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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
‘Over 3K natural disaster deaths in 2024-25'
The number of people that died on account of natural disasters (including extreme weather events) was 3080 in 2024-25, the highest since 2013-14 according to a provisional estimate of the number from the Disaster Management (DM) division of the home affairs ministry, although the number is likely to be a significant underestimate, if past trend data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is any indication. The 3080 number was published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on June 5 in its annual compilation of environment-related statistics in the EnviStats report. This number is 18% more than the provisional number for 2023-24; and the highest since 2013-14, when it r was 5,677. In fact, the 2024-25 figure is the fourth highest figure since 2001-02, the earliest year for which the EnviStats report gives data. To be sure, the DM division numbers compiled in the EnviStats report are a gross under-estimate of total deaths from natural disasters in India. The latter is available from the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which was last published in 2023 for the year 2022. ADSI data – also compiled in the EnviStats report – shows that there were an average 7,526 deaths due to natural disasters in each of the five years ending 2022, of which 2,772 deaths were just from lightning and another 2,034 deaths were filed under a non-specific head. In all the five years from 2018 to 2022, total natural disaster deaths were at least 6,891 and lightning and miscellaneous deaths at least 2,357 and 1,706 respectively. Therefore, the provisional estimate for 2024-25 cited above makes sense only if these two are excluded. To be sure, only DM division numbers have been compared above for the 2001-02 to 2024-25 period. The DM division numbers also show that while human deaths were at an 11-year high in 2024-25, this was not the case with the number of houses damaged or cattle lost or cropped area affected. The loss of 61,960 cattle in 2024-25 is 48% less than in 2023-24 and ranked only 10th highest since 2001-02. The number of houses damaged – 3,64,124 -- was 2.6 times that in 2023-24, but ranked fifth lowest since 2001-02. Similarly, 1.42 million hectares of cropped area affected was 6% more than in 2023-24, but the area is second lowest since 2001-02.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Stampede deaths: Individual preparedness crucial for safety in public spaces, say doctors
The stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here, on June 4, during which 11 people died and 47 were injured, draws painful echoes of large-scale crowd disasters which took place during events such as the Maha Kumbh Mela. While the incidents highlight the perilous combination of fan fervour and poor planning, safety in public spaces also requires individual preparedness, say doctors. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which was last published in 2022, India arguably has a record of the highest number of stampedes and resultant injuries and fatalities. Between 1996 and 2022, India recorded 3,935 stampedes, resulting in more than 3,000 recorded deaths. During a stampede, people often die not due to trampling, but from a condition called compressive asphyxia, where pressure on the chest prevents normal breathing. A crowd density exceeding six to seven people per square metre can significantly impede movement and breathing, potentially leading to severe oxygen deprivation and death, say doctors. Who's at risk? Sunil Kumar K., lead consultant, interventional pulmonology at Aster CMI Hospital, said that crowded public gatherings can turn hazardous, especially for those with underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 'Even before a full-blown stampede occurs, the dense human congestion can drastically reduce oxygen availability and increase carbon dioxide inhalation, triggering acute respiratory distress. Individuals in such a situation can experience a surge in panic, heat, and low ventilation, precipitating into a life-threatening illness within minutes,' Dr. Kumar said. Pointing out that people with compromised lungs are especially at risk in these scenarios because they already operate with limited respiratory reserve, the doctor said early symptoms might present as breathlessness, chest tightness, wheezing, or dizziness, which are often mistaken as anxiety. Stressing that safety in public spaces requires individual preparedness as well, he said it is advisable that people with asthma or COPD always carry their rescue inhaler or prescribed medication when attending public events. 'It is also advisable to stay close to exits, to allow for a quick escape if needed,' he said. Compressive asphyxia Ravindra Mehta, senior consultant and head of pulmonology, interventional pulmonology, and sleep medicine at Apollo Hospitals, stated that during a stampede, many people may fall and get trampled. Still, the most common cause of death is compressive asphyxia. This is a dangerous condition that occurs when breathing is prevented in an individual by external pressure on the body, and this is what happened during the stampede on June 4. 'Low oxygen, chest trauma, rib trauma, air leaking around the lungs, bleeding in that area, abdominal bleeding coupled with pain are known to cause major problems. All of these can lead to lung and heart issues. That is why death and demise are known to happen in a stampede,' he said. 'Moreover, there can be a vasovagal reaction—when you are in intense fear and pain, there can be a cardiac arrest secondary to that,' he said. 