No threat to Games Village as floods raise water level

Taj Mahal as Shah Jahan saw it
A river in spate, the angry and overflowing Yamuna is now touching the foundation of the Taj Mahal, providing thousands of visitors to the 'Symbol of Love' a rare spectacle — "just the way the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had wanted it to look." Heritage lover Sudhir Gupta said: "If the emperor had been alive and looking at the Taj from his confines in the fort he would have been mighty pleased, for that is how he had wanted it to look."
Flood situation worsens in Bareilly & Moradabad Monday 20 September, 2010.
More than 200 villages have been inundated in Bareilly and Moradabad divisions due to floods even as seven trains have been cancelled in the region.

Vehicular movement on National Highway 24, connecting Delhi with Lucknow, which was closed on Saturday night after its section near Moradabad division was flooded, would remain suspended till 22nd September.

More than 200 villages in Bareilly and Moradabad have been hit by floods due to incessant rain and release of water in Ramganga and Kosi rivers from Kalagarh, Naraura, Behgul, Nand Sagar and Dhaura dams.

According to Central Water Commission report, Ramganga was swelling by 2 cm by every hour. The danger mark is at 204.83 metres. The water level had touched 206.78 metres last week. There is no threat to Games Village even if the water level rises
Flood situation worsens in Bareilly & Moradabad

Over 500 NDRF Personnel Deployed for Flood Relief in Uttarakhand, Up & Bihar
2o Sep 2010, 17:27 IST
The Government of India has sent six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for rescue and relief work in Uttarakhand. Three teams comprising of 90 NDRF personnel along with 20 boats and other flood and rescue equipment have been deployed at Haridwar. Other three teams comprising of 101 personnel along with 25 boats and other flood and rescue equipment have been deployed at Rishikesh.

As on date, Rs 87.49 crore is available with the State Government in their Calamity Relief Fund/State Disaster Response Fund account.

In Bihar, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) consisting of 152 personnel along with 31 boats /equipments have been deployed in Gopalganj since 16-9-10 for rescue and relief work. Additionally, two teams consisting of 66 NDRF personnel along with 12 OBM boats have been deployed in Gopalganj on 19.9.2010.

As on date 1491.28 crore is available with the Bihar Government in their Calamity Relief Fund/State Disaster Response Fund account. However the final figures will be subject to reconciliation between the State Government and State Accountant General.

In Uttar Pradesh, a total of 79 NDRF personnel along with 11 boats have been deployed in Uttar Pradesh at Muradabad (39 personnel with 6 boats), Rampur (40 personnel with 5 boats). In addition 01 team comprising of 40 NDRF personnel with 5 boats and other flood and rescue equipment have been deployed in Rampur on 19.9.2010.

As on date, Rs 667.04 crore is available with the State Government in their Calamity Relief Fund /State Disaster Response Fund account.

Ministry of Home Affairs is constantly monitoring the situation in close coordination with the concerned State Governments and nodal Central Ministries.
Over 500 NDRF Personnel Deployed for Flood Relief in Uttarakhand, Up & Bihar

Defence Minister’s Message to the Armed Forces on The Eve of Independence Day

Saturday,14 August 2010 13:33 IST
==NOT TO BE BROADCAST / PUBLISHED BEFORE 1815 HRS TODAY==
Following is the English rendering of the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony’s address to the Armed Forces personnel broadcast over All India Radio on the eve of Independence Day:
My dear Jawans and members of our Armed Forces,
We celebrate our 64th Independence Day tomorrow. I pay my tributes to the martyrs and convey my greetings and best wishes to both uniformed and civilian personnel of the three wings of our Armed Forces on this occasion.

My sympathies are with the survivors of the Nature’s fury in Leh. I convey my heartfelt condolences to all those, who lost their near and dear ones in the tragedy, including several Armed Forces personnel. It is difficult to pick up the pieces after such a large-scale loss of life and property. The personnel from Army, Air Force, DRDO and Border Roads Organisation have been doing a commendable job in accelerating rescue and relief efforts, restoring communication links and in assisting in attempts to restore normalcy at the earliest. The Armed Forces personnel have on several other occasions, rendered invaluable service in times of natural calamities.

Our Armed Forces guard the land, sea and air frontiers in harsh weather conditions and in forbidding terrains. Living away from families makes your task all the more challenging. The challenges to our nation’s security are indeed varied and manifold.

