Latest news with #DisasterManagement
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Pakistan monsoon rains kill 63 in 24 hours
Torrential rains in Pakistan's Punjab province have killed at least 63 people and injured 290 in the 24 hours since downpours started on Wednesday of the victims were crushed by collapsing buildings, while the rest either drowned or were electrocuted, according to the National Disaster Management in the city of Rawalpindi, next to the capital Islamabad, declared Thursday a public holiday to keep people at home, while those living near a swelling river which runs through the city have been asked to latest deaths take the nationwide toll to nearly 180 since the monsoon started in late June. More than half of them were children. The floods have closed several expressways throughout Punjab and either cancelled or delayed dozens of Thursday, the province's Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said an emergency had been declared in a number of areas. "Government institutions are working with utmost effort," she wrote in a post on X, urging residents to abide by safety Chakwal, a city deluged by 400mm of rainfall in the past day, photographs and video showed rescue boats trying to locate people stranded in helicopters can also be seen circling heavily flooded areas. Punjab authorities have warned that more rains and flash floods are expected throughout the weekend. Thousands of rescuers across the province have been put on standby. Pakistan, which has a population of nearly 250 million, is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. It bears the brunt of two major weather systems - one can cause high temperatures and drought, while the other brings monsoon rains. Pakistan is also home to more than 13,000 glaciers which have been melting at an accelerated pace. In 2022, monsoon floods submerged a third of the country and killed 1,700 people. They also left the country with economic damages exceeding $ 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General had called for the international community to help the country recover from the catastrophic floods, saying it was "doubly victimised" by climate change and a "morally bankrupt" global financial reporting by Azadeh Moshiri in Islamabad
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
India hosts 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise for cyclones, floods
New Delhi: India virtually hosted the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise from July 14-15, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement on Wednesday. As per the MEA, the Exercise was organised by the National Disaster Management Authority of India as a Tabletop Exercise. It witnessed the participation of disaster management professionals from BIMSTEC Member States to assess and enhance regional preparedness for cyclones and floods. MEA said that the participants presented details of national disaster management architectures, engaged in simulated scenarios, evaluated response frameworks and shared best practices to strengthen coordination for disaster response across the region. The details of the Exercise were also shared by BIMSTEC in a post on X. India has always stood by its partners in the region as the first responder in times of crisis. The Exercise further strengthened cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region towards disaster preparedness, response and resilience. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a grouping of seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal. MEA in an official statement had noted that BIMSTEC is a unique link connecting South Asia with South-East Asia - five Members from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka) and two from South-East Asia (Myanmar and Thailand). The BIMSTEC region brings together 1.7 billion people - 22 per cent of world population with a combined GDP of USD 5 trillion. The organization came into existence on June 6, 1997 through the 'Bangkok Declaration'. It was originally formed with four Member States with the acronym 'BIST-EC' (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). Following inclusion of Myanmar in December 1997, it was renamed 'BIMST-EC' (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). With the inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan in 2004, the name of the grouping was changed to BIMSTEC. (
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Over 8 cr devotees expected to participate
Rajamahendravaram: The 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu is expected to draw an unprecedented crowd of around 8 crore pilgrims, turning the Rajamahendravaram and Kovvur regions into spiritual hubs for 12 days. Authorities estimate a daily footfall of about 65 lakh people, significantly higher than the previous Pushkaralu in ensure smooth and safe management of such massive crowds, the government has decided to begin planning and development works well in advance. Drawing inspiration from the successful use of AI technology at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Andhra Pradesh will now deploy Artificial Intelligence-powered surveillance systems at major bathing to officials, AI cameras will be installed to monitor real-time movements of pilgrims, detect crowd surges, and instantly alert a dedicated special control room. This data will be relayed to departments like Revenue, Police, and Disaster Management, helping them make quick, informed decisions. Around 150 advanced AI-enabled cameras are likely to be installed across key ghats in Rajamahendravaram alone. Authorities plan to accommodate about four devotees per square meter at the ghats. A total of 60 major bathing ghats have been identified in Rajamahendravaram and Kovvur. Bathing will be permitted from 4 am to 10 pm during the Pushkaralu days, and arrangements are being made to enable around 3.5 lakh people to take a dip every hour. The tragic stampede in 2015, which claimed 27 lives, has prompted the government to ensure foolproof crowd control mechanisms this time. The Centre is also expected to play a significant role in organising the event, as the BJP is a coalition partner in the state government. The central intelligence agencies have already sought detailed reports on the planning and preparedness for the Pushkaralu, including crowd estimates and infrastructure readiness. District Collector and Municipal Commissioner P Prasanthi, who is overseeing the planning, is focusing on implementing a robust action plan to prevent any untoward incidents. Officials say the goal is to place every pilgrim under seamless surveillance from the time they enter a ghat till they leave, using AI as a key tool to ensure safety, discipline, and devotion.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
