Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Home Blog Page 1222

PM holds meeting with CMs over flood situation in different states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra today held a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of six states, to review their preparedness to deal with south-west monsoon and current flood situation in the country.

The states that attended the meeting are Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

During the virtual interaction, the Prime Minister emphasised on extensive use of innovative technologies for improving forecast and warning system, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

He also stressed on better coordination between all central and state agencies to have a permanent system for forecasting of floods, it added.

PM Modi said that over the past few years, our forecasting agencies like India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Central Water Commission (CWC) have been making concerted efforts to make better and more usable flood forecasts. They are trying to provide not only rainfall and river level forecast but also location specific forecast of inundation, he added.

PM Modi also mentioned that investment should be increased in localised early warning system so that people in a particular area can be provided with timely warning in case of any threatening situation such as breach of river embankment, inundation level, lightning etc.

Meanwhile, in view of COVID-19 situation, the Prime Minister emphasized that while undertaking rescue efforts, States must ensure that people follow all health precautions such as wearing of face mask, hand sanitization and maintain adequate physical distance.

And special provisions should be made for elderly people, pregnant women and people with co-morbidity, he said.

PM Modi further conveyed that, States should also ensure that all development and infrastructure projects must be built with resilience to withstand local disasters and to help in reducing consequential losses.

During the meeting, the chief minister’s of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, gave update on the flood situation and rescue efforts being made in their respective states.

They also complimented the efforts of central agencies including NDRF teams in timely deployment and rescuing people and gave some suggestions for short-term and long-term measures for mitigating the effects of floods, the Prime Minister’s office said.

PM Modi further directed the officers of concerned ministries and organisations to take action on the suggestions given by the States and assured that the Centre will continue to provide its support to the States and Union Territories in order to strengthen their capabilities for dealing with various disasters.

However, the meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, both the minister of State in Home Affairs, and senior officers of the concerned central ministries and organisations.

-RJV

Offshore wind industry less impacted by Covid-19; undeterred growth: Report

New Delhi (NVI): The offshore wind industry has been less impacted by Covid-19 as compared to other energy sectors, demonstrating its viability to be a key driver for a global green recovery, finds a new report by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Offshore wind is being seen as a major contributor to post-COVID economic recovery by governments around the world, according to the Global Offshore Wind Report by GWEC.

Offshore wind has been less impacted by the pandemic compared to other energy sectors, as per the GWEC Market Intelligence data. The GWEC report has attributed this to continued growth which would further generate 900,000 jobs in the industry over the next decade.

The report also finds that 2019 was a record year for offshore wind. With 6.1 GW of new capacity added, 2019 was the best year in history for the global offshore wind industry, bringing total global cumulative installations to 29.1 GW.

China remains in the number one spot for the second year in a row for new installations, installing a record 2.4 GW, followed by the UK at 1.8 GW and Germany at 1.1 GW, as per the findings.

Apart from that offshore wind will surge to over 234 GW by 2030, led by Asia-Pacific. GWEC Market Intelligence forecasts that through 2030, more than 205 GW of new offshore wind capacity will be added globally, including at least 6.2 GW of floating offshore wind.

This represents a 15 GW increase from the forecasts in GWEC Market Intelligence’s pre-COVID forecast, demonstrating the resilience of the sector to play a major role in powering both the energy transition and a green recovery, says the report.

In addition to this, technology innovation will be key to driving growth in the sector. Floating offshore wind will reach full commercialisation by 2030 with at least 6 GW installed globally. Turbine technology is also set to improve in both efficiency and resilience, resulting in LCOE reductions and increased adoption.

Other innovations such as Power-to-X will also play a key role in opening new market opportunities for offshore wind and decarbonising our energy systems, the report finds.

-ARK

State of environmental emergency declared in Mauritius after stranded ship leaked oil

(Image credits: @PKJugnauth)

New Delhi (NVI): The island nation of Mauritius has recently declared a “state of environmental emergency” after a vessel that ran aground offshore began leaking oil into the ocean.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced the development as satellite images showed a dark slick spreading in the turquoise waters near environmental areas that the government called ‘very sensitive’.

The Japanese bulk carrier – MV Wakashio – ran aground on a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on July 25 and its crew was evacuated. But the large bulk carrier has since begun leaking tons of fuel into the surrounding waters.

Mauritius said the ship was carrying nearly 4,000 tons of fuel and cracks have appeared in its hull.

Rough seas have hampered efforts to stop fuel leaking from the bulk carrier and is creating an ecological disaster, endangering corals, fish and other marine life around the Indian Ocean island, according to media reports.

MV Wakashio is currently lying at Pointe d’Esny, in an area of wetlands near a marine park.

PM Jugnauth said that his government has appealed to France for help, saying the spill ‘represents a danger’ for the country of some 1.3 million people that relies heavily on tourism and has been hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our country doesn’t have the skills and expertise to refloat stranded ships, so I have appealed for help from France,” he said.

“Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius’ economy, food security and health,” Greenpeace said in a statement.

-CHK

President pays tribute to VV Giri

New Delhi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today paid floral tributes to former President V V Giri, on his 125th birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

V V Giri was born on this day in 1894, was fourth President of India. His tenure lasted from August 26, 1969 to August 24 1974.

Besides the President, the family members of Late V V Giri, officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan also paid tributes to former President.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also took twitter to pay tributes to Late V V Giri and wrote, “Remembering former President Shri V V Giri on his birth anniversary today. Shri Giri believed in simple living and high thinking.”

“He will always be remembered for his contributions to labour rights and social equality,” he added.

-RJV

Pranab Mukherjee tests corona positive

Former President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi (NVI): Former President, Pranab Mukherjee, has tested postive for the novel coronavirus today.

In a tweet he urged all those who have come in contact with him in the last week, to isolate themselves as a precaution and get tested for COVID-19.

“On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19. #CitizenMukherjee,” Mukherjee tweeted.

A number of political leaders in the country have been tested COVID positive in recent times.

They include Union ministers Amit Shah, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Vishvas Sarang, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dharmendra Pradhan, B Sriramulu, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, Agriculture Minister BC Patil and Congress’ leader of the opposition, Siddaramaiah and Karti Chidambaram among others.

The outbreak has affected over 22 lakh people in the country so far.

-CHK

Russia to register world’s first Covid-19 vaccine on Aug 12

Argentina first in Latin America to approve Russian Sputnik V vaccine

New Delhi (NVI): Russia is all set to register world’s first coronavirus vaccine on August 12. The vaccine is jointly developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry.

Russia’s Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev confirmed the development and said the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya centre will be registered on August 12. At present, the last, third stage is underway.

According to Russia’s Health Ministry, the clinical trial data and other documents of the vaccine are currently under expert review. However, the decision on registration will be made based on its results.

Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute, told the state news agency, Sputnik News, that the vaccine used inanimate particles created on the basis of adenovirus.

He added that there are no concerns of the vaccine potentially causing harm to anyone.

Oleg Gridnev also said that the Phase-3 clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine was underway. He added that senior citizens and medical professionals will be the first to get vaccinated.

Moreover, Gintsburg, along with other researchers involved in the manufacturing of the vaccine tried it on themselves first, as per the media reports.

Meanwhile, the industrial production of the vaccine is likely to begin in September, after which a mass vaccination campaign will be launched across the country in October to vaccinate everyone.

Several experts have raised their concerns with the Russian vaccine, including World Health Organization (WHO) and urged Russia to follow established guidelines for producing safe and effective vaccines.

-RJV

Hong Kong media tycoon arrested under national security law

(Pic: Twitter @damon_pang)

New Delhi (NVI): Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media mogul who has been a very vocal critic of Beijing’s increasingly assertive presence in the territory, was arrested today under the new national security law for “colluding” with foreign forces, media reports said.

The Hong Kong Police also raided his newspaper – Apple Daily’s office and arrested some of his associates. Reports in foreign media said that his case is the most high-profile arrest and a jolt to the pro-democracy campaign by several activists in the city, amid protests against China’s controversial security law imposed in June.

The law has also fueled US-China tensions, with a number of countries expressing concern over Beijing’s policies of suppression in Hong Kong.

71-year-old Lai, who also holds UK citizenship, has been charged with illegal assembly and intimidation. Chinese state media has presented him as a “riot supporter” and claimed that his publications have been instigating hatred, spreading rumors for years.

Lai was shown as handcuffed and taken away by Hong Kong police officials from his home this morning. His Apple Daily is the biggest pro-democracy paper in Hong Kong, critical of China and its policies.

Yesterday, Foreign Ministers from the Five Eyes countries issued a joint statement, expressing their concern regarding “the erosion of human rights in Hong Kong.” The statement came after news that Hong Kong postponed its Legislative Council elections and disqualified some opposition candidates.

-ARK

India’s Covid recoveries cross 1.5 million

Covid variant
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India coronavirus recoveries have crossed the historic peak of 1.5 million and stands at 15,35,743, after the country reported highest single day recoveries of 54,859 in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

According to Health Ministry, “The recovery of 15,35,743 patients has been made possible because of the policy of TESTING aggressively, TRACKING comprehensively & TREATING efficiently.”

It said better ambulance services, focus on standard of care and use of non-invasive oxygen have given the desired results.

With this the recovery rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has scaled another height of almost 70 per cent.

The ministry also said that, the record high recoveries have ensured that the actual caseload of the country viz. the active cases has reduced and currently comprises only 28.66 per cent of the total positive cases.

“India has posted more than 9 lakh recoveries than the active cases which stands at 6,34,945,” it added.

