Thursday 30 October 2014

black money in India?

Total black money in India? Must Read & Share On Your Wall.

Swiss bank revealed India has more money than rest of the world.




This is so shocking.. ..If black money deposits was an Olympics event..
India would have won a gold medal hands down. The second best Russia has
4 times lesser deposit. U.S. is not even there in the counting in top
five! India has more money in Swiss banks
than all the other countries combined!

Recently, due to international pressure, the Swiss government agreed to
disclose the names of the account holders only if the respective
governments formally asked for it.. Indian government is not asking for
the details... ..no marks for guessing why?


We need to start a movement to pressurize the government to do so! This
is perhaps the only way, and a golden opportunity, to expose the high
and mighty and weed out corruption!
.
Please read on..and forward to all the honest Indians to..
like somebody is forwarding to you...
and build a ground-swell of support!for action !
.
Is India poor, who says? Ask the Swiss banks. With personal account
deposit bank of $1,500 billion in foreign reserve which have been
misappropriated, an amount 13 times larger than the country's foreign
debt, one needs to rethink if India is a poor country?

DISHONEST INDUSTRIALISTS, scandalous politicians and corrupt IAS, IRS,
IPS officers have deposited in foreign banks in their illegal personal
accounts a sum of about $1500 billion, which have been misappropriated
by them. This amount is about 13 times larger
than the country's foreign debt. With this amount 45 crore poor
people can get Rs 1,00,000 each.

This huge amount has been appropriated from the people of India by
exploiting and betraying them. Once this huge amount of black money and
property comes back to India , the entire foreign debt can be repaid in
24 hours. After paying the entire foreign debt,
we will have surplus amount, almost 12 times larger than the foreign
debt. If this surplus amount is invested in earning interest, the amount
of interest will be more than the annual budget of the Central
government. So even if all the taxes are abolished,
then also the Central government will be able to maintain the country
very comfortably.

Some 80,000 people travel to Switzerland every year, of whom 25,000
travel very frequently. 'Obviously, these people won't be tourists..
They must be travelling there for some other reason,' believes an
official involved in tracking illegal money.. And, clearly,
he isn't referring to the commerce ministry bureaucrats who've
been flitting in and out of Geneva ever since the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) negotiations went into a tailspin!

Just read the following details and note how these dishonest
industrialists, scandalous politicians, corrupt officers, cricketers,
film actors, illegal trade and protected wildlife operators, to name
just a few, sucked this country's wealth and prosperity.
This may be the picture of deposits in Swiss banks only. What about
other international banks ?

Black money in Swiss banks - Swiss Banking Association report, 2006
details bank deposits in the territory of Switzerland by nationals of
following countries :


TOP FIVE

INDIA $1,456 BILLION

RUSSIA $470 BILLION

U.K. $390 BILLION

UKRAINE $100 BILLION

CHINA $96 BILLION

Now do the math's - India with $1,456 billion or $1.4 trillion has
more money in Swiss banks than rest of the world combined. Public loot
since 1947:

Can we bring back our money ? It is one of the biggest loots witnessed
by mankind - the loot of the Aam Aadmi (common man) since 1947, by his
brethren occupying public office. It has been orchestrated by
politicians, bureaucrats and some businessmen.

The list is almost all-encompassing. No wonder, everyone in India loots
with impunity and without any fear. What is even more depressing in that
this ill-gotten wealth of ours has been stashed away abroad into secret
bank accounts located in some of the world's
best known tax havens. And to that extent the Indian economy has been
stripped of its wealth. Ordinary Indians may not be exactly aware of how
such secret accounts operate and what are the rules and regulations that
go on to govern such tax havens. However,
one may well be aware of 'Swiss bank accounts,' the shorthand for
murky dealings, secrecy and of course pilferage from developing
countries into rich developed ones.

In fact, some finance experts and economists believe tax havens to be a
conspiracy of the western world against the poor countries. By allowing
the proliferation of tax havens in the twentieth century, the western
world explicitly encourages the movement of
scarce capital from the developing countries to the rich. In March
2005, the Tax Justice Network (TJN) published a research finding
demonstrating that $11.5 trillion of personal wealth was held offshore
by rich individuals across the globe.

The findings estimated that a large proportion of this wealth was
managed from some 70 tax havens. Further, augmenting these studies of
TJN, Raymond Baker - in his widely celebrated book titled
'Capitalism' s Achilles Heel: Dirty Money and How to Renew the
Free Market System' - estimates that at least $5 trillion have
been shifted out of poorer countries to the West since the mid-1970.

It is further estimated by experts that one per cent of the world's
population holds more than 57 per cent of total global wealth, routing
it invariably through these tax havens.

How much of this is from India is anybody's guess ...????
if India is doing like this the annual tern over will be less and our market will have to close down (BSE\NSE)


we have to trace out the black money when the polities have kept ? where there they use ? but they don't have correct tax details . all are illegal only

Windowless Plane?

Will You Dare Board This Windowless Plane?

A plane which has no windows but only LED screens and cameras. Are you game to board this plane?!





Image yourself in a plane where there's no window, but only one long pane which shows you a view exactly as you would see if you were soaring through air like a bird




Might sound freaky to you, but looks like the future of the aviation industry is here! CPI, or Centre for Process Innovation says these windowless planes will be ready and be seen in the skies over the next decade.




While the windows will be eliminated, the interior of the plane will be fashioned out of high definition plastic LED displays which will reflect the view outside with the help of cameras mounted outside and images streamed. They will also act as display screens for all your entertainment needs within the aircraft. The displays will be flexible, ultra-thin and embedded into the fuselage lining. The same panels can then be used for both, screening and lighting.




