A fresh round of heavy rain hitting South China since May 6 has resulted in 19 deaths and left one person missing, according to an initial tally from local civil affairs departments.

GUWAHATI: Floods and erosion are a perennial problem in Assam that have wreaked havoc on the people of the State, especially in rural areas and who live by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) sources said a slight improvement in the weather patterns was seen as at yesterday noon in most parts of the island.

Disruption of surface communication in flood-hit Kurung Kumey district bordering China has severely affected rescue operations.

The number affected by bad weather has risen to 89,868, Disaster Management Centre sources said.

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on Wednesday approved Rs 511-crore assistance for Rajasthan, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh - the sta

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on Wednesday approved . 511-crore assistance for Rajasthan, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh – the states affected by floods and droughts in 2012. Further, an additional grant of . 256 crore was given to Maharashtra for rejuvenation of orchards.

However, the high-level committee didn’t take a decision on extending the duty-free import of oil cakes for next six months, which is vital for steady availability and stable prices of fodder. The finance ministry is expected to assess the demand and supply situation of oil cakes in the country.

The Maharashtra government has woken up to the need for a command centre for coordinated response to disasters like terror strikes, floods and fires.

At least six persons, including three children, died in the remote Kurung Kumey district due to flash floods, triggered by incessant rain for the past few days, officials said on Monday.

Environment ministry does not evaluate cumulative environmental impact of multiple dams in a region. Funded by the project proponent, the EIA report of a project too downplays the environmental costs, reports M Rajshekhar

Housed in the ministry of environment and forests is a quasi-independent body whose job is to scrutinise every hydel-power project for environmental damage. In its six years, the hydel environmental assessment committee (EAC) has evaluated 262 hydropower plants and irrigation projects, according to a February 2013 study by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, a Delhi-based antidam organisation; it hasn’t rejected a single one.