Our rising economic stature has brought with it several challenges. The developments in and around our neighbourhood have forced us to review and upgrade our security apparatus. The security measures taken by us are often misunderstood by some nations. However, we have always been a peace-loving nation and we will continue to strive for peaceful relations with all our neighbours.

Post-26/11, we have taken several steps to strengthen the security apparatus, particularly along the coastline. We have cleared the setting up of four air enclaves at Goa, Kochi, Vizag, and New Mangalore. Coastal security has been strengthened, with acquisitions of new systems and platforms.

Armed Forces all over the world are modernising and becoming technology-intensive. I wish to take this opportunity to assure you that our modernisation plans are on the right track. We want to give our Armed Forces the latest and the best possible equipment. We would like the modernization process to proceed hand-in-hand with indigenisation. The success in the development of the indigenous nuclear submarine - INS Arihant must be replicated in other fields too.

We have accorded top priority to create infrastructure and build all-weather roads in inaccessible areas. The Border Roads organization has been given the responsibility of constructing the Rohtang tunnel. This tunnel will ensure that the remote areas in the northern region, which remained inaccessible for over six months, will now be connected and accessible throughout the year. The Rohtang tunnel would be the longest tunnel in our country at such a high altitude.

Dear jawans, despite all odds, you all have been doing a creditable job – both during warlike situation and in peace. During my visit to Siachen in June this year, the jawans raised the problems and difficulties being faced by them. Some of you wanted better quality socks and more snowmobiles for operational requirements. Some of you requested reduced telephone rates for better communication with your family members. I have directed the concerned officials and departments to take immediate remedial action. Though the pressure on our Armed Forces personnel is tremendous, the need for exercising maximum restraint cannot be over-emphasised. I wish to stress that any instance of human rights violation anywhere will not be tolerated.

Our Government has taken several welfare measures for the defence personnel. We are making efforts to improve the quality of atta, rice, vegetables, tea, pulses and other items. Similarly, we have made a provision for special rations to troops deployed in counter-insurgency operations. Special rations have also been authorised for additional troops serving in high-altitude areas – specifically above 12, 000 feet. A pilot project has been launched at 20 locations across the country for rail e-ticketing. With this facility, the system of railway warrants will be replaced and Armed Forces personnel will be able to book and print e-tickets through IRCTC websites at unit locations. This project will be gradually extended to more than 5, 000 Army, Air Force and Navy units across the country. We are committed to carry forward these measures and do a lot more for the all-round welfare of our jawans in the future.

We accord top priority to the welfare of our service personnel, as well as ex-servicemen. We are trying our best to ensure that there are no procedural delays in pension-related cases of ex-servicemen. Some Armed Forces personnel are retained in service, despite a disability that is attributed, or aggravated by military service, who forego a lump-sum compensation in lieu of the disability. Keeping in view their valour and sacrifice, it has been decided to grant them a disability element, or war injury element, at the time of their retirement, or discharge, in addition to the retiring/service pension or retiring/service gratuity. On the other hand, in case of pensioners who retire on disability pension, a decision has been taken to pay them a Constant Attendant at the rate of Rs 3, 000 per month, in addition to the disability pension.

Our Government has also granted permanent commission to women in non-combatant roles. I expect full cooperation from our Armed Forces in taking forward all such welfare schemes to their logical conclusion.

In our effort to further improve the living conditions of jawans, the Government has laid special emphasis on Married Accommodation Project (MAP). Under the project, a total of 1, 98, 881 Dwelling Units will be constructed in four phases. We are making all efforts to address the accommodation-related issues. We are sure that MAP will go a long way in boosting the morale of our Armed Forces.

Dear jawans, the nation is indeed proud of your devotion and sacrifice in securing our country’s borders. I once again extend my greetings on the eve of the Independence Day and convey my heartiest greetings and sincere wishes to all of you for a happy and a bright future. Jai Hind”. DM/RAJ
Defence Minister’s Message to the Armed Forces on The Eve of Independence Day

‘Thoughts are With Brave Hearts Who Lost Lives in Leh Mudslide’: Antony
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the near and dear ones of all those Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the recent mudslide triggered by a cloudburst in Leh. In a message on the eve of the 64th Independence Day, Shri Antony said, as the nation prepares to celebrate the Red Letter Day, his thoughts go out to those brave hearts who lost their lives in the line of duty, especially in the mudslide in Leh. Shri Antony wished speedy recovery to all those undergoing treatment at various hospitals. As per the latest figures, Army has suffered 8 fatal and 41 non-fatal casualties till date. 27 Army personnel including 3 officers are missing. Shri Antony commended the personnel from Army, Air Force, DRDO and Border Roads Organisation who are now working day and night to restore normalcy in Ladakh. Sitanshu Kar
‘Thoughts are With Brave Hearts Who Lost Lives in Leh Mudslide’: Antony

17 armymen dead, scores missing as avalanche sweeps away 350 men in J&K

Srinagar: As many as 17 army personnel, including an officer, were killed and 15 seriously injured when a group of about 350 men were swept away by a snow avalanche. They were setting up a winter warfare camp at Khilanmarg, 70 kms from here.

