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Environment India News

Rain, flash floods ravage North India

Due to incessant rainfall in the region, many tourists have been stranded in Manali….reports Asian Lite News

Incessant rain, which has led to flash floods and landslides, has caused significant damage in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali.

Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that the flash floods have damaged the national highway and disrupted water and electricity supply.

“The Manali Vidhansabha constituency has suffered significant damage due to flash floods. Houses, land, and gardens have been destroyed, and the national highway is damaged due to flash floods. The link road adjacent to the bridge is also badly damaged. There is no net connectivity, electricity and water. We have made arrangements to provide food to the stranded tourists,” Negi said.

Due to incessant rainfall in the region, many tourists have been stranded in Manali.

Internet services and electricity supply have been disrupted due to the flood in the area.

Neha, a tourist from, Ludhiana, Punjab said, “We want to go home. We were scheduled to return on Sunday but we are stuck due to flood.”

Another tourist, Sanjeev Arora, said they have been trying to go back for the past two days.

“We are here in Manali since 5th July. The main track is damaged. We have been trying to go back for the past two days. The internet services and electricity supply is disrupted,” he added.

Meanwhile, Himachal Chief Minister’s Office informed that 2000 people stranded in the Kasol area have been evacuated so far.

“So far 2000 people stranded in the Kasol area of Kullu district have been evacuated. On the way at one point named Dunkhara, there is a heavy landslide and one poclain and two machines have been deployed round the clock to clear the Kasol-Bhuntar road. A team of the district administration has reached Kasol. More than 2200 vehicles have passed through Kullu from Manali so far and food is being distributed to them at Ramshilla Chowk. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is closely monitoring the situation”, the CMO statement said.

Speaking on the relief and rescue operations being conducted in the state amidst heavy rainfall, acting DGP of Himachal Pradesh Satwant Atwal Trivedi said that evacuation procedure is underway with 1000 vehicles already having left from Kullu – Manali and are enroute to Chandigarh.

The Nurpur police on Wednesday informed that water will be released from Pandoh Dam (Mandi) from 6 pm today to 3 pm tomorrow due to incessant rains in the district.

“People are urged not to go near low-lying areas like rivers, drains and dam areas for the next few days”, the Nurpur Police said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Manali Bhuvneshwar Gaur hit out at the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) over the poor construction of the highways which were washed away during the flash floods.

Red alert for Uttarakhand

Amid the heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for July 11 and 12.

Earlier today, four persons died and 10 people were injured due to falling debris on Gangotri National Highway near Gangnani in Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that the state administration is on full alert mode in view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) heavy rainfall alert in the region.

Rain fury in Punjab

Swinging into action to take stock of the relief and rescue measures going on at the grassroots, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday conducted a tour of rain-affected areas and interacted with people evacuated from low-lying areas in the aftermath of downpour.

The Chief Minister said the situation was alarming but the government was making efforts to minimise the loss of lives. Mann said teams of the NDRF have been roped in for rescue work but the Indian Army has not been yet pressed in officially for this work.

The Chief Minister said he had a word with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday during which he apprised him about the entire situation. “As of now Central assistance is not required for relief and rescue work as the situation is under control.”

However, Mann said “if need arises, then help will be sought from the Union government to tackle the situation”.

The Chief Minister also said that a special ‘girdwari’ will be conducted to ascertain the loss of crops, houses and others. Detailed instructions will be issued to the Deputy Commissioners to immediately carry out ‘girdwari’ in the areas lashed by rains to ascertain the damage.

Mann assured the people that the government was committed to safeguarding their interests against nature’s fury.

The Chief Minister said an elaborate flood protection mechanism has been put in place to safeguard the life and property of people.

He said that Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) are expediting the relief work in their respective districts so as to provide succor to the masses. Mann said an alert has already been issued in low-lying areas and help is being provided to the needy people.

Meanwhile, flood control rooms have been set up in all districts of the state and numbers have been made public.

