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Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Disaster response: UP submits proposals to finance panel, urges rule revision for funds
LUCKNOW The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday submitted a series of proposals to the 16th Finance Commission to fortify its disaster response and mitigation mechanisms. It strongly advocated inclusion of state-notified disasters—such as heatwaves, lightning strikes, unseasonal rains, storms, snakebites and drownings — in the national list of recognised disasters. This push stems from the reality that these incidents disproportionately impact Uttar Pradesh, stated a release from the state government media cell. Notably, as many 4,534 deaths were reported due to state-notified disasters, compared to 176 from nationally recognized ones, in the financial year 2024–25. Key among these proposals is the request to revise the rules governing the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to ensure faster and more effective relief for disaster-affected citizens, it said in a statement. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has urged the central government to acknowledge the severity of these challenges and to extend appropriate support. In line with this, the state has proposed increasing the permissible expenditure limit for state-notified disasters from 10% to 25%, reflecting the scale and intensity of their impact, according to the statement. Another notable recommendation seeks to allow flexibility in fund allocation by permitting inter-head budget transfers within disaster funds. This would ensure optimal utilisation of resources, especially in cases where certain allocations remain unspent, it noted. Additionally, the state said it has requested approval to construct dedicated buildings for District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in every district — a move currently not permitted under existing SDRF and SDMF guidelines. A demand has also been made to allocate 1% of the fund for administrative expenses, which would support the creation of a more robust and responsive administrative framework for disaster management. These proposals are driven by the CM's vision of making disaster management more flexible, efficient and people-centric. With the approval and implementation of these recommendations, the state is poised to become a model for disaster management nationwide, ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of its citizens.
India.com
31-05-2025
- Climate
- India.com
7 killed in Arunachal landslide, four dead in Mizoram flash floods as heavy rains, thunderstorms pound Northeast
Heavy rains triggered flash-floods, landslides in parts of Northeast, killing 7 people in Arunachal Pradesh, and four in Mizoram. (File/ANI) Arunachal landslide: A landslide killed seven people on the National Highway in Seppa West assembly constituency in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, while four persons died in multiple incidents of flash floods and landslides in Mizoram as heavy rains, accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms ravaged parts of India's Northeast region during the last 24 hours. 7 dead in Arunachal landslide In a statement on X, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung expressed condolences over the loss of life in the landslide incident that occurred between Bana village and the Seppa area and advised people to avoid travelling at night during the monsoon season. 'It's very painful to hear about the tragic loss of seven lives in my Assembly constituency due to a landslide on NH 13 Road in between Bana & Seppa. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time. I request everyone to remain vigilant and avoid travelling at night during the monsoon season. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. May their souls rest in peace. Om Shanti Shanti,' Natung wrote in a post on X. Four killed in flash floods, landslides in Mizoram Meanwhile, as many as four people have died in multiple incidents of flash floods and landslides in Mizoram during the last 24 hours. Landslides have been reported in Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai, Kolasib, Serchhip, Lawngtlai, Mamit, Saitual, Khawzawl and Hnahthial districts, damaging several houses and roads, and threatening lives of residents, according to the respective District Disaster Management Authorities in these districts. As per DDMA reports, three people of a family died in the flash floods in Champhai district, while another was killed in Serchhip district. One person was trapped under debris, but has been rescued, according to officials. 'I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the recent heavy rainfall in Mizoram. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and those who have lost their homes and properties. I pray for the speedy recovery of all injured. I commend the tireless efforts of all involved in the rescue operations amidst this crisis,' Mizoram Governor General VK Singh expressed his condolences in a post on X. Singh urged residents to remain vigilant and exercise utmost caution as heavy rains continued to pound the Northeaster state. 'As heavy rains persist, I urge everyone, especially those in disaster-prone areas, to remain vigilant and exercise utmost caution,' he added. IMD issues heavy rains warning for Arunachal Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for Arunachal Pradesh for the coming week, till June 6, predicting 'very heavy rain, thunderstorm and Lightning' on May 31, ANI reported. Additionally, the local weather department has forecast 'heavy rain, thunderstorms and Lightning' from June 1 to 5 while predicting only 'heavy rain' on June 5 and 6. Earlier this week, the IMD issued a multi-hazard weather warning, predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in many parts of the country. Several other regions including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Odisha and Telangana may experience heavy rain at isolated places, the weather department had said. Thunderstorms with lightning alone were also expected in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Konkan region in Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada; and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. (With ANI inputs)
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala Govt to form rapid response teams to handle containers, oil spills from Liberia container ship that sunk off Kochi coast
