'Most cruel abomination': UN blasts Rafah carnage as EU mulls sanctions on Israel

Mangaluru, June 21: The monsoon season has only just begun, but Dakshina Kannada is already seeing unusually heavy rainfall. Between June 11 and 18, the district received 473.1 mm of rain — nearly double the 242.2 mm recorded during the same period in 2024.

According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Moodbidri recorded the highest rainfall at 622.9 mm (up from 267.1 mm in 2024), followed by Mulki with 594.2 mm (up from 309.1 mm). Belthangady and Bantwal also saw intense rainfall, each around 530 mm.

Every taluk in the district has reported significantly higher rainfall compared to this time last year, raising concerns as the season has only just started.

Homes Damaged, Families Displaced

The early downpour has already caused widespread destruction:

•    82 houses fully damaged

•    705 houses partially damaged

>    Most full damages in Bantwal (34) and Ullal (17)

>    Partial damages: 129 in Beltangady, 125 in Puttur, 108 in Bantwal, 90 in Mangaluru

Of the partially damaged homes, 677 families have received compensation. Relief for 24 houses in Puttur is pending.

Damaged Bridges and Schools

So far, 37 bridges across the district have sustained damage. Many bridges affected during last year’s monsoon still await repairs.

•    Funds have been approved for 4 bridges

•    Proposals for 19 others are under review

But repair work may only begin after the rains ease.

In addition, 145 government buildings and schools have also suffered damage.

High-Risk Homes Being Evacuated

In Beltangady taluk, 438 homes have been marked in vulnerable zones. When red alerts are issued, affected families are being relocated to relief centres or safer homes.

District-wide, 1,992 houses are in risk-prone areas, with 92 flood zones and 88 landslide-prone sites identified.

Relief Funds Sufficient for Now

Officials confirm that there is no shortage of relief funds. All nine tahsildars have enough money in their PD accounts to handle immediate needs.

Season Just Beginning

With the monsoon only in its early phase, it's uncertain whether the rains will intensify or decline in the days to come. Authorities remain on alert as the district braces for what may be a tough season ahead.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to “make a deal” before it’s “too late” after Israel bombarded Iranian nuclear sites and killed top regime officials overnight.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump wrote in the early hours of Friday morning. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”

Israel launched a massive attack on Iran on Thursday night, striking targets including nuclear facilities, regime officials, military leaders, and key atomic scientists. Tehran retaliated with more than 100 drones, according to an Israeli military spokesperson.

The strikes have triggered fears that the Middle East risks descending into another catastrophic regional war.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday condemned Israel and warned that “the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself.”

Trump said he “gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal” to shutter its nuclear program, but “no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done.”

“I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come,” he added.

Iran’s “hardliners” did not heed warnings, and “they are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!” he wrote.

The dramatic escalation shocked world leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the situation “deeply alarming” and urged all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and not retaliate.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it was “crucial” for Israel’s allies to work to de-escalate tensions.“I think that is now the first order of the day,” Rutte told journalists at a press conference in Stockholm.

In the wake of the recent Air India tragedy near Ahmedabad, I took time to revisit several historical aviation disasters, analyzing their causes, patterns, and overlooked warnings. One such deeply tragic incident occurred in July 1991, just 2.8 km from the runway of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAAIA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This was the ill-fated Nigeria Airways Flight 2120, operated by Nationair Canada on behalf of Nigeria Airways. The aircraft, bound for Sokoto, Nigeria, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 261 people on board-one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Saudi history.

What Went Wrong?

Following a joint investigation by Saudi and Canadian authorities, the findings were both shocking and sobering:

    •    The crash was not due to pilot error, nor external attack, nor bad weather.

    •    The root cause was under-inflated landing gear tires, which overheated during takeoff roll.

    •    The lead mechanic had identified low tire pressure four days before the crash, but no pressure gauge check was done afterward.

    •    Despite the plane being unfit for flight, it was signed off as airworthy and allowed to depart.

As the aircraft accelerated for takeoff, the overheated tires caught fire, which spread rapidly into the fuselage. The resulting hydraulic failure, cabin floor burn-through, and loss of control left the crew powerless. The aircraft crashed in flames, within minutes of takeoff-a preventable disaster caused by overlooked maintenance and human complacency.

Global Insights into Flight Crash Causes

Upon a thorough analysis, it’s observed that some of the most common reasons behind flight crashes worldwide, based on aviation history & investigations are: 

    1.    Pilot Error / Human Factors

Mistakes in judgment, communication, or control — especially during critical flight phases.

    2.    Mechanical Failure

Engine or system malfunctions due to defect or missed maintenance.

    3.    Adverse Weather

Storms, wind shear, fog, and other conditions impairing visibility and aircraft performance.

    4.    Bird Strikes / Foreign Object Debris (FOD)

Especially dangerous during takeoff and landing, leading to engine damage.

    5.    Airspace Mismanagement / ATC Miscommunication

    6.    Fuel Issues

Including fuel starvation, mismanagement, or contamination.

    7.    Acts of Sabotage / Terrorism / Hijacking

    8.    Cargo Fires & Flammable Materials

Fire originating in the cargo compartment from batteries, chemicals, or other hazardous goods.

    9.    Runway Excursions / Hard Landings

Overshooting or veering off the runway due to high speed, wet surface, or misjudged descent.

    10.    Negligent Maintenance

As seen in the Jeddah crash — where skipping standard checks led to total catastrophe.

Most air crashes are preventable.

All it takes is strict adherence to maintenance standards, timely inspections, better crew training, transparent reporting systems, and a culture that never rushes at the cost of safety.

It’s not just about flying high — it’s about staying grounded in discipline and accountability. 

A Deeper look into the Ahmedabad AI crash:

Having carefully reviewed the tragic crash of the Air India Express flight near Ahmedabad, one thing becomes clear from the available video footage-bird strike or FOD appears highly unlikely in this case.

When bird strike is ruled out, technical failure, improper dispatch, or overlooked preflight checks become strong areas of suspicion including under-inflated tires. 

Let’s hope the final investigation speaks honestly — not just to assign blame, but to prevent future tragedies.

Disclaimer: This article is written-by Adv. P.A.Hameed-in the capacity of a concerned legal professional and public interest observer, not as an aviation expert. The insights shared are based on publicly available information, historical investigation findings, and visual observations. The purpose is to raise awareness about aviation safety and the importance of preventive measures. Final conclusions regarding any specific incident should be left to official investigative authorities.