Latest news with #DisasterResponse
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Push for integration of India Post's DIGIPIN into key govt. departments
Hyderabad Chief Postmaster General of Telangana Postal Circle P.V.S. Reddy met Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao on Friday, and proposed the integration of India Post's DIGIPIN platform into key government departments to improve services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Mr. Reddy spoke about 'Know Your PIN Code' and 'Know Your DIGIPIN' initiatives and urged the government to embed DIGIPIN into the operational frameworks of departments such as Disaster Response, Health, Police, Civil Supplies, and Revenue. He emphasised its robustness and cited scenarios such as highway accidents, where the 4m x 4m geo-coding enabled by DIGIPIN allows emergency responders to pinpoint exact location, when callers are unable to describe them, ensuring timely assistance. In flood relief operations, the platform helps authorities accurately tag and reach affected households, enabling targeted delivery of essentials without ambiguity. He touched upon the ongoing co-location of post offices in Gram Panchayats. Thus far, 1,014 have been co-located, and he requested further instructions to District Collectors to facilitate relocation of the remaining 4,429. He also called for expedited land mutation of Postal Department properties. The Chief Secretary responded positively.
AsiaOne
19-05-2025
- AsiaOne
Fire in India's Hyderabad kills at least 17 people, Asia News
HYDERABAD — At least 17 people died when a fire broke out due to a short circuit in a building in the Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday (May 18), officials said. The fire broke out on the ground floor and spread to the upper floors of the building located in Hyderabad and about a dozen firefighting vehicles were involved in the operation, the Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department said in a statement. India's Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who visited the site, told local media that a preliminary enquiry indicated a short circuit may have led to the fire. The 17 dead included six children aged under five years. [[nid:717458]]
Business Wire
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Walmart, Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation Commit $750,000 to Support Tornado Relief Efforts
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walmart Inc., along with Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation, is actively supporting impacted communities in Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri following severe storms that have left thousands with damage to their homes and many others without electricity. Together, they are committing $750,000 to support relief efforts across the impacted areas. Following the devastating storms—particularly in St. Louis, MO, and London and Somerset, KY—Walmart and Sam's Club have been working with nonprofit organizations to provide essential resources, including: In St. Louis: Walmart supported Annie Malone Children & Family Services to deliver two truckloads of supplies to residents. In London, KY: At the Walmart Supercenter (Store #1113), Walmart is offering free hot meals through the support of Operation BBQ Relief. Additionally, Tides Loads of Hope laundry service and showers provided by Matthew 25: Ministries, Procter & Gamble and Walmart will be deployed to the area. Across the impacted areas: With the loss of homes and power, Walmart and Sam's Club have worked with ITDRC to provide wi-fi services and charging stations to those areas. 'We're thinking of our friends and neighbors in Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri who were impacted by the devastating storms and tornadoes Friday night. The loss of life and the damage to these communities is heartbreaking,' said John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S. 'Our teams are working closely with local leaders and first responders, and we're actively coordinating efforts across Walmart to provide support where it's needed most.' Earlier this year, Walmart, Sam's Club, and the Walmart Foundation provided assistance to several communities in Kentucky and Missouri following severe storms and flooding. 'Our thoughts are with our associates, our members, and the families who have been impacted by the tornadoes in the communities Sam's Club calls home,' said Chris Nicholas, President and CEO, Sam's Club. 'We are moving quickly to provide the support these communities need as they recover from the severe weather.' For those associates, customers, and communities affected, Walmart is providing the support you need through this challenging time. For more information, visit Walmart Disaster Response. About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting on Facebook at on X (formerly known as Twitter) at and on LinkedIn at About Sam's Club Sam's Club, the $86 billion division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a membership club that is pioneering the future of retail experience, providing exclusive access to value, convenience and modern omnichannel shopping options to millions of members in 600 clubs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. With over 40 years of innovating in the category, Sam's Club continues to redefine club membership shopping with its curated assortment of quality fresh food and Member's Mark® items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go™️, curbside pickup and home delivery. Visit the Sam's Club Newsroom, shop at or connect with Sam's Club on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. About Philanthropy at Walmart represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. The team works to tackle key social and environmental issues relevant for the retail sector in collaboration with others to spark long-lasting systemic change.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Hyderabad fire: Staircase filled with smoke blocked escape
The building that caught fire near historic Charminar here on Sunday, resulting in the death of 17 people, had only one staircase, which was filled with smoke, blocking the escape for the victims, a top official said. Since the fire started on the ground floor, smoke and heat quickly reached upper floors, blocking the only available access, which was just one metre wide, the official said. The narrow staircase is centrally located inside the building. It was near to supposed seat of fire due to which the stairwell was completely filled with smoke and excessive heat. "The only access on the ground floor was completely filled with bikes blocking the same, and also provided enough fuel to the fire," Telangana State Fire Services, Disaster Response, Emergency, and Civil Defence Director General Y. Nagi Reddy said. The official stated that there were no windows/doors facing the available road to use the hydraulic platform and quick ventilation. To save time and to rescue trapped persons quickly, while firefighting was going on on the ground floor, firefighters had to drill a hole in a wall on the first floor to enter and start rescue and firefighting operations. Eight children and five women were among 17 people killed in the fire, which broke out in the building in Gulzar Houz. The building had pearls/jewellery shops on the ground floor, while a few families were residing on the first and second floors. According to Nagi Reddy, a fire call was received at 6.16 p.m. and a water tender from Moghalpura reached the fire ground at 6.20 a.m. District Fire Officer-1 Hyderabad Venkanna got injured during the firefighting operation and was admitted to the hospital. A total of 11 fire engines were used. A fire robot was brought, but could not be used due to the situation on the ground. Seventeen fire officers and 70 personnel participated in the operation. Eight personnel wore Breathing Apparatus (BA) sets and rescued 17 persons. Four people were rescued from the terrace using two ladders. One ladder from the second terrace to the first terrace and another from the first terrace to the ground. Nagi Reddy came out with details of the firefighting operations, apparently to counter Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's claim that there was a delay on the part of the Fire Services Department in responding to the situation and that personnel lacked equipment and gear to rescue the trapped people. Personnel from the fire services, police, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and the Health and Revenue departments participated in the rescue and relief. Nagi Reddy stated that because of the timely response and action by the Fire Department, the spread of fire to adjacent properties was prevented and further loss of lives and property was averted. The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation, the official added.
The Star
18-05-2025
- The Star
Building blaze kills 17 people in India's Hyderabad city
NEW DELHI (Bernama): At least 17 people were killed in a building blaze in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad on Sunday. The fire broke out in a commercial and residential complex at Gulzar Houz near the city's famous Charminar monument. It was reported around 6.15 am and brought under control by 9 am, said Y. Nagi Reddy, director general of the Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence Department. There were 21 people in the three-storey building when the blaze started in the "Krishna Pearls" store on the ground and spread to the upper floors. "Seventeen people could not survive," Reddy said. The deaths were caused due to smoke inhalation, he said. The victims included eight children and five women, local media reported. As per initial information, the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit. - Bernama
