International News
Flash Flood Leaves 23 Soldiers Missing In India
A remote valley in India’s mountainous northeast state of Sikkim witnessed a powerful flash flood due to heavy rainfall, resulting in 23 soldiers being declared missing by the Indian army.
In a statement on Wednesday, the army revealed that personnel and vehicles were submerged under the floodwaters.
The Army said “Due to sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, a flash flood occurred in the Teesta River… 23 personnel have been reported missing and some vehicles are reported submerged under the slush. Search operations are underway.
Situated near India’s border with Nepal, the remote area is adjacent to Lhonak Lake, positioned at the base of a glacier in the snowy peaks surrounding Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.
The army reported that water released upstream from the Chungthang dam had caused the river to surge more than 4.5 meters (15 feet) higher than its usual level.
A video released by an Indian army spokesman depicted a forceful torrent of brown water sweeping through a densely forested valley, eroding roads, and tearing down power lines.
During the monsoon season, which typically spans from June to September, flash floods are commonplace in the Indian subcontinent.
Normally, the monsoon withdraws by the end of September, marking the conclusion of the heaviest rains. Experts assert that the frequency and severity of these flash floods are on the rise due to climate change.
Additional images shared by the army depict the first floors of buildings submerged in water, and a street in a town where only the tip of a small construction crane is visible.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was captured in local media holding an umbrella during a downpour, discussing flood-related issues in the downstream town of Singtam.
He said “The monsoon is a result of summer heat warming the subcontinent’s landmass, causing rising air that draws in cooler Indian Ocean winds, resulting in substantial rainfall.
“However, it annually brings destruction in the form of landslides and floods. The impact is heightened by melting glaciers, contributing to increased water volume, and unregulated construction in flood-prone areas exacerbating the damage.
Himalayan glaciers are undergoing accelerated melting, a consequence of climate change, placing communities at heightened risk of unpredictable and costly disasters.”
In a summit in Fiuggi, Italy, G7 foreign ministers are meeting for two days to discuss a variety of global challenges, including the recent arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is hosting the conference, stated on Monday that he does not expect difficulty in reaching a consensus on the matter.
“It’s not an immediate and actual problem. I don’t think Netanyahu will come to Italy or anywhere else,” Tajani told Corriere della Sera, downplaying the potential significance of the arrest warrant.
The ICC issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Netanyahu, recently dismissed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, following allegations of war crimes connected to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
While Israel’s allies have criticized the decision, ICC member states are expected to uphold the warrants, despite ongoing debates about how to address Netanyahu’s case.
Along with the Middle East crisis, the G7 ministers will also discuss key global issues such as the war in Ukraine, the potential impact of a Donald Trump re-election, and the growing tensions surrounding Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
This summit, the final G7 foreign ministers’ meeting of the year, comes as Italy holds the G7 presidency until the end of December, making it a critical moment for the group to align on these significant global concerns.
A diving excursion turned tragic on Monday when a tourist boat, Sea Story, sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt.
Officials confirmed that 17 people are still missing, while 28 others have been rescued.
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The boat was carrying 45 individuals, including 31 international tourists and 14 crew members, when it went down near the popular diving destination of Marsa Alam.
Rescue teams, including coast guard boats and helicopters, are continuing an intensive search for survivors.
Details shortly………….
A DHL cargo plane en route from Germany to Lithuania crashed early Monday near Vilnius Airport, leaving one crew member dead, according to local emergency services.
Renatas Pozela, head of the firefighting and emergency services unit, reported that the plane went down just a few kilometers from the airport.
“The plane was due to land at Vilnius Airport but tragically crashed. One person from the four-member crew has been confirmed dead,” Pozela said.
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The crash also caused a nearby house to catch fire under unclear circumstances.
Fortunately, all residents were safely evacuated, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre.
Emergency teams promptly contained the fire, preventing further casualties.
DHL spokesperson Ausra Rutkauskien confirmed that the plane was part of the company’s fleet.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with aviation authorities and crisis management teams working to uncover what led to the accident.
More to follow………..
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