According to CPI, windows in aeroplanes are tiny and hardly benefit anyone except for the people seated next to them. Through the new process, not only can windows be fully eliminated but everyone can get a clear view of the cloudy/clear outside.
The new technology will also contribute in significantly reducing the flight weight and thus, fuel used. CPI is also aiming at making the flight cheaper for passengers in the future. While lesser fuel requirement does translate to cheaper flights, we wonder if the airlines won't start charging a 'premium' for this unique feature.




According to the description on the CPI site: Imagine a cabin where the windows are display screens, relaying a choice of views from around the aircraft. If you’re not sitting in a window seat, your large seat-back display becomes your window on the world as well as a source of entertainment.
Supplement this with subtle cabin lighting from gently glowing walls and you create a unique travel environment. Screens that are ultra thin, very light and highly flexible are integrated with the fuselage or the seat backs with no unsightly, clumsy or heavy housings.





While the technology does sound amazing, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered and looked into before this becomes a reality. Moving displays and screens for everyone will mean increased motion sickness. Also, the issue of shelf-life of the screens and the fears caused by black-out in case of technical glitches will have to be taken into account. Another question in our minds is: What about viewing angles? While the ones closest to the 'window' or the display will get a good view, what about other passengers who will have to make do with distorted images or blurry, half images... The questions are many but there are 10 years for the answers to be discovered too! While you wait, watch this video which shows you exactly how your flights will be!



Monday 20 October 2014

Top 10 Tourist Destinations in India

Top 10 Tourist Destinations in India


We have made slight modifications in the list as per the changing circumstances. We have also added couple of destinations that we think should be mentioned here.
I have not done a top 10 list for a long time now, and with Summer Holidays on, I thought it was a good time to post this list – The top 10 tourist destinations in India.
India is very very diverse – probably the most diverse of countries that you will find on this earth. We have some of the Coldest places in Kashmir, A place that has highest rainfall in world – Cherrapunji, and also one if the driest places on the Earth – The Thar Desert. Adding to that – More than half of Indian boundary is home to beautiful beaches. And don’t forget that Northern part of India hosts Himalayan Ranges snow capped mountains.
Mix all this with different cultures and hundreds of Languages and Dialects – You have a got a potent mix of diversity. If you really think, I really am amazed that with such diverse people & geographies how do we operate as one single democratic country !
Anyways, I am digressing here. Let me now give you

Agra




Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.
Completed in 1653, the T?j Mahal was built by the Mughal king Sh?h Jah?n as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumt?z Mahal. Finished in marble, it is perhaps India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewelers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens.

Jaipur / Udaipur





Lots of people flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments in Jaipur which reflect its glorious past. Tourism is a significant part of Jaipur’s economy. Some of the world’s best hotels are located here.
Forts & Monuments
Hawa Mahal
Amber Fort
Jaigarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort
City Palace
Jantar Mantar
Jal Mahal
Rambagh Palace
Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
Central Museum, (Albert Hall Museum)

Goa



Goa is Famous for its pristine beaches, infact 90% of all the tourism in Goa happens only for its beautiful beaches in Coastal Areas. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.
Goa
In 2008 there were more than three million tourists reported to have visited Goa, more than half million of whom were from Foreign visitors. Infact, many foreigners have made Goa as there home for its laid-back and relaxed lifestyle !

Kashmir





Kashmir was once called Heaven on Earth, and once of the most beautiful places in the world. However, in last couple of decades, terrorism has faded its charm – A place home to Himalayan Ranges.
kashmir
The State of Jammu & Kashmir has main three geographical regions known as “The Lesser Himalayas” or the “Jhelum Valley” (Kashmir), “The Inner Himalayas” or “The Indus Valley” (Ladakh & Frontier areas) also called “Trans-Himalayas”, and “The Outer-Himalayas” or “The Southern mountain range” (Jammu). The area of Jammu & Kashmir is 2, 22,236 square kilometers.

Kanyakumari




Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

Kerala (Backwaters)



Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 places of a lifetime” by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives, Beautiful Backwaters and Alternative healing massages.

Old Delhi

Qutub-Minar


Delhi, Capital of India has many attractions like mosques, forts and other monuments that represent India’s history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort. New Delhi on the other hand houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.
Qutub-Minar
The Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared World Heritage Sites.

Ajanta Ellora




Ajantha & Ellora are 28 – 30 rock-cut cave monuments created during the first century BC and 5th century AD, containing paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
The caves are located just outside the village of Ajantha / Ellora in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Since 1983, the Ajanta & Ellora Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darjeeling



Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.
darjeeling
A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight.

Mysore



Mysore is a tourism hot spot within the state of Karnataka and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the period of the Dasara festival when festivities take place for a period of 10 days. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace) is the center of the Dasara festivities.
New Additions [2014]

Leh / Ladakh




The Ladakh capital city of Leh lies near the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, on the crossroads of the historic “Silk Route” from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India. The humbling monasteries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru will nurture your spiritual needs, and the landscape of Leh provides for a number of adventure activities including mountaineering, white-water rafting and trekking along the Markha Valley.

Gangtok




The capital of the state of Sikkim, Gangtok is an attractive tourist destination, reflecting a unique ambience which derives from its happy blend of tradition and modernity. Alongside the deeply felt presence of stupas and monasteries, Gangtok also bustles like any other thriving town. Some of the key places to visit include Rumtek Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Tashi View Point and the local bazaar, Lal Bazaar.
Hope you have found this Top Ten Tourist Destinations in India article interesting. If you have any questions, do drop in a comment

ABOUT TWIN TOWERS

Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur


Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is among the top 10 tallest buildings in the world. At 451.9 meters (1,482.6 feet), the Petronas Twin Towers was considered the tallest building from 1998 to 2004 when measured from the base to the antenna, or spire.

The towers were designed and constructed by an Argentinean architect named Cesar Pelli. Planning for the towers officially began at the beginning of 1992 and construction began in March 1993. They were completed in the year 1998 on the site of the racetrack of Kuala Lumpur. Because of the depth of the bedrock at this location, the racetrack was an ideal location for the towers.

