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Natural Disasters

  • US appeal to military regime in Burma

    President George W. Bush offered to send US naval forces to help cyclone-devastated Burma yesterday as the number of people dead and missing soared to 60,000. Mr Bush said the US, which has long-standing trade and investment sanctions against Burma, stood ready to "do a lot more to help", but that the ruling generals had first to open the door to the US. "We're prepared to help move navy assets to help find those who have lost their lives, to help find the missing and to help stabilise the situation," said Mr Bush, who has been a fierce critic of the regime.

  • This monsoon, BMC looks to traffic police CCTVs to monitor water-logging

    To tie up with traffic department, railways and cellphone companies to keep citizens informed This monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will rope in a brand new slew of initiatives to cause minimum inconvenience to citizens during emergencies or major floods. While civic officials seeking to monitor water-logging will soon approach the Traffic Police to set up a mechanism to obtain video feeds from 64 important traffic junctions that the traffic department's CCTVs monitor for traffic offences, real-time weather updates will also be uploaded on the BMC's all-new portal.

  • US Disaster Team Awaiting Green Light From Myanmar

    Myanmar, which is under heavy US sanctions, has so far refused an offer of help from a US disaster response team after a cyclone killed thousands of people at the weekend, the State Department said on Monday. The US Embassy in Myanmar issued a disaster declaration authorizing the immediate release of $250,000 in assistance after the cyclone hit the impoverished country, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said.

  • Myanmar cyclone death toll tops 10,000

    Myanmar said on Monday more than 10,000 people had been killed in the cyclone that tore into the impoverished and secretive Asian nation at the weekend, and tens of thousands more may also have died. Faced with the devastation, the foreign minister, Nyan Win, said his reclusive nation would welcome international aid, as neighbouring countries and the United Nations said they were ready to assist in the recovery.

  • Erosion threatens Brahmaputra Right Embankment area

    JAMUNA river erosion has taken a serious turn in the Brahmaputra Right Embankment area in Sirajganj and Bogra, so did on the eve of the current dry season. With the changing trends, the mighty Jamuna is directly hitting the flood control embankment at Sailabari and Shimla points under sadar upazila, Shubhagachha and Meghai points under Kazipur upazila in Sirajganj. Similarly, it is also hitting at Bhanderbari point under Dhunat upazila, Talukdarpara and Karnabari points under Sariakandi upazila in Bogra.

  • Myanmar cyclone death toll hits 10,000

    Myanmar said Monday that more than 10,000 people had been killed in the cyclone that tore into the impoverished and secretive Asian nation at the weekend, and tens of thousands more may also have died. Faced with the devastation, Foreign Minister Nyan Win said his reclusive nation would welcome international aid, as neighbouring countries and the United Nations said they were ready to assist in the recovery.

  • Burma in call for aid as cyclone deaths rise

    Burma's military rulers told foreign diplomats yesterday that more than 10,000 people had died in the devastating cyclone at the weekend, as the regime made a rare appeal for international help to bring relief to survivors. The diplomats fear a further 3,000 could be missing. The cyclone, which devastated Rangoon, the largest city, and the rice-growing Irrawaddy Delta, reached speeds of up to 120mph as it ripped through the countryside.

  • India to send relief

    India is sending two naval ships with relief and medical supplies to Myanmar where a severe cyclone claimed over 10,000 lives and rendered many more homeless. The ships carrying food items, tents, blankets, clothing and medicines will sail to Yangon from Port Blair, the external affairs ministry announced here. President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee have sent messages of condolence, expressing their deep distress at the devastation caused by the natural disaster.

  • Myanmar cyclone toll over 10,000

    More than 10,000 persons have been killed in a tropical cyclone that struck Myanmar at the weekend, Foreign Minister Nyan Win told state television, adding that this nation would welcome international aid. "According to the latest information, more than 10,000 persons were killed,' Nyan Win said, after briefing foreign diplomats. "Information is still being collected, and there could be more casualties,' he added. Nyan Win also welcomed Thailand's promise to send emergency food and medicine, saying Myanmar would welcome international aid from other countries.

  • Myanmar cyclone kills at least 351

    At least 351 people were killed and nearly 100,000 left homeless when tropical cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar, razing thousands of buildings and knocking out power lines, state media said Sunday. Residents awoke Sunday to scenes of devastation after the cyclone bore through swathes of southern Myanmar late Friday and Saturday, uprooting trees, cutting phone lines and water pipes, and clogging streets with debris.

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