National News - India

Cyclone Montha Makes Landfall, Wreaking Havoc on Andhra and Odisha Coasts

NEW DELHI: Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Montha' made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam late last night, bringing with it torrential rains and wind speeds gusting up to 100 kilometers per hour. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for several coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Odisha, warning of \textensive damage to crops and infrastructure. Preliminary reports indicate significant damage to over 43,000 hectares of crops in Andhra Pradesh alone.

Thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas to temporary shelters. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in both states to carry out rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, assuring them of all possible support from the central government. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is also closely monitoring the situation and has reviewed restoration efforts with state officials.

"Our priority is to ensure the safety of every citizen. We are working in close coordination with the state governments to manage the situation and provide necessary aid to the affected people," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office read.

  • Impact: Widespread power outages, uprooting of trees, and damage to kutcha houses have been reported.
  • Response: Multiple NDRF teams, along with state disaster response forces, are engaged in relief and rescue work.
  • Advisory: Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay indoors.

The cyclone is expected to weaken as it moves further inland but will continue to bring heavy rainfall across several states, including West Bengal, for the next 48 hours.

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Delhi Trials Cloud Seeding to Combat Severe Air Pollution

NEW DELHI: In a desperate bid to tackle the city's hazardous air quality, Delhi authorities conducted a trial run of cloud seeding to induce artificial rain. The experiment, carried out after a gap of several years, aimed to wash away pollutants that have enveloped the capital in a thick blanket of smog, particularly after the conclusion of Chhath Puja festivities.

However, the initial results were not promising, as the skies remained largely dry following the trial. Experts have expressed mixed opinions on the efficacy of cloud seeding as a long-term solution for Delhi's chronic pollution problem. Some scientists argue that while it can provide temporary relief, it does not address the root causes of pollution, such as stubble burning and vehicular emissions.

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Election Commission Prepares for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced preparations for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories. This massive exercise is aimed at updating and purifying the voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. The process will involve a house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure the accuracy of the rolls.

The SIR will cover states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. The ECI has emphasized the use of technology to streamline the process and has urged citizens to cooperate with election officials to ensure their names are correctly registered. This is a crucial step towards ensuring free and fair elections, a cornerstone of India's democracy.

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Regional Spotlight

West Bengal

KOLKATA: The remnants of Cyclone Montha are expected to bring heavy rainfall to West Bengal over the next two days. The IMD has issued alerts for several districts, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the state, warning of potential waterlogging and disruption to daily life. In Hooghly, gusty winds related to the cyclone's periphery caused a large Jagaddhatri Puja pandal to collapse, injuring at least five people. Authorities have urged puja organizers to take \textra precautions. A major bureaucratic reshuffle has also been reported in the state ahead of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with several District Magistrates and Sub-Divisional Officers being transferred.

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Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW: In a significant administrative decision, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the creation of a new district, Kalyan Singh Nagar, carved out of parts of Aligarh and Bulandshahr. The state's 76th district is named in honor of the former Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh. In other news, Lucknow is gearing up to host the 19th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in November, a major event for which preparations are in full swing. A tragic incident was reported from a private hospital in Lucknow where a woman and her newborn died during delivery, leading to protests by the family who alleged negligence and exorbitant financial demands by the hospital. An investigation into the matter has been launched.

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Assam

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing the entire family of its president, Mallikarjun Kharge, of being "anti-Assam." The comments were made in response to remarks by Priyank Kharge, a Karnataka minister and son of the Congress chief, questioning the talent pool in Assam in the context of semiconductor industries. A tragic road accident near Nellie claimed the lives of three individuals, including a senior gynaecologist, Dr. Kantheswar Bordoloi, who had recently been in the news. In another development, the investigation into the death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore continues to be a subject of public debate, with the Leader of the Opposition questioning the differing statements from the Chief Minister and the Singapore Police.

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International Desk

Bangladesh

DHAKA: The interim government in Bangladesh is facing a significant proposal from the National Consensus Commission to hold a nationwide referendum on constitutional amendments ahead of the next general election. This move is seen as a way to ensure public legitimacy for wide-ranging reforms. On the economic front, the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) reported a historic loss of Tk1,213 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25, attributing it to higher provisioning and the impact of interest rates. Meanwhile, public health remains a concern, with the dengue death toll for 2025 crossing 270. In foreign policy, Dhaka has reaffirmed its commitment to a balanced approach, maintaining strong ties with both the United States and China amidst global geopolitical shifts.

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government, held in Istanbul, have failed after four days of intense negotiations. Pakistan's Information Minister announced that the dialogue did not produce a workable solution, accusing Kabul of not being willing to act against militants responsible for cross-border attacks. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the Afghan negotiators repeatedly backpedalled on agreements after consulting with Kabul. In a separate development, Pakistan is considering a proposal to send troops to be part of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, a decision that is reportedly in the final stages of deliberation within the government and military.

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Sports Update

Cricket: India Kicks Off T20 Series Against Australia Today

CANBERRA: The Indian men's cricket team is set to begin its five-match T20 series against Australia today at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. After losing the preceding ODI series 2-1, Team India, led by T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, will be looking for redemption in the shorter format of the game. The series is expected to be a high-octane contest between the world's top two ranked T20 teams.

  • Match 1: October 29, Manuka Oval, Canberra.
  • Match 2: October 31, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.
  • Head-to-Head: India has won 20 of the 32 T20Is played against Australia, with Australia winning 11.

The matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar in India.

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South Africa Dominates Pakistan in First T20I

RAWALPINDI: South Africa secured a convincing 55-run victory over Pakistan in the first T20I of their series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Batting first, South Africa posted a strong total of 194/9, thanks to a brisk half-century by opener Reeza Hendricks. In response, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, with the much-anticipated comeback of Babar Azam ending in a two-ball duck. Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 139. All-rounder Corbin Bosch was the star for South Africa with four wickets. The two teams will next face each other in Lahore on October 31st.

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References

The information in this article was compiled from the following sources: