Newshangama

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Sudha Murthy donates Rs 10 crore for flood relief in Karnataka

Karnataka Floods

This is not the first time that Sudha Murthy has contributed for flood relief work in the state.

With floods ravaging the northern and coastal parts of Karnataka, Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy has donated a sum of Rs 10 crore for flood relief. Infosys Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Infosys. This is not the first time that Sudha Murthy has contributed for flood relief work in the state. Last year, she had donated Rs 25 crore for rehabilitation work, including construction of houses in flood-hit Kodagu district. “Infosys has grown from just Rs. 10,250 and today it is an IT giant, with headquarters in Bengaluru and providing jobs for lakhs of people worldwide. This would not have been possible without the support of the people of Karnataka, the successive governments and the local talent pool. We believe in giving back to the society and now our energies are focussed on that. Infosys will construct houses for the people in Kodagu and the government can provide other facilities such as roads and drinking water,” she had said. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday said that PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him over the phone and collected information about the flood situation in the state. CM Yediyurappa said that the Union government has assured funds for the state and has promised full cooperation. The loss is presently estimated to be around Rs 5000 crore and a proper estimation will be done after the situation improves, said the CM. Yediyurappa has also urged people to contribute to the CM’s Relief Fund. "I appeal to donors with folded hands that we are in a peculiar situation. Please donate generously,” the CM said, while speaking to reporters after visiting the flood-ravaged areas of Belagavi. Meanwhile, the death toll due to the floods in the state currently stands at 16, with 2,07,212 people evacuated and 1,41,683 persons shifted to relief camps. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall in the state over the next five days starting from Friday. The IMD in its forecast said there will be isolated heavy rainfall to extremely heavy rainfall in seven districts until Sunday morning.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MbaRb1
via IFTTT

Karnataka floods: Death toll climbs to 16, more than 2 lakh people evacuated

Disaster

The district administration in Kodagu has said that the death toll could rise.

TNM Staff

On Friday evening, the official death toll in the floods in Karnataka stood at 16, as rescue and relief operations continue. The situational report prepared by the Chief Minister’s office said the orange warning is still in place for the Upper Krishna catchment area. Among the 16 deaths, eight were reported in Belagavi, two in Uttara Kannada, one each in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi and three in Dharwad. However, more deaths were confirmed by district administrations in Kodagu. The DC confirmed that seven people have died, out of which five people were trapped in a landslide. There are eight others who have been reported to be missing. As of Friday evening, 2,07,212 people have been moved away to safety and Nodal officers are camping in vulnerable villages. In a total of 576 relief camps, 1,41,683 number of people have taken shelter. Clean drinking water, food and other relief materials have been provided in relief camps. Rescue and relief operations are underway by a joint team of Fire and Emergency, SDRF, NDRF and Army. Four Indian Air Force choppers have been deployed to Belagavi (stationed at Hubbali). One Indian Navy chopper has been sent to Uttara Kannada. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has been travelling flood-affected areas and conducting aerial surveys of the flood. The CMO report said Rs 100 crores have been released to flood-affected districts for immediate flood relief measures. Food and medicines are being air-dropped in seven villages (Bidralli, Dongri, Heggarani, Kalleshwar, Heggar, Ramanguli and Kaigari) of Uttara Kannada. As per initial estimates, 1,410 km of roads have been damaged and 211 bridges, 10 minor irrigation tanks, 4,019 government buildings, 92 water supply infrastructure, 2,575 electrical poles and four sanitation structures were damaged in Belagavi alone. In Dharwad, 413 km of roads damaged, 47 bridges/culverts, 19 tanks, 71 canals,158 government building have been damaged. Minor landslides have taken place and several trees have fallen – a few stretches of NH-66, NH 275, SH-91 (Virajpet-Makuta) have been damaged in Kodagu. The report added that the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre has predicted scattered moderate rain with isolated placed likely to receive heavy rainfall. Belagavi district is most likely to receive scattered to fairly widespread with moderate rain for the next four days. Coastal and Malnad regions in Karnataka are likely to receive widespread with heavy rains for the next two days.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/31rt9bB
via IFTTT

Centre will extend full support to flood-hit Karnataka: Union Min Pralhad Joshi

Disaster

The Central government will also release additional funds for rehabilitation of the people after the rains subside, h said.

