Latest news with #BaileyBridge
The Sun
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Nadma helps repair damaged bridges in Sarawak
KUCHING: The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has delivered Bailey Bridge construction components to Sarawak to repair broken bridges in remote districts, ahead of the coming monsoon season from November to March. 'We are thankful to Nadma for these vital components,' said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah. 'The state Public Works Department will send the equipment to Sungai Baleh to build a new Bailey Bridge and replace the existing wooden one that was damaged by floods last year during the monsoon season. 'The bridge can be built within one week.' Sungai Baleh, which is about 100m wide, is located near the Long Banga settlement in interior Baram. Dougglas, who is also Sarawak deputy premier, said Nadma is helping to build similar iron bridges in interior central Sarawak to replace damaged ones. 'We have identified more than 200 locations throughout Sarawak where bridges are broken or damaged. 'Many are in (remote) locations where there are logging operations.' Among the locations are rural areas such as Long San, Palungan, Bario, Long Pilah (in northern Sarawak), the Belaga and Kapit districts in central Sarawak and the Skrang and Sri Aman districts in southern Sarawak. Dougglas expressed hope that Nadma and Putrajaya would help provide more equipment to Sarawak to construct new bridges at critical locations. Long Banga in the Baram district is located about 200km inland from Miri city. The Bailey Bridge components can be installed quickly and are made of iron, making them durable against heavy rain and floods. The bridge would help ensure seamless road travel into interior and remote areas. The construction of one bridge may vary depending on the width of the river and could cost up to RM300,000. This excludes the cost of transporting components through mountainous terrain. About one million residents in remote locations throughout Sarawak have to endure unsafe conditions on roads and bridges daily.
News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Uttarkashi's Dharali In Mountain Of Debris As High As 3-Storey Building: How Will It Be Cleared?
Last Updated: The Indian Army, with the IAF, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO, and administration, continues to lead rescue and relief efforts in flood- and landslide-affected region of Dharali and Harsil Three days after a massive flash flood hit Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, the Dharali village near Gangotri is now buried in debris and sludge. The Indian Army, in close coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF), SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO, and civil administration, continues to lead large-scale rescue and relief efforts in the flood- and landslide-affected region of Dharali and Harsil. 357 rescued so far: What is the status of Dharali? Dharali remains completely cut off due to widespread landslides. However, road clearance efforts have progressed up to Limchigad, where the launch of a Bailey Bridge is currently underway and expected to be completed by Friday evening. In terms of weather conditions, Matli and Harsil have experienced a period of clear skies, aiding rescue efforts. However, low visibility and rain over Dehradun have temporarily delayed some planned air sorties. 'So far, a total of 357 civilians have been rescued, with 119 airlifted to Dehradun. Rescue teams on the ground include Indian Army columns, combat engineers, medical units, and specialised Search and Rescue (SAR) dog squads. The NDRF has deployed 105 personnel, working in tandem with SDRF and ITBP teams, including medical officers stationed in Harsil and Dharali," said the Indian Army in a statement. Army doctors, nursing assistants and combat medics are providing on-site treatment to rescued civilians at transit locations. Among the evacuees are 13 Army personnel, while eight soldiers from the 14 Rajputana Rifles remain unaccounted for. The civil administration has reported that approximately 100 civilians are still missing, and two civilian fatalities have been confirmed. How does the clearing of debris work? The debris clearance process in Uttarkashi after major floods or landslides is a multi-step, multi-agency operation with significant technical and logistical challenges due to rough terrain, ongoing weather hazards, and the volume of material. The main steps are: Assessment and immediate response: Authorities activate disaster response protocols as soon as an incident is reported. Multi-agency rescue teams (Army, National Disaster Response Force—NDRF, State Disaster Response Force—SDRF, local administration) are deployed for immediate search and rescue, supported by helicopters if access is blocked. Damage and safety survey: Technical committees are formed, often including district officials, geologists, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD), irrigation