VASCO: Verna police have registered an offence against the owner of Naulaka transporters, whose tankers carry ammonia, in connection with the contamination of public drinking water with ammonia at Zuarinagar on Wednesday.
These tankers supply ammonia from MPT to Zuari industries. Reports from a government lab have confirmed that the water was contaminated by ammonia. The complaint was filed by Mohammed Gaus.
Verna PSI Anand Shirodkar, after conducting the panchnamma, said, "Preliminary investigations reveal that the ammonia tankers parked at Zorinth Birla have access to the main water pipeline." He explained that the drivers open the valve of the main water pipeline, remove the water with a plastic pipe and wash their tankers.
Probably on Tuesday night, an old tank was washed and the valve was not closed. As a result the ammonia from the old tank went into the pipeline contaminating the drinking water supplied to a large number of people in Zuarinagar.
Verna police is now on the look out for the owner of the tanker and will initiate the process to arrest him.
Sancoale sarpanch Ramakant Borkar said, "We will take action against the tankers being parked in Zuarinagar area and will take up the issue in the panchayat meeting. We will ask the Zuari industries to accommodate their tankers in their premises itself."
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Contamination-of-water-Cops-book-tanker-owner/articleshow/26548180.cms
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Lack of ‘warm water’ may have weakened Lehar!
VISAKHAPATNAM: Cyclone Lehar may have begun with a bang but ended with a whimper by the time it hit the Andhra Pradesh coast near Machilipatnam in Krishna district on Thursday evening with a wind speed of barely 50-70 kmph as it fizzled out over the sea itself.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that Cyclone Lehar would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 28 noon as a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) with a maximum wind speed of 170-200 kmph. IMD's predictions had people from all walks of life in the coastal districts, particularly East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam, as well as the state machinery, right from chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, worried as it was coming in the wake of cyclones Phailin and Helen.
Though the weakened system gave the much needed respite to people as well as the state government, it has now become the cynosure of meteorologists of IMD and scientists of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), who are now taking Lehar up as a case study to ascertain the reasons behind the sudden weakening of the system and change in path.
"Lehar can be a good case study for oceanography scientists and meteorologists. We may also start work on it but it will take a couple of weeks to gather data available from all corners of the country, including the IMD and analyze the actual cause behind the sudden changes in the strength of the cyclone and its path," said Dr VSN Murthy, scientist in-charge, National Institute of Oceanography, Vizag Regional Centre.
Meanwhile, Prof OSRU Bhanu Kumar, emeritus professor, Department of Meteorology, Andhra University, said that the activeness of a cyclone largely depends on four conditions, namely sea surface temperature (SST) or warm water in the sea, vertical wind shear (VWS), high level divergence (HLD) and low level convergence (LLC). "If any two of the conditions fail to cooperate, the cyclonic system will get weakened. I think in the case of Lehar, SST and VWS might have failed to favour the cyclone," Bhanu Kumar said, explaining that the sea water needs to be warm for any kind of cyclone to sustain. According to Dr Murthy of NIO, an ocean's SST should be a minimum of 26.5 degree Celsius to maintain the warm core that fuels cyclones. SST is nothing but the water temperature close to the ocean's surface. Similarly, VWS is nothing but a change in wind direction. According to Prof Bhanu Kumar, the VWS should always be lower or weak to strengthen the cyclone system. At the same time, the SST, LLC and HLD should also always be strong or higher for strengthening the activeness of any low pressure or cyclonic system, Bhanu Kumar explained.
"We can't say it was a rare case. It routinely happens in the sea. However, Lehar can be chosen for a case study for young scientists, who are interested in oceanography or meteorology by gathering all the data of the track of the cyclone," Bhanu Kumar added.
Meanwhile, a senior Met official from the Cyclone Warning Centre at Visakhapatnam, said that both Phailin and Helen sustained because of favourable SST conditions. "I feel the chilly weather conditions off and along the coast might have been one of the reasons behind the weakening of the cyclone," the officer said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Lack-of-warm-water-may-have-weakened-Lehar/articleshow/26546308.cms
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that Cyclone Lehar would cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on November 28 noon as a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) with a maximum wind speed of 170-200 kmph. IMD's predictions had people from all walks of life in the coastal districts, particularly East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam, as well as the state machinery, right from chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, worried as it was coming in the wake of cyclones Phailin and Helen.
