News for 'Disaster Management and Human'

Himalayan disasters: Climate change is not the only factor

Himalayan disasters: Climate change is not the only factor

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

A recent study by scientists indicates that the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region is experiencing increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change, including rapid glacial melting and changing rainfall patterns. However, the research also cautions against solely blaming climate change, highlighting that human factors like population growth, commercial activities, and non-enforcement of regulations contribute significantly to the vulnerability and impact of these disasters. The study points out that many devastating floods originate from small glaciers and rain-fed streams, exacerbated by encroachment on unstable slopes and floodplains.

Nepal Floods: 'Himalayas At Risk Of Cascading Disasters'

Nepal Floods: 'Himalayas At Risk Of Cascading Disasters'

Rediff.com13 Sep 2026

A senior Geological Survey of India official warns that the Himalayas are vulnerable to cascading disasters, where one high-altitude event can trigger a chain of destructive events downstream, as evidenced by Nepal's recent floods. He stresses the need for integrated monitoring using satellite data and ground investigations to identify high-risk areas and improve preparedness in the Indian Himalayas.

'True hero who prevented a disaster': Israel heaps praise on Capt Machchhar

'True hero who prevented a disaster': Israel heaps praise on Capt Machchhar

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero by Israeli leaders for his extraordinary bravery in thwarting an alleged mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and prevent a catastrophic disaster. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar is recovering.

India's flawed disaster management story

India's flawed disaster management story

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

The successful effort to combat Cyclone Phailin threatens to put disaster mitigation, and a fundamental overhaul of how disaster management in India is structured, on the back-burner, says Anand Sarkar.

'When We Divert A River's Flow, We're Inviting Trouble'

'When We Divert A River's Flow, We're Inviting Trouble'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

'When a glacier collapse or a major flood event does occur, the water will simply reclaim its original path, and anything built in that path will be swept away.'

Nandan Nilekani: AI Will Create More Jobs, Not Destroy Them

Nandan Nilekani: AI Will Create More Jobs, Not Destroy Them

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has dismissed fears that artificial intelligence will lead to job losses in India's IT services sector, calling such concerns "hogwash" and "disaster marketing." Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026, Nilekani argued that AI will actually increase demand for IT firms as it necessitates complex business transformations and creates new types of jobs, particularly in small businesses.

'China Should Have Alerted Nepal'

'China Should Have Alerted Nepal'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

'The trigger for the flood was definitely natural, but the damage that it caused was human-made.'

Search on for 5,000 missing in Nepal, over 1,000 bodies unidentified

Search on for 5,000 missing in Nepal, over 1,000 bodies unidentified

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Eleven days after devastating floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche, Nepal continues to grapple with a rising death toll of 1,344 and nearly 5,000 missing. Authorities face significant challenges in identifying the deceased, with many bodies severely damaged. DNA samples are being collected from relatives to aid identification, while the government mobilises relief and rehabilitation efforts. A fresh flood incident in Gorkha district also caused damage.

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'The valley is around 16 km from the Nepal border, and it took just 8-10 minutes for the ice and rocks to reach the Nepal border. You can imagine how fast it must have travelled!'

Nepal floods: Govt under fire for inadequate relief coordination

Nepal floods: Govt under fire for inadequate relief coordination

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

A preliminary government report reveals that devastating flash floods in Nepal have affected over 32,000 people, caused 1,295 deaths, and severely damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities. Senior Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsing KC has criticised the government's coordination of rescue and relief operations and called for international action on climate justice.

Flydubai co-pilot identified; barred in Oman over radical views

Flydubai co-pilot identified; barred in Oman over radical views

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

An Omani citizen, Hamam al-Hammami, has been identified as the flydubai co-pilot who attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and allegedly attempted to take control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, which the UAE has now confirmed as a 'terrorist act'.

Xi by his side, Modi warns against 'weaponisation of tech'

Xi by his side, Modi warns against 'weaponisation of tech'

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned against the 'weaponisation' of technology and critical minerals at the BRICS summit, advocating for cooperation to foster shared prosperity. Concurrently, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for an open-source AI ecosystem for BRICS nations, positioning Beijing as a key technology partner amid global AI competition.

Netanyahu invites Capt Machchhar, Modi to Israel's I-Day event

Netanyahu invites Capt Machchhar, Modi to Israel's I-Day event

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a 'hero of the entire world' for his bravery in foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai flight, and has extended an invitation to Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.

