The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) responded to over 300 calls reporting fire-related incidents during Diwali celebrations, according to officials, although no life-threatening cases were reported. In conversation with ANI, Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg stated that nearly 158 fire-related incidents were reported between midnight and 6 a.m. “There were no major cases, but we did receive many calls. From 5 p.m. yesterday until midnight, around 192 calls were recorded, and between midnight and 6 a.m., about 158 more incidents were reported. Altogether, in just 12 hours from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., we surpassed 300 calls,” said Atul Garg. He further explained that there were no major fire incidents this Diwali, due in part to the increased fire force. “There were minor fires, including an incident in Vikaspuri where two people became unconscious, and another in Mangolpuri, where a woman and two children sustained injuries. We had a significant number of calls, but thanks to the enhanced fire force, we managed to keep the situation under control, and no life-threatening incidents were reported,” the DFS Director added. Commenting on a fire incident on a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus, the DFS Director explained that a call had been received from the Najafgarh area around 6:30 p.m. Authorities were informed that a man was transporting potash, a substance primarily used in firecracker manufacturing and known for its high flammability, on a DTC bus, resulting in a blast. “A call from Najafgarh reported that a man carrying potash on a DTC bus had caused an explosion. Potash is a common firecracker component and is highly inflammable. Two people were injured, and we dispatched two fire tenders to the scene,” he said. Earlier, Delhi Police reported that a passenger and a co-passenger sustained minor burns on Thursday evening when firecrackers ignited on a DTC bus. An investigation revealed that a passenger was carrying a small amount of firecrackers, which accidentally caught fire. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dwarka reported receiving a PCR call regarding the incident from Chhawla Police Station. “The fire appears to have started from firecrackers being transported on board. Initial investigations suggest a passenger was carrying a small quantity of firecrackers, which ignited, causing burns to him and the co-passenger seated nearby. Both were taken to IGI Hospital, and the investigation continues,” Delhi Police stated. Meanwhile, air quality in Delhi deteriorated significantly on Monday morning, as residents defied the firecracker ban during Diwali night. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in many parts of Delhi exceeded 350, posing serious health risks. At 7:00 a.m., Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 395, Aya Nagar at 352, Jahangirpuri at 390, and Dwarka at 376 – all indicating 'very poor' air quality levels with potential health hazards. Delhi was not alone, as other major cities across India, including Chennai and Mumbai, also recorded poor air quality and visible smog, affecting large urban areas. (With inputs from ANI)
01 November,2024 10:06 AM IST | New DelhiA day after the death of a Belgian paraglider, another paraglider from Czech Republic was killed in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali after she crashed into the mountainside on Wednesday, officials said. Two paragliders have died in two days in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 commencing on November 2 in Bir-Billing, considered as ‘paragliding paradise’, in Himachal’s Kangra district. The deceased solo paraglider, identified as Dita Misurcova, 43, crashed into the mountains near Marhi in Manali. She lost control over the glider due to strong winds, as per preliminary reports. The paraglider was immediately rushed to a hospital in Manali, where she was declared dead, officials added. An experienced paraglider, Misurcova had been paragliding for the past six years. On Tuesday, a Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding mid-air with another paraglider in Bir-Billing.
