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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Nine missing after landslide hits labour camp, Char Dham Yatra suspended for day amid heavy rain in Uttarakhand
Nine labourers have been missing after a landslide hit their camp near Silai Band of Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi following heavy rainfall since late Saturday night. The rain has also led to the Char Dham Yatra being suspended for a day. According to officials involved in the rescue operations, the incident took place 4-5 km ahead of Paligad, on the Yamunotri National Highway, near Silai Band. Of the 19 workers at the labour camp that was hit by the landslide, 10 were moved to safety. Rescue operations are ongoing to search for the other nine. The State Disaster Management Authority said it received information about heavy rainfall at around 2.12 am on Sunday. The District Emergency Operations Centre then dispatched a joint team. Relief and search-rescue operations are being undertaken by teams from the police, State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, Revenue Department, and Health Department, among others. Around 10–12 metres of the Yamunotri highway at this location has been washed away. Restoration work on the road is underway, and as a precaution, police have asked Char Dham pilgrims to stay put at safe locations. SDRF officials said a major landslide was triggered due to the intense rainfall. Though a team from SDRF was immediately dispatched for relief and rescue operations, the road closure forced the team to reach the site on foot. 'Nineteen were residing in the camp, and several ran away when the landslide hit. We assume others were asleep. Efforts to locate them are ongoing,' said an officer. 'Giving top priority to public safety, the administration has regulated traffic on the affected routes and halted pilgrims at safe locations. The public is requested to avoid believing in or spreading any kind of rumours, rely only on authentic information, and contact authorised departments only in case of emergencies,' a statement from the force said. The identities of the missing workers are being ascertained. Meanwhile, in view of continuous heavy rainfall and the possibility of landslides across the state, the Char Dham Yatra was suspended for a day, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey announced. He said this precautionary measure has been taken to ensure the safety of lives and property, so that pilgrims stranded on the routes do not face any inconvenience and can be safely moved to secure locations. The district administrations concerned have been placed on alert, and relief and rescue teams have been activated. Commissioner Pandey further said a decision regarding the resumption of the Yatra would be taken Monday after reviewing the weather conditions and road status. Pilgrims have been urged to follow the guidelines issued by the administration and to refrain from proceeding towards the pilgrimage sites until the weather improves. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
Diplomats from 25 nations join Yoga Day celebrations in Rishikesh; Explore investment, tourism ties in U'khand
Haridwar: Ambassadors and high commissioners from over 25 countries participated in the 11th celebrations held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh on Saturday. The event highlighted this year's global theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' underscoring India's message of universal harmony and well-being. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ashram president Swami Chidanand Saraswati, addressing the gathering, said the theme reflected the Indian ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — the world as one family. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, also speaking at the event, highlighted yoga's transformative potential beyond physical health. "It is not just a physical practice, but a way of life that harmonises the body, mind, and soul, and helps us remain calm under all circumstances," she said. Meanwhile, a separate delegation of diplomats from eight countries participated in Yoga Day events held in Gairsain and later held discussions with senior state govt officials in Haridwar on tourism, culture, and investment. The delegates expressed keen interest in investing in different sectors across Uttarakhand. The visiting dignitaries also attended the Ganga aarti at Har ki Pauri, where they were warmly welcomed by members of the Ganga Sabha. Several diplomats shared their emotional responses to the spiritual experience. A representative from Fiji, speaking in Hindi, highlighted the 140-year-old historical and cultural bond between his country and India. Sri Lanka's envoy, a Buddhist, recalled ties between the two nations dating back to the Ramayana era and hinted at future collaboration in tourism. The Russian diplomat praised the state govt for organising the programme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It gave us an opportunity to know about the state's rituals, spirituality, yoga, and Ayurveda. Attending the aarti was an overwhelming experience," she said. The meeting with delegates was attended by senior state officials including – Vinai Ruhela, vice-president of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), culture secretary Sachin Kurvey, tourism secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, and additional secretary Ayush Vijai Kumar Jogdande. During presentations, Kurvey showcased the state's infrastructural growth and tourism potential, while industries director GM Chandola outlined the govt's industry-friendly policies and investment opportunities in Uttarakhand.
