Indonesia will hold a joint practice for its naval force and those from other ASEAN member countries and their eight dialogue partners (ASEAN+8) in 2014, in a bid to promote regional cooperation in humanitarian aid. Indonesian Navy chief of staff Admiral Marsetio revealed the information in the sid elines of an International marine security conference held in Jakarta on December 11. He said the exercise, which will take place on March 21, 2014 in Batam, the island province of Riau, aims to enhance the capacity of regional countries in undertaking humanitarian relief activities. Indonesia will also organise the 4 th Jakarta International Defence Dialogue in March, 2014 to promote marine cooperation for security and stability in the region, he added. The officer also underlined the significance of maritime cooperation to enhance the regional countries' humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts, especially the nations in the area of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where there are risks … [Read more...] about ASEAN + 8 navies to hold joint aid relief exercise
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At least 5,000 killed in flood in N. India: official
At least 5,000 people have been killed by flash flood in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand last week, said a government official on Sunday. "At least 5,000 people must have been killed in the deluge that inflicted heavy damage on vast tracts of land especially in Kedarnath valley," disaster management minister Yashpal Arya told the media. Rescuers and the military have rescued all the pilgrims stranded in the Kedarnath valley, Hindu the temple town which was the epicenter of the flood, described as Himalayan tsunami, which took by surprise local people and authorities last week. The meteorological department has warned of more rains in the region from Monday. Some 19,000 people still remained stranded in three areas of the state, said Press Trust of India. Bad weather halts rescue operations in flood-hit northern India Indian authorities Sunday said that rescue operations have been halted in the flood-hit northern Indian state of Uttarakhand due to bad weather, even … [Read more...] about At least 5,000 killed in flood in N. India: official
5 killed in strong earthquake in northern India
At least five people were confirmed dead in a strong earthquake which hit the northern Indian state of Sikkim on Sunday evening, said local TV reports. Four people died in Sikkim and one in the eastern state of Bihar in the quake-related accidents. In neighboring Nepal, at least five people were killed in the quake, including three at the British embassy in Kathmandu where a building reportedly collapsed. More information is being awaited after the primary reports of casualties from the strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale which struck at 6:11 p.m. local time (12:41 GMT) with its epicenter in the India-Nepal border area or 68 km northwest of Sikkim's capital Gangtok. … [Read more...] about 5 killed in strong earthquake in northern India
Over 200 feared dead in major ferry incident in northeast India
Over 200 people were feared dead in a major ferry incident in the northeast Indian state of Assam Monday evening, with 103 people confirmed dead from drowning while over 100 still remained missing after an over-packed double-decked steamer with 300 passengers capsized in the fast flowing Brahmaputra river amid a heavy storm. The Press Trust of India quoted Indian National Disaster Relief Force head Alok Jha as saying the bodies of 103 victims, including women and children, were recovered by the Border Security Force and the National Disaster Relief Force personnel near Jaleswar of the Bhubri district in western Assam. Dhubri district Police Deputy commissioner Kumud Chandra Kalita told the media about 25 people swam to safety, while 35 people were later rescued. The ferry was crossing the river from Dhubrighat, a fishing town, to Medartary in the south bank of the gigantic river when it capsized amid storm at 16:20 p.m. local time. The Indian Army, Navy, Border Security … [Read more...] about Over 200 feared dead in major ferry incident in northeast India
165 dead in India flooding
The death toll from last week's flooding and subsequent landslides has risen to 165 in the Himalayan town of Leh, India, according to a senior police officer. In confirming the increased death toll, Farooq Ahmad said that at least 400 people were injured and "have been treated or are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the town of Leh." Rescue workers continued to search for more than 400 people missing, state-run media reported on August 9. State chief minister Omar Abdullah and other senior government officials visited Leh on Monday to assess the situation, the statement said. One focus, according to government officials, is restoring crucial services to residents. It was Omar's second visit to the city in last four days to oversee the relief and rescue measures and rehabilitation operation. The government statement said those affected by the disaster are living in tents provided by the state government and Indian army. The official Press Trust of India … [Read more...] about 165 dead in India flooding