Vijayawada, May 24 : The residents of this city who had some respite from the sweltering heat following cyclonic storm 'Laila' last week, again experienced hot day today with the maximum temperature climbing to to 40.8 degrees Celsius.A Met Department official told UNI here the minimum temperature recorded was 27.4 degrees.Yesterday, the maximum temperature recorded was 37.7 degrees.The official said the mercury was likely to increase tomorrow due to ''Rohini Karthi''.The arterial roads wore a deserted look following the heat wave conditions as people preferred to remain indoors.
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Monday, May 24, 2010
Andhra Pradesh demands Rs 6000 cr to fight damage caused by 'Laila'
New Delhi, May 24 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek additional funds of Rs 6000 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund to fight the damage caused by cyclone 'Laila'.''I have been apprising of the latest on the calamity caused by cyclone Laila in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, VishaHe also discussed problems faced by the extremist-affected districts to augment infrastructure in the affected areas. The Chief Minister also called on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and Defence Minister A K Antony. During his meeting with the Prime Minister, he requested to declare Indra Sagar Polavaram project as a National Project and give in principle approval for the Pranahita Chevella Project. Asked about Dr Singh's reaction to the demand, the Chief Minister said the CCEA was considering the matter and he would convey AP's request to them. Mr Rosaiah requested Mr Chidambaram to approve the proposal of Government of Andhra Pradesh to organise single local cadre in respect of newly-created cadre of teachers in Government, Zilla Parishad and Mandal Parishad schools under the Presidential Order 1975. The Chief Minister sought Central help to effectively counter Left Wing Extremism and ISI-sponsored terrorism in AP. He also requested approval for establishment of CRPF training institution with Field Firing Range in Chittoor district. In his interaction with Mr Antony, Mr Rosaiah urged strengthening of Maritime and Coastal Security to ward off threats from the sea and the Defence Ministry to take over the Hindustan Shipyard. The chief minister urged Mr Moily to amend the Constitutional provisions concerning sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes when Parliament meets next. Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and former state Chief Minister called on Mr Rosaiah at AP Bhavan. ================================================
One charger for all mobile phones soon to hit the market
Hyderabad, May 24 : An energy efficient standard charger for all mobile phones will soon be introduced in the global market, said International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a leading United Nations agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) issues.ITU officials announced on the first day of World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10) here Monday that standard mobile phone charger is ready to be introduced in the market. The new Universal Charging Solution (UCS) underlines the role of ICT in providing solutions towards mitigating climate change. Director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB), Malcolm Johnson, told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that it was a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging. He said UCS would reduce 13.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and 82,000 tonnes of redundant chargers. Johnson said the telecom industry led the development of UCS and hence it would be universally accepted by the telecom companies. The standardisation of technology enables the same charger to be used for all future handsets, regardless of make and model. It will cut the number of chargers produced, shipped and subsequently discarded as new models become available. The new standard will mean users worldwide will be able to charge their mobiles anywhere from any available charger, while also reducing the energy consumed while charging. The new UCS standard was based on input from the GSMA, which predicts a 50 percent reduction in standby energy consumption.
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Isolated rain lash several parts of AP
Hyderabad, May 24 : Isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema even as maximum temperatures significantly rose at one or two places over the state.Nandyal, Sompeta and Veeraghattam recorded rainfall of one cm each, Met Department said today.The maximum temperatures were significantly above normal at one or two places over Telangana and normal over Rayalaseema but significantly below normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nizamabad. Isolated rain/thundershowers may occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. A spell of rain/thundershowers may occur in parts of city towards evening/night. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 41 and 27 degrees Celsius respectively.
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BPO to be set up at Hyderabad's Cherlapalli Prison
Hyderabad, May 24 : Authorities at the Cherlapalli Prison in Hyderabad have asked some of the inmates to work in a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit within the prison complex.A Bangalore-based technical firm called Radiant Info Systems Ltd. is setting up the BPO centre."We have made plans to set up a rural BPO centre. So, I asked the authorities ''Can we set up a rural BPO centre in the prison?'' They got excited and asked officials to accompany me," said Narayana Charyullu, Director, Radiant Infosystems Ltd."I visited the jail and spent five-six hours there. I was surprised to see a computer lab already set up there, and they are imparting training to many prisoners," he added.The eligibility criteria for working in the BPO are education up till 10th standard and above and computer literacy."We found that large number of convicts are willing to work on computers. So, I thought these prisoners can made use of and they can be put on computer-based jobs," said Gopinath Reddy, Director General For Prisons, Andhra Pradesh."The BPO would be a non-voice unit as of now, and would work with data processing and transmission," he added.
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
Air India Announces Interim Compensation for Mangalore Air Tragedy Victims
(PIB NEWS) The CMD of Air India, Shri Arvind Jadhav addressed a press conference at Mangalore today. Expressing grief and regret at the unfortunate accident of Air India Express flight IX-812, he said Air India team is working round the clock without a break and is committed to provide all assistance to the family members of the passengers as well as the crew. Mr. Jadhav announced Interim Compensation from Air India of Rs 10 Lakhs for passengers above the age of 12; Rs 5 Lakhs to passengers below the age of 12 and Rs 2 Lakhs for every injured passenger. This is subject to execution of appropriate documentation. This Interim compensation will be taken into account and adjusted against the final compensation to be assessed. The Insurance Companies have agreed to it. This compensation is over and above the ex-gratia payment announced by the Prime Minister.Mr.Jadhav also announced that the Air India Flight Safety Team along with DGCA has commenced the investigation process. He said, an international reputed Emergency Response company called M/s Kenyon has arrived in India and will be available for providing necessary support. The bodies of the First Officer Capt. Ahluwalia and one of the cabin crew Ms. Tejpal have been flown from Mangalore to Mumbai. He also told the media present that we are in touch with the family of the Commander Capt. Glusica and are making necessary arrangements for flying his body to his home country which is Serbia. Special assistance teams called Angels of Air India are working at Mangalore and other locations supporting all the family members, making their travel arrangements, taking care of their every need. One Angel of Air India has been assigned to each survivor and to the families of the deceased to assist them in any possible way. Mr. Jadhav said “As a national carrier, we definitely Care and will do everything to support the family members.” Counseling sessions have been planned for the family members as well as the crew members. There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. There are eight survivors and the remaining 158 bodies have been recovered from the site. 128 bodies have been identified and returned to the family members
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UN agency to host global telecom meet in Hyderabad from Monday
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Air India to give Rs.10 lakh interim relief to crash victims
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Around 130 crash victims identified, 20 may need DNA tests
“Around 130 bodies have been identified so far and will be handed over to the family members after post-mortem examination,” R. Rajesh, deputy superintendent of police here, said.“We are hopeful another seven to eight bodies will be identified by the family members while DNA test may become necessary to identify around 20 victims,” he added.Sources at the the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore said the number of bodies to be identified with DNA tests was still not clear as relatives and friends of the victims continued their efforts to try and recognise their near and dear ones at the hospital’s mortuary.Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the hospital as grieving relatives and friends had to go through the traumatic experience of looking at scores of badly burnt bodies to identify them, while doctors frantically conducted autopsies on the bodies as and when their identity was established.With the number of identified bodies increasing by the hour, the staff were racing against time to complete the post-mortem examinations before the bodies started decomposing.Most of the relatives of the victims were too numbed to talk and preferred to be left alone to grieve their loss privately and get over the trauma of seeing the charred remains of their loved ones.“We expect to complete the process of handing over the identified bodies to the relatives by late Sunday,” Rajesh said.Among the 158 dead were 19 children and four infants.All eight survivors of the crash, being treated at various hospitals in the city, were out of danger. Most of them had suffered cuts, bruises or minor burn injuries.An Air India spokesman in Mumbai said the process of identifying and handing over bodies was under way. He added that Air India has assigned a member of the Special Assistance Team and Angels of Air India team to each of the survivors and families of victims to assist them in all possible ways.The airline will also operate additional special flights to ferry families of the victims to Mangalore, the spokesman said.The IX 812 Dubai-Mangalore flight overshot the runway while landing at the Bajpe airport, about 20 km from Mangalore, early Saturday and caught fire after plunging about 300 metres off a cliff.All passengers were Indians, many returning home from Dubai where they worked.
