U’khand: Newborn among 4 of family killed as car falls into canal in Haldwani
Dehradun, Jun 25 (PTI): A four-day-old child among four members of a family died after their car fell into a canal in Haldwani following heavy rain in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district on Wednesday, police said.
The family was returning home in nearby Kichha town of Udham Singh Nagar district after the delivery at a hospital in Haldwani when the tragic accident happened, they said.
The accident occurred at 7.30 am when the family was returning from the Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani with their newborn son. The car fell into the canal near the fire department office.
While four people, including the infant, died inside the car, three injured were rushed to hospital, the police said.
The killed in the accident were the newborn, his father Rakesh (32), his grandmother Kamala Devi (50) and his aunt Neetu (36).
The infant's mother Rama (27) was injured in the incident. The other injured have been identified as Neetu's husband Ramesh (39) and driver Shyamlal (40).
They are undergoing treatment at Sushila Tiwari Hospital.
As per initial investigation, the driver lost control over the car as it was going at high speed, police said.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap.
“Received the tragic news of a car accident in Haldwani, resulting in the death of four people and injuries to three others. I pray to God for speedy recovery of all the injured,” Dhami said in a post on X.
Heavy rains have lashed parts of Uttarakhand since the arrival of monsoon last week. They have triggered landslides at several places in the hill state, claiming nearly half a dozen lives in separate incidents over the last few days.
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44 peacocks die of H5N1 in Karnataka’s Tumakuru; minister orders precautions
Bengaluru (PTI): After 44 peacocks died of the H5N1 virus in Tumakuru district, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Saturday directed officials to implement strict precautionary measures to prevent its spread across forest areas, including zoos and bird sanctuaries.
The directive comes after laboratory reports from the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal recently confirmed H5N1 avian influenza as the cause of the deaths.
According to the state forest minister, the peacocks died between April 16 and 21 in and around Bommanahalli and Kolihalli villages in Urdigere hobli, and Bairasandra and Hullenahalli villages in Gulur hobli of Tumakuru district.
“In this context, instructions have been issued in line with the revised H5N1 Action Plan of the Central Government to prevent the spread of infection across all forest areas, including zoos, bird sanctuaries, Magadi Lake, and the community reserve at Kokkare Bellur,” Khandre said in a note addressed to the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden.
He also directed that any deaths of birds, whether migratory or local, must be reported immediately, and that samples from carcasses should be collected and sent for testing.
If required, a nodal officer may be appointed to monitor the situation across the state, he added.
Authorities have established an infected zone within a 0–3 km radius and a surveillance zone extending from 3 to 10 km.
According to the Health Department, surveillance for fever, Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) will be carried out over the next 10 days, covering a population of 20,432 across 38 villages.
In light of the situation, the department has advised the public to follow precautionary measures to minimise the risk of infection by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and maintaining hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water.
It has also suggested the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling birds or their droppings, and advised ensuring that poultry and eggs are thoroughly cooked (above 80 degrees celcius) before consumption.
The health department has also recommended avoiding close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness.
The department said it is closely monitoring the situation and has put necessary precautionary measures in place.
The public has been advised to remain vigilant and report any unusual bird deaths or symptoms promptly, officials added.
Avian influenza (H5N1) is a subtype of the influenza virus that infects birds and mammals, including humans in rare instances, according to the World Health Organisation. Human cases reported so far have been mostly linked to close contact with infected birds or other animals, or with contaminated environments.
