Latest news with #Sachet
United News of India
27-05-2025
- Climate
- United News of India
Cabinet reviews situation arising due to heavy rains in different parts of Maha
Mumbai, May 27 (UNI) The Maharashtra Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday reviewed the situation arising from heavy rains in the state. At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, a review of heavy rains in the state, water availability in dams, crop situation and preparedness of various agencies related to disaster management was taken. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, Women & Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, Sports & Youth Welfare Dattatray Bharane, Employment Guarantee Minister Bharat Gogavale, Fisheries & Ports Development Minister Nilesh Rane participated in the discussion. Fadnavis gave instructions to conduct immediate damage assessment of agriculture and houses and provide compensation. Principal Secretary of the Relief & Rehabilitation Department Sonia Sethi informed that the State Emergency Operation Centre has been equipped with a state-of-the-art communication system and DSS (Decision Support System) that analyses disaster information. She further informed that rain and lightning alert messages are being given through the 'Sachet' system. Nineteen crore mobile short messages were sent through it. Apart from this, four teams of the State Disaster Response Force have been kept ready, two in Nagpur and two in Dhule. The teams to be deployed in Nanded have left from Dhule. The teams to be deployed in Gadchiroli are leaving from Nagpur. Along with this, the State Disaster Response Force units have been kept ready, said Ms Sethi. Eight people have died in the state due to lightning, wall collapse, tree fall and drowning. While two people have been injured. CM Fadnavis also directed that necessary assistance and financial assistance be provided immediately to the relatives of these deceased. Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department Deepak Kapoor informed that the water storage in the reservoir of the Ujani Dam has increased by 11 TMC. Principal Secretary of the Water Supply & Sanitation Department Sanjay Khandare informed that due to rains in the last four days, the number of tankers in the state has decreased to some extent, however, water is still being supplied by tankers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. UNI VKB SS
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Issue orange alerts too: IMD to state disaster mgmt
1 2 Ranchi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi, urged the state disaster management authority (SDMA) to broadcast messages for orange alerts too. At present, the SDMA issues alert only when IMD gives red warning. Red warning means people should take action for safety, orange signifies that they should be alert, and yellow for staying watchful. The IMD spreads information related to weather through various modes, including the Sachet and Damini apps, bulk messages to SDMA through telecom companies, Kirshi Vigyan Kendras, common service centers and farmer's call centres. The warnings related to a particular area are sent to the mobile phone numbers registered in that area. Orange and red alerts were sent till 2024. The incharge of IMD- Ranchi, Abhsihek Anand, said, "It would be safer if yellow and orange alerts are also broadcasted through mobile phones. Lightning, thundering, and gusty wind predicted during yellow and orange alerts could lead to loss of life and requests have been sent by the IMD in other states also." SDMA secretary Rajesh Sharma said, "We have asked the IMD-Ranchi for an example when the orange alert have led to losses. The issue of messaging alerts would be decided by the National Disaster Management Authority. Once we get an example, we will send a request to the NDMA for issuing orange alerts also." The state is experiencing thunder, lightning, and gusty win for the past several days, which has killed dozens of people, damaged houses and uprooted trees.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Lightning deaths rise as early warning apps fail to serve: Study
BHUBANESWAR : Lightning detection and early warning mechanisms like Damini, Sachet and Mausam have failed to make a positive impact in curbing deaths due to the calamity due to lack of effective outreach, relaying timely alerts to the common people, a new study has concluded. The study findings came on Friday when the state recorded at least 13 lightning deaths in six districts. The study conducted under the lightning monitoring awareness programme of Fakir Mohan University found 48 human fatalities and 86 cattle deaths during March-May period, which is around 18 per cent (pc) of Odisha's average annual lightningrelated fatalities. Koraput reported the highest 13 deaths, followed by seven from Mayurbhanj, six each from Ganjam and Nabarangpur, four from Rayagada, three each from Angul, Balasore, Bargarh and Sundargarh, two each from Puri, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi and Balangir. The data shows over 80 pc of fatalities took place in open environments or kutcha structures and 90 pc between 2 pm and 7 pm. The maximum 17 deaths were recorded while people were standing under trees, six each in agricultural fields and while riding two-wheelers and five deaths inside cow shelters/ shrimp ponds. 'The existing outreach mechanisms that leverage improvement in lightning detection and early warning applications seem to have failed to serve the last-mile rural population as most of the victims are below the poverty line and out of the digital early warning systems,' said lead author Prof Manoranjan Mishra. The researchers said the awareness campaigns that focus on 'Do's and Don'ts' will remain ineffective unless they are carried out physically through the local governance structures like the extension officers, teachers in schools, Anganwadi workers, and panchayat members.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Lightning safety programme to give early & accurate warnings