01 November,2024 08:27 AM IST | Shimla | AgenciesClimate change under a high-end emissions scenario could lead to a 16.9 per cent loss in GDP by 2070 across the Asia and Pacific region, with India projected to suffer a 24.7 per cent GDP loss, according to a new report. Rising sea levels and decreasing labour productivity would drive the most significant losses, with lower-income and fragile economies being hit the hardest, it said. The new research, presented in the inaugural issue of ADB’s “Asia-Pacific Climate Report”, details a series of damaging impacts threatening the region. It says that if the climate crisis continues to accelerate, up to 300 million people in the region could be at risk from coastal inundation, and trillions of dollars’ worth of coastal assets could face annual damage by 2070. “Climate change has supercharged the devastation from tropical storms, heat waves, and floods in the region, contributing to unprecedented economic challenges and human suffering,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. Urgent, well-coordinated climate action addressing these impacts is necessary before it is too late, he said. This climate report provides insights into financing urgent adaptation needs and offers promising policy recommendations to governments in our developing member countries on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the lowest cost, he added. Delhi air ‘very poor’ on Diwali morning Delhi’s air quality remained “very poor” on Thursday, the morning of Diwali. The Air Quality Index was 330 at 9 am and is expected to deteriorate further towards the evening as festivities take on. Delhiites woke up Thursday to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 November,2024 08:12 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe Chinese military on Thursday said troops of India and China are “making progress” in implementing the recent agreement to disengage from the friction points in the eastern Ladakh border but declined to comment on reports that the disengagement has been completed. Commenting for the first time after the October 21 agreement to disengage the troops, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, told a media briefing that “China and India have reached resolutions on the issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels”. “The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing resolutions in an orderly manner,” he said, reiterating the foreign ministry’s comments on Wednesday. He, however, declined to comment on the reports that the Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points. “On this question, I have no more information to offer,” Col Zhang said. On the bilateral agreement to disengage the troops, Col Zhang said President Xi Jinping met with PM Narendra Modi on the margins of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia last week. Sweet thaw: Troops share Diwali treats Troops of India and China exchanged sweets at several border points along the LAC, including at locations in eastern Ladakh, on the occasion of Diwali. The traditional practice was observed a day after both countries completed troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains. Rajnath: Next steps await Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the disengagement process was almost complete. “Based on this onsensus, the process of disengagement is almost complete. Our efforts will be to take the matter beyond disengagement; but for that, we will have to wait a little longer,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 November,2024 08:04 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesJammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday criticised the politicians who did not attend the Union Territory Foundation Day, saying it reflected their “dual character.” “I am seeing that those who took oath as MLA of a Union Territory and often refer to the Constitution of India (are not here),” Sinha said in his address at the UT’s fifth Foundation Day. “The ground reality is that it is a UT today. When it will be made a state, and we want it to be a state, we will celebrate statehood foundation day as well. This shows their dual character,” he added. Today is black day: Mehbooba Mufti People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday that her party would continue to observe the Union Territory (UT) Foundation Day as a black day till the special powers of the erstwhile state were not restored. “... I want to tell Governor Sahab that for Jammu and Kashmir and especially for the PDP, today is a black day. We will continue to observe it as a black day until the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir are not restored, “ Mehbooba Mufti told reporters. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 November,2024 07:52 AM IST | Srinagar | AgenciesTwo people, a passenger and co-passenger sustained burn injuries after firecrackers caught fire in a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Thursday evening, the Delhi police said, reported the ANI. Both were shifted to IGI Hospital where they are undergoing medical treatment, the officials said. An inquiry revealed that a passenger who was carrying a small quantity of firecrackers which caught fire while the passenger was on the bus. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dwarka, Delhi Police said that a PCR call was received at Chhawla police station about a fire incident on Thursday, according to the ANI. "Fire broke out in a DTC bus in Dwarka district. Prima facie it seems that fire broke out in firecrackers that were being carried onboard. On inquiry, it was found that a passenger was traveling in a bus carrying a small quantity of crackers. These crackers caught fire in the bus causing small burn injuries to the person carrying them and one co-passenger sitting beside him. Nothing suggesting blast has surfaced so far. Both have been shifted to IGI Hospital. Further investigation is underway," said Delhi police, the news agency reported. Firecracker laden two-wheeler explodes in Andhra Pradesh's Eluru town, one dies A man died after the firecrackers he was carrying on a two-wheeler reportedly exploded in Andhra Pradesh's Eluru town on Thursday, the police said, according to the PTI. The incident occurred when two persons were transporting a bag of firecrackers bought for Diwali celebrations, police said. The bag containing "onion bombs" and other crackers exploded after falling on the road, resulting in the death of the rider on the spot, a senior police official told PTI based on preliminary investigation. The pillion rider and two others standing on the roadside suffered injuries and were admitted to a hospital. According to police, the impact of the blast was so severe that the legs and other body parts of the two-wheeler rider got dismembered. CCTV footage aired by TV channels purportedly showed an explosion and some persons running away with dust engulfing the area. A case was registered and investigations has been launched by the police, said an official. (with ANI inputs)
