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Death toll in cloudbursts goes up to 53
Kapkot death toll 11
Soon, state to have birth defects registry
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Tehri bypoll: CM seeks votes for Saket
Relief to disaster-hit only on paper, says Ajay Bhatt
40% of potato crop damaged in Uttarkashi
15 years on, Champawat still faces shortage of amenities
Swami Rakesh new nominee of UKD (J)
Girls B’ball
tourney from tomorrow
Kumaon gears up for Nanda Mahotsava
Wills XI beat Indira Club in football
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Death toll in cloudbursts goes up to 53
Dehradun, September 17 According to State Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre officials, 53 deaths had so far been recorded from Rudraprayag district with 18 persons still missing. The relief and rescue teams were looking for bodies in the debris of the houses. A total of 131 families comprising 550 persons had been forced to leave their homes. A total of 460 persons had been rehabilitated in the Government Inter College, Ukhimath, while 90 persons had been accommodated at Bharat Sewa Ashram at Ukhimath. A total of 150 livestock had also far been recorded perished, whereas 48
houses were completely damaged. A total of 17 houses were extensively damaged and seven houses were partially damaged. However, the cloudbursts and the resultant devastation forced people in
the area to abandon their homes. Many of the families living in the vulnerable areas shifted to safer places with their relatives and dear ones as the weather office predicted more rains in the hill areas in the next
24 hours. The roads in the areas had also been badly damaged, hampering the rescue and relief work. The roads to the affected villages had been washed away at several places and relief teams were finding it difficult to reach these places with supplies.
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Kapkot death toll 11
Pithoragarh, September 17 According to the sources, a population of 1350 in 262 villages has been affected by this disaster till date, and besides 11 deaths, 2 have been missing since last week in Kapkot area, while 5 injured villagers have been admitted to local hospitals. "A total of 27 houses have been fully damaged, 93 are not in liveable condition and 68 houses have been partially damaged in the catastrophe that struck Kapkot villages four days ago," said Manju Pandey, District Disaster Management Officer of Bageshwar. According the officer, 174 villages have been affected in Kapkot by this disaster, whereas 6674 hectares of agriculture land had been washed away by the slide that followed the cloudburst in different villages of the subdivision. "Out of 6 national roads in the district, five are open and only one that connects Kapkot with the rest of the district has been closed. Three inter-district roads, 15 rural roads and 4 main district roads are closed while 24 light vehicle roads in the district are closed till date," said Manju Pandey. According to the villagers, 52 families in Garur area have also gone homeless. Keeping this in mind, District Magistrate V. Shanmugham has ordered to a survey the villages affected by the disaster. "The villages of Pothing, Cheerabagar, Naukori, Khaibagar Uchat Kapholi, Kaniyalikot, Sumti Baisani and Ganchi in Kapkot and Pokhari, Bantoli, Ruini, Lakhmar, Bhatiria, Rikhar and Maldey in Garur area have been affected badly," said Keshev Bhatt, a local journalist, who returned from the visit of the disaster-affected areas recently. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat, along with his team, visited the affected areas on Sunday and assured those affected that the government would do everything to help the villagers recover from the disaster. "There will be no shortage of funds for the relief and repair package the areas will need in the future," said the minister. "The villagers of 6 villages in Jagthana and Kaniyalikot areas are now compelled to travel 20 km from their village to the nearest market to purchase essential goods as the Bageshwar to Kapkot motor road has been damaged," said Keshev Bhatt.