Though the weakened system gave the much needed respite to people as well as the state government, it has now become the cynosure of meteorologists of IMD and scientists of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), who are now taking Lehar up as a case study to ascertain the reasons behind the sudden weakening of the system and change in path.
"Lehar can be a good case study for oceanography scientists and meteorologists. We may also start work on it but it will take a couple of weeks to gather data available from all corners of the country, including the IMD and analyze the actual cause behind the sudden changes in the strength of the cyclone and its path," said Dr VSN Murthy, scientist in-charge, National Institute of Oceanography, Vizag Regional Centre.
Meanwhile, Prof OSRU Bhanu Kumar, emeritus professor, Department of Meteorology, Andhra University, said that the activeness of a cyclone largely depends on four conditions, namely sea surface temperature (SST) or warm water in the sea, vertical wind shear (VWS), high level divergence (HLD) and low level convergence (LLC). "If any two of the conditions fail to cooperate, the cyclonic system will get weakened. I think in the case of Lehar, SST and VWS might have failed to favour the cyclone," Bhanu Kumar said, explaining that the sea water needs to be warm for any kind of cyclone to sustain. According to Dr Murthy of NIO, an ocean's SST should be a minimum of 26.5 degree Celsius to maintain the warm core that fuels cyclones. SST is nothing but the water temperature close to the ocean's surface. Similarly, VWS is nothing but a change in wind direction. According to Prof Bhanu Kumar, the VWS should always be lower or weak to strengthen the cyclone system. At the same time, the SST, LLC and HLD should also always be strong or higher for strengthening the activeness of any low pressure or cyclonic system, Bhanu Kumar explained.
"We can't say it was a rare case. It routinely happens in the sea. However, Lehar can be chosen for a case study for young scientists, who are interested in oceanography or meteorology by gathering all the data of the track of the cyclone," Bhanu Kumar added.
Meanwhile, a senior Met official from the Cyclone Warning Centre at Visakhapatnam, said that both Phailin and Helen sustained because of favourable SST conditions. "I feel the chilly weather conditions off and along the coast might have been one of the reasons behind the weakening of the cyclone," the officer said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Lack-of-warm-water-may-have-weakened-Lehar/articleshow/26546308.cms
Water woes are likely to continue
CHANDIGARH: Your water woes are far from over.
Chandigarh and Mohali residents are likely to receive water supply at low pressure for a day or two after every 20 to 30 days for about three months because of repair work. The municipal corporation engineering wing has decided to start work on fixing about eight major leakages in the main water supply pipelines from Kajauli canal from the next month.
"There are seven to eight major leakages in the main pipelines that supply water to Chandigarh and Mohali. We have decided to carry out repair work in winter because the water consumption is comparatively less in the season. Either the morning supply or the evening one will be affected when the work is carried out," said R C Diwan, superintending engineer of MC engineering wing.
There are four lines or phases that supply water. Phases I, II and IV are maintained by Punjab engineering department and Phase III by Chandigarh municipal corporation. "Chances of leakage are less in phases I and II that have iron pipelines and joints. But phases III and IV have concrete pipelines and rings are used at their joints to connect pipes. So, these have high chances of leakage. Supply at full pressure can damage these. The recent water woes that hit the city were because of leakage of concrete pipelines," said a senior officer of MC engineering wing.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Water-woes-are-likely-to-continue/articleshow/26544877.cms
Chandigarh and Mohali residents are likely to receive water supply at low pressure for a day or two after every 20 to 30 days for about three months because of repair work. The municipal corporation engineering wing has decided to start work on fixing about eight major leakages in the main water supply pipelines from Kajauli canal from the next month.
"There are seven to eight major leakages in the main pipelines that supply water to Chandigarh and Mohali. We have decided to carry out repair work in winter because the water consumption is comparatively less in the season. Either the morning supply or the evening one will be affected when the work is carried out," said R C Diwan, superintending engineer of MC engineering wing.
There are four lines or phases that supply water. Phases I, II and IV are maintained by Punjab engineering department and Phase III by Chandigarh municipal corporation. "Chances of leakage are less in phases I and II that have iron pipelines and joints. But phases III and IV have concrete pipelines and rings are used at their joints to connect pipes. So, these have high chances of leakage. Supply at full pressure can damage these. The recent water woes that hit the city were because of leakage of concrete pipelines," said a senior officer of MC engineering wing.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Water-woes-are-likely-to-continue/articleshow/26544877.cms
KMC, Credai solve water body disputes
KOLKATA: Leading real estate developers in the city have persuaded the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to use multiple reference points to map waterbodies instead of relying solely on a satellite image taken in 2004.
At a meeting with KMC commissioner Khalil Ahmad and heads of different departments, including building, assessment and project management unit that deals with waterbodies and heritage issues, local builders under the umbrella of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) convinced the civic officials that KMC needs to do a reality check of plots with waterbodies to resolve disputes that often crop up due to difference in the old satellite image and the current situation on the ground.
"Records of KMC often show much bigger waterbodies than the actual one at the site. This is due to anomaly between satellite-aided waterbody map to actual historical and credible evidence-led mapping such as title deeds, parchas and deed plans," Credai Bengal president Harsh Patodia explained.
The builders based their argument on multiple grounds. They pointed out that the satellite image may be flawed if taken during monsoon as all low-lying undeveloped plots would have appeared as waterbodies. "One cannot fix the size based solely on a satellite image. While it is evidence, it is not conclusive. We believe other indices like past records and site visit can add to the clarity," reasoned Credai Bengal vice-president Sushil Mohta.
The records that the builders want to be referred are title deeds, parchas, ROR, assessment records and general revision is done every six years. "When Urban Land Ceiling Act was introduced in 1976, plot owners had to file Form 6 in which they had to give a complete description of the land. These can also be referred to," said Patodia.
But more than all these, developers want the site to be inspected before ruling on a dispute. They suggest that in case of dispute in quantum of waterbody, PMU authorities should be directed by higher authorities to physically inspect the site, make local inquiries and make a reasonable decision after considering the records to define the actual quantum of water-body in the premises.
Sources in the KMC said the suggestion had been accepted by the civic authorities as they found the argument reasonable. "Our intent is to safeguard waterbodies while facilitating the city's development. The suggestion from Credai was logical and reasonable. We, therefore, responded positively," the official said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/KMC-Credai-solve-water-body-disputes/articleshow/26544315.cms
At a meeting with KMC commissioner Khalil Ahmad and heads of different departments, including building, assessment and project management unit that deals with waterbodies and heritage issues, local builders under the umbrella of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) convinced the civic officials that KMC needs to do a reality check of plots with waterbodies to resolve disputes that often crop up due to difference in the old satellite image and the current situation on the ground.
"Records of KMC often show much bigger waterbodies than the actual one at the site. This is due to anomaly between satellite-aided waterbody map to actual historical and credible evidence-led mapping such as title deeds, parchas and deed plans," Credai Bengal president Harsh Patodia explained.
The builders based their argument on multiple grounds. They pointed out that the satellite image may be flawed if taken during monsoon as all low-lying undeveloped plots would have appeared as waterbodies. "One cannot fix the size based solely on a satellite image. While it is evidence, it is not conclusive. We believe other indices like past records and site visit can add to the clarity," reasoned Credai Bengal vice-president Sushil Mohta.
The records that the builders want to be referred are title deeds, parchas, ROR, assessment records and general revision is done every six years. "When Urban Land Ceiling Act was introduced in 1976, plot owners had to file Form 6 in which they had to give a complete description of the land. These can also be referred to," said Patodia.
But more than all these, developers want the site to be inspected before ruling on a dispute. They suggest that in case of dispute in quantum of waterbody, PMU authorities should be directed by higher authorities to physically inspect the site, make local inquiries and make a reasonable decision after considering the records to define the actual quantum of water-body in the premises.
Sources in the KMC said the suggestion had been accepted by the civic authorities as they found the argument reasonable. "Our intent is to safeguard waterbodies while facilitating the city's development. The suggestion from Credai was logical and reasonable. We, therefore, responded positively," the official said.
Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/KMC-Credai-solve-water-body-disputes/articleshow/26544315.cms
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