Latest news with #cyclone
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
15 years on, kin of missing fishermen still await compensation
Over 15 years after the tragic disappearance of eight fishermen from Kanniyakumari district during Cyclone Phyan in 2009, their families are still awaiting compensation from the government. The affected families say they too deserve relief assistance similar to which was extended to the families of the victims of Cyclone Ockhi in 2017. The mechanised boat owned by J. Rebelon had ventured into the sea on November 11, 2009, and reportedly capsized in the Kerala coastal waters during Cyclone Phyan. While three fishermen on board the boat survived with injuries, eight others went missing. They were identified as S. Mariarajan, S. Dasan, D. Romans, A. Anish, P. Stalin, G. Jimmy Kuttan, all from Thoothoor, J. Sessadimai from Vallavilai and I. John Clittous from Poothurai. The families of five fishermen were provided with ₹2 lakh compensation, each one lakh from Tamil Nadu Fishermen Welfare Board and relief under Group Accident Insurance Scheme. But the families of the remaining fishermen were provided with ₹1 lakh only, since they are not members of the welfare board. However, the families of these fishermen are currently battling to get compensation from the government on a par with the relief given during Cyclone Ockhi. Liba, daughter of Sessadimai, said, it had been over 15 years, but no compensation was provided by the government. 'They said death certificates could be issued after seven days. But even after obtaining the death certificate, the process is still on hold,' she added. Ms. Liba highlighted that the government had declared Cyclone Okhi a natural disaster and provided compensation for the fishermen who went missing. 'This is also the same scenario, that these fishermen also went missing during the cyclone. The only difference is that it has not been declared a natural disaster,' she noted. Asha, sister of Jimmy Kuttan, in her weeping voice said the compensation would be really helpful to the kin of the missing fishermen, as most of them were the earning members of their families. The death of her brother had affected the family, both financially and emotionally, and the family members were planning to sell their house in Thoothoor due to financial difficulties, she added. An official from the Fisheries Department said they had obtained death certificates a few years ago and their petitions were currently under consideration.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
NT government rejects call for federal intervention in Project Caymus US military fuel tank facility
The Northern Territory government has rejected a call for federal regulatory intervention at a beleaguered US military fuel storage facility. The ABC revealed this week that 11 massive tanks on Darwin Harbour were not built to withstand a category three cyclone. Sitting on NT government land, the fuel tanks were also constructed unlawfully without US owner-operator Crowley obtaining a building permit. Dubbed Project Caymus, the facility was announced in 2021 and was meant to be operational in 2023. However, the tanks have never held fuel, in part because water is intruding into their base. An engineering report found if the tanks failed during a cyclone, while operational, up to 200 million litres of flammable and/or combustible liquid could be released. The scenario would have "catastrophic consequences" for people, property and the environment, the report said. Considering the risks referenced in the report, the Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT) has called on the Commonwealth to intervene under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act. "There is an ability, for when there is a significant new event or variation of this nature, for a new environmental impact assessment to be called for," Kirsty Howey, the ECNT's executive director, said. "That should happen immediately and the proponent, the US Department of Defense and its contractors, should want to undertake that process as well so that this project gets some kind of social license." Dr Howey said an environmental impact assessment (EIS) was not undertaken before approval was granted by the NT government. According the NT Environment Protection Authority, it only conducts an EIS if "the proposal has the potential to have a significant impact on the environment". "A lot of these problems could have been avoided had [an environmental impact assessment] occurred from the get-go," she said. Dr Howey also said cyclone risk was not assessed before environmental approval was granted. The NT Minister for Lands Planning and Environment, Josh Burgoyne, dismissed the calls for federal intervention. "This [NT] government has no intention of revoking the project's environmental approval and there is no evidence that any offence under NT environmental laws has occurred, given the tanks remain empty and the use of the facility has not commenced. "The department has been working with Crowley to ensure they provide independent evidence that the tanks meet safety, construction, and environmental standards." An NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment spokesperson said an [EIS] was not required for Project Caymus because "the proposal met the threshold for assessment by the 'referral information' method". "Consistent with the requirements of the [NT] Environment Protection Act 2019," they said. "The NT Environment Protection Authority found that the proposal had the potential to have a significant impact on the environment and made its decision about method of assessment as required under the Act and Regulations." In March, the NT government passed legislation giving a bureaucrat the powers to override dozens of laws to fast-track projects of "economic significance". Under the legislation, the territory coordinator can override regulation associated with the NT Building Act and Environment Protection Act. Asked whether the territory coordinator could remove regulation requirements at Project Caymus to help get the facility operational, NT Attorney-General Marie Clare Boothby said: "That is something he may want to look at." Territory coordinator Stuart Knowles said: "There has been no engagement with the territory coordinator in relation to Project Caymus." The US Department of Defense was contacted for comment and referred the ABC to the Australian government. The Australian Department of Defence did not respond to the ABC's questions by deadline.