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Hunt still on for black box of crashed aircraft: Air India
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158 bodies recovered from Air India crash site
“There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. There are eight survivors reported so far and they are under proper care in hospitals,” Air India said in a statement. It had earlier in the day released the names of seven survivors.It did not give the name of the eighth survivor.After the recovery of all 158 bodies by late Saturday, more than 80 of them charred beyond recognition, search for the black box and cockpit voice recorder was suspended. It will resume Sunday, police and rescue officials said.All the bodies have been kept at the government-run Wenlock hospital here where weeping relatives and friends were making desperate efforts to identify the bodies.
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Boeing, US aviation officials to assist Air India crash probe
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Saturday, May 22, 2010
Accused in Andhra girl's murder held after escape
Hyderabad,May 22: A few hours after he escaped from police custody, the prime accused in the 2007 rape and murder of a teenager in Vijayawada town was Saturday arrested in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.Police said P.Satyam Babu, who gave police the slip while he was being transported back to Vijayawada from a hospital here, was arrested in Jaggaiahpet town of Krishna district. Babu escaped at Suryapet in Nalgonda district after midnight Friday when the policemen escorting him got down at a hotel for food. Police were taking the 22-year-old to Vijayawada after treatment at a hospital. A police officer in Jaggaiahpet took Babu into custody when he was begging for money from locals. Earlier, Vijayawada Police Commissioner P.S.R. Anjaneyulu suspended 11 policemen, including a sub-inspector, two head constables and eight constables, who were escorting the accused - on charges of negligence. However, there were hardly any takers for the police version. Relatives of the accused and rights activists alleged that the police were trying to eliminate him in a staged shootout to shield the real culprits in the case. They pointed out that Babu can't even walk as he suffered from a neurological disorder. The doctors at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) confirmed that he could hardly walk. Police claimed that Babu raped and murdered 19-year-old pharmacy student Ayesha Miran at a hostel in Vijayawada on the night of Dec 27, 2007. Her body with stab injuries was found in the bathroom. A letter dropped by the 'murderer' stated that the girl was raped and murdered for refusing his request for 'love'. Babu was arrested in August 2008. Police earlier arrested two people but released them after the State Human Rights Commission intervened on petitions filed by their relatives. Ayesha's parents also rejected the police claim that Babu murdered her and alleged that police were trying to save some politically influential people. Earlier this month, Babu's mother P.Mariyamma tried to launch a hunger strike in Hyderabad, alleging the police was implicating him in a false case and torturing him. It was on her petition that the high court last month ordered the police to make arrangements for his treatment in Hyderabad.
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Rains lashes coastal AP as 'Laila' weakens further
Hyderabad,May 22: Rain occurred at many places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and at a few places over Telangana and Rayalaseema even as cyclonic storm 'Laila' further weakened into low pressure area today and lay centred over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbourhood.Tiruvuru recorded extreme rainfall of 25 cm followed by Nuzvid 15 cm. The rainfall recorded in cm are Madhira 12, Palasa 11, Chintalapudi, Ichapuram, Salur, Venkatapuram and Yellandu 10 each, Bhadrachalam and Sompeta nine each, Eturnagaram, Mandasa and Tekkali seven each, Bobbili and Mahabubabad six each, Nandigama, Visakhapatnam, Gajapathinagaram and Parvathipuram and Palakonda five each, Kalingapatnam, Atchampet, Elamanchili, Kanekal and Pamidi and Ranasthalam four each, Guntur, Tuni, Anakapalle, Chintapalli, Narsipatnam,Paderu, Dummagudem,Kunavaram, Komarada, Srungavarapukota, Patapatnam, Sattenapalli and Yemmiganur three each.The maximum temperatures significantly fell at one or two places over Telangana, but significantly rose at one or two places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. They were significantly below normal over the state. The highest maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at many places in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers might occur at a few places over Telangana. Isolated rain/thundershowers might occur over Rayalaseema and in the remaining districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh. A spell of rain or thundershowers might occur in parts of the city. Maximum and Minimum temperatures would be around 38 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
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14 Inspectors transferred with immediate effect
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DGP orders transfers of 28 DSPs
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Admin estimating loss, 'Laila' weakens
Hyderabad, May 22 : The Andhra Pradesh Administration was estimating the loss of property and standing crops due to severe cyclone storm 'Laila' which battered the Coastal districts of Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, East and West Godavari.The state government has sent official teams to the affected districts as there was relief from heavy rains even as the depression over coastal Andhra Pradesh moved further north-northeastwards and weakened into a well marked low pressure area over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who undertook an aerial survey in the affected areas to ascertain the situation told newsmen at the Begumpet airprot that in view of the relief from the rains, the officials would estimate the loss. So far, the officials were busy in rescue and relief operations.Though people who were housed in relief camps desired to go to their homes, the government asked them to stay for one more day in the relief camps as a precautinary measure. The Government was providing food, water, medicines other essential commodities to the people in the camps, he added.He said since last three days, he was constantly in touch with the District Collectors concerned and reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary S V Prasad and other officials.
