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India Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- India Today
Uttarkashi tragedy: Did we not learn anything from the 2013 Kedarnath disaster?
Over the past decade, Uttarakhand has made visible progress in disaster management. From better forecasting tools to quicker mobilisation of response teams, the state has shown a growing commitment to protecting its people and strengthening swift response to the 2025 Uttarkashi tragedy reflects how far disaster response systems have come since the devastating floods in Kedarnath in 2013. But progress, though real, has not been rescue operations are faster, deep-rooted vulnerabilities—especially in hyper-local forecasting and infrastructure readiness, continue to expose remote communities to preventable losses. The Uttarkashi disaster occurred with little advance notice. Weather radars, even the best of them, offer limited foresight, sometimes just an hour or two, before such extreme localised rainfall events. In Dharali, where this tragedy struck, there was no hyper-local warning. That failure, while technically understandable, is not new. It happened in Kedarnath too. However, since 2013, the government has made significant strides toward building a more integrated Early Warning System (EWS).Multiple Doppler radars, expansion of the India Meteorological Department's forecasting infrastructure, and new protocols for inter-agency coordination have been introduced. These steps have laid the groundwork for better response capacity, even if full real-time microscale prediction remains out of reach. Yes, rescue teams did arrive swiftly this time, far quicker than in 2013. Relief operations began within hours, which is commendable. This faster response is the result of improved coordination between central and state agencies, as well as increased pre-positioning of disaster response teams in vulnerable districts during the while response has improved, preparedness still Kedarnath, warnings from the India Meteorological Department were either ignored or poorly acted upon. Uttarkashi's event, a decade later, continues that pattern in a new form, where the lack of hyper-local forecasting meets inadequate infrastructure, and once again, people in remote villages suffer the in the Himalayas do not always begin with the clouds; they often begin with unregulated construction, overburdened riverbanks, and mountains hollowed out by mining. Kedarnath exposed how unchecked development in sensitive zones multiplies zoning maps, controlling hotel construction near rivers, and assessing the environmental feasibility of current and planned hydropower projects should have been the focus of the years that have passed. Instead, hotels still dot the flood-prone zones of Uttarkashi, with little oversight and fewer safety checks. Disasters in the Himalayas do not always begin with the clouds. Photo: PTI The failure of the state's disaster warning and mitigation systems was widely acknowledged following the floods in Kedarnath. Stronger institutional coordination between the National Disaster Management Authority, State Disaster Management Authorities, and the India Meteorological Department was these organisations continue to operate roles are still unfilled. Resilient design, community involvement, and early warning infrastructure recommendations have been postponed or softened. Nevertheless, initiatives like Uttarakhand's state-specific action plans and the revisions to the National Disaster Management Plan do represent though the pace does not yet match the urgency, initiatives like the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and investments in satellite-based alerts demonstrate that things are moving in the right today, many remote villages depend on local knowledge—like the sound of rising rivers, the change in winds, or the whistling alerts shared between neighbours—because mobile alerts, sirens, or public announcements either don't reach them or are not trusted. The lack of communication coverage during the Uttarkashi incident, caused by power outages and broken networks, made this vulnerability government has piloted multi-platform alerting systems, including SMS, radio, and loudspeaker integration in high-risk districts, and these are beginning to reach more communities. Still, coverage remains patchy, and public trust in these alerts needs to be strengthened through community engagement. The Himalayas are fragile. This region, formed by the collision of tectonic plates, is geologically young and unstable. The rains are not new, but the damage they cause has been made worse by human intervention. Between 2000 and 2010 alone, nearly 4,000 hectares of forestland were diverted for 2012 and 2013, further tracts were opened up. Debris dumping, unchecked sand extraction, and river channel manipulation have altered watercourses, making floods more was no way to stop the Uttarkashi disaster, but we can reduce the harm it causes. That means reducing exposure by limiting settlements in high-risk zones, protecting river corridors, enforcing building codes, and designing infrastructure that respects water's guidance has improved—revised Central Water Commission rules and stricter environmental clearance procedures are steps forward—but weak enforcement undermines their effect. The 2000 order banning construction within 200 metres of riverbanks is still widely ignored, and court rulings to remove illegal structures have not always been second and growing risk comes from hydropower development. After Kedarnath, experts reviewed projects in the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda basins, yet many small hydropower schemes continue to be approved without cumulative environmental impact diversions and other alterations dry out river stretches and reduce ecological resilience; when floods come, these modifications amplify the damage. Strengthening oversight, insisting on cumulative assessments, and prioritising river health alongside energy needs will make communities safer. Resilient design, community involvement, and early warning infrastructure recommendations have been postponed. Photo: PTI Early warning systems in the Himalayas must move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and become decentralised, layered, and rooted in community action. A single SMS is not enough in poor signal zones; what's needed are overlapping communication tools like radio, sirens, mobile alerts, and trained local volunteers. Pilot efforts in Uttarakhand are trying this hybrid approach, but they must now become standard practice across all vulnerable regions, with local people involved at every even the most precise forecasting cannot offset poor land-use choices—reckless construction, disrupted river courses, and unchecked mining continue to make fragile terrain even more vulnerable. While some improvements have taken place since Kedarnath in 2013, including quicker response and better coordination, events like the Uttarkashi cloudburst remind us that progress needs to be faster and more cannot be controlled, but our decisions around risk, development, and preparedness can still decide how much damage it causes.(This is an authored article. Dr Eilia Jafar is a seasoned expert in disaster management, governance, climate change adaptation, and gender inclusion. The views expressed are her own.)- EndsMust Watch