The Petronas Twin Towers had 22 fewer floors than the World Trade Center buildings in New York City (88 floors compared to 110 floors). They are based on the simple Islamic architecture where every floor is based on an eight point star and the overall area of the buildings is spread out over 100 acres. The bottom floor consists of a shopping mall with a wide variety of goods.

These towers are constructed from concrete, steel and glass with reinforced designs for added durability. A special kind of concrete was used because it was more reliable, but it also weighs twice as much as normal steel. Pouring the concrete was a major feat. This project holds the record for the longest pour in the nation’s history at 54 consecutive hours of pouring for each tower.

Friday 17 October 2014

Britain on alert for flooding and high winds from Hurricane Gonzalo

Britain on alert for flooding and high winds from Hurricane Gonzalo

Hurricane Gonzalo


A powerful hurricane set to strike Britain next week has gained strength and been upgraded to one of the top rankings

A powerful hurricane is bringing the threat of flash flooding to Britain as experts predict it is due to hit the country in days.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC), based in America, has plotted the route of Hurricane Gonzalo, which has now been upgraded to the second most dangerous level, and Britain is directly in its path.
Hurricane Gonzalo is presently in the Atlantic and experts predict it will leave devastation in its wake when it strikes Bermuda on Friday.
The aftermath of the storm is due to hit the UK shores next week and the NHC has mapped its route finishing in Britain.
However, the Met Office said there was still a chance that the UK could escape the worst of the weather.

Emergency planning procedures are on standby in case they are needed and officials from the Met Office are working closely with the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency.
If it strikes the country there is a risk of flash flooding and strong winds.
Last October, the St Jude's Day storm saw 80mph winds, flights cancelled and 20ft waves battering the coastline.
This weekend forecasters have already predicted a bizarre combination of unseasonally warm weather, strong winds and rain from the fall out from Hurricane Fay which hit last weekend.
Despite winds forecast of up to 50mph in exposed areas, temperatures are set to increase from the average of 55F (13C) to 70F (21C).
The NHC predicts Hurricane Gonzalo will hit Bermuda on Friday and make its way across the Atlantic to reach Britain's coastline by next Tuesday in a milder form.
It is expected to remain in Bermuda until Saturday before it begins to move towards Britain, reaching Newfoundland in the early hours of Sunday morning and continuing its path across the Atlantic Ocean on course to hit Ireland in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
When it reaches the British coastline in will be in the less ferocious guise of a post-tropical storm but it could still spell misery and chaos for the country.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "By the time it reaches us it will bring wet and windy weather. The forecast for next week is wet and windy weather and if the storm hits us it will just make the wet and windy weather worse.
"It will be the same weather we often get in autumn except if the storm hits it will be more severe. It is possible to see flash flooding and surface water flooding if we have a lot of rain.
"It is too early to say how strong the winds will be but they could be up to 70mph. We still do not know if this will happen and it could just fizzle out. We will be keeping an eye on it over the coming days."
The Met Office is ready to contact emergency services in areas which could be badly effected once they know more details.
A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "We work very closely with the Met Office and we have representatives working in our national operational centres advising us on whether or not we need to close routes.
"They will be monitoring the storm.





"If gale force winds are forecast we will need to look at closing major crossings to high sided vehicles."
A hurricane warning is presently in effect for Bermuda, and forecasters said a dangerous storm surge accompanied by destructive waves could cause significant flooding on the island
In Bermuda, father-of-two Jeremy Deacon, originally from East Yorkshire, said residents were on high alert and had made preparations to protect their properties.
The eye of the hurricane is due to hit Bermuda on Friday.
Mr Deacon, who runs a PR company, said: "We are expecting the power to go off at some stage. There have been queues all week at the DIY stores with people stocking up on water containers.
"We've been warned there will be winds of up to 120mph and it is no exaggeration to say that the Island will sustain very severe damage. We are expecting a meltdown. All we can do is wait."
When the hurricane leaves the Island and travels to Britain it will be less ferocious and despite the wet weather it will bring temperatures are expected to be around 62F (17C).

Rolls-Royce says revenue falling as Russian sanctions hit

Rolls-Royce says revenue falling as Russian sanctions hit




Engineering firm Rolls-Royce Holdings has warned of falling revenues as trade sanctions against Russia begin to bite.

Customers of its nuclear, energy and power systems businesses have delayed or cancelled orders, the company said in a trading update.

As a result, group underlying revenue for 2014 would be 3.5%-to-4% lower than expected, it said.

But Rolls-Royce expected underlying profit to remain flat as cost savings counterbalanced the falling revenue.

"Since our interim results, the economic outlook for 2015 has become more challenging," the company said, with many of its customers experiencing "worsening market conditions" affecting their investment decisions.

Guidance on revenues for its civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and power systems divisions, remained unchanged, the company said.

But nuclear and energy revenue guidance would fall from 0%-to-5%, down from 5%-to-10%.

However, Rolls-Royce expected underlying profit in its civil aerospace division to be higher than previously thought.

"While the short term is clearly challenging, reflecting the economic environment, the prospects for the group remain strong, driven by the growing global requirement for cleaner, better power," said chief executive John Rishton.

Rolls-Royce, which has 12,000 employees in the East Midlands, said the sale of its gas turbine and compressor business to Siemens was likely to be concluded "by the year end".

The company would begin its planned £1bn share buy-back once the sale had been completed, the company said.

Rolls-Royce's share price fell 7.5% in early morning trading as the market reacted negatively to the revenue warning.

European stock markets rally as volatility continues

European stock markets rally as volatility continues




European stock markets have staged a recovery after a week of precipitous falls and volatility.

London's FTSE 100 index was up nearly 1% in mid-morning trading, while Germany's Dax and France's Cac 40 were both up 1.5%.