Mann said the officials have been directed to ensure immediate action on any sort of distress call by people in case of emergency.

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Environment India News

Rain fury rocks North India

The weather office has predicted more rain for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi and its adjoining areas…reports Asian Lite News

Heavy rains in several parts of north India has disrupted lives of lakhs of people who live in the region. Several towns and cities remain inundated in waist-deep water as incessant rains lash Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation as landslides and flash floods, and held talks with the chief ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He has assured help to both the states on behalf of the central government.

“Spoke to senior Ministers and officials, and took stock of the situation in the wake of excessive rainfall in parts of India. Local administrations, NDRF and SDRF teams are working to ensure the well-being of those affected,” PMO said in a tweet.

The weather office has predicted more rain for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi and its adjoining areas.

In worst-hit Himachal Pradesh, a red alert has been sounded and all schools and colleges will remain closed for two days. All major rivers are in spate, bringing normal life to a standstill. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged people to stay home for the next 24 hours and cooperate with authorities.

Frightening images of the chaos unleashed by the rain — cars floating like paper boats on flooded roads, muddy waters gushing into residential areas, temples and other structures submerged on the banks by the swollen rivers — were shared online by people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi.

In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water.

Red alert in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh, the worst hit among all, has recorded a monetary loss of Rs 785.51 crore. In a statement issued by Himachal Pradesh state authorities on Monday, the death toll in the state has been reported at 72, with 8 people missing and 92 injured. 39 landslide incidents have been reported, along with 1 cloud burst and 29 flash floods, the report stated.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for 10 of 12 Himachal districts including Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra and Kullu. All major rivers, including Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Swan and Chenab are in spate.

Solan received 135 mm of rain on Sunday, breaking a 50-year-old record of 105 mm of rain in a day in 1971, while Una received the highest rainfall since 1993.

Officials said rail operations on the Shimla-Kalka route, a UNESCO world heritage site, have been suspended till tomorrow as landslides blocked the track at several places.

“We have rescued 80 people today. The situation is bad as the water level of the river is rising. Our team is on alert and we are reviewing the areas alongside the river Beas,” SSP Mandi, Soumya Sambasivan said.

‘Flood unlikely in Delhi’

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today chaired a high-level meeting to discuss waterlogging caused by rain in the city and Yamuna’s rising water levels. He said flooding was unlikely in the national capital. Kejriwal said, if needed, the administration will shift the people from low-lying areas to safe spots as the water level of the Yamuna River is set to cross the danger mark by tomorrow. A total of 16 control rooms are active in Delhi.

“As per CWC, River Yamuna river flowing at 203.58 metres in Delhi. It is expected to reach 205.5 metres tomorrow morning. Also, according to weather predictions, the water level in Yamuna is not expected to rise too high. If Yamuna crosses the 206 metre mark, then we will start evacuation along the banks of the river,” he detailed.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Uttarakhand, an orange alert was sounded in all districts as water levels rose in all major rivers, including the Ganga. More showers are likely in the next two days.

At least nine people have been killed in rain-related incidents across the state. On Sunday, three pilgrims drowned in the Ganga after their jeep fell into the river amid a landslide near Gular on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway.

Red alert in Ladakh

Two people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a landslide hit a passenger bus in Doda district, while in Ladakh’s Kargil district, a man was killed after his vehicle got crushed under a boulder that rolled down a hillock along the Leh-Srinagar national highway.

There were also reports of snowfall from high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh, where a red alert has been issued for heavy rain.

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India News Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

Manipur: North India’s natural splendour and beauty

The Singda Dam is the tallest mud dam in the world. Singda is situated at a height of about metres above sea level and is 16 kilometres from the capital city of Imphal. With its picturesque views and relative peace, it is a well-liked picnic location…writes Olivia Sarkar

Manipur is a beautiful and fascinating state in northeastern India, It is abundant in natural splendour and beauty. The state exemplifies Indian natural beauty, making it a great tourist destination.