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Accused in Andhra girl's rape and murder escapes
Hyderabad, May 22 : In a dramatic escapade, the prime accused in the 2007 rape and murder of a teenager in Vijayawada gave police the slip while he was being transported back from a hospital here, police said Saturday.P. Satyam Babu escaped from police custody at Suryapet in Nalgonda district shortly after midnight Friday when the policemen escorting him got down at a hotel for food. Police were taking the 22-year-old to Vijayawada after treatment at a hospital here. Vijayawada Police Commissioner P.S.R. Anjaneyulu suspended 11 policemen escorting the accused for negligence. "I received the information at 6.30 a.m. that the accused has escaped. I immediately ordered suspension of the policemen for their negligence," he said. A sub-inspector, two head constables and eight constables were escorting Babu back to Vijayawada. However, there were hardly any takers for the police version. Relatives of the accused and human rights activists alleged that the police were trying to eliminate him in a staged shootout to shield the real culprits in the case. They pointed out that Babu can't even walk as he is suffering from a neurological disorder. Police claim that Babu raped and murdered 19-year-old pharmacy student Ayesha Miran at a hostel in Vijayawada on the night of Dec 27, 2007. Ayesha's murder had raised a huge public outcry and the police had failed to crack the case for several months. Her body with stab injuries was found in the bathroom. A letter dropped by the 'murderer' stated that the girl was raped and murdered for refusing his request for 'love'. Babu was arrested in August 2008. Police had earlier arrested two people but released them after the State Human Rights Commission intervened on petitions filed by their relatives. Interestingly, Ayesha's parents had also rejected the police claim that Babu murdered her and alleged that police were trying to save some politically influential people involved in the case. Earlier this month, Babu's mother P. Mariyamma had tried to launch a hunger strike in Hyderabad, alleging that police was implicating him in a false case and torturing him. It was on her petition that the high court had last month ordered the police to make arrangements for his treatment in Hyderabad.
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Relief work on in cyclone-hit coastal Andhra
Hyderabad, May 22 : Relief work was in full swing in the cyclone-hit areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh Saturday as water levels started receding and the rains became less intense.The threat for the coastal region was over Friday when Cyclone Laila weakened into a depression in the Bay of Bengal. However, the official machinery remained on alert as the weather office forecast rains in the region over the next 12 hours. Isolated rains were continuing in some parts of the coast. Officials of various departments Saturday launched relief operations, especially in the worst-hit Praksam district, where some parts of Ongole town and dozens of villages remained marooned. According to officials in disaster management department, 300 army personnel were shifting people from flooded areas and distributing food and water packets. NGOs like the Indian Red Cross and Unicef were also extending assistance in relief operations in Ongole. Over 70,000 people still remained in 300 relief camps. There have been complaints of lack of food, water and other basic amenities in some camps. As many as 111 stationary and 24 mobile medical teams were working in the affected areas to provide relief to victims and prevent epidemics. Heavy rains and gales over the past three days due to cyclonic storm Laila in Bay of Bengal left a trail of destruction in south coastal Andhra, killing 27 people and damaging infrastructure and crops over thousands of acres. According to preliminary reports, 172 houses were fully and 265 houses partly damaged. The cyclone has damaged agricultural crops over 11,351 hectares and horticulture crops over 7,949 hectares. The heavy rains and strong gales damaged roads and railway tracks and disrupted electricity and communication system. Over 100 trains have been cancelled during the last two days but railway authorities were confident of restoring the services by Saturday evening. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah will make an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas later in the day.
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Laila moving towards north-north easterly direction of Orissa
Visakhapatnam, May 21 : The severe cyclone 'Laila,' that crossed the coast near Bapatla, and continued to be close to Machilipatnam coast, was moving towards North-North easterly direction of Orissa coast this morning.
A spokesman of for Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC)the cyclone was likely to remain in Andhra coast for the next 24 hours.Under its influence, rainfall or thundershowers were likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours.Strong winds with speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph was likely along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Güntur district.The sea condition would be very rough and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, the spokesman added.
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A spokesman of for Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC)the cyclone was likely to remain in Andhra coast for the next 24 hours.Under its influence, rainfall or thundershowers were likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours.Strong winds with speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph was likely along and off north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Güntur district.The sea condition would be very rough and fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, the spokesman added.
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Rain lashes Vijayawada, low-lying areas inundated
Vijayawada,May 21: Heavy rain accompanied by strong gales lashed the city for more than two hours in the early hours of today under the influence of cyclonic storm.Many low-lying areas were inundated, trees uprooted and arterial roads submerged with knee-deep water.In Krishna District, power supply was disrupted in many coastal mandals following high velocity of winds, reports reaching here said.that horticulture crops suffered losses due to heavy rains caused by 'Laila' in about eight mandals in the district. Other crops worth Rs 3.48 crore was also damaged following rains.The total loss of Horticulture crop was estimated at Rs 4.4 crore.Mostly banana, betel, vine, drumstick and other crops bore the burnt in Mopidevi, Avanigadda, Challapalli, Machilipatnam, Yanamalakuduru, Ghantasala, and Kankipadu mandals, he said.The official, however, said there was not much loss for mango crops even though fruit dropping occurred due to strong gales and heavy rains.The District Administration rehabilitated more than 6,500 people from 23 vulnerable villages of eight coastal mandals along the coast line in relief camps.
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4 of family killed as wall collapses on thatched house
Vijayawada, May 21 : Four members of a family were buried alive and another injured when an underconstruction wall of a building collapsed on a thatched house in which they were residing at Chittinagar here in the wee hours of today.According to police, the victims were residing in a hilly area in the old city. The wall caved in and fell on their dwelling after it was soaked due to incessant rains for the last two days.The deceased were identified as Dasari Durga (40), Dasari Anil Kumar (30), Dasari Mary (25) and Dasari Namrata (2), police said, adding that Dasari Durga Rao, the husband of Durga escaped miraculously with minor injuries.The bodies were sent to the government general hospital for post-mortem, police added.