Concerns over a weakening European economy and downwardly revised growth forecasts from the International Monetary Fund had unsettled investors.

But better-than-expected US industrial production data helped steady the ship.

The FTSE 100 has fallen 10% since early September, wiping £175bn off the value of listed businesses.

'Turbulence'
Explaining the recent convulsions in the markets, Carl Weinberg, chief economist and managing director at New York-based consultancy High Frequency Economics, said investors had taken fright over the faltering European economy and a slew of weaker global economic data.

Some "untested" economic indicators had given the impression the European market was recovering when it was not, Mr Weinberg argued.

"The underlying economy is as bad now as it was a week or two weeks ago," he told the BBC.

"But the perceptions have changed and that's causing turbulence in the markets."

Steven Saywell, head of foreign exchange strategy at BNP Paribas, said the real concern over the faltering eurozone economy was inflation, currently running at 0.3%.

"We believe the risk is it could fall even further," he said.

BNP Paribas believes European Central Bank president Mario Draghi should take bold measures to buy sovereign bonds in an attempt to convince investors that the rate of inflation would increase.

'Market needs volatility'
This period of volatility was no worse than it had been in the past, Mr Weinberg maintained, and was a necessary condition if markets were "to make money".

In recent years, central banks maintaining a policy of low interest rates had dampened market speculation, but now that it was a question of when rates would rise, rather than whether, this was stimulating investor activity, Mr Weinberg argued.

But such speculation was countered by recent comments from Andrew Haldane, the Bank of England's chief economist.

He said UK interest rates should remain low to avoid long-term economic stagnation, after giving a downbeat assessment of the UK economy.

Weaker global growth, low wage growth and financial and political risks contributed to his more cautious view.

"This implies interest rates could remain lower for longer, certainly than I had expected three months ago," he said in a breakfast meeting speech to business leaders.

EBOLA

Ebola screening extended to Manchester and Birmingham airports



Passenger screening for Ebola is to be extended to Manchester and Birmingham airports, Public Health England says.

Staff at the two airports will begin checking passengers from at-risk countries after it is introduced at Gatwick and Eurostar next week.

Screening of arrivals from West Africa, where 4,500 have died in the outbreak, started at Heathrow on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a Royal Navy ship carrying medical teams and aid experts has left the UK for Sierra Leone.

RFA Argus, which has a fully-equipped hospital, is expected to reach the region by the end of the month and is carrying 225 military personnel.


Birmingham & Manchester airport entrance



It will provide support to workers in Sierra Leone but will not treat civilians infected with Ebola.

David Cameron earlier urged other countries to follow Britain's lead in tackling the Ebola outbreak.

The prime minister described it as "the biggest health problem facing our world in a generation" and called on other nations to "look at their responsibilities".

RFA Argus setting sail
'Keep country safe'
Canada and the US have already introduced increased screening of travellers arriving at airports from West Africa.

France is to check passengers flying to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from Guinea's capital Conakr from Saturday.

In September, about 1,000 people arrived in the UK from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.



line
How does screening work?
Ebola screening at Heathrow
Taking temperatures to check for fever
Ask questions to assess risk
Advice for travellers on who to call and what to do if unwell at later stage
Ebola airport screening: Will it work?

line
Chief executive of Public Health England Duncan Selbie described the challenge of introducing screening at Heathrow as "phenomenal".

In a weekly message to staff, he said that once the existing measures covering Heathrow, Gatwick and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras had "settled", they would be rolled out to other ports of entry.

Heathrow airport
"Please be assured that we are thinking hard and listening carefully to those on the ground to see how we can make this more sustainable," he said.

"What I am certain of is that we have the people who know how to keep the country safe and that is exactly what we will do."



On Friday, the UN launched another urgent appeal for funds to help fight the virus after a $1bn trust fund which opened last month received just $100,000 (£62,000).

New Zealand urges citizens to leave Iraq

New Zealand urges citizens to leave Iraq



Wellington: The New Zealand government has urged its citizens to leave Iraq, a media report said on Friday.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade advised kiwis not to travel to Iraq and recommended people to leave the country if they were worried about their safety, New Zealand Radio reported.

Islamist forces reported to be within 25 km of range from Baghdad`s International Airport.

Australian officials were also urging its nationals to leave Iraq as soon as possible while the airport is still open.

Tropical Storm Ana churns toward Hawaii, could become hurricane

Tropical Storm Ana churns toward Hawaii, could become hurricane




Hawaii: Tropical Storm Ana churned across the central Pacific and remained on track to hit Hawaii by Friday, forecasters said, in what could be the island`s first hurricane in more than two decades.

Ana was swirling about 340 miles (545 km) south-southeast of the Big Island late on Thursday local time, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph), according to the US National Weather Service.

Tropical storms get classified as hurricanes when maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 kph). While Ana had not reached those levels, the service said it could still strengthen into a hurricane on Friday before weakening over the weekend.

The last hurricane to hit Hawaii was the Category 4 Iniki in September 1992. It lashed the island of Kauai with winds of more than 140 miles per hour (225 kph), killing six people and causing around USD 2.4 billion of damage.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Hawaii County, with storm conditions expected to arrive by Friday night, the service said. Forecasters predicted that as much as 12 inches of rain could fall on the Big Island, which could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie signed an emergency proclamation for the state on Wednesday, and classes at the University of Hawaii West Hawai`i Campus have been cancelled, according to the state`s Emergency Management Agency.

There were no current advisories for any of the other islands, including Oahu, home to the capital Honolulu, or Maui, though that could change depending on environmental factors, forecasters said.

In August, Tropical Storm Iselle pummelled the Hawaiian Islands with high winds and heavy rain, forcing hundreds of people to seek shelter and knocking out power to more than 20,000 residents.