On April 15, the 59th Femina Miss India competition grand finale will be held at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal, Manipur, and will be sponsored by the Manipur Tourism Department with co-presentation by VLCC & Trends. If you are travelling to Manipur for the Grand Finale, take a chance and visit these sites to experience the splendour of pristine nature.

Loktak Lake

This is the only floating lake in the world and the biggest freshwater lake in north-eastern India. Bhumia and Sendra are two of the few islands in the lake. Additionally, this lake is the location of the Keibul National Park. The best time to experience a sublime boat ride on the lake is at sunset. It defines the beauty of the city at its best.

Places to visit at the Femina Miss India 2023 hosting state.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Kangla Fort

On the banks of the Imphal River, in a location sometimes known as the Palace of Kangla, King Pakhangba had his regal residence. This fort has been available for public observation since 2003. Due to its historical and archaeological value, it is a popular tourist destination and the entry fee to the fort is very pocket-friendly.

Places to visit at the Femina Miss India 2023 hosting state.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Singda Dam

The Singda Dam is the tallest mud dam in the world. Singda is situated at a height of about metres above sea level and is 16 kilometres from the capital city of Imphal. With its picturesque views and relative peace, it is a well-liked picnic location.

Places to visit at the Femina Miss India 2023 hosting state.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Langthabal

Langthabal, one of the city’s top tourist destinations, is well known for its majestic temples and ancient structures. A must-see among the magnificent architectural wonders is the jackfruit and pine plantations.

Shri Govindjee Temple


One of Manipur’s most important temples, built in the Nagara architectural style, is located close to the royal palace. Along with Shree Govindajee, it is dedicated to a number of other Hindu deities, including Krishna, Balaram, Jagannath, Subhadra, etc.

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Education Lite Blogs

Oldest orphanage in Delhi rears orphans of North India

Children at the Ghar, both boys and girls, are sent to nearby primary and secondary schools in the walled city. They are also additionally taught some courses in computer programming, music, sewing and other courses to help them develop professional proficiency…writes Dr Shujaat Ali Quadri

Little Zoobi was dropped by her mother a year back at ‘Bacchon Ka Ghar’, Delhi’s oldest orphanage, in Matia Mahal locality in the walled city. She is now accustomed to her new home, bajis (wardens), sahelis (friends) and aapis (elder sisters). Only occasionally, she craves for her home and her late father. But solace comes in the company of Shaila, Ashiya, Ruby and others who have also lost their fathers and share the shelter with Zoobi.

Stories of Zoobi and her housemates narrate similar tales: their mother or relatives leave them at the Ghar as they couldn’t manage to raise and educate them. The Ghar does so until they turn 18 and then are returned to their guardians.

The Ghar houses around 50 girls, aged 7-18.

Bacchon Ka Ghar was started by Hakim Ajmal Khan, educationist, freedom fighter and legendary unani medicine practitioner in 1891 in Daryaganj as a shelter for orphaned boys. Later, a branch of it was started in an old world style haveli in a Matai Mahal alley near the historic Jama Masjid.

Girls and their wardens lament the congestion in their home and the location of their house. “We, 50 girls and five staff members, live in six rooms. Our street is too narrow that only one man can walk at a time and it is located in such a dense area that we fear to let girls out after they return from school,” said Ayesha Khan, the warden, referring to untoward incidents involving women reported in Delhi on a regular basis.

But wardens, Ayesha and Roshni Jahan, and guard Sadood Miyan are happy that they are successfully running a family of 50 girls in a densely-populated locality which at times makes these girls feel alienated, but at other times, they also receive showers of affection.

“As and when a marriage takes place in the vicinity, girls being girls, are curious and anxious to attend. They feel pain of being relation-less, relative-less. But some courteous neighbours make sure that they participate, have meals and revel in the festivity,” said a senior inmate, who was shy to share her name.