IANS

File image

The Central government on Friday assured flood-hit Karnataka of all possible help in mitigating the hardships of its people reeling under the devastation caused by heavy monsoon rains, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters. "Of the Rs 200 crore the state government sought for relief management, the Centre has already released Rs 78 crore and the balance 128 crore will be released soon," Joshi said. A three-time MP from Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency, Joshi visited the flood-hit areas in the state's northwest districts of Belagavi, Bangalkot and Huballi-Dharwad and interacted with the affected people. The state can also apply and avail an additional Rs 100 crore assistance from the Centre under the State Disaster Response Fund."There is no dearth of funds and resources to provide rescue and relief to the people of the state where 12 districts in coastal, central and northwest regions are affected by floods caused by heavy rains and gusty winds over a week," said Joshi. The Central government will also release additional funds for rehabilitation of the people after the rains subside. The death toll in rain-related deaths increased to 15 from 9 in the state on Friday and 45,000 people have been shifted to relief camps and safer places from low-lying and submerged areas in the affected districts. The Centre has also flown in four companies of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the flood-hit districts of Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Uttar Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga and Raichur. "Rescue and relief operations are being scaled up in the affected districts in view of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more heavy rains in the regions till August 11, an official told IANS in Bengaluru. The decision to scale up the operations was taken in New Delhi earlier on Friday at a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Union Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha. The meeting was called to review the flood situations in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Met Department has predicted more rains in the southern and western regions of the country over the next two days.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZNHYol
via IFTTT

How a group of eight locals rescued people stuck in flooded homes in Kodagu

Karnataka Floods

Around 50 residents of Kodagu's Goodugadde village were stranded in their flooded homes on Friday morning.

Theja Ram

Around 50 residents of Kodagu's Goodugadde village were stranded in their flooded homes on Friday morning, hoping that help would come before the river Cauvery would take away their lives. Luckily for Goodugadde's residents, help came in the form of eight Good Samaritans, who ferried them to safe places through small iron-made coracles. Mustafa, a 32-year-old activist from Kodagu, suspected that people were stranded in Goodugadde and other villages along the banks of the Cauvery river. Mustafa had heard from the local grapevine that many people had not left their homes despite a flood warning. At around 6 am on Friday, Mustafa and his friends Ranjith Kumar, Afzal, Iliyas, Shafiq and four others from Siddapura, were anxious as the Dubbare Rafting Team was busy with rescue elsewhere. Mustafa and his friends rushed to the Siddapura Police Station and requested the police to lend them the iron-made coracle lookalikes that the police had kept in the evidence room, which they had seized when they busted an illegal sand mining ring. "We call it thappe in Kannada. They are circular, iron made vessels sand miners use to transport sand. It's smaller than a coracle but bigger than the round vessels used to carry sand in construction sites. We wanted those so we could row it and look for stranded people," Mustafa explains. When the group reached Goodugadde, they found several senior citizens, children and middle aged people stranded in their flooded homes. Many were sitting on their rooftops, while some of them clung to trees, waiting for help. "There were about 50 people. We began rescue at 7am and it went on till 11 am. We lost count of the number of trips we made to bring all of them to safety. They were sent to relief camps in Siddapura. By 12 pm, the Dubbare Rafting Team came to help us and we continued rescue operations in Baradi and Kakkattagadu villages," Ranjith Kumar says. Mustafa, Ranjith and the team of local rescuers claim that they are experienced swimmers and that they had volunteered during rescue operations in the floods that hit Kodagu in 2018. "We have lived along the banks of river Cauvery all our lives. We have a very close relationship with the river and swimming is the first thing we learnt as children. We are expert swimmers and if our skill could be put to use to help people in need, then it's our duty to help them. What is the point of being an expert at something and not helping those who could benefit from it?" Mustafa says. Mustafa and his motley crew continue their rescue operations even now. "We will help as much as we can. Our people have seen too much damage due to rains and floods. Currently, we are going back and forth Goodugadde and recovering their belongings," Mustafa adds.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2OJIaUr
via IFTTT

Friday, August 9, 2019

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in 7 Karnataka districts till Sunday morning

Weather

Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga will see extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places, warned IMD.