'Stay upright and try to minimise chest compression by bracing a surface or wall. Whenever a person senses danger, he/she should try to move away from the crowd or try to reach an open space'Ravindra MehtaPulmonologist 'Do not panic' Sachin Kumar, director, pulmonology and critical care medicine at Sakra World Hospital, said it is advisable not to scream in panic as it can increase the fear within the individual and lead to confusion. 'Stay upright and try to minimise chest compression by bracing a surface or wall. Whenever a person senses danger, he/she should try to move away from the crowd, or try to reach an open space,' he said. 'Pushing against an individual leads to hindrance in the expansion of the lungs, resulting in a drop in oxygen and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. Due to the body's response towards lack of oxygen and compression of the chest, one becomes unconscious,' he added.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TN congressman criticized for social media post about Nashville Community Review Board
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Nashville Community Review Board called out U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) for what the executive director described as a 'reckless' social media post amid the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Ogles claimed the board was protecting 'illegal aliens,' and now the board said it's getting 'ugly' calls from people across the country. The 'public safety operation' involving ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol has led to at least 196 arrests in Nashville this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security. 'A lot of these immigrants are here working, whether they're here legally or what,' Walker Holloway said. Nashville criticized for sharing ICE interactions That is how the NCRB — which serves as an independent oversight committee for the Metro Nashville Police Department — opened its meeting on Wednesday, May 28. Earlier this month, the government organization posted a video on its social media pages that said, 'If you believe you experienced or witnessed [an] immigration related event involving MNPD officers, then you can file a complaint through the NCRB.' Officials included the phone number for the confidential complaint line. Ogles shared a picture of the post on X, writing, 'This is on Nashville's official website. This is a flagrant protection of illegal aliens. We need to investigate this immediately.' 'I felt really strongly that this information and how it was retweeted was reckless, in my opinion. It could have caused more harm,' Jill Fitcheard, executive director for the NCRB, said. Congressman Andy Ogles confirms federal investigation into Nashville mayor's office over illegal immigration According to Fitcheard, that's when her office received more than 55 phone calls. 'The first calls that we got were from maybe 10 or 12 people who seemed to be local…but the next calls that came in, and they just kept coming in, were mostly people who did not live in Tennessee or live in Nashville, and they said a lot of ugly things, and some of my staff members were really concerned,' Fitcheard said. Meanwhile, Ogles announced on Monday, May 26 that there will be a federal investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for allegedly 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigration, without providing proof, prompting criticism from immigrant rights groups. The congressman, along with several Tennessee elected officials and representatives from law enforcement agencies, announced the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees will look into the mayor, his conduct, and whether or not the city used federal dollars 'in criminal enterprise' related to immigration. Tennessee Republican lawmakers urge local police to work with ICE, help with deportations 'So when a mayor stands up and is defending those types of individuals over our hard-working law enforcement, Homeland Security, ICE, THP, the sheriff's department in the city, he's choosing criminals over Tennesseans,' Ogles said on Monday. 'The mayor has nothing to hide,' Holloway said. Less than two weeks before Ogles confirmed the federal investigation into O'Connell, the mayor stood firm against claims that he and other Metro leaders obstructed ICE agents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
Cops bypass tougher BNS section on vehicle thefts as law lost in translation
Hyderabad: Call it lack of awareness or difference in interpretation, cops in Telangana are yet to use the more stringent provision for vehicle thefts under BNS, defeating the very purpose of having a tougher law to deter crime. The state with over 7,500 vehicle thefts annually is among the top 10 in the country, as per NCRB figures. Though it has been 10 months since the new criminal laws were implemented across the country, there seems to be no uniformity in enforcement in states. In the case of vehicle thefts, cops in Delhi and a few other states are using section 305 (b) of BNS – specifically meant for it – which carries a maximum sentence of seven years and a fine. But many states, including Telangana, are applying a more lenient section 303(2) of BNS (meant for general thefts) – it provides for a maximum sentence of only three years. Anyone charged under under BNS section 303 (2) can easily walk out on station bail and even if jailed, is out in about a year. But under section 305 (b), though he is still eligible for station bail, the accused faces a mandatory fine and is likely to get more prison time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tem rota inédita na Azul Azul Clique aqui Undo A quick look at two recent two-wheeler