1 2 Lucknow: With over 45 lives lost in the last week's unseasonal rainfall and thunderstorms, the state govt is planning to bolster district-level emergency operation centres and launch a lightning safety programme to educate the public about life-saving practices during extreme weather conditions. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed departments to ensure that timely alerts are issued ahead of severe weather activity. Public awareness campaigns focusing on educating people about precautionary measures, especially during lightning and storm events, are to be carried out at the earliest. "There have been unexpected and extreme weather events during the peak summer month of May, including unseasonal rainfall, strong winds, hailstorms and lightning strikes. Keeping this in mind, the govt is stepping up its efforts to minimise damage and safeguard lives and property across the state," said a govt spokesperson. With the full monsoon season, from June to Sept, still ahead, the govt is adopting a proactive and comprehensive strategy to reduce disaster-related casualties and damage, he added. Under the awareness campaigns, citizens are being advised to stay indoors during adverse weather, avoid open fields, tall trees, metal structures and water sources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nagelpilz: Dieses Gerät ist Pflicht in jedem Haushalt! Heilratgeber Weiterlesen Undo They are also being urged to download safety apps like Damini or Sachet for real-time weather updates. Emergency helpline numbers for immediate assistance are also being actively promoted. Recognising that climate-related disasters are no longer confined to the monsoon season, the govt is working to strengthen its disaster management infrastructure, like upgrading the district-level emergency operation centres and launching a lightning safety programme. In addition to early warnings and preparedness, the govt is also working to provide swift post-disaster support. "Families affected by weather-related tragedies are being provided both emotional and financial assistance without delay, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis," the official said. Meanwhile, the weather department is working on setting up a lightning detection system. The State Disaster Management Authority will be installing an advanced lightning detection system across the state using Time of Arrival (TOA) technology. This system is more accurate in predicting the time and location of lightning strikes.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Sunday Read: Hacker-proofing hacks
cybersecurity measures Information verification Encrypted communication Social media safety Password management The public is urged to exercise caution with online information, boost digital hygiene, and prepare for emergencies and protect themselves and families from cyber attacks –Chetan Anand, National Cybersecurity Scholar In response to escalating cyber threats, the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), in collaboration with National Cyber Security Scholars, has released a new advisory outlining practical. The advisory aims to offer actionable best practices to help individuals and organisations prevent attacks and mitigate their impact.'Given the critical situation the country is facing, it is a matter of immense commitment that our National Cyber Security Scholars have stepped up and volunteered to provide this cyber security advisory,' said Group Captain Aanand Naidu Pola (Retd) Executive Director, ISAC. Chetan Anand, National Cybersecurity Scholar and Cyber Crime Intervention Officer said the advisory addresses emerging cyber threats targeting individuals, networks, and critical infrastructure. 'The public is urged to exercise caution with online information, boost digital hygiene, and prepare for emergencies and protect themselves and families from cyber attacks,' he advisory stresses the importance of verifying all information related to the ongoing conflict, especially content that involves the armed forces, terrorist activities, or government advisories. Citizens are warned against blindly trusting WhatsApp forwards, suspicious links, and PDFs circulated through instant messaging apps. 'There is a high chance of misinformation and psychological propaganda aimed at causing panic or demoralising the public and armed forces,' the advisory states. To combat fake news and disinformation, citizens are encouraged to fact-check before forwarding or sharing any message. Perplexity AI has launched a fact-checking WhatsApp chatbot where users can forward questionable content to +1 (833) 436-3285 for people are urged to install official government apps like NDMA's Sachet and MyGov- and also diaster warning apps and first responder in offline maps from Google Maps to prepare for potential communication outages. In terms of communication and data security, the advisory recommends using encrypted messengers such as Signal, Bridgefy, and CopConnect to ensure private and secure communication, especially during network are also advised to store sensitive documents—such as ID proofs, digital health records, and bank data—on encrypted USB drives or secure cloud services, with strong passwords safeguarding media users have been cautioned to avoid engaging with unverified influencers or handles that might spread falsehoods. It is advised to keep handy the social media handles of local police station/ Police commissioner law enforcement to report disruptive posts. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or QR codes, and refrain from forwarding and clicking suspicious or unknown advisory places particular emphasis on password management, advocating the use of good offline password managers in place such as KeePass or PasswordSafe instead of online alternatives vulnerable to breaches. It recommends using different passwords for each platform and updating them frequently. Employees in government and critical infrastructure sectors have been strongly advised to immediately change their banking and email passwords to minimize damage from potential cyber security is another critical area. Users are asked to remove unnecessary and unused apps and content, keep operating systems and apps updated with the latest security patches, Enable access control (fingerprint/PIN/password), and protect their devices with licenced antivirus software. Keep away from the banned appsUsers are advised to stay away from free Wi-Fi available in public places. Connect to a corporate network using VPN, if available. Avoid sharing wi-fi or hotspots with the possibility of power and network failures, users are urged to conserve battery by turning off non-essential features like Wi-Fi and hotspot when not in use, using solar chargers or power banks, and limiting social media and streaming are urged to avoid scanning QR codes in unfamiliar places, rely only on official payment apps like BHIM, PhonePe etc with added access controls such as PIN or biometrics, and keep limited cash reserves at home to fall back on during digital disruptions. Use offline banking and UPI options cautiously.-For emergency preparedness, the public is asked to maintain medical prescriptions, stock essential medications, keep emergency contacts written down, and store health insurance documents.'Citizens should pre-identify safe assembly areas within their communities and practice mindfulness to stay calm and alert,' reads the residing near military zones must act responsibly and refrain from sharing any digital content or social media updates related to troop researchers and professionals working in critical infrastructure sectors must exercise heightened digital vigilance to safeguard sensitive case of cybercrime, individuals are advised to report incidents via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ( or call the helpline 1930, apart from visiting their local police station.
