Connect with us

News

The death toll in Nepal and India floods has surpassed 180

Adam Layaan Kurik Riza

Published

on

Heavy rains created flash floods in Nepal and two Indian states, Uttarakhand and Kerala, killing more than 180 people. Landslides hurled rocks into homes, submerging or crushing them.

At least 88 people killed in Nepal and 55 in Uttarakhand, including five members of one family, while scores more are still missing in both countries.

Rains in Kerala, India’s southernmost state, also created disastrous floods, killing 42 people.

A family of six from Nepal, including three children, were among the victims when their home was buried by a rapid shower of mud and debris. Panchthar district in east Nepal, as well as Ilam and Doti in west Nepal, are the worst-affected districts.

Reuters reported that rescuers were struggling to reach 60 people who had been stuck for two days in the village of Seti in west Nepal. The Nepalese government is providing $1,700 (£1,220) to each flood victim’s family. Schools in Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state, have been closed, and religious and tourist activities have been halted. The Ganges River breached its banks at Rishikesh, wreaking havoc on the renowned Nainital region.

Uttarakhand, which typically receives up to 30.5mm (1.2in) of rain in October, received 328mm in just 24 hours this week. However, the Indian Meteorological Department reports that the rain has subsided.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, offered a compensation package worth 400,000 rupees (£3,800; $5,300) for the families of those who died, as well as 190,000 rupees for those whose homes were devastated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter: “I am anguished by the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand. May the injured recover soon.”

While experts have linked the severe rains to the climate issue, they have also pointed to hydro-power projects in the Himalayan highlands, as well as excessive and frequently unregulated development on steep slopes, which harm the region’s fragile environment.

Higher temperatures have also resulted in less snow in the Himalayas, which, when combined with strong rainfall, is forcing massive quantities of water downstream, causing flash floods, according to experts. Kerala, India’s southernmost coastal state, has also been experiencing heavy rain since Friday.

Thousands of people have been evacuated, and over 1,600 homes have been burned or damaged.

Source: BBC News

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

World

One-China principle anchor of peace across Taiwan Straits: Chinese FM

FI

Published

on

By

The one-China principle is the solid anchor for peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island changes, it will not change the historical and legal facts that Taiwan is part of China, or the historical trend that China will inevitably be reunified, Wang added.

Recently, political leaders and people from all walks of life in many countries, including the SCO member states, have voiced their support for China’s just cause of opposing “Taiwan independence” and promoting reunification, which once again shows that the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle is unshakable, Wang said.

Any attempt to dispute or deny the one-China principle will only end in failure, he stressed.

Wang noted that the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulate that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and are also the collective memory of the international community, he added.

The separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” forces are the most serious challenge to the international order and the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The one-China principle is the political premise on which China establishes and develops diplomatic relations with other countries, and also the solid anchor for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.

The Chinese nation always holds the common belief that the homeland cannot be divided, the country cannot be destabilized, its ethnic groups cannot be separated, and its civilization cannot be disrupted, Wang said.

Emphasizing that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, Wang said that realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation and also a historical trend that no force can stop.

Source(s): CGTN

Continue Reading

News

Court warns against conviction rumors of FAM ex-President

FI

Published

on

By

Criminal Court on Monday, has warned against spreading rumors or issuing public opiniong claiming conviction of Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The court warned against spreading such rumors since it has not arrived at verdict on Bassam’s case.

The former FAM President is facing money laundering charges for depositing USD 10,000 extended by FIFA, to his bank account, for personal use, which Prosecutor General’s Office claimed on April 18, 2024.

While his case is pending, Bassam has been facing constant slandering and libel on social media.

Criminal Court Judge Ismail Shafeeu on Monday’s order, said defendants have the right to be treated as innocent until convicted at a court of law, despite facing criminal allegations or charges.

Besides issuing the warning against slandering the former FAM president, the court declared any such attempts would be regarded as a contempt of court and will be held as an offense.

PG earlier claimed its investigations had found Bassam had bought and registered properties after siphoning money from FAM accounts, used the misappropriated funds for his own business ventures, family expenses and for trips abroad.

PG Office also confirmed it has not completed the investigation on the matter, adding it would be pressing additional charges as the investigation proceeds.

Apart from facing money laundering charges for mishanding FAM funds, Bassam earlier faced allegations of money laundering and graft related to MMPRC, which is is currently investigated by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Source(s): sun.mv

Continue Reading

News

Ministry confirms actions against unpermitted drone use

FI

Published

on

By

The Ministry of Defense has announced that measures will be enforced against any drones flown across the Maldives without the required permits.

Moreover, the Ministry had previously urged individuals to seek permission before flying drones in areas near airports, as they could pose a threat to air traffic. However, it has recently observed flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in military security areas and near airports.

Furthermore, the Ministry further emphasised that permit applications should be submitted at least three days in advance, excluding non-governmental holidays, to ensure timely processing. It warned that strict actions would be implemented against those who operate drones without the necessary permits.

Source(s): PsmNews

Continue Reading

Trending