theft reports this month in New Delhi revealed that cops there had applied section 305 (b). But on Sunday, when car driver Opender Singh Bhadau (48) lodged a complaint with Banjara Hills police about his bike being stolen from in front of his house, cops registered a case under BNS section 303(2) "We were told to use the equivalent section in IPC while registering an FIR under BNS sections. In IPC, section 379 was used for vehicle thefts and its equivalent is 303 (2) in BNS. But BNS section 305 is equivalent to 380 of IPC, which for something stolen from a building," a station house officer (SHO) in city said. The answer may lie in the sub-sections. As the SHO said, IPC section 380 is equivalent to BNS section 305 (a) (theft in a building, tent, or vessel used as a human dwelling or used for the custody of property), but BNS 305 has other sub-sections (b-e) that wasn't available under IPC. The subsection in question here is BNS section 305 (b) which applies to "whoever commits theft of any means of transport used for the transport of goods or passengers". This too has been interpreted by cops in the state differently. "Section 305 (b) should be used for vehicle thefts. But whether it applies to commercial transport vehicles such as autos, cabs, cargo vans and trucks or also applies to personal vehicles needs to be verified," said a senior police official. Naveed Mehmood Ahmad, a senior resident fellow and lead with the Crime and Punishment team at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Delhi, said, "Section 305 (b) specifically mentions theft of any means of transport, which was not there in IPC. Also, BNS looks at vehicle theft more seriously with higher punishment than what is prescribed under 303. So, it is appropriate to use 305 (b) instead of 303, which is a general section for theft. Otherwise, the intent of the law is lost." Also, under section 176 (3) of BNSS, in any offence which is punishable for seven years or more, a forensic expert's visit and videography of the crime scene is required. In vehicle theft cases, crime scene videography is being done by the police implementing 305 (b). This is aimed at increasing the conviction rate, but by booking cases under BNS 303 (2), videography gets omitted.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No reliable data on heat stroke and heat deaths in India: Experts
New Delhi: There is no reliable data on heatstroke and heat deaths as data-reporting systems are not uniformly strong across the country, experts said on Tuesday. Talking about the impact of extreme heat at the India Heat Summit 2025, organised by research group Climate Trends, Health Ministry Advisor Soumya Swaminathan said deaths are just the tip of the iceberg. "We do not fully count all the deaths attributable to climate hazards or to heat as reporting systems are not uniformly strong across the country," she said. There is a need to strengthen death-reporting systems "because that is the best source for the government, for the policymakers to know ... what people die of is what should inform your policy and that keeps changing from time to time", Swaminathan said. She had earlier told PTI in an interview that India is "most likely" undercounting heat-related deaths due to a lack of robust data. The former chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said data has been sitting in silos and called for the establishment of an environmental health hub , where the ministries of health, environment and earth sciences come together, share data and translate information into action. Swaminathan, however, warned against focusing only on deaths. "It is not just the mortality we need to be fixated on.... (We need to ascertain) the impact on health and productivity. Ultimately, health determines your productivity and impact on the GDP," she said. Chandni Singh, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Human Settlements, said there are challenges in how India records heat deaths and there is no good dataset to refer to. "Currently, there is no nationally representative data on heatstroke and heat-related deaths. One can, however, draw inferences from the existing datasets," she said. The health ministry's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been collecting and reporting heatstroke and heat-death data under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) since 2015. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also maintains data related to heat deaths, sourced from media reports. Apart from this, Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh has cited the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) data on heat deaths in parliamentary replies. All three datasets report different figures for heat-related deaths. For example, according to the NCDC, a total of 3,775 heat-related deaths were reported between 2015 and 2019. During the same period, the NCRB recorded 6,537 heat-related deaths. Swaminathan also said that though the number of heat action plans is increasing, these are developed by a group of experts sitting together, there is very little community consultation that has gone into these and there is very little ground truthing and very little feedback collected. Krishna Vatsa, member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said the country lacks a "very well established academic or technical centre.... A group of people who could help districts prepare heat action plans". "We do not have one designated, proper centre of excellence for dissemination of all the knowledge and expertise," he said. Vatsa said if it were left just to officers to write heat action plans, it would not be very successful and more handholding and technical training were needed.