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Peace Fund and Early Warning Directorate lead technical mission to strengthen National Early Warning Systems in Ghana and Benin
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Early Warning Directorate (EWD) and the ECOWAS Peace Fund (EPF), is carrying out a joint technical mission to Ghana and Benin from July 31 to August 05, 2025, to assess the equipment procured for their National Early Warning and Response Centers. This mission is part of broader regional efforts to ensure that these centers are fully operational and contributing effectively to national and regional mechanisms for anticipating and responding to emerging peace and security threats. The visit forms part of ECOWAS' strategic support to Member States under the African Peace and Security Architecture Support Programme (APSA-SP), with funding from the European Union and the African Union Commission. The mission seeks to evaluate the state and use of logistics, IT, and office equipment provided to these centers, identify challenges, and propose enhancements that align with international standards and the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF). The establishment of National Early Warning and Response Centers is a key regional initiative aimed at bolstering the capacity of Member States to monitor and respond to socio-political, humanitarian and security-related risks. With support from the ECOWAS, five countries: Benin, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Niger and Senegal have received technical and material assistance to enhance their national systems. This technical assessment will provide valuable insights into the functionality and impact of the support provided, helping to guide future interventions and reinforce the Peace and Security architecture across West Africa. The delegation used the opportunity to visit Training Institutions and Training Centres of Excellence (TIs/TCEs) that received funding under Phase Two of the support to the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA II) to conduct monitoring and evaluation exercises on funding and equipment procured for the centres. Through sustained collaboration and regional solidarity, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to supporting Member States in building resilient and responsive institutions for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
See - Sada Elbalad
28-07-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Indonesia Introduces Innovative Earthquake-proof Building Design
Nada Mustafa Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has introduced a new earthquake-resistant building design featuring state-of-the-art damping technology, according to TV BRICS. The new technology is capable of withstanding tremors up to magnitude 8.8, the design marks a major step forward in the country's disaster-resilient infrastructure, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a partner of TV BRICS. The BMKG highlighted that the technology enables multi-storey buildings to remain stable during powerful earthquakes. The agency noted this is the first time such an innovation will be used in Indonesia and expressed optimism that it would set a new standard for construction in high-risk seismic zones. Although the BMKG does not oversee public building projects, it hopes the initiative will inspire wider adoption. The technology has already been implemented in the BMKG's own headquarters in Jakarta, housing the nation's Multi-hazard Early Warning System. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI HOLDINGS PLC DISPOSES OF STAKE IN G2 GOLDFIELDS INC.
SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - AngloGold Ashanti Holdings plc (the " Investor") announced today that it has disposed of 35,948,965 common shares (the " Common Shares") of G2 Goldfields Inc. (the " Issuer") pursuant to a market sale over the Toronto Stock Exchange which occurred on July 8, 2025 (the " Transaction"). Immediately prior to the Transaction, the Investor had beneficial ownership of 35,948,965 Common Shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 14.95% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. As a result of the Transaction, the Investor does not have beneficial ownership of any Common Shares of the Issuer. The figures in this press release are based on a total of 240,487,170 issued and outstanding Common Shares, as reflected in the Issuer's management's discussion and analysis for the nine months ended February 28, 2025. The Investor entered into the Transaction and disposed of the Common Shares in the context of a regular review of its investment portfolio in the ordinary course of its business operations. The Common Shares of the Issuer are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "GTWO" and the OTC Markets under the symbol "GUYGF". The Issuer is a corporation existing under the laws of Canada with its head office at 141 Adelaide St. West, Suite 1101, Toronto, ON M5H 3L5. An early warning report will be electronically filed with the applicable securities commission in each jurisdiction where the Issuer is reporting and will be available on SEDAR+ at For further information or to obtain a copy of the Early Warning Report, please contact: Press Office Andrea Maxey +61 8 9425 4603 / +61 400 072 199 Investor Relations Andrea Maxey: +61 8 9425 4603 / +61 400 072 199 Yatish Chowthee: +27 11 637 6273 / +27 78 364 2080 AngloGold Ashanti Holdings plc Communications House, South Street, Staines-Upon-Thames Surrey, TW18 4PR United Kingdom
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dozee Secures CE Mark, Unlocks Global Markets for Remote Patient Monitoring and Early Warning Systems
Bengaluru: Health-tech innovator Dozee announced that it has secured CE Mark under the European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745), a gold standard for medical device safety and efficacy. Already a recipient of US FDA 510(k) clearance for its proprietary contactless vital signs monitoring technology, Dozee's dual international certifications now firmly establish it as a globally trusted name in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning Systems (EWS)—two of the fastest-growing pillars in digital healthcare. 'CE Mark positions Dozee among a select group of global health-tech innovators whose solutions meet stringent international standards while driving real-world impact,' said Gaurav Parchani, CTO and Co-founder of Dozee. 'We're building world-class infrastructure to provide access to quality healthcare to billions globally. Every signal captured, every insight generated, is designed to drive timely intervention and save lives.' The CE Mark, granted by leading Notified Body TÜV SÜD, enables Dozee to market its products across more than 30 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). It affirms the company's compliance with stringent regulatory benchmarks for safety, efficacy, clinical validation, and quality management. Dozee's Class IIb MDR-certified system uses contactless sensors and AI-driven algorithms to track vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO₂, blood pressure, temperature, and patient movement. These real-time, continuous insights allow healthcare teams to detect clinical deterioration early—helping reduce Code Blue events, prevent ICU admissions, and enhance overall patient outcomes.