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Cyclone Laila stationary, toll up at 27 in coastal Andhra
Hyderabad, May 21 : Cyclonic storm Laila remained stationary near south coastal Andhra Pradesh as heavy rains and gales continued to batter the region for the third consecutive day Friday, killing 27 people and inundating towns and villages.The transport system was paralysed and electricity and communication disrupted. Heavy downpour continued in the worst-hit Prakasam and Guntur district while Nellore and Krishna districts were also receiving rains accompanied by strong winds. After hitting the coast near Bapatla town in Guntur district Thursday, the cyclone re-emerged into Bay of Bengal and practically remained stationary near the port town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district. "The system is likely to weaken gradually and move initially in a northerly direction and then recurve into a northeasterly direction towards Orissa," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin said at 7.30 a.m. Friday. It has forecast widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls and isolated extremely heavy falls (25 cm or more) over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the next 24 hours. Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is likely over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the same period. Gale force wind with speed reaching 75-85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph is likely along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast during the next 12 hours. With the weather office forecasting more rains, the authorities said the threat for Andhra Pradesh was not yet over. The death toll due to the cyclone rose to 27. Four members of a family, including two children, were killed in a wall collapse in Vijayawada early Friday. Over 50,000 people remained in 255 relief camps. "The threat is not over. People in relief camps should not return home unless the cyclone warning is withdrawn," said Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister D.Prasada Rao.The heavy rains and gales have caused widespread destruction in south coastal region, especially in Prakasam district. At least 11 towns and hundreds of villages remained under darkness as electricity system was badly disrupted in the region. The strong winds with speed crossing 100 km per hour uprooted trees, electricity and communication towers and damaged mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres. Authorities said the exact damages would be known only after the rains recede. Ongole town and dozens of villages in Prakasam district were marooned as personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began rescue and relief operations. Authorities have also kept ready 10 helicopters while armed forces have moved three columns and mobilised four helicopters. The Indian Air Force has also kept 11 aircraft on standby to meet any eventuality. Road transport in south coastal district came to a standstill due to rains and uprooted trees. The Chennai-Kolkata national highway in Ongole town is under four feet water. Train services remained paralysed for the second day. Over 100 trains have been cancelled while several other trains were diverted. The movement of trains between Chennai and Vijayawada has come to a complete halt.
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Laila hits Andhra coast, wreaks havoc
Hyderabad/New Delhi, May 20: Cyclonic storm Laila, accompanied by heavy rains, high storm surges and winds with speed of 125 km per hour, hit southern part of Andhra Pradesh coast Thursday afternoon.After changing its course repeatedly in the Bay of Bengal during the last three days, the cyclone Thursday afternoon crossed the Andhra coast, about 50 km from Bapatla, a town in southern coastal district of Guntur. After the landfall, the cyclone re-emerged in northern Bay of Bengal and was heading towards Balasore in Orissa. Weather officials said the course of Laila was not unusual as there were precedents of cyclones re-emerging on sea after landfall. "We are still assessing the damages caused by the cyclone in coastal Andhra," a top official in the disaster management department said in Hyderabad. However, massive destruction is not likely as the cyclone had shown signs of weakening before the landfall. "The intensity of cyclone Laila has reduced in the last 12 hours and it will further weaken in the next couple of hours. But it will continue to cause heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during next 36 hours," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) director general A.K. Tyagi told reporters in New Delhi.The weather office has also forecast rains in Rayalaseema and Telangana regions of Andhra Pradesh. Incessant rains since Wednesday have already wrecked havoc in south coastal region, uprooting trees, damaging electricity and communication systems and destroying crops. The downpour, which was as high as 34 cm in Prakasam district during the last 24 hours, paralysed normal life and severely affected road and rail transport. The storm has claimed 14 lives so far. Four deaths were reported Thursday. Three people were killed in Nellore while one person was killed in Krishna district. The rain and accompanying trong gales have wrecked havoc in the six coastal districts where at least 11 towns and 1,500 villages plunged into darkness and communications were disrupted. Electricity poles and transformers have been uprooted, power lines snapped, and communication towers have collapsed. Heavy to very heavy rains have inundated several parts of the port town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district. Large parts of Ongole town in Prakasam district and Bapatla in Guntur district are also under water, officials said. Bus stations, shops and even hospitals in the towns are under up to two feet of water. Road and rail transport was paralysed in several parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially the worst-hit Prakasam and Guntur districts. Mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres in the coastal districts were damaged. Authorities have alerted people in 777 villages, likely to be hit by storm surge in sea waves in Guntur, Krishna, and West and East Godavari districts. Over 50,000 people have already been evacuated while thousands of others moved to safe places on their own. Over 500 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed with boats and other rescue equipment. Four helicopters have been kept ready for rescue while the state authorities have also sought help from the Indian Navy. An official statement said army authorities were contacted for deployment of helicopters for rescue and relief operations. The state government has also made a request for deployment of 100 army personnel in Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari districts. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah told reporters in Hyderabad that nine helicopters were ready for rescue and relief works in the affected districts. "We have taken all preventive measures to minimise the loss of lives and property. The official machinery is prepared to deal with any eventuality," he said.
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Laila creates havoc in coastal areas, leaves 3 dead,2 missing
Hyderabad, May 20 : The severe cyclonic storm 'Laila' claimed three lives in Nellore District, while two persons were reported missing in Krishna district even as the depression had created havoc with gale winds and uninterrupted rains uprooting heavy trees and affecting power supply at various places.
A report from Kakinada said one old man Tolum Peddapuram (65) was killed when an old-tiled shed collapsed owing to cyclonic rain in Thondangi village under Tuni police circle limits in East Godavari district.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who held a review meeting with top officials on the latest situation, told mediapersons that Army officials had been alerted and nine helicopters were kept ready to take up rescue and relief operations.Claiming heavy damages to public properties and standing crops, he said the loss would be known only after the official estimation is done as the officials were busy in rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister said he was in constant touch with the Collectors of Coastal districts and had authorised them to draw funds required for the rescue and relief works in their areas.Mr Rosaiah had also contacted the leaders of various political parties in the state and sought their cooperation, he said and added political parties had already asked their cadres to participate in the rescue and relief operations.The Chief Minister said power supply was affected in 1,492 villages and 11 towns. Transco officials were making efforts to restore power supply. One 220 KV sub-station, three 132 KV sub-stations and 193 33 KV sub-stations were affected in the coastal areas.Stating that he was in constant touch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram, he said they had assured all cooperation and support to tackle the situation arising out of the calamity.
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A report from Kakinada said one old man Tolum Peddapuram (65) was killed when an old-tiled shed collapsed owing to cyclonic rain in Thondangi village under Tuni police circle limits in East Godavari district.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who held a review meeting with top officials on the latest situation, told mediapersons that Army officials had been alerted and nine helicopters were kept ready to take up rescue and relief operations.Claiming heavy damages to public properties and standing crops, he said the loss would be known only after the official estimation is done as the officials were busy in rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister said he was in constant touch with the Collectors of Coastal districts and had authorised them to draw funds required for the rescue and relief works in their areas.Mr Rosaiah had also contacted the leaders of various political parties in the state and sought their cooperation, he said and added political parties had already asked their cadres to participate in the rescue and relief operations.The Chief Minister said power supply was affected in 1,492 villages and 11 towns. Transco officials were making efforts to restore power supply. One 220 KV sub-station, three 132 KV sub-stations and 193 33 KV sub-stations were affected in the coastal areas.Stating that he was in constant touch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram, he said they had assured all cooperation and support to tackle the situation arising out of the calamity.