and forest departments, disaster management authorities, and mountaineering experts. They conduct field surveys to assess the danger from unstable slopes, identify safe routes, mark hazardous structures, and recommend if further evacuations are needed. Search and rescue operations: Sniffer dogs, drones, and manual teams search for trapped or missing people. Locations where people were last seen are prioritized for focused clearance. Residents sometimes assist in identifying likely sites of entrapment. Deployment of heavy machinery: Once safety is assured, advanced earthmoving equipment such as JCBs and excavators is brought in to remove large boulders, thick layers of mud, and collapsed structures. Road clearance is prioritized to restore critical connectivity. Blocked highways and damaged bridges are cleared or replaced with temporary structures (like Bailey bridges) to reconnect cut-off regions. Monitoring and ongoing risk assessment: The situation is monitored using aerial surveys and drones, especially looking for newly formed lakes, fresh landslide risk, or further rising water which could trigger secondary disasters. The central disaster management authorities may order continuous assessment, especially in fragile eco-sensitive zones. Sustained relief and rehabilitation: Debris and mud clearance continues in phases, usually starting with accessible and high-priority zones (like highways, hospitals, and main habitation clusters), then progressing to secondary sites. What are the challenges? The main challenges faced during debris clearing in Uttarkashi are: Sheer volume and depth of debris Rugged and remote terrain Damaged or destroyed infrastructure Ongoing and unpredictable weather hazards Limited accessibility for relief equipment Fragile ecosystem and safety risks Search for survivors among debris Disrupted communication and power What next? Helicopter sorties, Bailey bridge and more On August 7 alone, 68 helicopter sorties were conducted, including six by the Indian Air Force, seven by the Army, and 55 by civil helicopters. A heli-bridging network has been activated between Dehradun, Harsil, Matli, and Dharasu ALG, supported by C-295 aircraft to ferry critical supplies, rescue teams, and stranded civilians. To aid coordination, the Indian Army has established a Communication Control Room at Harsil, with satellite and Wi-Fi connectivity operational. Meanwhile, BSNL and Airtel are working to restore public mobile networks in the affected region. Senior military leadership, including the General Officer Commanding, Uttar Bharat Area, and the Commander, 9 (Independent) Mountain Brigade, are on the ground in Harsil to oversee operations and ensure synergy between military and civilian agencies. top videos View all The statement said, 'The planned actions for August 8, 2025, include the launch of a Bailey Bridge at Limchigad to restore vital road connectivity, the aerial induction of critical relief materials and equipment, continued search operations in Harsil and nearby areas, and the evacuation of remaining stranded civilians by air from Harsil to Matli and Dehradun." With ANI, Agency Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : cloudburst flash floods news18 specials Uttarkashi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 08, 2025, 14:53 IST News explainers Uttarkashi's Dharali In Mountain Of Debris As High As 3-Storey Building: How Will It Be Cleared? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Uttarakhand: Army leads relief ops in Dharali; Over 350 civilians rescued
Dharali (Uttarakhand) [India], August 8 (ANI): The Indian Army, in close coordination with the Indian Air Force, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, BRO, and civil administration, continues to lead large-scale rescue and relief efforts in the flood- and landslide-affected region of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarakhand under Operation per the statement, Dharali remains completely cut off due to widespread landslides. However, road clearance efforts have progressed up to Limchigad, where the launch of a Bailey Bridge is currently underway and expected to be completed by Friday terms of weather conditions, Matli and Harsil have experienced a period of clear skies, aiding rescue efforts. However, low visibility and rain over Dehradun have temporarily delayed some planned air sorties.'So far, a total of 357 civilians have been rescued, with 119 airlifted to Dehradun. Rescue teams on the ground include Indian Army columns, combat engineers, medical units, and specialised Search and Rescue (SAR) dog squads. The NDRF has deployed 105 personnel, working in tandem with SDRF and ITBP teams, including medical officers stationed in Harsil and Dharali," said the Indian Army in a doctors, nursing assistants and combat medics are providing on-site treatment to rescued civilians at transit locations. Among the evacuees are 13 Army personnel, while eight soldiers from the 14 Rajputana Rifles remain unaccounted