1. After a Break, City Gets Drenched for Entire Day
The image of Ahmedabad was dented when heavy rainfall exposed not only its infrastructure woes but also the apathy of its municipal agencies.
Even as the monsoon pounded the city with nearly 25.57mm rainfall after a gap of two days, its denizens faced a harrowing time. Low-lying areas were inundated, potholes made their way on road surfaces and incidents of cave-ins were reported.
Owing to water-logging, a 200-feet road in Lambha area caved in and a van got stuck in it near Omshantinagar. After the issue was brought to the notice of civic authorities, they tried to refill the cave-in.
Leader of the Opposition in AMC complained that a chemical factory near Memco Bridge releases effluent water in the open during Monsoon every year, resulting in water logging in surrounding areas, causing hardships to locals. “There is a risk of an epidemic. We have drawn the attention of AMC regarding this but so far the administration seems to be indifferent about the matter,” said Sharma.
(Source: DNA)
2. In a First, Incessant Rains Force Open Narmada Gates
Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh and catchment areas of Narmada necessitated the opening of 26 of the 30 newly installed gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Friday, 9 August.
This is the first time that the gates are being opened after they were installed in 2017 to allow for release of excess water so as to maintain the water level at 131.18 metre.
The dam has a storage capacity of 139 metre but as per the Narmada Control Authority, water in the dam can be filled only up to 131.18 metre.
Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, chief secretary JN Singh and several other top officials visited the dam after the gates were opened.
(Source: DNA)
3. Local Court Excuses Rahul Gandhi’s No-Show in Defamation Case
A metropolitan court on Friday. 9 August, excused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his failure to remain present before it in connection with a defamation suit filed against him by Khadia councillor Krishnavadan Brahmbhatt for allegedly making a defamatory statement against BJP president Amit Shah during the Lok Sabha poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur.
The court on 9 July had issued summons against Gandhi and he was supposed to remain present before it on Friday. However, Gandhi’s counsel PS Champaneri appeared before the court and filed an exemption application. Champaneri informed the court that Gandhi has received the summons, but could not remain present before it since he was caught up with preparations for the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi scheduled on Saturday.
This was opposed by Brahmbhatt’s counsel, who submitted that Gandhi has not produced any document on record to show that he was busy in meetings for the Congress Working Committee meet and he ought to have remained present before the court. Despite the opposition, the court allowed Gandhi’s exemption application.
(Source: DNA)
4. Decomposed Carcass of Four-Year-Old Leopard Found
A decomposed carcass of a four-year-old leopard was found in a canal of Ukai dam at Uchamala village in Tapi district’s Vyara taluka on Friday, 10 August.
Vyara Veterinary officer Dr Pankaj Fuletra said, “The leopard died around four days ago. It is suspected that it died due to drowning. We found water in its abdomen. It might have come to the bank to drink water and was washed away.”
Forest officials suspect that since the water level in the canal rose following rain, the leopard might have got drowned in it.
Vyara Range Forest Officer (RFO) Raghuveer Kosada said, “We buried the body after post-mortem. Its viscera has been sent to the Surat Forensic Science Laboratory to find out the exact cause of death.”
This is the first incident of a leopard death in Tapi district. According to 2016 census, there are over 25 leopards in Tapi and Surat districts.
(Source: Indian Express)
5. Police Asked to Remain Alert on Eid & Independence Day
The Gujarat government on Friday, 9 August, asked the police to remain alert and enhance security to thwart any unwarranted situation in the state during the Eid and Independence Day celebrations next week, officials said.
The move comes days after the Parliament approved a resolution abrogating special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and a bill for splitting the state into two union territories.
While Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on August 12, the Independence Day is celebrated on August 15.
Gujarat Chief Secretary J N Singh along with state DGP Shivanand Jha on Friday held a video-conference session with top police officials, including police commissioners, district SPs and Range IGs, of the state to brief them about various security measures they are required to take during the upcoming festivals.
(Source: Business Standard)
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