Latest news with #EarlyWarningSystem
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Wayanad landslides call for community-based early warning systems, says Japanese disaster management expert
In the wake of the devastating landslides that ravaged Wayanad last year, disaster management expert Prof. Rajib Shaw of Keio University, Japan, has called for a fundamental shift in India's disaster preparedness strategy — urging that early warning systems be embedded directly within communities, and schools be transformed into localised early warning nodes. Prof. Shaw led a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode, the National Institute of Technology-Calicut, and Keio University, Japan, in a study based on extensive on-the-ground investigations into the Wayanad landslides. The comprehensive report, titled 'Wayanad Landslides 2024: Early Warning System — Changing the Last Mile to the First Mile,' was released in Kozhikode on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). The study proposes that teachers serve as disaster awareness ambassadors, while students act as information disseminators within their families and communities. 'The people in Wayanad received warnings but did not act on them. That gap between warning and response is what drove us to investigate this more deeply,' Prof. Rajib Shaw said in an interaction with The Hindu on Friday. He pointed out that the lapse resulted from a combination of behavioural, cultural and institutional factors that collectively hindered timely evacuation and preparedness. According to the report, the landslide that struck on July 30, 2024—one of the deadliest in Kerala's history—claimed nearly 400 lives, injured over 200 people, and displaced around 7,000. More than 1,500 homes were destroyed, with economic losses estimated at over ₹281 crore. The report identifies a lethal mix of factors behind the tragedy, including extreme rainfall of 409 mm in 24 hours and human-induced vulnerabilities such as unchecked deforestation, land-use changes, poor construction on fragile terrain, and increasing population and tourism pressures on the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. It also directly links climate change to the intensified monsoon that triggered the disaster. The failure in disaster response was not due to a lack of warnings but a breakdown in communication and institutional coordination, leaving communities as the 'last mile' in a flawed system instead of the empowered 'first mile' of resilience. Local panchayats lacked disaster literacy and training, while official communications were stalled in bureaucratic delays, the report said. Prof. Shaw, former Kyoto University faculty and Chair of the United Nations Global Science Technology Advisory Group, said that in Japan, schools serve as default evacuation centres and hold annual drills tailored to regional risks—be it a tsunami, earthquake, or landslide. 'Teachers, students, and families know their roles during a disaster. That is the kind of cultural shift we need here,' he added. Dispelling the notion that technology was at fault in Wayanad, Prof. Shaw pointed out that the real breakdown lay in how the public responded. 'Without awareness, drills, disaster training, or a culture of preparedness, alerts became just noise. People did not know what to do,' he said, adding that bridging the gap between institutions and communities must now be Kerala's top priority. Prof. Shaw emphasised that every effective early warning system rests on three crucial pillars — timely and accurate information, community behaviour and perception, and clear evacuation mechanisms. 'In Wayanad, the technology worked, and warnings were issued. But the second and third pillars collapsed,' he said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
DPCC to revive study on source of pollution in Delhi
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has decided to revive its 'super-site' for real-time source apportionment studies in the Capital — this time in partnership with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune — nearly nine months after it ended the collaboration with IIT-Kanpur. Officials said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which was approached for guidance, has submitted a pilot study on the tower to the Supreme Court and is awaiting further directions (HT Archive) The decision was taken in DPCC's latest board meeting July 18, which also discussed conducting detailed audits of five-star hotels in the city to assess their groundwater consumption and reuse of treated water. Set up near Rouse Avenue in 2021, the super-site had been managed by IIT-Kanpur under a Delhi government MoU until November 2023. After the collaboration ended, officials said the government chose not to renew the partnership, citing dissatisfaction with the institute's 'methodology'. Since then, the infrastructure — including high-end equipment such as state-of-the-art air analysers, forecasting models and data dashboard and even a mobile van — has remained idle while DPCC searched for a new institutional partner. Delhi has long struggled to accurately pinpoint what is polluting its air and where it's coming from. Source-apportionment studies by IIT Kanpur in 2016 and by the The Energy and Resources Institute in 2018 are outdated, while the Decision Support System (DSS) -- which gives estimated contribution, too relies on an outdated emissions inventory. Despite multiple efforts by different agencies, including a city-specific source apportionment model by IIT-Kanpur and a broader Decision Support System (DSS) by IITM and the Centre's ministry of earth sciences, pollution control measures continue to rely on reactive strategies instead of real-time, localised data. 