An army spokesman, Colonel J S Brar, said scores more were still missing and rescuers were searching for them in deep snow. Seventy personnel have been rescued, he said.

The dead included an officer, Lt Prateek, and twelve other ranks from the Army's prestigious High Altitude Warfare School, he said.

Some of those seriously injured are in a critical condition in a hospital in the scenic tourist spot of Gulmarg. Source: PTI
17 armymen dead, scores missing as avalanche sweeps away 350 men in J&K

Floods in South: Army begin rescue

Indian Army began the rescue operation on Friday
Saturday, October 03, 2009 (07:30:38)
Bangalore/Hyderabad: At least 130 people have been killed in Karnataka and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in heavy rain since Wednesday and army boats and air force helicopters on Friday began to rescue hundreds of people marooned at several places. One hundred and four people have died in six north Karnataka districts and 26 in Andhra Pradesh in the torrential rain caused by a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal. Hundreds of people in the two states were trapped in flood waters and were waiting on rooftops and higher places to be rescued. Thousands more have been rendered homeless.

In Karnataka, the maximum number of 29 deaths were reported from Bijapur.

"Ovger 40,000 houses have been damaged," a spokesperson for the Karnataka revenue ministry told media.

He said five helicopters and 40 boats have been deployed for rescue and relief operartions. Over 85 relief centres have been set up, he added.

In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said the flood situation was grim and army personnel have been deployed for rescue operations.

Six helicopters have been pressed into service to rescue people. While four helicopters are being used to airlift the flood-hit in Kurnool district, two choppers were deployed in Mahabubnagar district. A helicopter rescued 15 people in the famous pilgrim town of Mantralayam.
Rain fury claims 130 in Andhra, Karnataka; Army begin rescue

Army Rescues Pilgrims: Do we have a crisis management structure in place?

Portions of the ladder leading to the Geparnath Mahadev temple, near Kota, that collapsed
All the pilgrims stranded at the Gaiparnath Shiva cave temple in Kota, Rajasthan, have been rescued with the help of Army jawans on Monday. Two persons, both engineering students have been killed in the incident. Nearly 135 pilgrims, including 35 women and 20 children were stranded when the serpentine stairway to the temple collapsed on Sunday evening.

The incident took place when the stairway (cantilever type ladder, supported from one end) collapsed due to heavy rush of pilgrims and landslide due to heavy rains in the area. The 16th century famous Gaiparnath Shiva temple in the cave, a favourite tourist spot of the region, is situated on the foothills of Chambal ravines, about 25 km from Kota on the Rawatbhata road. The district administration rushed to the spot and rescue operations were started under the supervision of district collector Abhay Kumar and superintendent of police Vishal Bansal. As the rescue operations were stopped during the night, food packets were provided to the stranded people. Women and children were rescued first.

Army jawans used three heavy cranes summoned from the Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) and five fire tenders to rescue the people from the cave. IAF helicopters were also flown from Jodhpur to assist the rescue team.
Kota: Stranded pilgrims rescued

Do we have Natural Disaster, Technological, and Other Emergencies Structure in place like in other countries? Does the Nation/ states periodically rehearse emergency crisis management drills? Mumbai Mayhem has exposed our weak flanks aptly fuelled by bureaucrats! Have we learnt lessons from the past?
Departmental Emergency Programs

Army and Air Force assist in Rescue and Relief Mission in Bihar

Army Rescue and Relief Mission
PATNA: Army and airforce contingents continued to assist the state machinery in rescue and relief operations as the flood situation in Bihar remained grim, 12 days after river Kosi breached its embankment affecting over two million people in Supaul, Madhepura, Arari and Saharsa districts.

Three IAF helicopters and two army columns (two more on its way) equipped with motorboats, besides over 2000 personnel drawn from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and various wings of state police, were deployed in the four districts to evacuate the marooned, Additional Commissioner of the Disaster Management department Pratyay Amrit said.
Bihar: Rescue operations on, situation grim