Soumya Chatterjee

The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of more rainfall in the state of Karnataka over the next five days beginning Friday as many parts of the state are reeling under floods. In its forecast issued on Friday, the IMD said there will be isolated heavy rainfall to extremely heavy rainfall in seven districts until Sunday morning. For the three coastal districts, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi, the Met Department has warned of scattered heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall with isolated places having extremely heavy rainfall for Friday and Saturday (August 10). While Sunday will see heavy to very heavy rainfall in these three districts, Monday and Tuesday will witness heavy rainfall. According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is between 64.5-115.5 mm, very heavy rainfall is 115.5mm- 204.4 mm, extremely heavy rainfall is excess rainfall of 204.5 mm. In north Karnataka’s Belagavi, which is the worst affected district, IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rainfall until 8.30am on Sunday. Thereafter, the rains are expected to subsite to light to moderate intensity. For Dharwad and Haveri districts, there is a warning for heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday. In Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga of the Malnad region, IMD warns of scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall from Friday until 8.30am on Sunday. Heavy rainfall is predicted till 8.30am on Wednesday. For Hassan district, there is warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday. From Sunday until Wednesday morning, heavy rainfall is forecast. While Mysuru district will see heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday, and heavy rainfall on Saturday, the rains subside thereafter. IMD forecasts heavy rains until Sunday morning in Mandya. Due to rainfall in the entire Cauvery catchment area, many tributaries are in spate and there is fear of them flooding its bank. The Lakshman Tirtha river which originates from Virajpet in Kodagu has flooded its bank in 80 years. Since Wayanad is flooded, Kabini dam is getting heavy inflows as well. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out in the sea. There has been extremely heavy rainfall in many parts of the state in the last 24 hours, According to the IMD, Bhagamandala ( Kodagu) received 400 mm , Yellapur ( Uttara Kannada) received 300 mm, Hunchadakatte ( Shivamogga) received 290 mm, Virajpet ( Kodagu), Kalasa ( Chikkamagaluru) received 270 mm each, Ponnampet ( Kodagu) received 260 mm, Sargur ( Mysuru) received 230 mm, Mudigere ( Chikkamagaluru) received 220 mm, Sringeri ( Chikkamagaluru) received 210 mm.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2M9fiD1
via IFTTT

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in 7 Karnataka districts till Sunday morning

Weather

Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Shivamogga will see extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places, warned IMD.

Soumya Chatterjee

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2KC0fyz
via IFTTT

Indian firm MedGenome finds a way to detect multi-drug resistant strain of TB

Health

Using ‘SPIT SEQ’, a Whole Genome Sequencing based test, doctors can now obtain a detailed analysis of the mutations which are present in a tuberculosis bacteria.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is a serious public health threat in India. Often, it takes months before doctors are even able to pick up on the fact that an individual with the infection has been afflicted with a multi-drug resistant strain. Researchers at MedGenome Lab, based out of Bommasandra in Bengaluru, have come up with a groundbreaking technique which will allow for drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis to be detected. Using ‘SPIT SEQ’, a Whole Genome Sequencing based test, doctors can now obtain a detailed analysis of the mutations which are present in a tuberculosis bacteria. Drug resistance can also be detected which will allow doctors to prescribe an individual the medicine which will treat their particular strain rather than spend a month attempting treatment via trial and error, to discover which medication can be used in a particular individual. “SPIT SEQ is a massive breakthrough that can help millions. This particular test not only brings accurate results but also saves a lot of time where TB treatment is concerned. In line with India’s objective to counter TB effectively and quickly, we aim to benefit the last person living with TB today”, said Dr VL Ramprasad, COO, MedGenome Labs. With this technology, doctors can simply test an individual’s samples to determine what medication would work most effectively to treat the person. “Direct Whole Genome Sequencing reveals information on drug resistance mutations for all anti TB drugs in a matter of 10 days. Soon, this technology will help in optimising the precise management of an MDR-TB patient,” stated Dr Camilla Rodriques, P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, to the media. In March 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India would eradicate tuberculosis by the year 2025. However, several health experts have noted that given the high rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the country, this will not be easy to achieve.

Body 2:

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2M8wk4o
via IFTTT

Ads

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Friday, August 9, 2019