Mangaluru: NDRF exhibits ability to deal with disasters, industrial accidents

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Suresh)

March 3, 2016

Mangaluru, Mar 2: The personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted a mock drill on Wednesday at the HPCL premises, to display ways dealing with industrial accidents and natural disaster.

The drill was organised in association with the district administration and 32 other departments of the government.

As part of the drill, the leakage in the pipeline at HPCL's 650-metric tonne capacity gas storage unit resulted in the creation of a vapour cloud, which further resulted in boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE). As soon as the siren blew, the water was sprayed on the unit continuously. When the situation was going out of control, the staff members of the district administration, in association with NDRF, rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, eight persons were injured and 40 were rescued' and taken to safer area with the help of ambulances. The injured were given first aid.

“The mock drill was held for half an hour, during which time, eight ambulances, a total of 700 personnel from other departments, 25 home guards, 50 police personnel participated,” said District Disaster Management team commandant and Additional DC Kumar.

Superintendent of Police Dr Sharanappa S D said that the mock drill has provided information on the precautionary measures that need to be taken in case of disaster in a fast-growing city like Mangaluru.

State Disaster Management Authority state coordinator K K Pradeep said that the mock drills are conducted also to learn how the district administration responds during any eventuality. “The mock drill was conducted successfully and the district administration has responded well. The district administration will be asked to set right a few lacunae in addressing the system,” said Pradeep.

DCP Shantharaju, NDRF Deputy Commandant Sohan Singh and others were present.

Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority Coordinator K K Pradeep said that a state disaster response force is getting ready on the model of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). One team will be deployed to Mangaluru. There is a team with 55 members of NDRF in Bengaluru. The team has taken part in the mock drill, he said.

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Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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