India Today
19-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Kerala launches app to report shipwreck debris as 65 containers wash ashore
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has launched a web application to collect information about objects found on land and at sea in connection with the recent shipwreck off the state's application will help collect key details from citizens including the name of the person who discovered the object, their mobile number, a description of the object, its location or nearest landmark, and initiative comes as 65 containers from the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Beypore coast, on June 9, have been found along Kerala's shoreline. Among the recovered materials, 21 barrels were found in the Vizhinjam and Kovalam areas of Thiruvananthapuram district and have been moved to secure storage at Vizhinjam port. Two more barrels, believed to be related to the shipwreck, washed ashore in Alappad in Kollam district and Kumbala Koippadi in Kasaragod container ship Wan Hai 503 has now been moved 57 nautical miles away from the Kerala coast, with efforts ongoing to tow it further. However, reports indicate that fire and smoke are still present to the Indian Coast Guard, more containers may drift ashore in the southern parts of Ernakulam and along the Alappuzha and Kollam coasts. Authorities have warned the public not to approach or touch any suspicious objects they may find on the shore. People are advised to stay at least 200 meters away and immediately call the emergency number 112 to inform the May 25, a Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 completely sank 14.6 nautical miles off Kerala's Thottappalli spillway, prompting a large-scale pollution response by the Indian Coast sunken vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous and 12 containing calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil on board. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Web application to collect, track shipwrecks
The State Disaster Management Authority has developed a web application for collecting and tracking debris and related information linked to shipwrecks that occurred off the coast of Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said the web application would collect information, including the name of the person who found the object, mobile number, basic information about the object found, live location where the object was seen or the nearest landmark, and images. As of Wednesday morning, 65 containers had been found along the coast of Kerala in connection with the shipwreck. All the containers have been transferred to various ports. He said 21 barrels found in the Vizhinjam and Kovalam areas of Thiruvananthapuram have been moved to safe locations at the Vizhinjam port. Two barrels suspected to be related to ship accidents have washed ashore in Alappad in Kollam and Kumbala Koipady in Kasaragod. The Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 that caught fire off the coast of Kerala has currently been moved to 57 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. Work is under way to tow the ship further away, although reports indicate that the ship continues to emit fire and smoke. The containers that have fallen from the ship are likely to land in the southern part of Ernakulam and on the coasts of Alappuzha and Kollam in the coming days. In such a situation, if any suspected objects are found on the beach, people should not touch them and stay at least 200 metres from them. Also, the State Disaster Management Authority should immediately be alerted about the incident by dialling 112, he said.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Debris from fire-hit cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503 washes ashore in Kerala, ET Infra
Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. A container and a lifeboat from the Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503 , which caught fire off the Kerala coast a week ago, washed ashore in Alappuzha district on Monday, raising concerns that more debris may reach the coast in the coming said the container, believed to be empty, and the lifeboat were found near the Kakkazhom District Collector Alex Varghese, who visited the site, said the State Disaster Management Authority and the shipping company had been informed. The items will be removed by a salvage authorities have been alerted and will carry out the necessary formalities, officials development has sparked fears that additional containers could drift ashore along the Alappuzha and Ernakulam coasts on June 17 and defence sources said that the cargo vessel is currently being towed by professional salvors appointed by the ship's MV Wan Hai 503 is now about 45 nautical miles off the coast, in open waters approximately 1,000 metres deep. Minor fires are still visible in two or three areas of the vessel, with smoke continuing to rise, they Navy and Coast Guard ships remain on the scene, monitoring the situation closely and ready to provide assistance if Singapore-flagged ship caught fire last Monday after one of its containers exploded. Of the 22 crew members on board, 18 were rescued, while four remain missing.
