Udupi District under Red alert following prediction of heavy rain
Udupi, Aug 14: The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain in the coastal region of the Karnataka from August.15 following which red alert has been declared by the District Disaster Management Authority.
The authority has warned residents of low lying areas to ensure safety of children and have shifted senior citizens and pregnant women to relief camps.
The fishermen have been asked not to venture into water for fishing.
All the officials of District and Taluk level offices are asked to stay stationed and be alert. The Nodal officers are asked to respond to any complaints immediately. They have also been asked to keep a check on the level of water in rivers and Red alert declared in Udupi district following the heavy rain.
Udupi, Aug 14: The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain in the coastal region of the Karnataka from August.15 following which red alert has been declared by the District Disaster Management Authority. They have released emergency action as below.
The authority have warned the people of the low lying areas near water bodies to avoid the children's visit. The pregnant women, senior citizens and children of the submerging areas are shifted to relief center. The fishermen are restricted to go for fishing in the sea and rivers.
All the officials of District and Taluk level offices are asked to stay stationed and be alert by keep their Telephone and other programs revert to any calls. The Nodal officer is asked to respond to any complaints immediately. They are also asked to keep a check on the level of water in rivers and dams and stay in contact with DC office.
In case of emergency and other grievances people can contact control room on 0820- 2574802
Toll free number: 1077 to be contacted.
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Rain might have washed it away: Meghalaya minister after 4,000 tonnes of coal go missing
Shillong (PTI): As the Meghalaya High Court pulled up the state government over the disappearance of over 4,000 tonnes of coal, a minister on Monday claimed that heavy rain in the state might have washed it away.
The high court has directed the state government to take action against officials under whose watch the coal went missing.
Speaking to reporters, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla said, "Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know... because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high."
The high court had on July 25 pulled up the state government over the vanishing of coal from Rajaju and Diengngan villages and instructed it to trace those responsible for lifting the coal illegally.
The minister, however, clarified that he was not trying to justify the disappearance, and admitted there was no conclusive evidence yet to determine whether the loss was due to natural causes or any illegal activity. "I cannot blame just the rain. It could be or it could not be. I really don't have any kind of details," he said.
He asserted that any activity related to coal mining or transportation must be done in accordance with the law and that authorities must ensure illegal practices are curbed.
On allegations of ongoing illegal coal mining and transport in the state, Shylla said concrete evidence was needed to establish such claims and that multiple departments were responsible for monitoring such activities.
"But I believe that our people, if it is for survival, might do it illegally... otherwise nobody wants to do anything that can harm the state," he said.
He expressed optimism that people would abide by the law, especially after the government's announcement of scientific mining.
"We all are happy to welcome it, and we want to see the light of day with this. I believe our people will not do anything that gives the court or law a chance to point fingers at us," he added.
The ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014, citing rampant unregulated and unsafe mining practices, especially the controversial 'rat-hole' mining technique prevalent in the state.
The tribunal's order came in the wake of mounting concerns over environmental degradation, water contamination, and frequent fatalities in the hazardous mines, particularly in East Jaintia Hills.
On a separate note, the minister also responded to complaints over the dust and debris caused by the ongoing construction along National Highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills, saying, "I appreciate this government for the initiative. For now, it is difficult, but once everything is completed, we will enjoy the benefits."