Girls are admitted to the Ghar either by their mothers or by some relatives. “Among Muslims, a child is considered yateem (orphan) if his or her father dies. We admit such girls whose mothers or guardians come with the death certificate of their fathers. The trust manages all expenses of children and their education,” said Masroor Ahmed, chairman of the Trust running the Ghar.

Children at the Ghar, both boys and girls, are sent to nearby primary and secondary schools in the walled city. They are also additionally taught some courses in computer programming, music, sewing and other courses to help them develop professional proficiency.

One of the inmates, Ashraf, who is in Class VIII and plays guitar to the satisfaction of his music teacher, says that he loves to sing Urdu poetry on modern musical notes. His classmate Subhan says he was learning the Quran by heart to become hafiz.

Apart from many teachers employed in various schools of Delhi, the Ghar also produced late Bollywood writer and eminent poet Akhtar ul Iman, who was two-time recipient of the coveted Filmfare award and also the Sahitya Akademi award, the highest literary honour conferred by the Indian government.

Sadly, the luminous connection could not fetch the much required funds and government attention the Ghar deserved. “Even we ourselves have never tried to reach the government or any political organisation for help. We collect funds from well-wishers and socially conscious Delhiites to run these Centres,” said Masroor. He along with other trust members like Tejpal Bharti roam in the whole city to collect funds.

“While most of the time, we roam in different places to collect money, sometimes people themselves come to deposit their zakat and sadqa. Somehow, we manage to raise these kids and provide them decent education up to Class XII,” said Faiyaz.

Unfortunately, the Delhi government, which also has a minister in its Cabinet who represents the constituency where the Ghar is situated, seems to have no plan to assist the Ghar.

“They don’t approach us,” was the response of Asim Ahmed Khan, MLA from Matia Mahal, and the Food and Supply Minister in the Delhi government, when this correspondent probed him about his plans for his constituency and the urgent attention the orphanage demands.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in North Delhi provides a paltry Rs 250 per child per month assistance to the Ghar. “Even that is released after several visits to the MCD office,” said a clerk at the Trust office.

This correspondent also contacted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office to know whether his government nurtures any plan for the Ghar. He didn’t get any reply till the writing of this report.

“With our limited funds, we manage to develop these children sensible enough to face life ahead. Those exceptionally talented are also helped to study in better schools and colleges. Some boys have managed to become engineers and one girl qualified for Company Secretary’s course after completion of her studies here. We hope that the government realises its responsibility for the orphanage and helps build it a proper hostel for these children. And if not the government, then the Muslim community should come forward,” said Faiz Ahmed, manager of the staff at the Ghar.

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Environment India News

North Indians face most extreme air pollution in the world: Study

The report by EPIC said that north India breathes “pollution levels that are 10 times worse than those found anywhere else in the world”…reports Asian Lite News.

A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) has found that 480 million people in northern India face the “most extreme levels of air pollution in the world.”

Indian cities routinely dominate global pollution rankings and bad air kills more than a million people every year, the BBC reported.

The report by EPIC said that north India breathes “pollution levels that are 10 times worse than those found anywhere else in the world”.

This air pollution has spread over decades beyond the region to western and central Indian states such as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where the average person is now losing between two-and-a-half to three years of life expectancy as compared to early 2000, the study said.

Air pollution can reduce the life expectancy of Indians by nine years, said a report by a US research group.

The EPIC study said that 480 million people in northern India face the “most extreme levels of air pollution in the world”, and, over time, these high levels have expanded to cover other parts too.

Strong clean air policies can add up to five years to people’s lives, it added.

New data from the Air Quality Life Index report by EPIC said that residents in Delhi could see up to 10 years added to their lives if air pollution is reduced to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 10 µg/m³, the BBC reported.

In 2019, India’s average particulate matter concentration was 70.3 µg/m³ – the highest in the world.

The report said that Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, which together account for nearly a quarter of the global population, consistently figure in the list of top five most polluted countries on earth.

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