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Study revealy 15% area around Mussoorie highly susceptible to landslides

New Delhi (NVI): About 15 per cent of Mussoorie hill station in Uttarakhand and its surrounding area is highly susceptible to landslides, according to a study by the scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG).

Like most hill townships, Mussoorie in Uttarakhand has witnessed several landslides, resulting from an increased spate of developmental activities.

The increased disaster hazard has led scientists to map the landslide susceptibility of the area.

Landslide susceptible map of the Mussoorie Township and its surrounding areas.

It found that the dominant part of the area falling under the very high and high landslide susceptible zone lies in the settlement area — Bhataghat, George Everest, Kempty fall, Khattapani, Library road, Galogidhar, and Hathipaon — and is covered by highly fractured Krol limestone exhibiting slope more than 60 degrees.

According to the researchers, various possible causative factors of landslides in the study area include lithology, landuse-landcover, slope, aspect, curvature, elevation, road-cut drainage, and lineament.

The study was carried out in Mussoorie township and its surroundings covering 84 square km in the Lesser Himalayas.

The researchers from the WIHG carried out the study using Geographic Information System (GIS) and high-resolution satellite imageries.

The study could help initiate a large scale landslide hazard, risk, and vulnerability assessment of the hilly townships in different parts of India, the Ministry of Science and Technology said.

The Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) published in the Journal of Earth System Science also showed that about 29 per cent of the area falls in the moderate landslide susceptible zone and 56 per cent falls in low to very low landslide susceptible zone.

The WIHG team obtained Landslide Occurrence Favourability Score (LOFS) for a particular class of the causal factor of landslide and subsequently calculated the weight of each factor of landslide to finally generate Landslide Susceptible Index (LSI) in GIS platform.

This has been reclassified into five zones using natural break criteria.

-CHK

J&K: Lashkar module busted in Jammu’s Reasi district, 3 held

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces today busted a Laskhar-e-Taiba module in Mahore area of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir and arrested three persons who were in touch with Pakistan-based Lashkar commander Muhammad Qasim, who had exfiltrated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2002, police officials said.

A statement issued by the J&K police said that specific information was received on August 5 at Police Station Mahore that some unknown persons (anti-national elements) in the area were in touch with Lashkar militants based in Pakistan to revive the militancy in Mahore with the intention to wage a war against the country and to disturb the sovereignty and integrity of India.

“On this information, a case FIR NO-63/2020 U/S 120-B,121,122, 123, 124 IPC was registered in police station Mahore and a Special Investigation Team was constituted to investigate the case,” the statement read.

“During the course of investigation, with the help of technical data analysis, support from Army and intelligence Units working in Mahore area and interrogation of suspects by the SIT, it has emerged that Muhammad Qasim who exfiltrated to other side of fence in the year 2002 (and some other youth of the area who are in PaK) working for Laskhar outfit across the border is the mastermind behind the module.”

The police said that the further investigations revealed that Qasim was trying to establish an OGW network so that Lashkar can utilise the new potential either as guides in infiltration or to recruit new ones in militancy from Mahore and adjoining areas, providing logistics support and establishing Lashkar base, facilitate the crossing of militants via various routes that include Rajouri belt, Mahore, Nikin Gali and other areas in Kashmir.

The statement said that three persons identified as Ghulam Hussain, Abdul Aziz, and Ashfaq Ahmed, all residents of Mahore, Reasi have been arrested who were in touch with the said Lashkar commander Qasim via different means.

“Some Benami transactions in different accounts of these suspects has also been detected and some families of slain militants who have received financial aid from ISI have also been identified. During investigation, the involvement of more suspects has been found in this module and investigation in this regard is in progress,” the statement said.

-ARK

Arms, ammo recovered near LoC in north Kashmir’s Baramulla

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition today in a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Boniyar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police officials said.

Acting on a specific tip off, a joint team of Army’s 5 JAT regiment and J&K Police launched a massive CASO in Banalo forest area in Boniyar, Uri in Baramulla district in the morning, they said.