Japan, China PMs meet in Milan despite shrine visit

Japan, China PMs meet in Milan despite shrine visit




Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Milan on Friday, reports said, despite a mass visit by Japanese lawmakers to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo.

The brief greeting and exchange of pleasantries, reported by Japanese press citing an official travelling with Abe, was the first time the two men have met, and comes as Japan continues to press for a summit with President Xi Jinping next month.

It is the latest sign of a gathering thaw in relations that have been in deep freeze for two years, since Tokyo and Beijing fell out over the ownership of disputed islands and their differing interpretations of history.

The meeting took place despite anger in Beijing over an offering made in Abe`s name at Yasukuni Shrine, a spot reviled by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan`s militarist past, and as a cross party group of 110 parliamentarians paid homage there.

The visit was made to mark the start of the shrine`s four-day autumn festival. Abe, who sent a votive tree with his name and title prominently displayed, is thought unlikely to go even after he returns home Saturday from an Asia-Europe summit in Italy.



His visit in December last year infuriated Beijing and Seoul, who say the inclusion of senior war criminals among those honoured by the shrine makes it an insult to the grievous injuries Tokyo inflicted up to and during World War II.

China reacted with renewed anger on Friday.

"China is gravely concerned and firmly opposes the negative activities in Japan surrounding the Yasukuni Shrine," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement.

"China would like to reiterate that Sino-Japan relations can only realise healthy and stable development when Japan seriously faces up to and repents of its aggressive past and disassociates itself with militarism," he added.

South Korea called the move "deplorable" and said it showed Japan was "ignoring voices of concern...in the international community".

Taiwan, a Japanese colony until 1945, also offered a rebuke, saying visits hurt "people`s feelings in neighbouring countries".

The 145-year-old Shinto shrine is the supposed repository of the souls of some 2.5 million citizens and soldiers who died in World War II and other conflicts.

They include senior figures in the WWII administration, such as General Hideki Tojo, who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Japanese nationalist politicians who go to the shrine feign innocence and claim there is nothing wrong with honouring war dead.

Hidehisa Otsuji, who led the group of lawmakers Friday, said it was only "natural" that they visit the shrine to offer gratitude to the people who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

"People in any country pay homage to those who died for the sake of their countries," he told reporters at the shrine.

The group went to Yasukuni during its spring and autumn festivals as well as on the August 15 anniversary of Japan`s surrender in World War II.

Every visit provokes a predictable reaction from neighbouring countries, although this is somewhat muted if senior administration figures stay away.

No ministers in Abe`s current government were seen at the shrine Friday, although health, labour and welfare minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki sent a tree offering, like Abe.

Japan`s top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga declined to comment on the prime minister`s offering, saying it was done in his capacity as "a private citizen".

Suga also said Abe and his cabinet would make their decisions on visiting the shrine independent of any other considerations, and insisted the ministerial no-show was not linked to to an upcoming international meeting in Beijing.

The prime minister is pushing for a summit with President Xi on the sidelines of APEC next month. The two have not met during their time in power.

He stayed away from Yasukuni this year, although he made offerings for the spring festival and on the war anniversary on August 15.

His visit in December 2013 drew not only anger from neighbours, but a diplomatic ticking off from the United States, a key ally, which said it was "disappointed" by the decision.

AIADMK activists break out into celebrations

SC suspends Jayalalithaa's sentence, grants interim bail; AIADMK activists break out into celebrations





NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: The Supreme Court on Friday suspended AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa's sentence for two months and granted her interim bail on the condition that she will make available all documents and translated copies available to the Karnataka HC for speedy adjudication of her appeal against conviction.

The apex court said that if the complete set of documents was not made available to the high court by December 18, then the AIADMK chief would go back to jail.

The top court also said AIADMK party members must immediately desist from personal criticism of the trial judge and stop indulging in violence.

A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu stayed the sentence and warned Jayalalithaa against causing any delay by seeking adjournment in her appeal in Karnataka high court.

The bench directed Jayalalithaa to file paperbook of her appeal in the high court within two months.

"If paperbook is not filed within two months, then we won't give you even a single day more," the bench said.

It refused to dispose of the bail plea and posted the case for hearing on December 18 to ensure that Jayalalithaa complies with its order.

The bench also said that it would ask the high court to dispose of her appeal within three months.

In an hour-long hearing, initially the bench expressed reservation on granting bail to her, saying she had delayed the trial proceedings for years and if she is allowed to come out on bail then appeal would be decided in two decades.

Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Jayalalithaa, assured the court that the matter would not be delayed, saying that he was willing to give the statement on affidavit that no adjournment would be taken by her in the high court.

"I undertake that no delay would be caused while appeal is heard by high court. It is not a game. It may have been a game before. You can record my statement," Nariman told the bench.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed a complaint against Jayalalithaa after which probe was conducted against her, strongly opposed the bail plea of the AIADMK chief.

He contended that it is an exceptional case and bail be denied to her. He also raised questions on the law and order problem created in Tamil Nadu by her party workers.
The apex court also granted bail to Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala and her relatives V N Sudhakaran, disowned foster-son of the former chief minister, and Ilavarasi.

The SC asked Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and Sudhakaran to furnish two solvent sureties to the satisfaction of the trial judge before getting released on bail.

Jayalalithaa has been in prison since September 27





A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had on October 13 posted the case for hearing on October 17 after senior advocate Fali S Nariman pleaded to the court to "accommodate" the case in this week itself.

Jayalalithaa, who was denied bail by Karnataka high court following her conviction and four year sentence in a graft case, had moved the Supreme Court for bail on October 9

The AIADMK chief had challenged the high court order which had refused her bail. Jayalalithaa pleaded that she was sentenced to only four years jail in the case and was also suffering from various ailments as grounds for her immediate relief.

The former chief minister also cited grounds of being senior citizen and woman for getting out of jail.

