shift families living in vulnerable locations to relief camps.

District officials are assessing the situation to determine how many among nearly 400 families residing in and around the affected area would have to be evacuated as a precautionary measure.

All educational institutions in Wayanad have been declared closed on Wednesday.

The tragedy comes just 23 days short of the second anniversary of the devastating Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides of July 30, 2024, when more than 200 people lost their lives, several others went missing, and entire settlements were buried under massive landslips.

The Rs 2,134 crore Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel project is being executed by Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Limited, with Kolkata-based Royal Infra Construction handling the approach roads while the project is being managed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Western Maharashtra is witnessing heavy to intermittent downpours, with rain wreaking absolute havoc across the Satara district, and the popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar there recording a whopping 513 mm of rain in a 24-hour window, which is one of the highest single-day rainfalls recorded in the century for the region, state government sources said on Tuesday.

The relentless downpour has completely disrupted normal life in the western hilly terrains of Satara district.

In Mahabaleshwar, several roads have been severely waterlogged, and multiple incidents of landslides have been reported. Cracked roads, uprooted trees, and snapped power lines have led to widespread power outages and cut off communication to several villages. Massive mudslides and boulders collapsing onto rural Ghat roads have blocked critical transport routes, bringing vehicular traffic to a complete standstill. This 513 mm rainfall is now etched as one of the highest-ever rainfall records in Satara's history, showcasing nature's furious side, the sources said.

In light of the record-breaking rainfall, the local administration has gone on high alert and appealed to citizens not to step out of their homes unless for absolute emergencies. While the region's famous waterfalls, lakes, and Venna Lake are overflowing beautifully, the torrential downpour has simultaneously turned into a massive crisis for the residents. Rains have practically battered Mahabaleshwar and the western belt of Satara, and officials indicate it might take a considerable amount of time for normalcy to return.

Atit village in Khandala taluka witnessed a cloudburst-like situation overnight. Torrential downpours triggered flash floods in local streams and rivers due to massive water cascading down the hills. The floodwaters breached the local temple premises and turned the surrounding streets into raging rivers. Floodwaters reportedly gushed into several houses situated along the banks of the overflowing streams, damaging household goods and crops. Affected villagers and farmers have demanded that the government immediately conduct official damage assessments (panchnamas) and provide financial assistance to compensate for their losses.

Further, heavy rains continue to lash various regions across the state, except for Marathwada. Following torrential downpours in Mumbai and its suburbs, authorities have declared a holiday for schools.

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) released a situation summary report on Tuesday morning detailing the impact of the intense downpour across the state. Heavy monsoon rains have lashed several parts of Maharashtra over the last 24 hours, causing severe waterlogging, river swelling, and weather-related casualties. Palghar district recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the last 24 hours, receiving a staggering 203.3 mm of rain. Neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts also experienced heavy downpours, recording 116.4 mm and 108.7 mm of rainfall, respectively. Mumbai Suburban registered 90.4 mm, while Pune saw 70.9 mm.

Source: IANS

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Kalpetta/Thiruvanathapuram, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The death toll in the devastating mudslide at the Wayanad end of the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi tunnel road project in Kerala climbed to four on Tuesday, even as an intensive multi-agency rescue operation continued to trace four people who remain missing beneath tonnes of mud and debris.

Ten injured persons are undergoing treatment in two hospitals, while rescue personnel are racing against time to reach those feared trapped.

The massive mudslide also swept away a church and a nearby house.

Fortunately, the house was locked as its occupants had left on a pilgrimage to Mecca, while no one was inside the church when the incident occurred.

A bridge linking the affected areas has been buried under the debris, severely hampering rescue operations.

Two excavators are working continuously to clear the mud and restore access for rescue teams.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said all possible efforts were being made to rescue those trapped and that the state machinery was working in close coordination.

In a statement, she said Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was personally monitoring the rescue operations, while teams of the police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Civil Defence volunteers had already been deployed at the site.

She said the district administration, Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar, who were travelling from Thiruvananthapuram, local party functionaries and all agencies concerned were coordinating relief operations.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, Priyanka Gandhi conveyed her deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured them of every possible support during the difficult time.