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Storm snaps coastal Andhra's mobile phone link
Hyderabad, May 20 : Heavy rains and strong gales due to the severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal snapped mobile phone communication in several parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh Thursday.Except state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the networks of all other mobile service providers were not working in the affected districts, adding to the anxiety among the people. People in other parts of the state and outside, who have their relative and friends in the coastal region, were worried after not being able to get through to their near and dear ones. Officials said heavy gales with speed reaching up to 75 km per hour uprooted cell phone towers and damaged other communication equipment, especially in Prakasam, Guntur, Nellore, Krishna, and East and West Godavari districts. As electricity supply to 11 towns and nearly 1,500 villages in the six districts was snapped, those having BSNL mobile phone connections also could not be reached after the batteries of their cell-phones ran out as they could not be recharged. Anticipating damage to landline and mobile communication, district authorities have arranged ham radio network and satellite phones for effective communication during rescue and relief works.
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Cyclone crosses Andhra coast near Bapatla
Hyderabad,May 20: The severe cyclonic storm Laila crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Bapatla in Guntur district Thursday afternoon.Officials said huge storm surges were seen in the Bay of Bengal when the cyclone hit the coast about 50 km from Bapatla town. Strong gales with a speed of 125 km per hour wrought havoc along and off the coast as Laila crossed the coast after changing its course repeatedly during the last three days. Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres inundated the villages along the coast. Details of the damages caused by the cyclone are awaited. According to Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, the cyclone would weaken after crossing the coast. However, it forecast heavy rains across coastal Andhra and parts of Rayalaseema and Telangana regions during the next 36 hours. Heavy rains and strong gales continued in the coastal region for the second consecutive day, paralysing normal life and badly affecting road and rail transport.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Heavy rains batter coastal Andhra as cyclone inches closer
Hyderabad, May 20 : Heavy rain battered Andhra Pradesh Thursday paralyzing transport and snapping power and communication links as cyclonic storm Laila showed signs of weakening before hitting the coast. The storm has claimed 14 lives so far.Incessant rain accompanied by strong gales wrought havoc in the six coastal districts where at least 11 towns and 1,500 villages plunged into darkness and communication was disrupted as strong winds uprooted electricity poles, transformers and communication towers.Heavy to very heavy rains have inundated several parts of the port town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district. Large parts of Ongole town in Prakasam district and Bapatla in Guntur district are also under water, officials said. Bus stations, shops and even hospitals in the towns are under one to two feet of water. Road and rail transport was paralysed in several parts of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, especially the worst-hit Prakasam and Guntur districts. Weather officials forecast that the cyclonic storm may not cause severe damage when it crosses the coast close to Bapatla in south Andhra Pradesh by Thursday afternoon. "The system is showing signs of weakening due to increase of wind shear and land interaction," the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its bulletin. The cyclonic storm lay centred at about 50 km east of Ongole, 50 km south of Bapatla and 70 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam. It is likely to move in a northwesterly to northerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast about 50 km southwest of Machilipatnam later in the day. IMD has forecast widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy rain and isolated extremely heavy rainfall (25 cm or more) over the coastal areas of the state during the next 36 hours. Fierce winds with maximum speed reaching 100-110 km per hour are likely along and off the coast. The IMD has warned that storm surge of 1.5-2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West and East Godavari districts at the time of landfall. At least 14 people were killed in rain-related incidents like lightning strikes and wall collapses since Tuesday night. About 25 fishermen are also reported missing. Mango, banana and other horticulture crops over thousands of acres in the coastal districts were damaged. Authorities have alerted people in 777 villages, likely to be hit by storm surge in Guntur, Krishna, and West and East Godavari districts. Over 50,000 people have already been evacuated while thousands of others moved to safe places on their own. Over 500 personnel of National Disaster Response Force have been deployed with boats and other rescue equipment. Four helicopters have been kept ready for rescue while the state authorities have also sought help from the Indian Navy.
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Cyclone Laila hits train services in coastal Andhra
Hyderabad,May 20: The severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal has badly hit train services in coastal Andhra Pradesh with as many as 31 passenger trains being cancelled and some others diverted.In view of heavy rains and gales in nine coastal districts, which are under the influence of cyclone Laila, the South Central Railway announced cancellation of 31 passenger trains Thursday and Friday. It was also decided to reduce the speed of other trains to 60 km per hour when the cyclone crosses the coast later in the day. Several trains are running four to six hours late due to incessant rains and gales. In Ongole town of Prakasam district, railway tracks were inundated, affecting train services. In Vijayawada railway division, all passenger trains were cancelled. Important trains which were cancelled include the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express, Krishna-Tirupati Puri Express, Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam passenger train, Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express, and Tirupati-Bilaspur and Tirupati-Guduru passenger trains. The Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express was running five hours late, while the Chennai-Vijayawada Jan Shatabdi Express returned to Chennai from Nellore. Visakhapatnam-Guntur Simhadri Express and Howrah-Hyderabad special train were stopped in Tuni in East Godavari district due to heavy rains.
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Cyclone 'Laila' creates havoc in coastal AP
Hyderabad, May 20 : The severe cyclonic storm 'Laila', which lay centred near Machilipatnam in East Coast of Andhra Pradesh, created havoc in Coastal Andhra Pradesh with its gale winds and uninterrupted rains uprooting heavy trees and affecting power supply in various places.The cyclonic storm over West Central Bay of Bengal moved North Westwards and lay centered about 120 km South-South -East of Machilipatnam. It was likely to cross the coast by today afternoon.Due to impact of the cyclonic storm, standing crops of mango, paddy and banana in thousands of acres were submerged in rain water in several mandals of the coastal districts of the state.Reports reaching here said several mandals in Krishna, West and East Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts plunged into darkness as electrical polls were damaged in these areas due to uprooting of trees. Authorities were busy in restoring the power supply. In some areas the authorities disconnected the power supply as a precautionery measure to avoid any dangerous situation.Thousands of people were evacuated from low lying areas to safer places where administration provided food, drinking water, milk, kerosene and medicines.
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Severe cyclone 'Laila' close to AP coast
Hyderabad,May 20: Armed forces were kept ready as the Andhra Pradesh Government braced itself to meet cyclone 'Laila', the severe cyclone which lays less than 100 km off Machilipatnam where it is expected to make a landfall later in the afternoon amid heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds in the bay lashing the coast of Andhra Pradesh since last night.Amid reports of six deaths in rain related incidents across the state, the government in a massive evacuation operations was using force, possibly for the first time, to shift the people to safer places from the remote islands in the Diviseema and Hope Island as rain battered the coastal area.Ongole and Nellore faced the brunt of more then to cm rain last night. However, they got some relief today as the cyclone moved away from the district coast, remaining stationery and moving north eastward later. Weathermen, contrary to popular speculation that 'Laila' had weakened, in fact upgraded its severe cyclone warning as nearly 600 personnel of the National Disaster Force with nearly 80 boats and concrete cutter equipment were stationed at various strategic coastal centres. Chief Minister K Rosaiah joined this morning Chief Secretary S V Prasad, who had stationed himself at the control room in the State Secretariat since last night to review the situation.With ministers sent to districts, senior IAS officials with previous experience in handling cyclone relief operations were positioned across the coastal belt. Train movement have been curtailed on advisory even as Naval helicopters have been positioned at Gannavaram Airport close to the expected landfall at Machilipatnam.