Maha rains: 13 dead in 4 days; rain to continue till July 8

Maha rains: 13 dead in 4 days; rain to continue till July 8

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned of a possible cloudburst-like spell in Nashik on Tuesday and stated that the state machinery is on high alert, with heavy rains expected to continue until July 8. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel as authorities manage landslides, swollen rivers, and rescue operations.

Tom Cruise's 10 Best Movies

Tom Cruise's 10 Best Movies

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

Looking at the best Tom Cruise films outside the Mission: Impossible franchise that proves just how versatile the superstar can be.

Nepal floods: Toll rises to 1,356, search stepped up for 5,000 missing

Nepal floods: Toll rises to 1,356, search stepped up for 5,000 missing

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Nepal is grappling with the devastating aftermath of flash floods, with the death toll reaching 1,356 and nearly 5,000 people, including foreign nationals, still missing. Identification of bodies is a major challenge, with only a fraction identified so far. President Ramchandra Paudel has appealed for climate justice and national unity for relief efforts. International teams, including experts from India and China, are assisting in search and rescue, particularly at hydropower projects where workers are trapped. The country is also working to restore infrastructure and reassure tourists to protect its vital autumn tourism season.

Nepal floods: Wife said 'don't jump'; husband did and survived

Nepal floods: Wife said 'don't jump'; husband did and survived

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.

Assam Floods: Teen Saved His Puppy But Lost His Life

Assam Floods: Teen Saved His Puppy But Lost His Life

Rediff.com3 Aug 2026

The family had regarded the puppy as another member of the household, but never imagined the boy would risk his own life to save it.

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Oriental Insurance has insured around 100 Ganesh pandals this year compared with only 20-30 last year.

Monsoon fury brings Mumbai-Pune to a standstill; 'Missing Link' reopens

Monsoon fury brings Mumbai-Pune to a standstill; 'Missing Link' reopens

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Heavy monsoon rains have severely impacted Mumbai and its surrounding areas, leading to landslides, suspension of train services, and at least 13 fatalities over the past few days. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was also shut due to a concrete pillar collapse and waterlogging.

Pune plant mishap: 2 officials booked over safety lapses

Pune plant mishap: 2 officials booked over safety lapses

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Police in Pune have registered a case against two officials of Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd following the collapse of a three-storey building at a waste-to-energy project, which resulted in nine deaths. The officials are booked for culpable homicide and negligence, as preliminary inquiries suggest a lack of safety measures despite heavy rains and the proximity of a large waste mound. The Maharashtra government has formed a high-level technical committee to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures.

Bhumi Pednekkar: 'Assam Really Needs Our Support'

Bhumi Pednekkar: 'Assam Really Needs Our Support'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Entire villages have been washed away, animals have been washed away. Whatever they had, everything is finished.'

Drone-dropped arms, intelligence gaps aided Pahalgam attack: NIA probe

Drone-dropped arms, intelligence gaps aided Pahalgam attack: NIA probe

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Cross-border drones successfully dropped arms and ammunition as deep into Kashmir as the Baramulla district without detection, according to a National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheet filed in the last year's audacious Pahalgam terror attack case.

India to supply BrahMos, Astra missiles to Indonesia; backs Indo-Pacific peace

India to supply BrahMos, Astra missiles to Indonesia; backs Indo-Pacific peace

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have significantly advanced the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, securing crucial agreements on defence, critical minerals, and maritime security, including BrahMos missile supply and Sabang port development.

India to get hotter? Heat stress to surge with 2C warming, warns study

India to get hotter? Heat stress to surge with 2C warming, warns study

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

A new study indicates that India's monsoon season could experience a significant increase in uncompensable heat stress under a 2 degrees Celsius global warming scenario, extending the duration of extreme heat conditions.

Chernobyl 40 Years Later: 6 Facts

Chernobyl 40 Years Later: 6 Facts

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Forty years ago a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine tore itself apart during a failed test, triggering the worst violent release of radioactive debris into the atmosphere.

Ahead Of Tera Yaar Hoon Main, Milap Zaveri's Films, Ranked!

Ahead Of Tera Yaar Hoon Main, Milap Zaveri's Films, Ranked!

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

From Satyameva Jayate to Mastiii 4, Milap Zaveri's films may divide critics, but ranking them can prove to be even more challenging than watching them.

