HP to seek help from IITs, ISRO to study causes of repeated natural disasters
The public works minister, who visited Mandi town along with local MLA Anil Sharma and Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma to assess the damage and loss on Jail Road and other places due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst on Monday night, said the Congress government in the state is extremely sensitive about the recurring natural disasters, particularly in Mandi district.
Three people were killed in the Monday incident, a large number of vehicles were buried and several houses were inundated. So far, 21 people have died in Mandi district in rain-related incidents in the ongoing monsoon season.
Of the victims, 17 died in cloudbursts, while 27 people are still missing. 'The state government is firmly standing by the affected people and providing relief to them. Restoration operations are going on in full swing and heavy machinery has been deployed to remove debris and clear the blocked roads,' Singh told reporters. The matter has been discussed in detail during a cabinet meeting and the government is preparing a report on an 'early-warning system' and climate change, the minister said, adding that the Centre's assistance would also be sought.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over the rising frequency of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, including cloudbursts and flash floods, Congress spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore Wednesday said that unchecked environmental interference, unscientific excavation, illegal mining, and excessive tree felling could be contributing factors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘No formal talks on F-35 jets yet': India clarifies after Trump tariff announcement
The Indian government on Friday clarified that there have been no formal discussions yet on the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, despite a reference in the India-US joint statement earlier this year. In a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said: 'The US will undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India. No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue.' This statement comes in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi's February visit to US, during which the two sides elevated defence and strategic cooperation, but without finalising key hardware acquisitions like the F-35. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was also asked whether any proposal had been made by the US regarding the F-35, and about the role of American diplomats in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Singh noted that diplomatic conversations were held with various countries, including the US, between April 22 and May 10. 'All our interlocutors were given a common message that India's approach was focused, measured and non-escalatory,' Singh said. He added that on May 9, India had conveyed its position clearly to US Vice President J D Vance. 'With specific reference to the United States, it was conveyed to Vice President J D Vance on May 9 that India would appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack.' Singh clarified that the decision to cease military action was taken bilaterally between India and Pakistan. 'The discussion to cease military action took place directly between India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication between the two-armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's request.' Responding to a question on third-party mediation, Singh reiterated New Delhi's long-standing policy: 'As regards any proposal for third-party mediation, our longstanding position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations, including by the Prime Minister to the US President.' He emphasised that the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is underpinned by mutual trust and respect for sovereignty: 'The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement between our citizens. The partnership has also benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation.' Singh also reaffirmed that India remains committed to strategic autonomy despite deepening ties with Washington. 'The Government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the prism of India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
12 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Datanomics: Market access vs mass survival in unequal India-US fields
The US move on tariff is seen as its pressure tactics on forcing New Delhi to sign a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with Washington Shikha Chaturvedi Listen to This Article United States (US) President Donald Trump announced imports from India would face a 25 per cent tariff over the existing most-favoured-nation rates, citing India's high trade barriers and 'strenuous and obnoxious' non-monetary restrictions. This move is seen as a pressure tactic to force India into signing a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). However, one of the major bones of contention in the BTA negotiations is agriculture. The US is demanding greater access to Indian agri markets. In the US, farmers receive direct income payments. In India, support is largely through subsidised inputs, public procurement, and food distribution schemes — offering basic
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
12 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Goyal to meet exporters in Mumbai to discuss impact of 25% US tariff
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will hold meetings with exporters from different sectors, including food processing, textiles, engineering, and chemicals, from August 2-4 in Mumbai to discuss the implications of 25 per cent tariff announced by the US, an industry official said on Friday. The official added that exporters from segments such as fisheries, engineering, IT, and pharma will also participate in the deliberations. Leather sector exporters are expected to meet the minister on August 4 here. The US on Friday slapped a 25 per cent tariff on India, potentially impacting about half of the $ 86-billion Indian exports to America, while the other half, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and petroleum products, continued to be exempted from the levy. New Delhi continues to be engaged in talks with the US to work out a trade deal, but will make no compromise on agricultural, daily and genetically modified (GM) products, sources said on Friday. For the sixth round of talks, the US team is coming to India on August 25. The sectors, which would bear the brunt of 25 per cent duty include textiles/ clothing ($ 10.3 billion), gems and jewellery ($ 12 billion), shrimp ($ 2.24 billion), leather and footwear ($ 1.18 billion), animal products ($ 2 billion), chemicals (2.34 billion), and electrical and mechanical machinery (about $ 9 billion). In 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the US stood at $ 131.8 billion ($ 86.5 billion exports and $ 45.3 billion imports). Export sectors that will be impacted by the tariff have urged immediate intervention by the government on the matter. Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman, AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), said, "We request immediate government intervention to offset this huge setback. Exporters have their back against the wall and will have to sell below cost to keep their factories running and avoid mass layoffs." Indian shrimp exporters face an unprecedented new challenge in the US market, which contributes close to 48 per cent of their exports, Crisil Ratings Senior Director Rahul Guha said.