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Rescue teams deployed in Andhra to counter cyclone Laila
New Delhi,May 19: The central government has deployed personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with search and rescue equipment as a precautionary measure to tackle possible damage from tropical cyclone Laila, which is likely to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast early Thursday and West Bengal by evening.A home ministry statement said the National Disaster Management Authority has ordered deployment of the disaster management personnel Tuesday itself and the deployment was completed by Wednesday evening. A total of 438 personnel along with 64 inflatable boats were deployed at various locations in six coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh -Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Machilipatnam,Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore. "NDMA deployed NDRF on receipt of cyclonic warning from India Meteorological Department around 5 a.m. Tuesday and subsequent fax message from commissioners and principal secretary, Disaster Management, government of Andhra Pradesh," said the release. According to an IMD official, Laila will move in a northwesterly to northerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Kakinada,close to Machilipatnam Thursday morning.Widespread rainfall has been forecast over coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 36 hours and in north Tamil Nadu during the next 24 hours. As a precautionary measure to avoid damage from the cyclone, the Reliance Industries has also shut its crude oil and gas production plants from Krishna Godavari basin fields in the Bay of Bengal.
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Over 700 villages in Andhra may be hit by cyclone
Hyderabad,May 19: Over 700 villages in four coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are likely to be affected by a severe cyclonic storm that is expected to hit the coast Thursday morning, officials said Wednesday.The districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur may bear the brunt of the cyclone Laila, which is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Kakinada close to Machilipatnam. The government released a list of 777 villages which are vulnerable to storm surge as a result of the cyclone, which lay centred at 250 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. "Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West and East Godavari districts at the time of landfall," the India Meteorological Department said. As many as 338 vulnerable villages are in East Godavari district, where the port city of Kakinada is also likely to be affected, the government said. Krishna district has 233 vulnerable villages, Guntur 158 and West Godavari 48 villages. The port city of Machilipatnam is also likely to be hit hard. The authorities have started evacuating people from vulnerable villages and asked people to move to safer places on their own by Wednesday night. District collectors have been told to use police, where necessary, to move people.
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Andhra to forcibly evacuate people from coastal areas
Hyderabad May 19: Facing the spectre of cyclonic storm wreaking havoc in the coastal region, Andhra Pradesh government Wednesday asked the authorities to use force, if necessary, to evacuate people from areas near the coast and from low-lying villages.With barely 12 hours to go before severe cyclonic storm Laila hits its coast, the southern state is gearing up to face any eventuality. Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached the coast while four helicopters have been kept ready for rescue and relief operations. Over 500 personnel of the NDRF with 79 boats have been rushed to Andhra from Orissa and Tamil Nadu, an official said. Nine senior officers were deputed to the nine coastal districts to monitor rescue and relief works, while ministers also rushed to the districts likely to be hit by the cyclone. The storm christened Laila lay centred at 320 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam. "The system is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly-to-northerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Kakinada, close to Machilipatnam by morning of May 20," said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rains of 25 cm and above and gales with wind speeds of 115-125 km per hour at the time of cyclone's landfall. "Storm surge of 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of Guntur, Krishna and West and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall," the weather office said. The IMD has suggested total suspension of fishing operation, moving coastal hutment dwellers to safer places and advised people in the coastal districts to remain indoors. Strong gales with speeds of 65 to 70 km per hour have been lashing the region since Tuesday night, uprooting trees and damaging electricity and communication towers in some districts, officials said. Districts of Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur are receiving heavy rains since Wednesday morning. Some places received five to 10 cm rainfall. At least 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents like lightning strikes and wall collapses since Tuesday night. Four farmers were also reported missing. Authorities began evacuating people from low-lying areas in all nine districts as a precautionary measure as the weather office forecast heavy to very heavy rains during the next 48 hours. Over 50,000 people have already been evacuated in the coastal districts. People living near the sea shore and the low-lying areas have been asked to move to safe places by Wednesday night. "The government has asked the district collectors to use police, wherever necessary, to evacuate people from low-lying areas," Minister for Information and Public Relations J. Geeta Reddy told reporters. She said six teams of NDRF had reached the coastal region. A member of National Disaster Management Authority said in New Delhi that over 500 personnel of NDRF were rushed to Andhra from Orissa and Tamil Nadu with 79 boats. "The impact of the cyclone on coastal Andhra is likely to be severe and there is an urgent need for everybody to be on high alert," said Marri Shashidhar Reddy, member, National Disaster Management Authority.Seventh warning signal was hoisted at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Bhimunipatnam, Kalingapatnam,Nizampatnam and Vodarevu ports while fifth signal was raised at Krishnapatnam port. Andhra Pradesh has about 1,000-km-long coast line, which is vulnerable to cyclones, storms and low pressure areas over the Bay of Bengal during September-October every year. Officials said this was the first time in 20 years that the coastal region is facing a cyclonic storm during May.
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Home Secretary Reviews Security at Airports
(PIB NEWS) The Union Home Secretary,Shri G.K.Pillai took a meeting here today to review various security issues concerning airports in the country. Steps relating to biometric access, construction of watch towers, raising of perimeter walls, provision of adequate security staff, installation of CCTV cameras, provision of dog squads and bomb disposal squads, etc. were discussed at the meeting. A time bound action plan was drawn up to enhance security at airports. The Civil Aviation Secretary, Director General of CISF and representatives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and from Airports Authority of India attended the meeting.