CREEA report charts plans to protect crops, livelihoods, food security in Kerala
A Climate-Resilient and Energy-Efficient Agriculture (CREEA) report, a State‑wide roadmap shaped by 14 district workshops and consultations with experts from 16 departments (ranging from Agriculture to Power and Disaster Management), was released here on Wednesday. The exercise, steered jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Energy Management Centre (EMC) under the Power department, and climate-policy organisations Asar Social Impact Advisors and Equinoct, charts how Kerala can protect crops, livelihood, and food security as extreme weather tightens its grip on the ₹56,000‑crore farm economy of the State. The CREEA framework has been prepared against the backdrop of the climate crisis and its impact on the food system in Kerala. Around 94% of Kerala's cropped area has already been categorised as climate-vulnerable, with loss in paddy and banana cultivation rising by 28% since the 2018 floods, according to the State Agriculture Directorate data. 'Further, farm power use has doubled in a decade alone. The report outlines pathways to cut on-farm energy demand by up to 40% through solar pumps, biogas, and precision irrigation. By reducing production cost, improving soil health, and promoting biodiversity, CREEA will fortify rural livelihood against price and climate shocks,' says agricultural scientist S. Usha, the lead author of the report. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad unveiled the report at a farmer-scientist consultation, while Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty opened a technical dialogue on its recommendations. 'CREEA is more than a study; it is a blueprint for an inclusive, low-carbon farm economy that keeps smallholders at the centre of climate action,' Mr. Prasad said. The ideas highlighted in the report include forming K-CRAIL (Kerala Climate‑Resilient Agriculture Innovation Labs) at 941 panchayats in phases. The farmer-led 'living labs' at panchayat, block, and district levels will trial bio-inputs, micro-irrigation, and resilient cropping systems. The report also suggested forming farmer seed and bio-resource networks, AI-powered risk-mapping platform, low-carbon mechanisation drive, and supporting small and marginal farmers through targeted subsidies. An inter‑departmental CREEA steering task force will be notified this quarter to finalise a three‑year implementation plan. Pilot K-CRAIL labs are slated for launch in Alappuzha, Palakkad, and Wayanad by early 2026. The EMC will draft an investment prospectus to channel public-private finance into low-carbon mechanisation and AI-enabled advisory services.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
RPM and Prometheus Medical International lead workshop on Search & Rescue medicine in Kochi
Kochi, India – Prometheus Medical International (PMI), one of the world's leading providers of pre-hospital emergency medical training and a subsidiary of Response Plus Medical Services (RPM) – a leading provider of pre-hospital emergency medical services in the Middle East, in collaboration with India-based Educare Institute of Dental Sciences, successfully conducted a comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) Medicine workshop in Kochi. A landmark event aiming to enhance medical readiness and community resilience, the workshop brought together international experts, healthcare professionals, and disaster management officials. The workshop was led by experts, including Prof. Richard M Lyon, Chief Medical Officer of Prometheus Medical International; Jez Harwood, Clinical Operations Manager at PMI MENA; and Ralph Michael A. Ignacio, NREMT-Paramedic and Combat Medic Instructor. Prof Richard also demonstrated the importance of pre-hospital care in disaster management with examples from real life situations. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and a certificate distribution ceremony led by Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding PJSC, and Prof. Richard Lyon. In his comments, Dr Rohil said: 'In today's world, the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies is vital. Through such strategic endeavours focused on Search and Rescue, we are building a foundation of knowledge and preparedness that empowers local communities and saves lives.' -Ends- About Response Plus Holding PJSC Response Plus Holding PJSC is the largest provider of onsite healthcare, medical emergency services and occupational health solutions in the region. RPM was listed as Response Plus Holding PJSC on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2021 and is also currently listed on the FTSE GEIS as a global micro-cap company. Boasting the largest medical vehicle fleet in the region with over 350 ambulances, RPM has become a trusted name and a partner of choice in its field of operations. It has conducted more than 1.6 million training sessions for healthcare and non- healthcare professionals, carries out over 1,000 helicopter medical emergency evacuations every year, and offers reliable medical support for major sporting events in the region and beyond.