“During the search operation, a huge quantity of arms and ammunition including parts of two AK 47 riffles, two AK Magazines, 74 AK rounds, 10 grenades, one pistol, two radio sets, Pakistani currency worth Rs 4,000 and one pouch was recovered,” they said.

A police official said that a case in this regard has been registered and further investigation has been taken up. They said that since the recovery was made in an area close to the LoC, it seems that the consignment was supposed to be handed over to the militants who were trying to sneak in.

An Army official said that at least 200 to 300 militants are waiting across the LoC on launch pads to infiltrate into this side. “Uri being one of the traditional routes of infiltration is being used by the militants to sneak in. There is a separate Overground Workers’ network that facilitates the arms and ammunition delivery to the newly infiltrated groups of militants,” he said.

Police sources said that the investigations are on to find out who had dumped the arms and ammunition and whether any group of militants had sneaked in to receive the delivery of the same. A new group may also try to cross the LoC in a day or two, they said, adding that “Army has been apprised about the possibility of an infiltration bid in the Uri sector in the next few days.”

-ARK

India extends ban on international flights till Sept 30

Philippines
Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights to and from India has been extended till September 30, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said today.

The regulator, however, stated that it may allow international scheduled flights on selected routes on case-to case-basis.

Meanwhile, special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral air bubble arrangements with other countries since July.

The circular said the suspension does not affect the operation of international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

DGCA had first issued a circular suspending both international and domestic flights on March 26 when the nationwide lockdown was announced in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

After two months of a complete ban on flights, India resumed its domestic flight operations on May 25.

-CHK/ARK

Rajasthan extends lockdown in containment zones till Sept 30

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The Rajasthan government has decided to continue lockdown in containment zones till September 30, amid spurt in COVID-19 cases.

The state government further announced that open-air theatres will be allowed to open from September 21 in accordance with relaxed norms. Besides, inter-state and intra-state travel of people and movement of goods will be allowed from tomorrow.

“Lockdown to remain implemented in containment zones till 30th September. Under relaxed norms, open-air theatres will be allowed to open from September 21. Inter-state and within state travel of individuals and movement of goods permitted,” a notification issued by the state government stated.

This comes after the Centre announced fresh guidelines for ‘Unlock 4’, that will come into effect from September 1. Under the fourth phase of unlock, the government has allowed more activities to resume in areas outside the containment zones.

On August 29, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Unlock 4 guidelines and directed the state governments to not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without consultation with the Centre.

Under the new norms, bars have been allowed to open from September 1 and metro train services across the country will be allowed to resume services from September 7 in a graded manner.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot yesterday directed officials to start operations of Jaipur Metro with all the guidelines issued by the Centre.

However, the coronavirus death toll in Rajasthan hit 1,043 in the last 24 hours, while the total number of cases reached 80,227 in the state.

-RJV

Six people injured in grenade attack in north Kashmir’s Baramulla

Kashmir
Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): At least six civilians were injured today after terrorists lobbed a grenade on an Army convoy moving from Baramulla to Srinagar but it missed the target and exploded in the Azadgunj market area of the north Kashmir district, a police official said.

Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that terrorists hurled a hand-grenade on the convoy moving from Baramulla towards Srinagar, which missed the last vehicle and resulted in injuries to the six civilians.

“The injured have been shifted to District Hospital, Baramulla for treatment. The area has been cordoned off and search operation is in progress,” he said.

A police official said that “all injured are stable.”

A senior doctor at the district hospital Baramulla said that five people sustained injuries of which two were shifted to Srinagar hospital for further treatment.

Soon after the attack, additional forces rushed to the spot and cordoned off the whole area to nab the attackers.

-ARK

‘Wear mask, be safe’

Brazil’s island to reopen only to tourists who’ve had COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): Fernando de Noronha, a tropical island off Brazil, is reopening for tourists, with an unexpected catch, that only people who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to visit the island.

The island, part of a pristine volcanic archipelago is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world that limits tourism to several hundred arrivals per day, closed five months ago to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“To land on the archipelago, the tourist will need to present the result of a positive PCR test that is at least 20 days old, or the result of the serological test showing the presence of antibodies against COVID-19,” the state’s administrator, Guilherme Rocha said.