The State government has put the nine coastal districts of Kerala on alert and decided to constitute rapid response teams (RRTs) given the high possibility of drifting containers and oil spill from the Liberia-flagged vessel, MSC Elsa 3 that had capsized in the Arabian Sea, washing ashore. The RRTs will be deployed in all coastal districts for the safe removal of the containers and oil slicks, the State government said after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The meeting approved a set of measures for handling the contingency. Two RRTs each under the supervision of the Factories and Boilers Department will be deployed in Thrissur and the southern coastal districts. One RRT each will be deployed in the northern coastal districts. The RRTs will be equipped with excavators and cranes for handling the cargo. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board will lead two RRTs each in Thrissur and the southern coastal districts and one RRT each in the northern ones for handling oil slicks from the vessel. It is estimated that the containers have a higher probability of washing ashore in Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, according to the government. The District Disaster Management Authorities, the police and other departments have been directed to provide all support to the RRTs. Coast Guard, Navy, and the Ports Department have been directed to deploy booms and skimmers for containing and removing any oil spills that approach the Kerala coast. Priority is being given to the safety of the public and the environment, and protecting the fisheries sector, the government said. The government has also issued directions to the local bodies to ensure that the public keep a safe distance from the containers or suspicious objects that have floated ashore. The public has been asked to maintain a distance of at least 200 metres from such objects and also call the emergency number 112 to alert the authorities. Fishing has been prohibited within 20 nautical miles of the sunken ship. Fishers also have been urged to call 112 on sighting the containers. According to the State government, the ship has sunk 14.6 nautical miles off Kerala. It is estimated that around 100 containers have fallen overboard from the vessel. The ship's fuel too has leaked, the government said.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
State government decides to speed up pre-monsoon arrangements
The State government has decided to complete the arrangements for the upcoming southwest monsoon season as quickly as possible. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Revenue Minister K. Rajan here on Friday. Regional level action plans will be prepared in the districts by May 20, Mr. Rajan said. Training sessions are planned for the prompt activation of the Incident Response Systems at the district and taluk levels. The meeting decided to update the lists of people inhabiting locations vulnerable to disasters. Friday's meeting also directed government departments to make sure that measures prescribed in the Orange Book of Disaster Management published by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) have been adopted ahead of the monsoon. The updated version of this document is expected to be published by May 25. Relief camps Local bodies have been directed to publish details of the buildings identified for opening relief camps. A Tribal Hamlet Disaster Management Plan will be drafted as part of the arrangements for the monsoon season. As part of the measures, awareness programmes will be held in regions susceptible to landslips. Warnings will be displayed in tourist locations, the government said. Directions have also been issued for closely monitoring water levels in the reservoirs in the State and ensuring that shutters and spillways in dams are operational. Special district-level reviews will be held in all districts in the first weeks of June, July, August and September. These meetings will be chaired by either the Minister holding the charge of the district or the District Collector concerned. Sanitation works Local self-government institutions have been directed to launch pre-monsoon sanitation works and mosquito eradication measures. They have also been directed to ensure that drains and canals, culverts are cleared of waste and debris before the rainfall strengthens over the State. Equipment needed for rescue and relief operations will be stocked in all local bodies. The District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) will sanction the funds necessary for the purchasing the equipment prescribed by the KSDMA. Grama panchayats will be sanctioned ₹1 lakh, municipalities ₹ 3 lakh and Corporations ₹5 lakh.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
No let-up in plans, all depts. to remain alert: Delhi CM
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a meeting with the heads of all Delhi government departments on Saturday to assess their disaster response preparations. Despite the ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan in the evening, the CM asked all government officials to remain alert. The CM directed the Revenue Department to immediately operationalise District Disaster Management Authorities and keep civil defence volunteers ready for prompt deployment. Ms. Gupta asked the department heads to establish communications with the armed forces, as well as officials at railway stations and IGI Airport, for a swift and coordinated response during crisis situations. She instructed officials to prepare to implement the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) wherever necessary. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, the CM said, 'Health Department officials were asked to ensure that hospitals are fully ready with functional ambulances, ample stock of medicines, backup power for ICUs, and clear duty rosters for doctors and paramedical staff.' A senior official said Ms. Gupta had directed Power Department officials to ensure prompt response in case of outages and prepare backup power sources for essential services. The Food and Civil Supplies Department was directed to monitor adequate stock at ration shops and keep the food supply chain operational. Civic agencies, including the Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation of Delhi, were told to maintain a list of contractors for emergency evacuation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. 'Prepare route maps' Moreover, the public transporters — Delhi Transport Corporation and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation — were asked to finalise emergency evacuation plans. 'The CM asked both to prepare clear standard operating procedures (SOPs), route maps, and fleet management plans to ensure safe and coordinated evacuation of people to secure locations during a crisis,' said the official.
