The HKH Snow Update 2025 highlights a significant decline in seasonal snow across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, with snow persistence 23.6% below normal — the lowest in 23 years. This trend, now in its third consecutive year, threatens water security for nearly two billion people. All twelve major river …
The state government has instructed Forest employees to tackle possible flood situations by coordinating with district administration. At the behest of Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah a circular has been issued to all the conservators of forests, officers of National Parks and divisional forest officers to coordinate with the district …
Countdown for the arrival of monsoon in the state has begun. According to Met experts, rain is likely to be better this year in comparison to previous year. Requirement on several level is must seeing the monsoon. Villages and cities have their own problems. This is the time when Kharif, …
LALITESHWAR PRASAD SINGH In two months the monsoon will arrive. And I am reminded of my visit to East Champaran district of Bihar four months after last year's "exceptionally destructive' floods. As person after person narrated his/her misery to me, it was clear that the government's relief was inadequate and …
It is unfortunate that the Government of Assam has not yet been able to fully prepare itself to mitigate the sufferings of the people during floods and on most occasions, the concerned departments of the Government start the preparations to deal with the natural calamity only during the monsoon season. …
More than 100,000 people, according to unofficial estimate, are feared dead after cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar late May 2 night. Another 43,000 people were missing four days after the disaster. For over 10 hours, wind travelling upto 241 km per hour swept through the Irrawaddy delta region
Tangshan(China): Well before this city was destroyed by an earthquake 32 years ago, the coming disaster was loudly preceded by strange animal behaviour and other bizarre signals that survivors wish they heeded. "The animals were trying to tell us something. If only we knew that, not so many people would …
IN a statement reminiscent of US President George Bush's remark that India's middle class was responsible for the global food crisis, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that Mumbai's burgeoning population is responsible for the flooding woes of the city. The growing influx of outsiders is not only putting …
Defence Ministry denies permission for low-flying photos, necessary for contour mapping of city The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's grand plans to arm itself with a mathematical model that will help predict a deluge like the 944-mm deluge of July 26, 2005, just received a huge setback. Looking to prepare a flood …
The May 12 earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, in China's south-western Sichuan province has taken a confirmed toll of over 19,500 lives. It is feared that the number of dead could be above 50,000. The toll would have been higher but for the quick and efficient response by …
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has procured machinery worth Rs 950 lakhs to cope up with situations arising out of natural or man-made disasters. The purchase was made after the committee, headed by MCD commissioner, suggested that the procurement of the machinery is necessary to deal with disaster management. …
The Mumbai Fire Brigade is preparing itself to handle rescue operations all over the city in case of an emergency arising this monsoon. For the first time ever, 10 firemen went to the scenic town of Kolad, about 150 km away from Mumbai on the Goa Highway last week, to …
The tsunami at Goa (west coast of India) and Kavaratti Island (Lakshadweep archipelago) in the Arabian Sea, caused by the 12 September 2007 Sumatra earthquake, was reported from cellular-based sea-level gauges in real-time on the Internet designed and established by the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. The tsunami arrived at …
Extreme rainfall events today pose a serious threat to many populated and urbanized areas worldwide. An accurate estimate of frequency and distribution of these events can significantly aid in policy planning and observation system design. We report here a highresolution (10 km) analysis of heavy rainfall episodes (defined as 24-h …
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeting the winners of the Award for Excellence in Public Administration on Civil Services Day 2008 at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. NEW DELHI: A team of seven IAS and other officials who showed "extraordinary performance' in carrying out relief and rehabilitation work …
Students of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, have designed a brand new rehabilitation shelter that can be constructed quickly in the event of an earthquake or any such disaster. Five third-year students of the Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments have built the structure primarily for earthquake-hit people. It can …
Unabated earthquake fear Abdul Khaleque Earthquakes happen when forces deep within our planet cause movement of the earth's outer layer called the crust. The rock plates that make up the earth's crust number about 20. Most earthquakes occur along the boundaries of major plates. As the mantle moves plates slowly …
We examine the predominant natural hazards in West Bengal, along with an analysis of the prevalent disaster mitigation and management perspectives. Pre-hazard activities towards its mitigation are emphasized and explicated. In cognizance with the existence of multiple hazards in the region, a composite vulnerability map is prepared through integration of …
Hurricane Price Tags Soaring On Crowded US Coast US: April 7, 2008 MIAMI - The damage caused to US coastal cities by hurricanes promises to rise into the stratosphere, raising concerns about a possible $500 billion storm and prompting calls for tougher building codes. Devastating hurricanes like 1992's Andrew and …
With chances of conventional war becoming rare, the Centre has mooted a proposal to change the character of civil defence by giving its volunteers the responsibility of tackling disasters in addition to protecting people and property from external aggression or internal disturbances. Currently, the activities of civil defence is to …
Big Tokyo Quake To Cram Streets In Rush For Home JAPAN: April 4, 2008 TOKYO - A big earthquake in Tokyo during the day would force more than 12 million people to try to walk home, cramming streets and causing confusion, the government said. Tokyo's transport network would stop running, …