'The board had earlier directed that CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) be pursued to develop a well-validated methodology through national-level experts. The board desired that the environment department be kept informed about the progress. It was decided that the running of the super-site and mobile lab be expedited in consultation with all at the earliest,' the DPCC's board minutes dated July 31 stated. The minutes further note that DPCC is now in the process of formally collaborating with IITM Pune to operate the supersite and restart source apportionment studies. To be sure, IITM is already a key player in Delhi's pollution forecasting ecosystem. It operates the DSS — which estimates the sources of pollution in NCR on a near-real-time basis — and the Early Warning System (EWS), which predicts AQI levels in the coming days. The meeting also touched on the fate of the 'smog tower' installed at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in 2020, following a Supreme Court directive. Operational through 2021 and 2022, the tower has remained shut since the winter of 2023. Officials said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which was approached for guidance, has submitted a pilot study on the tower to the Supreme Court and is awaiting further directions. 'It is informed that the CPCB has filed an IIT pilot study report on the smog tower before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India… and their (SC's) decision is awaited,' the minutes noted. Meanwhile, DPCC will also initiate on-ground verification of how five-star hotels in Delhi are using water — especially whether they have separate pipelines for treated and fresh water. In a February meeting, 40 hotels were asked to submit self-declared water mass balance statements. The data showed that 760 kilolitres per day (KLD) of treated water was being discharged into sewers, while the rest was being used for non-potable purposes like flushing and horticulture. Over half (54%) of their total water demand was being met by fresh groundwater. 'Ground reality needs to be verified by the DPCC. Hotels may not have separate pipelines for flushing, etc., which need to be checked during inspection. A proper report needs to be prepared for the analysis of water consumption. It was decided that a few hotels be audited in detail for the purpose of study (not for regulatory purposes),' the board minutes stated.
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
ERAG Energie & Rohstoff AG Announces Acquisition of Shares of Belmont Resources Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ERAG Energie & Rohstoff AG PCC (the 'Acquiror), a private investment a private investment holding company incorporated in Liechtenstein, announces that on July 17, 2025, the Acquiror, along with two joint actors HMS Bergbau AG ('HMS') and LaVo Verwaltungsgesellschaft MBH ('LaVo'), acquired Common Shares of Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BEA) (the 'Issuer'). The Issuer completed a private placement of Common Shares, issuing a total of 26,300,00 shares at a price of $0.045 per share for proceeds of $1,183,500 (the 'Private Placement'). Under the Private Placement, the Acquiror purchased 4,000,000 Common Shares, HMS purchased 15,000,000 Common Shares and LaVo purchased 7,300,000 Common Shares. The Private Placement was the second tranche of a larger private placement in which the Issuer issued a total of 30,300,000 Common Shares. Immediately prior to the closing of the Private Placement, the Acquiror held 14,000,000 Common Shares of the Issuer and HMS held 9,200,000 Common Shares of the Issuer, for a total combined holding of 23,200,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 21.8% of the Issuer's issued and outstanding Shares . As a result of the completion of the Private Placement, the Acquiror now holds 18,000,000 Common Shares, HMS holds 24,200,000 Common Shares and LaVo holds 7,300,000 Common Shares, for combined holdings of 49,500,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 37.4% of the Issuer's issued and outstanding Common Shares. The Acquiror, HMS and LaVo purchased Common Shares under the Private Placement for business and investment purposes. The Acquiror, HMS and LaVo may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease their beneficial ownership of or control or direction over the Issuer's securities, whether in the open market, by privately negotiated agreements or otherwise, subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and other available investment and business opportunities. The Acquiror has filed an Early Warning Report pursuant to National Instrument 62-103F1 The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues describing the above transaction with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. To obtain a copy of the early warning report filed by the Acquiror, please contact the Acquiror c/o Gritt Bürger at +41 79 214 1614 or refer to the Company's SEDAR+ profile at . ERAG Energie & Rohstoff AG PCC Concordanz Anstalt Austrasse 42 9490 Vaduz Liechtenstein Gritt Bürger, Director finance@
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Briefing given to CM Maryam: Monsoon rains: at least 108 killed, 388 injured