"Our prayers and hope are with those who are still missing. May they remain strong while rescue teams strive to reach them, and may their loved ones find the courage to endure this painful moment," she said.

She also appealed to UDF workers, party functionaries, and the general public to extend every possible assistance while strictly adhering to the directions of the district administration.

"At a time like this, we must ensure that rescue and relief operations are not hampered. Everyone should help in every possible way without creating any distraction," she said.

The rescue operation continues on a war footing, with heavy earth-moving equipment being pressed into service to remove the huge volume of debris and search for the missing persons.

The mudslide occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, where the Wayanad end of the tunnel road project is under construction. Preliminary reports indicate that incessant rain triggered the collapse of massive heaps of excavated earth stacked at the site, burying parts of the work area.

The incident followed exceptionally heavy rainfall in Meppadi, which recorded 226 mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

The area is a popular tourist stop, and several private vehicles, along with a bus used to transport construction workers, were parked nearby when the mudslide occurred. Rescue personnel fear that people may still be trapped beneath the debris.

After chairing an emergency review meeting at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) headquarters here, Satheesan said rescue teams are working despite incessant rain severely hampering operations.

He said the authorities had repeatedly directed the construction company to remove the huge quantities of excavated earth that had been piled up at the site.

A formal government order to this effect had been issued on June 20, but the company failed to comply.

He said that Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister T. Siddique had been directed to rush to Wayanad to supervise the rescue operations.

Talking to the media before leaving for the accident site, Siddique said preliminary findings pointed to the manner in which excavated earth had been dumped at the tunnel construction site.

He said the initial assessment suggested that the mud had been stored in an unscientific manner despite concerns having been raised earlier.

"This is not a natural landslide. This is a man-made disaster," Siddique said, adding that the government would examine whether action had been taken after the earlier warnings.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Heavy monsoon rains lashed several parts of Maharashtra over the last 24 hours, causing severe waterlogging, rivers to swell, and weather-related casualties, as per a Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) situation summary report on Tuesday morning detailing the impact of the intense downpour across the state.

Palghar district recorded the highest rainfall in the state over the last 24 hours, receiving a staggering 203.3 mm of rain. Neighbouring Thane and Raigad districts also experienced heavy downpours, recording 116.4 mm and 108.7 mm of rainfall, respectively. Mumbai Suburban registered 90.4 mm, while Pune saw 70.9 mm.

The relentless precipitation has caused multiple rivers along the Konkan coast to breach safety levels. Amba, Savitri, and Jagbudi rivers breached the danger level, while the Kundalika and Pinjal rivers crossed the warning level.

The disaster management report confirmed two human fatalities and multiple injuries resulting from monsoon-related incidents.

In Satara, one person was killed in a landslide. Heavy rainfall also caused a wall collapse, resulting in the death of four animals. In Nandurbar, one person died in a lightning strike. In Thane & Mumbai city, one person was reported injured in each location due to tree-falling incidents. In Palghar, no human casualties were reported, but 11 animals were swept away and killed in floodwaters.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a Red Alert High Wave Warning effective until the night of July 8 for the entire Maharashtra coastline. Rough seas with massive wave surges are forecast, with waves reaching heights of 4.8 to 5.0 metres in Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg, heights of 4.2 to 4.5 metres in Thane, Mumbai, and Raigad, and 3.7 to 3.9 metres in Palghar.

Authorities have strictly advised small vessels and fishing boats not to venture into the sea. All nearshore recreational activities have been completely suspended due to the imminent threat of coastal erosion and severe wave surges.

Despite the intense spell of rain, dam water levels across the state remain moderate. Total stock across all reservoirs stands at 32.62 per cent of capacity, lower than the 46.57 per cent recorded on this date last year. Reservoirs in the Konkan division are currently at the highest capacity at 68.52 per cent.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Nowcast has placed regions like Nashik and Palghar under alert/warning zones for the afternoon. Over the next 24 hours, Orange alerts remain active for the eastern districts of Bhandara and Gondia, while several parts of Vidarbha remain under a yellow watch. Emergency services and local administrations across vulnerable districts have been placed on high alert to handle any flooding or rescue operations, said the situation summary report.

Source: IANS

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