He did not, however, explain the reasoning behind the local government’s decision to allow only tourists to the island that already had the disease.

In order to visit the island, the results of two types of test – PCR virus tests and IG antibody tests will be accepted if conducted at least 20 days before arrival.

However, a PCR test shows whether someone has the virus; the serological test shows whether the body has already developed antibodies for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the region, known for its pristine beaches, is set to reopen this week, authorities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco said, which includes Fernando de Noronha.

The Island was first closed in March, when the pandemic began to tighten its grip worldwide. It was partially reopened on July 31, for people who had homes in the island as well as local researchers, according to media reports.

Fernando de Noronha, a group of 21 volcanic islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is otherwise a popular tourist getaway in Brazil. Last year, the island was visited by over 1,06,000 people, a majority of whom were from Brazil itself.

Brazil has the second-highest number of virus infections and deaths in the world, after the United States, surpassed 3.8 million and 120,000, respectively.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 36,21,246, after 78,512 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 64,469 after 971 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In the worst-affected Maharashtra, the coronavirus cases climbed to 7,80,689, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 4,24,767 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 4,22,085 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,104

Andhra Pradesh- 4,24,767

Arunachal Pradesh- 4,034

Assam- 1,05,774

Bihar- 1,35,035

Chandigarh- 4,155

Chhattisgarh- 30,092

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,340

Delhi- 1,73,390

Gujarat- 95,009

Goa- 17,004

Haryana– 63,282

Himachal Pradesh- 5,945

Jammu and Kashmir- 37,163

Jharkhand- 38,435

Karnataka- 3,35,928

Kerala- 73,855

Ladakh- 2,638

Madhya Pradesh- 62,433

Maharashtra- 7,80,689

Manipur- 6,112

Meghalaya- 2,343

Mizoram- 1,011

Nagaland- 3,922

Odisha- 1,00,934

Puducherry- 14,127

Punjab- 52,526

Rajasthan- 80,227

Sikkim- 1,627

Tamil Nadu- 4,22,085

Telangana- 1,24,963

Tripura- 11,644

Uttarakhand- 19,235

Uttar Pradesh- 2,25,632

West Bengal – 1,59,785

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 45

Andhra Pradesh- 3,884

Arunachal Pradesh- 7

Assam- 296

Bihar- 578

Chandigarh- 52

Chhattisgarh- 269

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,426

Goa- 183

Gujarat- 3,006

Haryana- 682

Himachal Pradesh- 35

Jammu and Kashmir- 694

Jharkhand- 410

Karnataka- 5,589

Kerala- 287

Ladakh- 34

Madhya Pradesh- 1,374

Maharashtra- 24,399

Manipur- 28

Meghalaya- 10

Nagaland- 9

Odisha- 482

Puducherry- 221

Punjab- 1,404

Rajasthan- 1,043

Sikkim- 3

Tamil Nadu- 7,231

Telangana- 827

Tripura- 103

Uttar Pradesh- 3,423

Uttarakhand- 257

West Bengal- 3,176

However, a total of 27,74,801 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 7,81,975.

-CHK

Pranab Mukherjee’s health deteriorates, in ‘septic shock’

Former President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi (NVI): Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health condition deteriorated since yesterday and he is currently in “septic shock” due to his lung infection, the Army Research and Referral (RR) Hospital said today.

“There is a decline in the medical condition of Hon’ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee since yesterday. He is in septic shock due to his lung infection and is being managed by team of specialists. He continues to be in deep coma and on ventilator support,” a statement from hospital said.

Mukherjee was admitted to the hospital on August 10 and underwent a life-saving surgery to remove a blood clot in brain. He had tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the surgery.

His health parameters are being monitored by a team of specialists at the hospital. He later developed a lung infection and kidney dysfunction.

Pranab Mukherjee was a senior Congress leader before he was elected as 13th President of India. He served as President from July 2012 to 2017.

-RJV

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