Thursday, October 9News That Matters

Tag: Disaster management

Rescue Efforts Continue After Pune Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives

Rescue Efforts Continue After Pune Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives

Breaking News, Disasters
Pune: Search and rescue operations resumed on Monday along the Indrayani River in Maharashtra’s Pune district, as teams worked tirelessly to locate anyone possibly trapped after the tragic collapse of an old bridge that left four people dead and 51 injured. The disaster struck on Sunday around 3:15 pm when the bridge suddenly gave way under the weight of a large crowd. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people were flung into the swirling river below. Rescue teams, responding swiftly, managed to save 38 people from the turbulent waters and debris. According to Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, the deceased have been identified as Chandrakant Salve, Rohit Mane, and Vihaan Mane, while efforts are on to confirm the identity of a fourth male victim. The 51 injured are being ...
Andhra Pradesh Welcomes Early Monsoon After Six-Year Wait

Andhra Pradesh Welcomes Early Monsoon After Six-Year Wait

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
In a rare and promising turn for agriculture, the southwest monsoon has swept into Andhra Pradesh nine days ahead of schedule, marking the earliest onset in the past six years. The seasonal rains, typically expected around June 4, reached Kavali this week and are set to cover the entire state within the next three days, offering a much-needed boost for the upcoming kharif cropping season. Meteorological officials confirmed that weather conditions remain favorable for the swift progression of the monsoon across both coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema region, where the monsoon traditionally makes its initial landfall in the state. The early arrival of the rains is an auspicious sign for our farmers and the rural economy. It raises hopes for a strong agricultural yield and stable ground...
Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A series of violent storm systems tore through the U.S. Midwest and South this weekend, leaving at least 27 people dead and causing extensive destruction across multiple states. The most severe impact was reported in Kentucky, where 18 lives were lost, including a veteran firefighter, as tornadoes ripped through communities with devastating force. Kentucky Suffers the Heaviest Toll Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 17 of the Kentucky fatalities occurred in Laurel County, with another tragic death in Pulaski County. Homes were flattened, vehicles were overturned, and entire neighborhoods were left unrecognizable. Emergency responders are continuing search-and-rescue operations, with fears that the death toll may rise as debris is cleared and more victims are discovered. The ...
PM Narendra Modi Encourages Use of Sachet App: All You Need to Know

PM Narendra Modi Encourages Use of Sachet App: All You Need to Know

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
In the latest episode of his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted the ‘Sachet’ mobile application an innovative tool developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue real-time alerts during natural disasters. Operable in 12 Indian languages, the app ensures wider reach and quicker response during emergencies. What is Sachet? A lifeline in your pocket The Sachet app is designed to provide early warning alerts for natural disasters like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, tsunamis, avalanches, and lightning. It operates using a geotagged, real-time notification system based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), offering timely and location-specific updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)....
New disaster response panel formed to boost India’s emergency preparedness

New disaster response panel formed to boost India’s emergency preparedness

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
In a major step to enhance India’s disaster resilience, the Central government has constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The panel, formed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, aims to strengthen national preparedness and ensure coordinated response during emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, pandemics, and industrial accidents. The newly formed committee includes Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery as its members. According to a notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the panel has been constituted by exercising powers under sub-section (2) of Section 8B of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This high-level committe...
ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
India has once again demonstrated its leadership in space-based disaster management. ISRO has assumed the role of lead agency for the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters for six months starting April 2025, the space agency announced on Saturday. ISRO Hosts 53rd International Charter Meeting in Hyderabad The tenure began with ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) organizing the 53rd meeting of the Charter in Hyderabad from April 14 to 17. According to ISRO, the meeting saw the participation of major global space agencies, with 22 foreign delegates attending in person. All were engaged in discussions and planning for space-based disaster management activities. India a Founding Member of the International Charter India is a signatory and founding member of th...
AI Revolutionizes Disaster Risk Management as Market Set to Cross US$ 2,150 Billion by 2031

AI Revolutionizes Disaster Risk Management as Market Set to Cross US$ 2,150 Billion by 2031

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech
The global market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in disaster risk management is experiencing explosive growth. According to a new report by InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd., the market, valued at US$ 479.5 billion in 2023, is projected to surge to US$ 2,150.1 billion by 2031 growing at an impressive CAGR of 21.3%. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters worsened by climate change and rapid urbanization is driving the urgent need for smarter disaster response solutions. AI is playing a transformative role by enabling predictive analytics, early warning systems, real-time risk assessment, and faster recovery optimization. These technologies process massive data sets, from satellite imagery to historical disaster patterns, to predict threats with greater accuracy and impr...
162 Killed in Just 6 Weeks Bihar, UP Worst Hit as Deaths Soar 184%

162 Killed in Just 6 Weeks Bihar, UP Worst Hit as Deaths Soar 184%

Breaking News, Disasters
At least 162 people lost their lives in lightning strikes across 12 Indian states between March and April 17, 2025 a shocking 184% jump from the same period last year. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt with April marking the deadliest lightning month in years.  184% Rise in Deaths Compared to 2024 According to data compiled by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Down to Earth (DTE), and state disaster management authorities this March–April period is the most fatal for lightning since 2022. Last year only 57 lightning-related deaths were reported in the same time frame. This year, April alone accounted for 142 deaths five times higher than April 2024. Bihar Epicentre of Lightning Catastrophe Bihar reported an unprecedented 99 lightning deaths 61% of the total...
Severe Storms Tornadoes Trigger Generational Floods Across U.S. Heartland

Severe Storms Tornadoes Trigger Generational Floods Across U.S. Heartland

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Powerful storms have unleashed chaos across the southern and Midwestern United States, with the National Weather Service warning of “generational” floods. From Texas to Michigan, violent weather has spawned 19 tornadoes, leaving widespread destruction, injuries, and massive power outages. Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi face a dire threat, with forecasts predicting up to 15 inches of rainfall by the weekend. Emergency officials have reported injuries but no fatalities so far. In Bay, Arkansas, a freight train derailment was linked to the extreme weather. Governors in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee have declared states of emergency as emergency response teams work to assess the damage. Missouri officials reported train cars flipped by the storm’s powerful winds, addi...
Tanzania Launches Landmark Early Warning System to Tackle Climate Threats

Tanzania Launches Landmark Early Warning System to Tackle Climate Threats

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
Tanzania has taken a major step in disaster preparedness by launching the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, aiming to safeguard lives from worsening climate hazards like floods, droughts, and extreme storms. Strengthening Climate Resilience The initiative aligns Tanzania with East African nations such as Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda, pushing for universal early warning coverage by 2027, in line with a UN call to action. A high-level consultative workshop held in Dodoma from March 19–20, 2025, brought together government officials, international agencies, scientists, and community leaders. Organized by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) with support from Denmark, the event focused on integrating global best practices into national strategies. Urgen...