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Soon, state to have birth defects registry
Dehradun, September 17 After an intense focus on anti-natal care aimed at reducing child and maternal mortality rate, the state has started focusing on reducing birth defects through the action on birth defects programme of the National Rural Health Mission. Dr Sujata Sinha, project head, birth defect, said: “A framework of birth defects, both genetic and non-genetic, will be prepared with focus on primary prevention, care and control, which will eventually lead to the preparation of the BDR.” There are many causes for birth defects involving a wide range of factors, some due to inherent blood disorders, congenital abnormalities and metabolic disorders. With the main focus on thalassemia, the programme aims at tracking G6PD (glucose-6 phosphate dehyrdogenase deficiency), orofacial cleft congenital malformation, congenital heart defect, neural tube defect and down syndrome. As part of primary preventive care, the focus will be on adolescent girls and ensuring they take iron tablets. “Often an expectant mother is given iron tablets, which may not be useful for preventing birth defects. The defects sets in within six to eight weeks of the conception period and iron plays a major role in the genesis process,” said Dr KC Pant, a senior physician at Doon Hospital. With the advent of prenatal screening and prenatal care, doctors can detect certain signs of birth defects and some of them can even be treated while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. Some can be treated immediately after the baby is born and there are still some birth defects for which there is no known treatment till date. While Doon Hospital will act as the state centre for the programme, an active screening of newborn babies with possible birth defects will be carried at the District Female Hospital. The testing for the G6PD deficiency has already started at Doon Hospital by using the filter paper for blood sampling to be followed by a test for congenital hypothyroidism. A survey for the preparation of the BDR and primary prevention has already started in the Raipur block of Dehradun, where adolescent girls were screened. Soon other blocks comprising Sahaspur, Doiwala and Vikas Nagar would be covered under the survey.
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Tehri bypoll: CM seeks votes for Saket
Mussoorie, September 17 Former BJP legislator Rajkumar joined the Congress at Purola in the presence of a large gathering amid cheers today. At Nainbagh, BSP leader Mohan Nirala also joined the Congress at Nainbagh. Saket, while addressing the gathering at Nainbagh, said his focus would be on the development of the youth of the constituency during the remaining 14 months of the present parliamentary tenure. He said he would make efforts for preparing an action plan for the composite development of the Tehri parliamentary constituency during the next 14 months. Saket said the people by voting in his favour would be taking forward his father’s legacy of development. He added if he was elected he would focus on providing education and health services to all. Saket appealed to the people for votes and said construction of roads and providing health and education to the remotest corner of the Tehri constituency would be his top priority. He said the allegation of the BJP that he was an outsider was baseless as its own candidate Raj Lakshmi herself had sought the Indian citizenship a few years ago. Therefore, it had no right to question his credentials. Saket said he was committed to bringing the constituency on the tourism map and providing employment to the last man in the remotest village. The Chief Minister solicited support for Saket and said the BJP rule had been marred by scams and lack of development. He assured the people that the he would ensure all round development of the region in all fields. Vijay Bahuguna highlighted the achievements of his government and said he had approved proposals of Rs 250 crore for tourism in the constituency. The Tehri lake would become an important venue for water sports in the near future, thus increasing employment opportunities. The Chief Minister appealed to all party workers to work in unison and strengthen the hands of the Congress in the constituency. |
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Relief to disaster-hit only on paper, says Ajay Bhatt
Haridwar, September 17 Ajay Bhatt was here today to attend a programme in Gurukul Kangri University. Prior to this at the state guest house in Damkoti, Mayapur, the Leader of the Opposition, who had returned after visiting the disaster-affected villages, told mediapersons that disaster relief was being provided on the paper. "In reality, people are still searching for the bodies of their family members. Compensation is not being provided immediately and there is no proper disaster management. People affected by the cloudburst are looking to the government for help, but only assurances are being given to them instead of food, shelter and compensation", said Bhatt. Taking on Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya, he pointed out that the CM had visited just a few villages and come back while he should have done a whirlwind tour of all villages. Earlier too in Uttarkashi, Bahuguna seemed to be unconcerned of the plight of the people of the state whom he represents. "He seems to be busy in extending his family lineage in politics rather than being worried about the people of this state. Corruption has touched an all-time high in the past six months of the Congress tenure and development has been halted due to infighting among Congress leaders," said Bhatt. He also warned the Congress of people's anger to be seen in the upcoming Tehri Garhwal bypoll where BJP candidate Mahrani Raj Laxmi will show the exit door to Saket Bahuguna. "The maharani is loved by the people of Tehri for her concern, the time she spends with the people of the region and has been off late involved in several issues related with the Tehri region. The BJP will make a landmark victory in the byelection which will be the warning bell for the Bahuguna government which could fall anytime," remarked Bhatt urging party activists of Haridwar to campaign for Maharani Raj Laxmi in nearby regions of