The 66-year-old politician was denied bail by the high court on October 7 despite the special public prosecutor not objecting to grant of conditional bail to her.

The high court had also rejected the bail pleas by Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala and her relatives V N Sudhakaran, disowned foster-son of the former chief minister, and Ilavarasi, who have also been sent to four years in jail in the 18-year-old case.

The special court had held Jayalalithaa and three others guilty of corruption. The court had also slapped a fine of Rs 100 crore on the AIADMK chief and Rs 10 crore fine on each of the three other convicts.


AIADMK activists break out into celebrations




AIADMK supporters broke out into celebrations, bursting crackers and dancing on the roads here after the Supreme Court granted bail to party chief Jayalalithaa in the illegal assets case, paving way for her homecoming for the Diwali festival.

"It is Diwali day for us," a party cadre said outside the AIADMK headquarters here.

AIADMK cadres — men and women — assembled outside the party headquarters here danced in joy. They burst crackers and distributed sweets.

Similar scenes were witnessed in other parts of the state like Salem, Karur, Tuticorin.

Earlier, AIADMK workers welcomed the party's founding day in a subdued mood, with presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan doing the customary hoisting of the party flag and garlanding the statue of founder MG Ramachandran. He later released a souvenir to mark the occasion.

Party treasurer and chief minister O Panneerselvam and some of his cabinet colleagues were seen sporting a beard, apparently summing up the mood in the party prior to Jayalalithaa securing bail.

A section of party workers were seen wearing black shirts.

In many places across the state, AIADMK workers ushered in the day by garlanding statues of Ramachandran, a charismatic actor who split from the M Karunanidhi-led DMK to form AIADMK, and also hailed Jayalalithaa and had wished for her release.

Special prayers were held by the party faithful in places of religious worship seeking release of Jayalalithaa who was sentenced to four years in jail and slapped with a fine of Rs 100 crore by a Bangalore special court in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on September 27.

bombs found in Bengal's Malda

More than two dozen crude bombs found in Bengal's Malda

More than two dozen crude bombs found in Bengal's Malda


KOLKATA: More than two dozen crude bombs were discovered on Friday at an orchard in West Bengal's Malda district, police said.

The crude bombs, contained in a plastic bag, were found in a mango orchard in 16 Mile area under Kaliachak police station.

"About 30 crude bombs have been found from the bag. A bomb disposal squad is diffusing them. We are also in the lookout for Mohshin Sheikh, the owner of the orchard," an officer of Kaliachak police station said.

The recovery in Malda comes a day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG), probing the October 2 Burdwan blast, seized over 30 improvised explosive devices from a house in the district.

The NIA suspects the involvement of militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, in the Burdwan blast in which two suspected militants were killed and another injured.

Earlier on Wednesday, two people were injured in a bomb explosion in Hatichapa village in Malda.

Several incidents of crude bombs going off or being seized by police have been reported from several districts of the state in the last few days.
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Ram temple issue

Govt has ample time till 2019 to construct Ram temple: RSS


Govt has ample time till 2019 to construct Ram temple: RSS
The three-day RSS meet was earlier started by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paying tributes to soldiers killed in exchange of fire with Pakistan and those who died in natural calamities.










LUCKNOW: RSS on Friday said government has ample time till 2019 to act on the issue of construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

"The government has its own priority and it will work according to it...It has ample time till 2019," Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's joint general-secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, told reporters on the first day of RSS Akhil Bhartiya Karyakari madal meet here.

"Ram temple is in agenda of the country, its in national interest. We had been supporting VHP and religious leaders on the issue of construction of Ram temple," Hosabale said.

When pointed that BJP had been stating that if it was voted to power with full majority at the centre, it would pave the way for construction of Ram temple through a legislation and asked whether RSS would now demand the same, Hosabale said, "The issue of Ram temple was already there in the election manifesto."

When asked about the threat of terrorist organisations including al-Qaida and ISIS, he said, "In the meet, national security issues will be discussed," but did not elaborate.

On a question related to the discussion about "love jihad", Hosabale said that they had discussed it a lot in the past 10 years.

On the possibility of passage of any economic and political resolution in the meet, Hosabale said, "The new government has just been formed, we will first see its performance."

Claiming that RSS workers had actively participated in relief and rescue operations in the natural calamities in Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya, Hosabale said that an outline of rehabilitation work to be carried out in these areas would be discussed in the meet.

Stating that RSS would launch special programmes to inculcate better civic sense, cleanliness and environment awareness, he said that the organisation was growing at the rate of 20 per cent per year and this year over 1.25 lakh Swayam Sewaks participated in its primary training programme.

Hosabale said that during the three days of the meet, 390 'pracharaks' and national office bearers would share the experience of their works done in various fields.

The three-day RSS meet was earlier started by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paying tributes to soldiers killed in exchange of fire with Pakistan and those who died in natural calamities.

BJP national president Amit Shah has been a special invitee in the meet and will participate in it on Friday, he added.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

PM visits Vizag Oon HUDUD CYCLONE

PM visits Vizag, announces Rs 1,000 crore package for cyclone-hit Andhra




VISAKHAPATNAM/HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a package of Rs 1,000 crore for cyclone-hit Andhra Pradesh.

The Prime Minister also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those who died in the cyclone, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

"The central government is with Andhra Pradesh government in this hour of crisis," said Modi who reviewed the damage done by the cyclone on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister arrived here on Tuesday afternoon to visit cyclone-hit Visakhapatnam and other parts of north coastal Andhra.

Soon after landing at Visakhapatnam airport, he inspected the facility extensively damaged by cyclonic storm Hudhud on Sunday. Officials briefed him about the damages.

Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, central government ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Ashok Gajapati Raju received him at the airport.

The chief minister earlier said he would brief the Prime Minister of the situation and give him details of the devastation caused by the cyclone.