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Public Sector Organisations Express Keenness to Participate in “Saakshar Bharat’
On the part of the Public Sector Organisations, they stated that the areas they could help included using existing schools in their campuses which many times are in remote areas as adult education centres during non schools hours, involving spouses to volunteer for teaching especially in remote campuses, and also imparting skill development and vocational training. The banks expressed keenness in participating in adult education as this would support their own efforts for financial inclusion. It was also suggested that a policy can be framed for utilizing e-waste and old furniture through donating it to adult education centres in an organized manner. Saakshar Bharat was launched by the Prime Minister on 8th September, 2009 and has already been rolled out in 167 districts in 26 States. The principal focus of the Mission is on imparting functional literacy to women and other excluded groups like SCs, STs, Minorities etc. in the rural areas. The principal strategy of the department is to achieve universal female literacy in mass campaign mode in which educated adults are encouraged to act as volunteer teachers. (photo by PIB No:CNR 31668)
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Rain in coastal AP, Rayalaseema as Laila nears Visakhapatnam
Hyderabad,May 19: Rain occurred at a few places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema while isolated rain occurred over Telangana due to cyclonic storm Laila, which lay centered about 400 km south of Visakhapatnam.Amarapuram (Anantapur district) recorded 4cm of rainfall, satyavedu and Srikalahasti (both Chittoor districts) recorded 3 cm of rainfall each and Nellore, Tirupati and Bhimavaram (West Godavari districts), Kalyandurg and Penukonda (both Anantapur districts), Puttur (Chittoor district) and Rapur (Nellore district) recorded 2cm each, Met department said today.The maximum temperatures significantly fell at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and fell at one or two places over Telangana and Rayalaseema. They were above normal at a few places over Telangana and Rayalaseema and normal over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius was recorded at Adilabad.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and may occur over Telangana and Rayalaseema. Heavy to very heavy rain with isolated extremly heavy rain would occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and isolated heavy to very heavy rain will occur over Telangana and Rayalaseema during next 48 hours.Spells of rain or thundershowers are likely in the city, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 35 and 22 degrees respectively.
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Heavy rains lash coastal Andhra as cyclone nears the shore
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Laila intensifies, lay centred about 400 km south of Visag
Visakhapatnam,May 19: The cyclonic storm 'Laila' over west central and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal has intensified and lay centered about 400 km south of Visakhapatnam. According to CWC spokesman here today, the system moving in a north westerly direction would cross between Ongole and Visakhapatnam in the early hours of tomorrow.Under its influence, coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh were experiencing heavy to very heavy rains since this morning. Strong gale winds with a speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph were likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast. The sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Andhra coast, the spokesman said.Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea. Local danger signal nos 3 and 5 were hoisted in all ports of the state.
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State official machinery gears up to tackle cyclone
Hyderabad,May 19: The entire official machinery of Andhra Pradesh has geared up to meet any eventuality in the wake of cyclonic storm 'Laila,' even as the depression over the Bay of Bengal moved closer to the coastal Andhra Pradesh.Chief Minister K Rosaiah, chairing a high-level review meeting today on the situation and the measures to be taken to meet the cyclone asked the officials to monitor the situation round-the-clock. Directing the officials to be alert and take all precautionery measures to save property and lives, Mr Rosaiah said the government would take further measures at a Cabinet meeting today.The State government had asked the Collectors of the coastal districts to advice the fishermen not to venture into the sea during the depression period.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that cyclone storm 'Laila' would cross the coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh by tomorrow. In a bulletin last night the IMD said very heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds of speed reaching 65 to 75 kmph would occur in the coastal regions.As heavy rain and strong winds lashed Andhra Pradesh, officials in coastal areas were put on high alert to prevent people from visiting the sea coast.Meanwhile, four fishermen of Thummalapenta coast in Kavali mandal of Nellore district, who ventured into the sea were reportedly missing.
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Missing AP fishermen return safely
Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh,May 19: Eight fishermen of Subbampet village, a hamlet of Uppada in Kothapalli mandal, 16 km from here, who were reported missing in the sea off Bhiravapalem while fishing in their country boat, returned safely late last night.They ventured into the sea for fishing on May 16 and were to return by Tuesday afternoon but due to rough weather the fishermen could not return as scheduled. As family members of the fishermen could not gain access to them through cell phones, they get worried about their safety.They met Tahasildar and fisheries department officials and sought assistance to trace them. District Collector M Ravichandra, who visited coastal areas to study the situation in the event of cyclone threat last night, called on the fishermen family members and assured THEM of all help in ensuring safe return of their men folk.
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Andhra Pradesh faces threat of cyclone Laila
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Cyclone threat; Control rooms opened in Krishna district
Vijayawada,May 19: With the cyclonic storm 'Laila' over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal likely to cross between Ongole and Visakhapatnam by tomorrow afternoon, control rooms have been set up at Krishna District Collectorate in Machilipatnam and in the sub-collector's office here to enable people to contact in the event of exigency.Official sources told UNI here today that control rooms have also been set up at Revenue Divisional offices and Tahsildar offices across the district following an alert from the meteorological department.People could contact the control room phone nos 08672-252399 and 252486, mobile nos: 09908664635 and 9849903982 at Machilipatnam and at the sub-collector office in Vijayawada--0866-2574454 and 2576217.The sources said two battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had reached the district where some of them would be stationed in the city to rescue people, if necessary.Warning signal seven was hoisted at Machilipatnam port yesterday. The Indian Metrological Department (IMD) bulletin said strong winds with a speed of 70 km to 80 kmph was likely along the coast in the district for the next 72 hours and the height of tidal waves was likely to be 1.5 metres.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mecca Masjid blast third anniversary passes off
Hyderabad, May 18 : The thirdanniversary of the bomb blast at historic Mecca Masjid here passed off peacefully amid tight security.No untoward incident was reported from any part of the city, police said. The afternoon and evening prayers at the 17th century mosque passed off peacefully as police made elaborate security arrangements. A tight vigil was maintained across the old city after unidentified gunmen killed a policeman last Friday. The motorcycle borne suspected terrorists shot dead the police constable at Shahali Banda, about a km from Mecca Masjid. One policeman was gunned down in a similar fashion by unidentified persons on this day last year. Police suspect involvement of suspected terrorists, who have allegedly vowed revenge for the police firing after the blast three years ago. Nine people were killed in the blast during Friday prayers at the mosque May 18, 2007. Five more persons were killed in the subsequent police firing on protestors outside the mosque. Police are yet to achieve a breakthrough in the blast case. Initially the Bangladesh-based Harkatul Jihad-e-Islami (Huji) was blamed for the attack and some suspects were also picked up. Though the investigations were handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the case has not been cracked even after three year. The government said the case has turned 'cold' as the two primary suspects were killed in an alleged shootout in Pakistan. The case, however, took a new turn early this month with the CBI questioning the members of some Hindu extremist outfits allegedly involved in Ajmer Dargah blast for their role in Mecca Masjid case. Various organisations have demanded fresh probe into the case in view of the revelations. The Bhaskar Rao Commission formed by the Andhra Pradesh government to probe police firing has also not submitted its report even after three years. ================================================
Andhra calls in rescue teams as cyclone threat grows
Hyderabad, May 18: The administration in Andhra Pradesh's coastal region Tuesday went on high alert and National Disaster Response Force was called in for rescue operations as the cyclonic storm Laila intensified and is likely to cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Ongole early Thursday.Second warning signals have been hoisted at all Andhra ports as the depression over the Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm and lay centred 550 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is likely to cross the coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam by early hours of May 20. "Under the influence of this system, north coastal Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience widespread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls (25 cms or more) and isolated extremely heavy falls during next 48 hours," said a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Strong gales with speed reaching 65-75 km an hour are likely to commence along and off Andhra Pradesh coast Tuesday night. It may increase to 115-125 kmph at the time of landfall early Wednesday mroning. Since the sea condition will also be rough, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The state government has called in the National Disaster Response Force from Tamil Nadu and Bhubaneshwar for rescue operations. The force from Bhubaneshwar will be stationed at Visakhapatnam to look after the rescue operations in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The personnel from Arakonam, Tamil Nadu, will be stationed at Vijayawada to look after the rescue operations in the districts of West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore. The official machinery in all the nine coastal districts has been asked to be on high alert. Leave of employees has been cancelled till May 25. Those on leave have been asked to report back immediately. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Dharmana Prasada Rao told reporters here that the leave of employees, especially in departments like disaster management, revenue, police, fire services, electricity, roads and buildings and Panchayat Raj, has been cancelled. Chief Minister K.Rosaiah directed the district collectors to take all preventive measures to minimise the loss of life and property. He asked them to be ready for evacuating to safer places the people likely to be affected. A sub-committee of top officials will be formed immediately for round-the-clock monitoring of the situation. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued cyclonic storm advisory, asking the state government to keep a close watch and take appropriate precautionary measures. Following the advisory, control rooms have been opened at the state secretariat and at all district headquarters. The chief minister asked the officials to be ready with alternative steps for effective communication in case there is damage to communication network.