Dehradun-Mussoorie. |
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40% of potato crop damaged in Uttarkashi
Dehradun, September 17 Uttarkashi is considered as the capital of potato growers. With an annual production of 48,905 MT, it is the highest potato producing district in the hill state. The state had produced 4,24,300 MT of potato last year. The road network in the cloudburst-hit Uttarkashi is in a shambles as 26 roads still remain blocked. Even the Uttarkashi-Gangotri highway, a lifeline of potato growers in Uttarkashi, is in a bad shape. At present, only light vehicles are allowed to ply on the highway. Till it is open to heavy vehicles, farmers cannot transport their crop from fields to various mandis. Many prominent potato growing villages like Raithal, Barsu, Gorsali, Pujjan, Tihar, Pala, Silla, Sari and Dwar are situated on the highway and its nearby areas. The harvesting of potato starts in early August. However, the cloudburst has affected the harvest and transportation of the crop. Raithal, Barsu, Bhatwari, Harsil, Mori, Purola, Gorshali and Sukkhi are some of the villages famous for potato cultivation in Uttarkashi. Horticulture scientist, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Pankaj Nautiyal says: “Heavy rain can spoil up to 20 per cent of the potato production due to late blight disease. If the crop is not harvested in time, fungus in soil will develop, harming the potato yield. Rain and damaged roads will adversely affect the potato yield this time in Uttarkashi.” Jagmohan Rawat, a farmer from Barsu village, rues: “Potatoes are rotting in our village. The road connecting our village with other areas got damaged in the monsoon and we have no option to transport the crop. Potato growers will have to suffer a loss of 40 per cent this time due to heavy rain and road blocks. At present, only jeeps and cars are plying on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri highway. Till it is open to heavy vehicles, we cant transport our yield.” As there is no cold storage in Uttarkashi, there is no hope for farmers to take their crop to safer locations. Dalbeer Singh, a farmer from Kankari village, says, “Owing to landslides and poor road conditions, no transporter is willing to send their truck to the remote area.” |
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15 years on, Champawat still faces shortage of amenities
Pithoragarh, September 17 “Shortage of drinking water is the main problem of Champawat district as no new scheme has been planned for it. Champawat town is still dependant on nine natural springs, which were feeding it even before the district came into existence. Despite an increase in the administrative machinery and migration of nearby villagers to the town, no new drinking water schemes have been planned or implemented here,” said Dinesh Pandey, a journalist based in Champawat district. “Not only has the drinking water problem of the district remained unsolved till date, but also other basic needs of the people have not been addressed. One of these demands is a district hospital,” said Shankar Dutt Pandey, a social and political worker in the district. “We also need a bus station and a ring road to solve traffic problems caused due constantly increasing number of vehicles on the national highway. The post of the SDM, Sadar, has been lying vacant though former Chief Minister BC Khanduri had announced to fill it during a visit to the district,” said Shankar. The people of Champawat are also awaiting a master plan for the town as barren land around it could be used in a planned way. “If the government and the local administration could pay heed to the problem, we can make the ancient city of Champawat an ideal Pahari town boasting of local architecture and grandeur,” said
Dinesh. |
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URM candidate files papers
Dehradun, September 17 Accompanied by a large number of party workers and supporters, Japinder Singh went in a procession to the office of the District Magistrate. Senior party leaders, including president of the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha Lt Gen TPS Rawat (retd) also accompanied him. Earlier, addressing party workers, TPS Rawat alleged that both ruling Congress as well as the BJP had failed utterly in fulfilling the aspirations of the common people of the state. He said corruption and nepotism were prevalent and the masses were facing inflation. He hoped that his party had given an option to the voters to choose a better candidate. |
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Swami Rakesh new nominee of UKD (J)
Dehradun, September 17 Addressing mediapersons here today, central chief of the UKD (Jantantrik) BD Raturi said that due to health problems, Diwakar Bhatt had withdrawn his candidature. He announced Swami Rakesh Nath as the new party candidate for the bypoll. Raturi said Nath was a well-known name in Uttarakhand who had participated in several agitations, including the statehood agitation. Raturi expressed hope that his party would do well in the Tehri byelection. Bhatt also appealed to party workers to work unitedly for the party candidate.
