Latest news with #Biparjoy
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Government to conduct annual inter-state disaster management drills: Amit Shah
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that the central government will conduct inter-state disaster management mock drills annually. The announcement was made at the relief commissioners and Disaster Response Forces Conference held in the national Capital. Addressing officials and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, Shah emphasised the government's commitment to integrating the Start-Up India initiative with the advancement of disaster relief technologies. 'The current decade will be considered as the transformative decade for India in disaster response. We made strides in the last decade in terms of capacity, pace, efficiency and accuracy in disaster management,' the Union home minister said, adding that the government has moved away from the previously adopted 'relief-oriented' approach. Also Read: PM Modi has shown India's blood not meant to be shed: Amit Shah in Lucknow Speaking about the importance of coordinated drills, Shah stated, 'There are several disasters that require inter-state mock drills. We cannot succeed in this without the assistance of the state. Therefore, the states should brainstorm on this.' He highlighted the progress made in disaster preparedness, asserting that the government had moved from minimum casualties at the start of the decade to achieving zero-casualty outcomes. Referring to Cyclone Biparjoy in 2023, which struck off the coast of Gujarat, Shah said it recorded no fatalities. 'When I say zero casualties, that means there were no deaths of even an animal in the cyclone,' he added. He urged state and Union Territory relief commissioners to formulate district-level disaster management strategies within 90 days. 'It will be impossible to fight against the disaster until there is a district-level disaster management strategy in place. Commissioners should devise a strategy to protect from lightning and share it with the Centre within 90 days,' Shah said, urging officials to implement the Centre's disaster response guidelines, including the incident response system. Commenting on preparedness for extreme heat events, he stressed the importance of real-time response frameworks. 'Whenever the heat wave begins, we must be prepared before hand,' he added. Shah further stated that disaster response efforts under the current government had become 'more proactive than reactive.' 'We made attempts for financial empowerment and an increase in the government budget for disaster and relief. We also ensured design-oriented institutional empowerment, as well as structural empowerment. Adding all this, we have accepted a multidimensional approach as a policy factor,' he said.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Korangi harbour to make $100m in 5 years
Fishing boats seen anchored at the Karachi Fish Harbour following the ban imposed on coastal activities ahead of cyclonic storm Biparjoy over the Arabian Sea. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI / EXPRESS Listen to article The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has launched an ambitious project to modernise Korangi Fish Harbour (KOFHA), aiming to generate over $100 million in direct and indirect economic activity over the next five years. The initiative, spearheaded by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, is part of Pakistan's broader strategy to unlock the potential of the blue economy. According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the project will revitalise KOFHA through strategic infrastructure upgrades, aimed at increasing seafood exports, creating jobs, and improving operational efficiency. The minister said the initiative is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs across construction, logistics, fish processing and fishing-related services, while enhancing seafood processing capacity by 50%. "This strategic move will make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan's $375 billion GDP, strengthening the maritime economy and supporting long-term national growth," Chaudhry said. A central feature of the project is the complete redesign of the fish auction hall, which will be equipped with modern facilities to enhance efficiency, hygiene, and transparency. The upgraded hall will comply with international food safety standards and export certification protocols, facilitating increased global seafood trade. The minister also announced the addition of a floating jetty to the harbour's infrastructure, which will improve vessel handling, reduce turnaround time, and support a higher volume of fishing activity. This will be complemented by a comprehensive overhaul of the existing jetty, incorporating technology-driven solutions and accessibility improvements. Sustainability is a key component of the project. The upgrades will include environmentally responsible practices to protect marine biodiversity and ensure the long-term viability of the fisheries sector. Chaudhry said that upgrading the Korangi Fish Harbour into a model fisheries hub is a strategic step toward economic transformation. "This is not just an infrastructure upgrade it represents a pledge to unlock Pakistan's full maritime potential," he said.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon set to drench Gujarat by June 15
Ahmedabad: The countdown to monsoon magic has officially begun. With the (IMD) confirming the southwest monsoon's early arrival over parts of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, Gujarat too is gearing up for its date with rain. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The first monsoon showers are likely to kiss the southern coast of the state around June 15, while Ahmedabad and nearby regions can expect rain between June 20 and the monsoon sticks to this timeline, or even arrives ahead of schedule, it would mark the earliest onset over mainland India since 2009, with Kerala expected to welcome rain on May 27, five days ahead of the usual June 1 onset. The IMD declared the official onset over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on May 13, thanks to widespread rainfall that fulfilled key meteorological criteria. This early start sets the stage for a potentially swift and sweeping advance across the subcontinent, with favourable oceanic conditions in to the optimism, the IMD's long-range forecast predicts an above-normal monsoon for India this year, with rainfall pegged at 105% of the long period average (LPA) between June and Sep. But before the cooling rain arrives, Gujarat must first endure the furnace of May. The state is expected to reel under higher-than-normal temperatures and recurring heatwaves, particularly across Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat. It is a season of contrast: scorching afternoons followed by the promise of thunderclouds on the 2025 could mark the second consecutive year of early or on-time monsoon onset, based on IMD data. In 2023, while Cyclone Biparjoy triggered pre-monsoon rainfall and made landfall in Gujarat, the official onset was not declared until June 25. This year, too, pre-monsoon rainfall was significant. As of May 13, Gujarat recorded 37.5mm of rainfall — 20 times the usual seasonal average of 1.8 mm. Breaking it down, the Gujarat division received 36.1 mm of rainfall versus the normal 2.3mm rainfall of Jan-May. On the other hand, the Saurashtra-Kutch region logged 38.4mm, far above the normal 1.5mm during this the sky already teasing early showers and monsoon winds gathering pace, all eyes now turn to June. Whether you are a farmer, a city-dweller weary of the heat, or a pluviophile waiting for petrichor, this year's monsoon could be one to remember.