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CM alerts official machinery on 'Laila'
Hydeabad, May 18: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today alerted the entire official machinery view in of the deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas moving westwards and intensifying into a cyclonic storm ''Laila''.The Chief Minister reviewed the latest situation with Ministers and officials here and asked the Collectors of the Coastal Districts to advise the fishermen not to venture into sea during this period.The government would take further measures at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, he said and asked the officials to monitor the situation round-the-clock. He directed them to be very alert during the days and take all precautionary measures to prevent loss to life and property of the people.
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Minister stresses media's role in development of society
Hyderabad, May 18: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information and Public Relations J Geetha Reddy today said the media should play a key role in the development of the society and work as a link between the government and the people.Releasing the handbook on the activities and programmes being taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Press Academy (APPA) here, she said journalists should contribute their might through their writings to create awareness among the people, particularly people in rural areas, about the developmental and welfare schemes of the government.There was no point in taking up welfare schemes if it did not reach the targetted people. Media should play a key role in this regard by educating the people about the schemes, she added. APPA Chairman T. Surender said the Academy would launch several activities for the benefit of journalists and media in the state. He said the academy proposed to help media to create a self-regulatory mechanism to follow ethics and improve the quality of media. Apart from the existing activities of the academy, it was decided to develop an online knowledge centre by making the existing website more meaningful. The academy decided to supply regular useful material to all the mediapersons, particularly journalists in rural and remote areas, he said.
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Andhra on high alert as cyclonic storm intensifies
Hyderabad, May 18: The administration in Andhra Pradesh's coastal region Tuesday went on high alert as the cyclonic storm Laila intensified and is likely to cross the coast near Machilipatnam.Second warning signals have been hoisted at all Andhra ports as the depression over Bay of Bengal turned into a cyclonic storm and lay centred at 690 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is likely to cross the coast near the port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, about 450 km from here, in about 72 hours. Since the coastal region will experience the impact of the storm from Tuesday night, authorities have sounded a high alert. According to the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, strong gales with speeds reaching 65 to 75 km per hour are likely to commence along and off the Andhra coast from Tuesday. The wind speed may further increase as the system moves closer to the coast. Since the sea condition will also be rough, the fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in coastal Andhra from May 19. The impact of the cyclonic storm may continue till May 25. "The system is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction for some more time and then move in a northwesterly to northerly direction during the next 72 hours towards the Andhra Pradesh coast close to Machilipatnam," an IMD bulletin said. The official machinery in all the nine coastal districts has been asked to be on high alert. Leave of employees have been cancelled till May 25. Those on leave have been asked to report back immediately. Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation D. Prasada Rao told reporters here that the leave of employees especially in departments like disaster management, revenue, police, fire services, electricity, roads and buildings and Panchayat Raj have been cancelled. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah directed the district collectors to take all preventive measures to minimize the loss of life and property. Since there is still sufficient time before the cyclone crosses the coast, the collectors were told to take measures to save life and property, he said. The strong winds could topple walls and electricity and communication towers.
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ACB unerathed Rupees 90 lakhs alleged disproportionate assests in AP
Visakhapatnam, May 18: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) unearthed alleged Disproportionate assets worth over Rs 90 lakh allegedly belonging to a Traffic Police Inspector in the Port city.Simultaneous searches were conducted yesterday by the ACB officials at the residences of Rajasekhar, a Police Inspector with traffic branch, at Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry and Amalapuram.The searches yielded assets worth over Rs 90 lakh, an ACB release said yesterday.Which included six house plots, two houses, a flat, household articles worth Rs 2 Lakh and Rs 39,000 in cash, it said, adding further investigation was still going on.
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Monday, May 17, 2010
Andhra coast faces cyclone threat, alert sounded
Hyderabad, May 17: Andhra Pradesh faces a cyclone threat as a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and hit the coast, weather officials said Monday.Authorities in coastal Andhra have sounded an alert and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. The weather office has forecast widespread rains over coastal Andhra with strong winds of 45 to 55 km per hour. According to the bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal lay centered about 1,000 km southeast of Visakhapatnam. The system is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move initially in a northwesterly direction towards the state's coast. Under the influence of this system, coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh are likely to experience widespread rainfall from May 19. Heavy to very heavy rains are likely at some places. Following the warning by weather office, authorities in all nine coastal districts sounded an alert along the coast. Senior officials here reviewed the situation with district collectors and directed them to be prepared for any eventuality. The forecast of heavy rains and cyclone has come at a time when the severe heat wave conditions continue across the state. The heat wave claimed 20 lives Monday, taking the total deaths to 65 since Friday.
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Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad meets with the Health Secretary of USA in Geneva
(PIB NEWS) May.17,Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, had a meeting with the Health Secretary of USA - Mrs. Kathleen Sebelius at Geneva. Both the Ministers appreciated that India andUS are strategic partners in several areas including health. Shri Azad thanked the US department of Agriculture for organizing food safety training every year at the Michigan State University for the personnel of Food Safety Standard Authority of India. He also recalled that the US food and Drug Administration has opened their office in Delhi which facilitates exchange of Information. Both the Ministers discussed the latest position of Memorandum of Understanding regarding setting up of the Global Disease Detection Regional Centre (GDD) at New Delhi. ================================================
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