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Project Caymus fuel tanks built unlawfully in Darwin for US military not designed to withstand major cyclone
Eleven massive fuel tanks built for the US military to contain 300 million litres of flammable and combustible liquid on Darwin Harbour are not designed to withstand a category three cyclone. The findings are contained in an engineering report and can be revealed after the ABC reported the tanks were constructed unlawfully, without a building permit. Touted in 2021 as a "pivotal project" for US defence operations based out of Australia's north, the $270 million Project Caymus fuel storage facility was meant to be operational by September 2023. The tanks have never held fuel though, in part because water is intruding into their base. US company Crowley owns the facility, having won a US government tender to build it on Northern Territory government land. Two subcontractors which consecutively held the role of lead builder — Australia-based Saunders International and US-based Latitude 63 — have both had its contracts terminated by Crowley. The engineering report, obtained by the ABC, was completed in December 2023 by the project's building certifier at the time, Darwin firm Acer Forester. It was commissioned by Latitude 63 and based on advice from the principal structural engineer at Adelaide-based company Fyfe. The report includes an assessment of the "importance level" for the tanks, as per the National Construction Code (NCC). An importance level is designated for all structures in Australia and is based on the consequences of a structure failing during a natural disaster such as a cyclone. The report shows the tanks on Darwin Harbour should be classed at importance level four, the highest classification, for structures "containing hazardous materials capable of causing hazardous conditions that extend beyond property boundaries". Instead, the tanks were initially designed at importance level two, the classification for a car garage, shed or suburban backyard workshop. And before construction began, the plans were altered to reduce the tanks' wind durability below importance level one. "[Crowley] specified that the tanks be designed at a design wind speed of [249.5 kilometres per hour]," the advice from Fyfe said. "However, the tank[s] were designed to a [193.5 kilometres per hour] design wind speed. "This error was embedded within the Saunders International computer calculations, where it would have been difficult for [Crowley] to discover." According to the Bureau of Meteorology, gusts during a category three cyclone can reach up to 224 kilometres per hour. In 1974, Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy destroyed Darwin with wind gusts reaching 217 kilometres per hour before wind-recording instruments failed. A cyclone has not hit Darwin since construction began on the Project Caymus fuel tanks. The report also noted that an April 2023 document prepared by Saunders that "certifies" the design of the tanks was "not acceptable". Saunders International did not respond to specific questions from the ABC about issues raised in the report. Instead, it provided a statement saying: "Saunders left the site in April 2023, having completed construction contract requirements in full compliance with relevant codes, practices and permits." "The tanks were constructed to the specifications provided by the owner and their appointed engineer," the statement said. "We refer you to Crowley, the owner and operator, for any further inquiries." In the report, Fyfe also advised of the dangers associated with the tanks' inadequate design. "Failure of the tanks in a cyclonic wind event could result in over 200 million litres of flammable and/or combustible liquid becoming uncontained," the report said. "[This would cause] hazardous conditions beyond the property boundaries and to significant population areas and strategic facilities. "[It would] have catastrophic consequences on people, property and the environment." In its findings, Acer Forester said the lives of Darwin residents would be at risk if the tanks failed during a cyclone while operational. "The impact on the public (including environmental damage) would be at least substantial, if not extreme." In a statement, Latitude 63 said it presented the report to Crowley, which subsequently "removed Acer Forester from the project". Latitude 63 said Crowley also amended their contract "to remove responsibility for project certification". Latitude 63 said it continued to "fulfil its remaining obligations within the revised scope of work", but was ultimately also removed from Project Caymus by Crowley. Crowley said it was "continuing to work closely with the Northern Territory government to ensure the … facility is constructed in compliance with all relevant safety, construction and environmental standards". "Throughout the design and construction process, Crowley has confirmed that all required approvals will be obtained from the Northern Territory government and other relevant authorities prior to the start of operations," its statement said. The NT Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment said it was "working with Crowley for it to provide independent verification of the required safety, construction, and environmental standards and considerations". "This independent evidence is necessary to determine that the tanks meet Australian standards that will ensure the project can be completed and operated," the department said in a statement. The NT government has never taken action against Crowley for starting and continuing construction at Project Caymus without a building permit.