Meanwhile, the coordinated efforts of Centre and State/UT governments on early detection through aggressive testing and efficient clinical management of hospitalized cases have shown results with continuously regressing Case Fatality Rate (CRF) which stands at 2 per cent, so far, and steadily declining.

The early identification of cases has also led to steeply falling percentage active cases. It helps to ensure timely and prompt isolation of the mild and moderate cases and hospitalisation of the severe and critical cases thereby leading to effective management of cases.

Notably, the COVID-19 infection still remains concentrated in 10 States that contribute more than 80 per cent of the new cases.

In addition to this, the aggressive testing and tracking through house-to-house surveys and well implemented containment strategies and surveillance in these areas may lead to an initial increase in positive cases.

However, well implemented strategies will ensure it reduces over time.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 22,15,074, after 62,064 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, the death toll stands at 44,386 after 1,007 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

Maharashtra continues to remain the worst affected state in India with 5,15,332 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu (2,96,901), Andhra Pradesh (2,27,860) and Delhi (1,45,427).

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 1,490

Andhra Pradesh- 2,27,860

Arunachal Pradesh- 2,155

Assam- 58,837

Bihar- 79,451

Chandigarh- 1,515

Chhattisgarh- 12,148

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 1,564

Delhi- 1,45,427

Gujarat- 70,965

Goa- 8,712

Haryana– 41,635

Himachal Pradesh- 3,371

Jammu and Kashmir- 24,897

Jharkhand- 18,138

Karnataka- 1,78,087

Kerala- 34,331

Ladakh- 1,688

Madhya Pradesh- 39,025

Maharashtra- 5,15,332

Manipur- 3,753

Meghalaya- 1,062

Mizoram- 620

Nagaland- 2,781

Odisha- 45,927

Puducherry- 5,382

Punjab- 23,903

Rajasthan- 52,497

Sikkim- 866

Tamil Nadu- 2,96,901

Telangana- 80,751

Tripura- 6,208

Uttarakhand- 9,632

Uttar Pradesh- 1,22,609

West Bengal – 95,554

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 20

Andhra Pradesh- 2,036

Arunachal Pradesh- 3

Assam- 145

Bihar- 387

Chandigarh- 25

Chhattisgarh- 96

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,111

Goa- 75

Gujarat- 2,652

Haryana- 483

Himachal Pradesh- 15

Jammu and Kashmir- 472

Jharkhand- 177

Karnataka- 3,198

Kerala- 108

Ladakh- 9

Madhya Pradesh- 996

Maharashtra- 17,757

Manipur- 11

Meghalaya- 6

Nagaland- 8

Odisha- 272

Puducherry- 87

Punjab- 586

Rajasthan- 789

Sikkim- 1

Tamil Nadu- 4,927

Telangana- 637

Tripura- 42

Uttar Pradesh- 2,069

Uttarakhand- 125

West Bengal- 2,059

However, a total of 15,35,743 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 6,34,945.

-CHK

Pak resorts to ceasefire violation along LoC in J&K’s Poonch

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Pakistani Army yet again resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation (CFV) in Balakote sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, by firing mortars and small arms along the Line of Control (LoC), defence officials said today.

They said that at around 10 am, Pakistani rangers fired mortars and small arms in a bid to target forward posts of Indian Army at Mendhar and Poonch sectors. “Our troops gave a befitting reply,” a defence official said, adding that “there was no report of any loss to life or property.”

This is for the 4th time in the past three days that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Balakote sector.

Locals living close to Balakote sectors in Poonch district said panic gripped the area and people locked themselves and their livestock to stay safe,” a group of residents said.

Defence sources said that Pakistan started intense shelling post abrogation of Article 370 last year and continues to resort to frequent unprovoked CFVs in both the regions of Kashmir and Jammu. “The Indian Army has been giving a befitting reply to Pakistan every time it violates ceasefire. Our troops are alert across LoC and are keeping a watch on every attempt made by the neighbor, be it ceasefire violation or an infiltration bid,” they said.

As per the official records, since January this year, over 1,780 ceasefire violations have taken place in J&K, majority of them in  Poonch, Rajouri, RS Pura, Keran, Tangdhar, Machil and Uri sectors of the J&K UT.

An Army official said that it is the Pakistan’s Army that violates the 2003 CF pact every time. “There have been casualties on both sides,” he said, adding that “this year so far, there is a surge in CFV from across the LoC.”

Pertinently, after a long gap of over three decades, the government in the J&K UT has once again started construction of community bunkers in villages close to LoC in J&K.

NVI was the first to break the story about construction of community bunkers in Uri, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla district. The construction of almost 140 bunkers was started after massive protests by the locals living close to the LoC and their threats of migration from the villages.

-CHK

1...1,2211,2221,223...1,730Page 1,222 of 1,730

MUST READ