Visakhapatnam remains without power, essential commodities





People in the cyclone-ravaged town of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh continue to live without electricity and communication facilities for the third day in the row since Sunday. The scarcity of drinking water, milk and other essential commodities have added to the woes of this port town.

Two days after the severe cyclonic storm Hudhud battered the coastline, the city of 18 lakh people remained in darkness and mostly deprived of potable water. Piped potable water supplies have run out, too. Motor pumps installed in homes and apartments aren't running, with power supply yet to be restored.

The authorities haven't been able to supply water in tankers either, the citizens complained. Cashing in on the situation are greedy retailers, selling 20 litre water bottles for Rs 300 each.

Women carrying children too are running around to buy milk, some of them standing in long queues. In some areas, half-litre packets of milk were sold at Rs 50 each, which is twice their actual price.

With roads connecting the city to neighbouring districts yet to be cleared, supplies of milk and other essential commodities still remain cut off.

Mobile phones remain dead here for the third day in a row, with telecom services yet to be restored. ATM machines aren't working either.

Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, still sports a war-ravaged look with streets blocked by uprooted trees, toppled electricity poles and communication towers, mangled wires, shattered pieces of glass and other kinds of debris.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are still working towards clearing the roads. Officials said power supply may be restored by Tuesday evening.

Naidu orders arrest of telecom officials to restore services





Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked the police to arrest officials of telecom service providers if they failed to restore services in the city.

Naidu, who has been camping in the city since Monday, was visibly unhappy with the functioning of telecom companies. "I have asked police to arrest them and bring them to meetings for review of the situation," Naidu told reporters on Tuesday.



(Boats washed ashore in the storm lie in a mangled heap on Vizag beach.)



Warning of harsh measures, the chief minister said he wanted communication facilities to be restored by Wednesday.

"People are in distress. These companies have to come to their rescue. They can't just make profits when people are happy and desert them when they are in trouble," Naidu said.

(Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had to take shelter under an umbrella while surveying the havoc wreaked by cyclone Hudhud.)


The chief minister said he wants officials to explain the delay in the restoration of services and brief him by Tuesday evening about measures taken in this regard.

The cyclone which hit the coastline on Sunday at a speed of 185kmph claimed 21 lives in the three north coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram.

About 600,000 people are currently sheltered in government relief camps in the three districts and adjoining East Godavari. The cyclone has damaged nearly 7,000 houses, cut off power supply and paralysed communication and transport networks.

State-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) has resumed services in some parts of the region. However, train services remain affected for the third day while air services to and from Visakhapatnam are yet to be resumed.

In Srikakulam district, which also remains without electricity, few villages remain marooned, and some low-lying areas in Srikakulam town remain inundated. However, the district authorities heaved a sigh of relief as water levels receded in Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers

Close liquor shops

Close liquor shops and provide shelter to pavement dwellers, PMK leader tells Tamil Nadu govt



CHENNAI: A day after three pavement dwellers, including a pregnant woman, were fatally run over by a car driven by a drunk driver at Velacherry in Chennai, PMK chief S Ramadoss on Tuesday blamed the Tamil Nadu government for the increasing number of such accidents as it has not taken any steps to close down liquor shops.

In a statement, Ramadoss said Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of people being killed in road accidents and most of the mishaps happened due to drunk driving.

"Ten years ago, six people were killed near the Udayam Theatre at Ashok Nagar when a vehicle driven by a drunk driver hit them. Accidents like these are happening in the state quite often," he said.

He said though the Slum Clearance Board had been functioning in the state for the last 50 years to provide apartments to homeless people, thousands of people continued to live on pavements.

Ramadoss demanded the government take immediate steps to close Tasmac shops and give shelters to pavement dwellers.




ABOUT HUDHUD CYCLONE EFFECTS

Cyclone Hudhud: As it happened on Sunday



The toll in the aftermath of Cyclone Hudhud has increased to six.

Cyclone Hudhud: As it happened on Sunday



East Coast Railway (ECoR) announced tonight that three trains will start running each way on the Bhubaneswar-Palasa link from tomorrow. ECoR, however, cancelled, diverted and short terminated certain trains originating and passing through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in view of the Cyclone Hudhud. "Bhubaneswar-Palasa link will resume in the morning of Monday. Three trains each way will operate for the benefit of daily passengers and office goers," an official of the ECoR said, PTI reported.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today assured his Naidu all help required by the neighbouring state, official sources said. Patnaik gave this assurance to Naidu when he called him over phone this evening.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) again met this evening under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth and reviewed the situation of the affected districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after landfall of Hudhud this afternoon. "According to preliminary assessment, the cyclone has left 6 people dead, 3 each in AP and Odisha. The communication services and power and electricity have been considerably damaged in the affected districts," an official statement said in Delhi - PTI.

Today's operations are over, only emergency response will be undertaken during night if required, says NDRF, adding that 558 people were evacuated today and dead body of one-year-old child was recovered from debris. It also said that operations will resume from 5 am in the morning tomorrow.



Naidu leaves for Vizag 'to supervise the operations'.




Andhra Pradesh CM asks the Centre to declare the cyclone storm 'Hudhud' that hit the state's coast as a national calamity and also sought an ad hoc relief package of Rs 2,000 crore. At a review meeting on rescue and relief measures with heads of departments at secretariat in Hyderabad, Naidu said he has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard, PTI reported.

Have apprised PM about the situation, will also talk to Odisha CM again, says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Cyclone Hudhud.

Surprised over sudden tidal surge in Puri and Kendrapara coasts last night much ahead of the Cyclone Hudhud's landfall at Vizag, the Odisha government today urged the Indian Meterological Department to study the unusual phenomenon.

About 1.56 lakh people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm making landfall but three deaths have been reported in Odisha under the impact of Hudhud, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra said. He added that the system was still active over Odisha and was likely to cross over to Chhattisgarh later tonight.