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Girls B’ball
tourney from tomorrow
Dehradun, September 17 Players eligible for the championship are from the member schools of the Indian Public Schools Conference. Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer, Modern School, New Delhi, Yadvindra Public School, Mohali, Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, Pinegrove School,Solan, Daly College, Indore, and Welham Girls' School, Dehradun, will be participating in the tournament. The championship will be played on league-cum-Knockout basis. It will be officiated by qualified national and state basketball referees provided by the Uttarakhand Basketball Association. The opening ceremony will be held on September 19 while the final match will be held on September 22. During the championship, the IPSC Selection Committee will select the IPSC girls U-14 basketball team, which will participate in the SGFI Nationals to be held later in November 2012.
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Kumaon gears up for Nanda Mahotsava
Pithoragarh, September 17 In Almora, where Kumaon Chand kings brought Goddess Nanda from Garhwal in the 16th century, the Nanda Mahotsawa will begin from September 20 and will last till September 26, when a palanquin of the goddess will be brought in the town before being immersed. “In Almora, the Nanda festival reflects the harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities as both have been part and parcel of the festival for the past 5 centuries,” said Navin Bisht, a local cultural activist. In Champawat, the Nanda Devi festivities will begin on September 21 with its inauguration by local MLA Hemesh Kharkwal. “The glimpses of Nanda Devi will be taken in the town in the morning of September 21 and on September 26. The best image makers will be awarded,” said Tribhuwan Giri, a member of organising committee. “Besides, various competitions among school kids and bhajan singing at night will also be held,” added Giri. In Didihat, the Shauka community of Munsiyari, settled in the town, will celebrate Nanda Devi Mahotsawa from September 20 for the next three days. “A jhanki will be brought out on September 21 in the morning which will be followed by various programmes by school kids during the following night,” said Dushyant Singh Pangti, organiser of the Nanda Devi festival in Didihat. Besides the Nanda Devi festivals, the people of Gurang Deshpatti of Pithoragarh district will organise the three-day Mosta Manu fair from September 19. The palanquin of Mosta Devta, considered as water deity of the Soar valley, will be brought in the town on September 20. Political and administrative personalities have been invited by the organising committee on the occasion, said Ganesh Dutt Kandpal, chief priest of the temple. The district headquarters town of the Soar valley is prepared for the annual Chaliya Mahotsawa, which is scheduled to begin on September 22 at the DS Bisht ground for the next four days. |
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Wills XI beat Indira Club in football
Dehradun, September 17 The second match between Exodus Club and Bajrang Club was abandoned due to heavy rain. Bajrang Club was leading by a solitary goal at the time the rain stopped the play. Rahul scored the goal in the 22nd minute of the game in the first half. The remaining twenty minutes of the match would be played on Tuesday. Vijay Cantt will take on Gorkha Boys while Cantt Blues will play against Pacchwa Doon on Tuesday. Gorkha Ranger drub Gypsy XI
Gorkha Ranger defeated Gypsy XI 3-2 in a match played during the Lala Nemi Dass Memorial Football Tournament being played at Survey Stadium, here today. Virat scored the first goal in the 9th minute while Gopal scored the equaliser for Gypsy XI in the 20th minute. Titu again scored a goal for the Gorkha team in the 29th minute but Amit made it 2-2 by his goal in the 39th minute. Virat scored the winning goal for Gorka Boys in the 53rd minute. The second match between Sunderwala Boys and Dehra XI remained goalless. Both teams tried but failed to score any goal in the match.
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Haridwar, September 17
Uttarkashi farmers have suffered huge losses due to continuous rains and landslides this year as 40 per cent of the potato crop has damaged. The situation is yet to turn normal in the district after a massive cloudburst on August 3.
Uttarkashi is considered as the capital of potato growers. With an annual production of 48,905 MT, it is the highest potato producing district in the hill state.
Wills XI defeated Indira Club in the Dehradun District Football League played at Rangers’ College ground here today. Wills XI players started on the offensive at the outset and Sagar scored the first goal in the very first minute. Vikas scored the second goal for Wills XI in the third minute. Indira Club players tried hard for an equalizer but did not succeed.