for. The civil administration has reported that approximately 100 civilians are still missing, and two civilian fatalities have been assets have played a key role in the operations. On August 7 alone, 68 helicopter sorties were conducted, including six by the Indian Air Force, seven by the Army, and 55 by civil helicopters. A heli-bridging network has been activated between Dehradun, Harsil, Matli, and Dharasu ALG, supported by C-295 aircraft to ferry critical supplies, rescue teams, and stranded aid coordination, the Indian Army has established a Communication Control Room at Harsil, with satellite and Wi-Fi connectivity operational. Meanwhile, BSNL and Airtel are working to restore public mobile networks in the affected military leadership, including the General Officer Commanding, Uttar Bharat Area, and the Commander, 9 (Independent) Mountain Brigade, are on the ground in Harsil to oversee operations and ensure synergy between military and civilian statement said, 'The planned actions for August 8, 2025, include the launch of a Bailey Bridge at Limchigad to restore vital road connectivity, the aerial induction of critical relief materials and equipment, continued search operations in Harsil and nearby areas, and the evacuation of remaining stranded civilians by air from Harsil to Matli and Dehradun."The Indian Army remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of affected citizens, working round the clock in synergy with other agencies to overcome the difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. (ANI)
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BRO builds Bailey bridge in Maoist commander Hidma's village, connecting Chhattisgarh's Sukma to mainstream
RAIPUR: A 15-meter-long Bailey bridge has been built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) right in the heart of CPI (Maoists) commander Hidma's native village, Puvarti, linking the once-isolated and inaccessible rebel stronghold with the broader road network and Sukma district headquarters for the first time in decades. For the villagers of Puvarti and surrounding hamlets like Silger, Duler, and Elmaguda, the bridge brings relief from decades of isolation, especially during the monsoon, when water-logged terrain made travel nearly impossible and these regions turned into islands. Locals had to wade through overflowing streams and rough jungle trails, often risking their lives to reach markets or health centres. 'The 15-meter-long steel bridge, a critical component of the Silger–Puvarti road corridor, now links over a dozen remote villages to district headquarters, marking a new era of accessibility, even during peak monsoon,' said Sukma SP Kiran Chavan. SP added, 'The bridge has been constructed by BRO in very short time. This is not just a physical bridge. It will be a lifeline for the people of Puvarti, Hidma's village, and surrounding hamlets that were previously cut off from basic services. It now directly connects these villages to Sukma and Dantewada via Jagargunda, transforming the development landscape.' Officials in Bastar told TOI, 'This marks a crucial milestone in India's push to integrate conflict-affected tribal interiors into the mainstream. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo The area had remained under heavy Maoist control for over four decades. Now, BRO's swift construction, carried out under tight security cover, has for the first time enabled all-weather movement of security forces, essential goods, traders, and civilians between once fiercely Maoist-affected regions Silger, Puvarti, and Jagargunda. ' The bridge's completion is part of the component of Rs 66 crore central government project, which includes the construction of 64 km of all-weather roads across Naxal-affected Sukma. Of this, a 51 km road stretch from Elmaguda to Puvarti is being constructed at a cost of Rs 53 crore, directly benefiting villages like Silger, Timmapuram, Gollakonda, Tekulguda, Jabbagatta, and Tumalpad. 'During monsoon, this entire belt was completely cut off. Now, with this bridge, not only will civilians move freely, but so will development,' a local official said. Until recently, this area was dominated by Maoist leaders Hidma and Deva, with BRO construction virtually impossible due to IED threats and ambushes. However, after security forces established a forward base camp in the region from last year, Maoist presence shrunk to pockets. What is a Bailey Bridge? A Bailey Bridge is a modular, pre-fabricated truss bridge made from steel, joined by nuts and bolts, allowing rapid deployment in difficult terrains. Invented during the 1940s by Donald Bailey for military use, it is now widely used by armed forces and emergency relief agencies. The bridge doesn't require heavy machinery for installation and is ideal for remote or flood-affected areas, border zones, and disaster recovery efforts. The Bailey bridge, built using pre-fabricated steel segments, is capable of withstanding the load of heavy military and commercial vehicles.