Velocity of Cyclone Hudhud has come down to 90-100 Km/hour, says Ajit Seth, Cabinet Secretary. As far as AP is concerned, quick assessment will be done, restoration process will start after that, he adds.

Cyclone Hudhud lost its intensity by evening as it moved further 60 km northwest of Visakhapatnam, the IMD said. Hudhud, which was so far a very severe cyclonic storm, has now converted into a severe cyclone and its speed is now limited to 100-110 kmph, said M Mahapatra, scientist at the Cyclone Warning Division of IMD.



The Eastern Naval Command had been put on high alert to provide any assistance towards rescue and relief of affected persons. Towards this end the preparations made included readying ships, aircraft and diving teams. Indian Naval Ships Ranjit, Shivalik, Shakti and Airavat are ready to sail with relief material for 5000 personnel embarked onboard the ships. Additionally, four more ships have been kept ready for sailing at short notice for relief operations as required. Two Dornier fixed wing aircraft and six helicopters are also ready for deployment and one Long range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft (P 8I) has also kept standby for carrying out damage assessment once the cyclone passes and wind speeds reduce, as per PIB.


Naidu is seeking to leverage modern communication technology through "crowd sourcing" to provide relief to the victims of cyclonic storm 'Hudhud'. The CM said that people can provide information on the cyclone damages by downloading an App and send pictures and videos through it, as per PTI.

Receiving a call from PM enquiring about Cyclone Hudhud midway during a media briefing, Naidu thanked him for Centre's assistance.

Cyclone Hudhud loses speed, winds now blowing at 120-130 kmph, says IMD.

Chandrababu Naidu chaired a high level meeting on cyclone.

The death toll in Cyclone Hudhud has increased to five, reports PTI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu and assured him all possible assistance.

AP Deputy Chief Minister N Chinarajappa has said that nearly 90,000 people have been shifted to relief camps in four cyclone Hudhud-hit districts.

Cyclone Hudhud has hit Jharkhand with comparatively low intensity, said Director MET Department BK Mandal.

DG NDRF has said that there are chances of hilly rains which can cause flood. He further added that NDRF is working in the flood prone areas, ANI reported.

The death toll has reached three as Cyclone Hudhud crosses Visakhapatnam.
We have offered whatever help possible from the Centre. Our next step will be to restore critical resources and then to rehabilitate, says Ajit Seth after holding Crisis Management Committee meeting.
NDRF has sent additional teams to Vishakhapatnam. The total number of teams in the district are 13 now, as per PTI.

67752 people have been evacuated to 604 safe shelters. We are monitoring situation and taking precautions, says Naveen Patnaik.



Helpline numbers released for Hudhud are: 08455885999, for Railway helpline– 01123342954, 23341072, 23341074, Odisha– 1948, Andhra Pradesh– 1949.

Extensive damage has been reported in Visakhapatnam.

Cyclone has badly affected Ganjam and Gajapati district in Odisha.

Cyclone wind speed 170-180 kmph gusting up to 195 kmph in Andhra Pradesh coast, PTI reports.

According to IMD Chief, PMO is monitoring situation arising out of the cyclone on an hourly basis.

The impact of Cyclone Hudhud will remain for another six hours after which the wind speed is expected to reduce by 50 percent, but heavy rainfall will continue till October 15, 2014.

Bihar, Chhatisgarh, MP and Jharkhand will also see rainfall, says DG IMD, RS Rathore.

Gajapati in Odisha is worst affected by the cyclone.

'Most of the damage is seen in Visakhapatnam. Though winds are not too strong in Odisha, heavy rainfall will be seen in south Odisha' said IMD.

Wind speed is as high as 170 kmph in Visakhapatnam coast.

Several structures and properties have got damaged as Hudhud makes landfall in Visakhapatnam.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Chief Ministers N Chandrababu Naidu and Naveen Patnaik to take stock of the situation.




Cyclone Hudhud has made landfall in Andhra Padesh coast, informs IMD.

Two people have got killed as heavy rains lashed many areas in Visakhapatnam. While one was killed by a falling tree, another by a collapsing wall.



Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth will be holding a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee shortly.

Outer edge of Hudhud has made landfall at Kailasagiri in Visakhapatanam. The wind speed has been recorded at 180 kmph, ANI reports.

No casualties have been confirmed until now, informs DIG NDRF RK Rana to ANI.

Five diving teams have been dispatched to Srikakulam, 10 teams to low lying areas in and around Visakhapatnam for rescue and relief operations, as per ANI.

Part of DM office building in Visakhapatnam collapsed due to heavy rains.

The cyclone is now less than 45 kms away from Visakhapatnam.

After crossing coast, the cyclone will maintain its intensity, says Director of MET Department SC Sahoo.

Four naval ships and 10 helicopters of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) are ready for relief operations.

The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), run by the United Nations and the European Commission, forecast even higher peak wind speeds of 212 km/h, Reuters reported.

More than one lakh people have been evacuated from several districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Hudhud will hit the coastal area with a speed of 180 kmph at around 12:00 pm.

The cyclone is 60 kms away from Andhra Pradesh coast, says India Meterological Department.

Several trees have got uprooted in Visakhapatnam.
An NDRF personnel told ANI that after 1:00 pm heavy waves and excessive rainfall is expected in the region.
The speed of the wind has been measured up to 195-220Kmph.
As Cyclone Hudhud surges towards eastern coast, heavy rains have been lashing many areas of the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha since Saturday.

The Andhra Pradesh government has identified 356 villages in 59 mandals of the four districts as cyclone-prone. More than 300 relief camps have been set up to overcome any challenge.

Meanwhile, many National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been rushed to various districts to skillfully handle any situation.

Train services to the coast also remained suspended due to the cyclone.