Taming Phailin: India's best show in disaster management

Taming Phailin: India's best show in disaster management

Rediff.com14 Oct 2013

With better preparedness and efficient planning and execution, toll restricted to a low level. Lesson from 1999 cyclone helped.

AI-171 crash: Forensic scientists recall trauma of identifying victims

AI-171 crash: Forensic scientists recall trauma of identifying victims

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

A year after the devastating AI-171 Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad, forensic scientists recount the immense emotional and scientific challenges faced in identifying the 260 victims. The director of Gujarat Directorate of Forensic Sciences, H P Sanghvi, shared the indelible image of a severed hand, symbolising the terror and the team's dedication.

No emergency exit, lack of fire safety measures: Lucknow blaze FIR

No emergency exit, lack of fire safety measures: Lucknow blaze FIR

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

An FIR has been registered following a devastating fire in an Aliganj building in Lucknow that killed 15 people. The complaint alleges severe negligence, including the absence of adequate fire safety measures, emergency exits, and proper ventilation for smoke, in the commercial establishment. Four individuals, including the building owner and operators of businesses within, have been arrested as investigations continue.

AI 171 Crash: 'Families Of 260 People Are Waiting For Answers'

AI 171 Crash: 'Families Of 260 People Are Waiting For Answers'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

'A lot of people feel there is pressure on the AAIB not to go against Boeing or GE -- both enormous American companies.' 'If the AAIB implicates Boeing or GE, it will impact their sales.' 'If their sales are impacted, jobs are lost in the United States. No government would willingly do that.'

Jharkhand to Provide Financial Aid to Crime Victims

Jharkhand to Provide Financial Aid to Crime Victims

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The Jharkhand government will provide financial assistance to victims of crime or their dependents under the Jharkhand Victim Compensation Scheme, 2016. Minimum compensation amounts have been fixed for various crimes, with applications submitted to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

Odisha tribal man carries sister's skeleton to bank to withdraw Rs 19,300

Odisha tribal man carries sister's skeleton to bank to withdraw Rs 19,300

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

A tribal man in Odisha's Keonjhar district brought the skeleton of his dead sister to a bank to withdraw money deposited in her name after bank officials insisted on the account holder's presence.

Outrage As Odisha Bank Asks Man To Produce Sister's Skeleton

Outrage As Odisha Bank Asks Man To Produce Sister's Skeleton

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

A tribal man in Odisha was forced to carry his sister's exhumed skeleton to a bank to withdraw her money, sparking widespread condemnation. The bank claims it only requested valid documents, but the incident has raised questions about the treatment of vulnerable customers.

Why Odisha Bank Asked Man To Bring Sister's Skeleton

Why Odisha Bank Asked Man To Bring Sister's Skeleton

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

A tribal man in Odisha was forced to carry his sister's exhumed skeleton to a bank to prove her death and withdraw her money, sparking outrage and prompting government intervention.

How Saanika Shah Conquered Everest

How Saanika Shah Conquered Everest

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

At 11.23 am on May 20, 2026, 22-year-old Saanika Shah fulfilled a dream she had nurtured for five years by successfully summiting Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.

Anurag Kashyap's 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Anurag Kashyap's 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Anurag Kashyap, despite his claims of being done with Bollywood, continues to deliver compelling cinema, with his latest film 'Bandar' set to release on June 5.

T'gana tunnel collapse Day 13: Cadaver dogs join ops

T'gana tunnel collapse Day 13: Cadaver dogs join ops

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

Cadaver dogs from the Kerala Police are being sent to Hyderabad to assist in the rescue operation for eight people trapped in a tunnel collapse at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project in Telangana. The dogs, specially trained to locate missing humans and bodies, will join the rescue effort led by the NDRF, Indian Army, and Navy.

Rajnath calls Coast Guard a 'wall of trust' after Operation Sindoor

Rajnath calls Coast Guard a 'wall of trust' after Operation Sindoor

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Coast Guard's role during Operation Sindoor and highlighted its importance in national security on the occasion of its 50th Raising Day.

7 killed in major fire at two Bengal godowns, several missing

7 killed in major fire at two Bengal godowns, several missing

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

A fire in two godowns in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district resulted in at least seven deaths and several missing persons. Rescue operations are underway to clear the debris and ascertain the full extent of the tragedy.