LAHORE: As many as 108 precious human lives were lost in Punjab during the monsoon out of which 80 people died due to collapse of walls, roofs, etc while 10 people lost their lives due to electrocution. Five people lost their lives due to lightning while13 people were drowned due to careless bathing in canals. About 388 citizens were injured due to collapse of roofs and walls in Punjab, while 8 people were affected by electrocution. This was revealed in a briefing given to the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif who reached PDMA Headquarters. The CM was briefed for three hours on the situation of rains and floods in Punjab. She was apprised about the pre-emptive measures being taken to cope up with the hazards of monsoon spell. She visited the central control room of PDMA. A briefing was given on the Flood Forecast Division, International Weather Portal, Simulation Model, Early Warning System. The Chief Minister observed the working of the central control room and interacted with the representatives of various departments working in the control room. DG PDMA also apprised about the situation of rivers, dams and barrages in Punjab. DG Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Ali Kathia gave a detailed briefing to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. It was informed in the briefing that 1063 people were rescued by taking immediate action during the torrential rains and flash floods. People trapped in the rainwater in Jhelum and Chakwal were rescued in 23 minutes. On receiving a tip-off, NDMA was contacted and an army helicopter was called. The victims were shifted to safe places for an average of 15 minutes. 'No one died during the rains due to negligence of any person or government institutions. Six people stranded in a flood torrent in Rawalpindi district were rescued by a helicopter. The district administration and Rescue 1122 rescued 450 people in Rawalpindi district. 27 people were rescued by a helicopter in Chakwal district,' the CM was briefed. The briefing further informed that Rescue 1122 saved the lives of 182 people in Chakwal district. 160 people were rescued by a helicopter in Jhelum district. In Jhelum district, Rescue 1122 took timely action and rescued 174 people and Pak Army rescued 64 people. The second major spell of rains in Punjab is likely to start from July 21. The PDMA control room has made it possible to contact every house in different areas of 20 districts of Punjab. During July, August and September, Punjab is expected to receive 25 percent excess rain in general and 40 to 60 percent in 16 districts. The situation of the river in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur is normal. It was further informed in the briefing that as soon as the information was received that the people were going home in the rainwater, the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner went there late at night and monitored the relief operations. 200 life jackets, 100 life rings and 10 boats are available to protect the flood affected citizens. Due to desalting, water was drained from the low-lying areas of Rawalpindi in a few hours. The Irrigation Department, WASA, Municipal Committee and Corporation have desalted 22522 kilometers of rivers and canals across Punjab. Special attention was given to eliminating encroachments in the path of rivers and flood waters across Punjab. 11463 life jackets, 3386 tents, 4450 life rings and 1761 boats have been provided from the warehouses of PDMA to deal with any emergency situation. The briefing further informed that mock exercises, dewatering sets and other equipment were checked in succession before the arrival of monsoon. Every safety embankment was completely inspected across Punjab. 18 relief camps were established in Jhelum, food packets and other essential items were delivered to flood affectees. The Chief Minister monitored a special drone to deliver life jackets to the people trapped in rainwater. She appreciated the performance of DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia and the whole team. She commended the district administration, Rescue 1122, police and other relevant institutions. She also expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Army for assisting in the rescue and relief operations in Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Cision Canada
14-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
STAMPEDE METALS LIMITED - EARLY WARNING PRESS RELEASE
STAKE HILL, Australia, July 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Stampede Metals Limited (" Stampede") of 63 Summerhill Drive, Stake Hill, Western Australia, Australia has filed an early warning report dated July 11, 2025 advising of their holdings in Hawthorn Resources Corp. (the " Issuer"). On July 11, 2025, Stampede acquired ownership of 15,000,000 Common shares in the capital of the Issuer (" Shares") representing approximately 32% of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis. These Shares were forming part of the 15,000,000 units of the Issuer (the " Units") issued to Stampede at a deemed price of $0.27 per Unit for a total deemed consideration of $4,050,000.00 pursuant to the terms and conditions of a share exchange agreement dated May 31, 2025 and as amended on July 7, 2025 (the " Share Exchange Agreement"). Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and on July 11, 2025, the Issuer acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Stampede Metals Corporation, a private Nevada company, from Stampede (the " Acquisition"). Each Unit consists of one Share and 0.566666667 of a contingent value right (a " Contingent Value Right") for an aggregate of 8,500,000 Contingent Value Rights. Each whole Contingent Value Right shall automatically convert, for no further consideration from the holder, into one " Milestone Payment Share" of the Issuer if certain milestone conditions are met. Prior to the Acquisition, Stampede did not own any Shares. Stampede does not have any plans or future intentions to acquire more Shares, other than as a result of the conversion of the Contingent Value Right. This press release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed with regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters (the " Early Warning Report"). A copy of the Early Warning Report will appear with the Issuer's documents on the SEDAR+ website at A copy of the Early Warning Report may also be obtained by contacting the Issuer's head office located at 625 Howe St. Suite 1180, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2T6 (phone: (778) 869-1741).
