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
Relief trust 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
ASEAN Maritime Forum advocates cooperation in humanitarian relief
(VOVworld) - Improving cooperation in humanitarian relief and natural calamity mitigation is one of the topics at the 5th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the 3rdASEAN Maritime Forum Plus in the central city of Da Nang, Vietnam. As an important sea route linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the East Sea has always seen a large volume of shipping. The sea area has regularly suffered from natural calamities which directly threatens the lives of fishermen. Cooperation in search and rescue at sea is an important way to foster peace in the East Sea. New Zealand, Russia, and the US. Beginning in 2010, the ASEAN Maritime Forum has been a venue in which to foster mechanisms for national defense, combating cross-border crimes, developing transportation, fisheries, tourism, and the environment, increasing marine cooperation, connecting fishery sectors, responding to natural disasters, and studying marine biology. The forum also makes recommendations to governments on feasible … [Read more...] about ASEAN Maritime Forum advocates cooperation in humanitarian relief
Storm kills 84, razes 67,000 homes in India, Bangladesh
A violent tropical storm killed at least 84 people and devastated more than 67,000 homes as it swept across eastern India and Bangladesh overnight, officials said Wednesday. Winds of up to 120 kilometres (75 miles) an hour tore across northeastern India and neighbouring Bangladesh around midnight, ravaging mud and tin-roofed homes, uprooting trees and bringing down electricity lines. Officials in the states of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam said a total of 82 people had been killed. Two others were reported dead in Bangladesh, including a police officer. "The storm has left a trail of destruction everywhere," West Bengal minister of state for civil defence Srikumar Mukherjee told local television from the scene. The number of people killed and houses damaged could rise further, disaster officials said, as relief was rushed to the affected areas, where roads were blocked by fallen trees and phone lines were down. The storm was an extreme form of what is locally known as a … [Read more...] about Storm kills 84, razes 67,000 homes in India, Bangladesh
India is committed continued comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam
PANO - The traditional comprehensive relationship and cooperation between Vietnam and India have been developing rapidly especially in investment, national defence, security and culture over the past 40 years. This was stated by the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, E.Ahamed in an interview with the People's Army Newspaper's reporter during his visit to Vietnam at the beginning of 2012-the year of Vietnam-India Friendship. The bilateral diplomatic relation was officially established on January 7th, 1972. Earlier, in the 1950s, President Ho Chi Minh and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation for and cultivated the long-lasting ties between the two countries. The Indian diplomat was very impressed by Vietnam's socio-economic development in recent years. He said history is the witness to the courage and endurance shown by the people of Vietnam over centuries. Their resilience and determination, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh was the … [Read more...] about India is committed continued comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam