7-Mar-2019: Cabinet approves “FMBAP” for Flood Management Works in entire country and River Management Activities and works related to Border Areas during 2017-18 to 2019-20.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)" for Flood Management Works in entire country and River Management Activities and works related to Border Areas for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of Rs.3342.00 crores.
Benefits: The FMBAP Scheme will be implemented throughout the country for effective flood management, erosion control and anti-sea erosion. The proposal will benefit towns, villages, industrial establishments, communication links, agricultural fields, infrastructure etc. from floods and erosion in the country. The catchment area treatment works will help in reduction of sediment load into rivers.
Funding pattern: The funding pattern for FM Component for works in general category States will continue to be 50% (Centre) : 50% (State) and for projects of North Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the funding pattern will continue to be 70% (Centre) : 30% (State). RMBA component being specific to activities in border areas with neighbouring countries and in accordance with bilateral mechanisms, the projects / works will continue to be funded as 100% grant-in-aid / central assistance.
Salient features: The Scheme "FMBAP" has been framed by merging the components of two continuing XII Plan schemes titled "Flood Management Programme (FMP)" and "River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas (RMBA)". The aim of the Scheme is to assist the State Governments to provide reasonable degree of protection against floods in critical areas by adopting optimum combination of structural and non-structural measures and enhancing capabilities of State/Central Government officials in related fields.
The works under the scheme will protect valuable land from erosion and flooding and help in maintaining peace along the border. The Scheme aims at completion of the on-going projects already approved under FMP. Further, the scheme also caters to Hydro-meteorological observations and Flood Forecasting on common rivers with the neighbouring countries. The Scheme also includes survey and investigations, preparation of DPR etc. of water resources projects on the common rivers with neighbouring countries like Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Sapta Kosi-Sun Kosi Projects in Nepal which would benefit both countries.
5-Jan-2019: Cyclone Pabuk approaches Andaman and Nicobar Islands
A ‘yellow alert’ was issued in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Cyclone Pabuk made its way towards the archipelago. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places from this evening. Residents of the islands have been advised to remain indoors.
The IMD also warned of rough sea conditions in the region and adjoining areas of the Bay of Bengal over the weekend. Further, it advised complete suspension of fishing operations in the region till January 7 and over east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal till January 8.
Pabuk is very likely to move west-northwestwards and emerge into Andaman Sea around the forenoon of 05th January 2019. Thereafter it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Andaman Islands around evening/night of 06th January.
Rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places likely to commence over Andaman Islands from 5th January evening. Intensity is very likely to increase with rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places on 6th and at isolated places on 7th.
The cyclone, which originated over the Gulf of Thailand, has moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph and lay centred over Thailand and neighbourhood.
Cyclone Pabuk is likely to move north-northwestwards and then recurve northeastwards towards Myanmar coast and weaken by January 7 or 8.
24-Dec-2018: Mount Etna erupts in Sicily amid dozens of tremors
Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily, erupted with more than 130 earthquakes of up to 4.3 in magnitude. The Mount Etna observatory said lava had spewed from a new fracture near its south-eastern crater.
A local volcanologist said it was Etna's "first flank eruption" in more than a decade. Volcanic ash covered nearby villages, while planes into Catania airport had to be halted temporarily.
A large explosion was felt close to Etna during the morning. A video filmed 2,500m (8,200 ft) up the 3,350m volcano showed the fast spread of ash. People on the mountainside were told to escape quickly.
The biggest tremor of magnitude 4 was on the north-east side of Etna near Piano Pernicana, while another of similar magnitude was felt on the northern flank. That was followed by intense eruptions from the volcano's new south-east crater. The volcano had grown faster than ever before in recent years.
In March a UK-led team said that the whole structure of Europe's premier volcano was edging towards the sea at a rate of 14mm per year.