7NEWS
26-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Woman charged and items found in major breakthrough in search for missing Bundy teen Phoebe Bishop
Queensland Police have charged a woman and seized several items during the search for missing teenager Pheobe Bishop, prompting investigators to expand the search zone. The 33-year-old woman was arrested in Milbank on May 25 and has been charged with two counts of authority required to possess explosives, and one count each of possessing/acquiring restricted items and unlawful possession of weapons, police said. During a search of a grey Hyundai ix35 and a Gin Gin home, a shortened firearm, ammunition, and two replica handguns were located, police confirmed. The woman has been refused police bail and is due to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday. Separately, police also located items in the Good Night Scrub area that 'are believed to be linked to the investigation' and are now undergoing forensic examination, police said. 'The items located can't be disclosed as this could impact the investigation and the items are currently undergoing forensic examination,' police said. Pheobe, 17, was reported missing 11 days ago, with her disappearance sparking a major search operation in the remote bushland area west of Bundaberg. Detectives have now widened the search zone after recent developments indicated some evidence may have been moved before officers arrived on scene. 'Some key materials may have been moved from the Good Night Scrub area prior to police arrival,' investigators said. Authorities are again calling for public assistance, asking anyone with relevant information to come forward. 'Detectives are now appealing to anyone with information, vision or sightings of a grey Hyundai ix35 between May 15 to 18 in the greater Gin Gin area to contact police,' a spokesperson added. The teenager was due to catch a flight to Western Australia on May 15, but she never made it to Bundaberg Airport. 'As we enter day 11 of Pheobe still not being home our numbness to our tears, to our hearts breaking and this hell is heavy,' her mother Kylie Johnson said on Monday morning. 'Not knowing what to say, what to do or even how to continue to live in this cyclone of uncertainty. 'The tears come, the anger and frustrations come and most of all our hearts are shattering more and more each day.' The statements come as cadaver dogs have reportedly been brought in to help locate the missing Bundaberg teen. Police searched bushland in the Good Night Scrub National Park on Sunday, after expanding the search area on Friday. This included the national park near Gin Gin, where forensic teams have been spotted collecting and bagging items. Firefighters, SES crews and specialist police, including police divers, have been searching remote areas near Good Night, deploying drones to scan dense scrub and creek beds. 'Obviously, as time goes by, police have greater concerns as to her disappearance,' Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson said. 'There's no specific persons of interest. However, police are following up all avenues of inquiry.' A grey Hyundai ix35, in which Bishop was last seen travelling, has since been seized by police. Bishop had been living with two housemates, Tanika Bromley and James Wood, at a derelict property in Gin Gin, about 40 minutes west of Bundaberg. That property has now been declared a crime scene. Bromley and Wood, who are believed to be in a relationship, have been co-operating with police. Authorities have emphasised that there is no suggestion either is involved in Bishop's disappearance.
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PMD warns of cyclone, heatwave onslaught in upper, central Sindh districts
KARACHI: The country is bracing for two significant weather events as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issues warnings about a developing cyclone in the Arabian Sea and a heatwave affecting the Sindh province. In an alert issued on Wednesday, the PMD reported the formation of a low-pressure area over the east-central Arabian Sea. The system is expected to develop within 12 hours under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation off the coasts of Karnataka and Goa in India. According to the forecaster, the system may intensify into a depression within the next 36 hours and move northward. The Cyclone Warning Centre in Karachi is actively monitoring the system and will provide timely updates. Authorities in coastal regions have been advised to stay on high alert and follow official advisories as the situation develops. At the same time, the PMD has issued a separate advisory for a heatwave expected to grip upper and central districts of Sindh from through May 24. Daytime temperatures in these areas, including Karachi, may rise 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal. The city's forecast indicates hot, humid, and partly cloudy conditions during this period. The PMD has warned of health risks, particularly for children, senior citizens, and outdoor workers. The public is advised to avoid direct sunlight, stay indoors during peak heat hours, and remain well hydrated. Authorities such as the Governor and Chief Secretary of Sindh, Karachi Electric, and local government officials have been notified to take necessary precautions to minimize the impact of both the heatwave and the potential cyclone. The PMD emphasized the importance of staying informed and following safety instructions, noting that both weather events could intensify in the coming days. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to guidance from official sources. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