31 October,2024 08:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentVanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar was admitted to a hospital in Pune on Thursday after he complained of chest pain, his party said in a statement on X. "Balasaheb (Prakash) Ambedkar was admitted to a hospital in Pune in the early hours of Thursday, October 31, for chest pain. He is being treated in the ICU for a blood clot in his heart. His condition is stable and he will undergo angiography in the next hour," said VBA on X. Balasaheb Ambedkar was admitted to a hospital in Pune in the early hours of Thursday morning, October 31, for a chest pain. Balasaheb Ambedkar is being treated at the ICU for a blood clot in his heart. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 and 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥… — Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (@VBAforIndia) October 31, 2024 The party said that Prakash Ambedkar is expected to be under observation for the next 3-5 days. "VBA state president Rekha Tai Thakur, with the support of the party's election coordination committee, manifesto committee and media and research department, will be leading the (Maharashtra assembly election 2024) campaign of VBA for the next few days," the post said, according to the PTI. The Prakash Ambedkar's family has requested that the privacy of the family be respected. The family of 70-year-old Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, won't take questions at this time, the party said, requesting that their privacy be respected as they deal with the circumstances concerning his health, the post on party's X handle stated. On Thursday evening, the VBA, in a post on X stated that Prakash Ambedkar underwent an angiography procedure and a small blockage has been found in the right coronary artery, which can be easily removed by angioplasty. His condition is not critical and is being mentored by an expert team of medical professionals. Balasaheb Ambedkar underwent an angiography procedure earlier today.A small blockage has been found in the right coronary artery, which can be easily removed by angioplasty. His condition is not critical and is being mentored by an expert team of medical professionals.For… — Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (@VBAforIndia) October 31, 2024 He will undergo angioplasty tomorrow in Pune, the party said.
31 October,2024 08:38 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentFive people have been arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman in Maharashtra's Amravati district, a police official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The victim has told police the crime occurred after she left her house on Tuesday following a quarrel with her parents, the official said. "As per the complainant, two youths gave her a lift on their two-wheeler. They took her to a secluded place, plied her with liquor and raped her. Three more persons were also involved in the gangrape," he said, according to the PTI. After the victim approached police on Wednesday morning, a case was registered and one person was initially apprehended with the help of CCTV footage. "His interrogation led to the arrest of four others within two hours. Further probe is underway," the official informed. Three arrested, two detained over gang rape of girl in Bhubaneswar In an another incident in Odisha, two men and a teenage girl were arrested in connection with the gangrape of another girl in Bhubaneswar, police said on Thursday, as per the PTI. Two other persons, aged 21 and 23 years, have also been detained and they are being interrogated, a police officer said, adding that the arrested men are both aged 19 years. The girl was allegedly gangraped in a hotel in the Odisha capital on October 16. A case was registered with Nayapalli police station on Wednesday on the basis of a complaint lodged by the survivor, Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra said, reported the PTI. The arrested girl was a common friend of both the victim and the accused and had allegedly introduced the survivor to the accused, he said. "The accused had allegedly spiked the victim's soft drink with some intoxicant and gangraped her," he said. The accused had also videotaped the incident and tried to extort the victim and her mother, the officer said. "We will seize the device used in videographing the incident and will take further action accordingly," he added. An officer of Nayapalli police station said the accused girl had introduced the victim to one of the accused, who had become close to her. On October 16, the accused had allegedly taken the victim to a park, where he spiked her soft drink with some intoxicant and then took her to a hotel, where he and three other accused took turns to rape her, the officer said. The accused had demanded Rs 12,000 from the victim and Rs 50,000 from her mother, threatening to upload the video on social media, the officer added. (with PTI inputs)
31 October,2024 08:31 PM IST | Amravati | mid-day online correspondentDelhi's air quality continued to deteriorate, remaining in the "very poor" category on Diwali, with levels expected to worsen to the "severe" category due to bursting of firecrackers at night. Delhiites woke up Thursday to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog. The air in Anand Vihar, a major terminus, was extremely polluted with the AQI in the "severe" category. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 328 at 4 pm, up from 307 on Wednesday when the city celebrated Chhoti Diwali. In 2023, Delhi residents enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali, with an AQI of 218, compared to 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. Last year, a decrease in stubble-burning incidents and rain before Diwali, along with favourable meteorological conditions, prevented the national capital from turning into a gas chamber after the festival. The pollutant PM2.5 level was recorded at 145 micrograms per cubic metre at 3 pm, according to the data. PM2.5 is fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems. In accordance with the practice of the past four years, Delhi has announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and the use of firecrackers in the city. In Delhi's neighbouring areas like Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida, and Noida, the air quality was slightly better and recorded in the "poor" category. In contrast, Faridabad's air quality was "moderate" with a reading of 181, according to the CPCB data. Thirty-eight monitoring stations showed that the air was in the "very poor" category across the city. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. On Diwali eve, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that 377 teams had been formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the national capital. He said that authorities are in touch with the resident welfare associations, market associations, and social organisations to spread awareness. Police teams have been formed to ensure that firecrackers are not burst. "Legal action will be taken against those found bursting crackers. They may also be booked under the relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for violating government orders," an officer said. Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, contribute to hazardous air quality levels in the Delhi-NCR during winters. According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee analysis, the city experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15, when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increases. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
31 October,2024 07:06 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA rift has emerged within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as both a Congress and a Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) candidate have filed their nominations for the Nanded (North) Assembly seat, each claiming to be the rightful candidate.Despite belonging to the same alliance, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have fielded candidates under their respective party symbols for the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024.Congress has nominated Abdul Sattar for the seat, while Sangeeta Vitthal Patil is contesting on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol.Commenting on the situation, Sattar stated that he represents the MVA."I would like to thank the Congress Party for entrusting me with this responsibility. The leadership has placed its trust in me, and we will campaign on the Congress Party's manifesto. Public support is with the MVA. The Mahayuti government has given only false promises and misled the public. We have many issues to raise against them," he said."I am the alliance candidate (MVA). Uddhav Thackeray even issued a letter stating that she [Patil] is not our candidate. I have received the B-form, and the public stands with the MVA," he added.Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sangeeta Vitthal Patil confirmed that her party provided her with the B-form, officially approving her candidacy."We are fully prepared. I have been engaging with the public for several months and anticipate full support. I had requested candidacy from both parties, having worked with Congress for 25 years with a strong record. However, Sattar Bhai received the Congress ticket," she explained."My party provided me with the B-form, and my candidacy has been accepted. Now, I am committed to fighting and winning," Sangeeta added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
31 October,2024 06:54 PM IST | Nanded | ANITwo more wild elephants have reportedly died in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) after allegedly consuming a toxic substance, taking the toll in MP elephant deaths to nine so far this week, while another jumbo is in a critical condition, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI. "One tusker died on Wednesday and another one on Thursday morning. One more is battling for life, he told PTI preferring anonymity. Post-mortem examination of eight elephants have been completed, while the autopsy of the ninth pachyderm was currently on, he said, as per the PTI. When contacted over phone, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) L Krishnamoorthy said, "Autopsies have been conducted and veterinary doctors on the basis on circumstantial evidences have said toxicity has been observed in their stomach," according to the PTI. "Also, a lot of kodo millet has been found (in their stomach)," said Krishnamoorthy, who heads the state government-appointed five-member committee probing the death of tuskers in Bandhavgarh which is spread across Umaria and Katni districts in eastern Madhya Pradesh, the news agency reported on Thursday. When pointed out that monkeys eat an enormous amount of kodo millet, but do not die, he said, "We have sent samples (viscera) of elephants to a Jabalpur-based school of wildlife forensic and health for examination." "Only forensic examination will reveal the toxin," Krishnamoorthy said when asked whether the dead elephants had consumed some poisonous pesticides sprayed in the field. All the dead elephants were part of a herd of 13 which included one male jumbo that has died, he said. According to wildlife experts, this is perhaps the first instance in the country where nine wildlife elephant have died in a span of three days, the news agency repoted. On Tuesday, four wild elephants were found dead in Salkhania and Bakeli areas under the Khitoli range of the reserve, a popular tourist attraction, during routine patrolling by forest guards. After that carcasses of three more jumbos were found in Bandhavgarh, which is famous for tigers, but also houses elephants. The Krishnamoorthy-led probe panel has been asked directed by the government to submit its report within ten days. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday termed the death of seven elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh "absolutely shocking" and said a full inquiry must take place immediately as well as preventive measures be instituted, reported the PTI. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The news from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that seven elephants have died while two or three more are critical, is absolutely shocking." "This wipes out some 10 per cent of the elephant population in the reserve at one go. A full inquiry must take place immediately and preventive measures must be instituted," the former environment minister said on X, tagging Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. (with PTI inputs)
31 October,2024 06:52 PM IST | Umaria | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
