Reoccurrence of tsunami in coastal Karnataka cannot be ruled out, says expert

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )
August 4, 2012

Redcs_1

Mangalore, August 4: Terming the Coastal Karnataka as disaster-prone region, Dr. Kumar V.L.S of National Disaster Response Team, said that the possibilities of reoccurrence calamities like the devastating tsunami of 2004 could not be ruled out in this region.

Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the two-day workshop on 'District Disaster Response Team Training' organised by the Dakshina Kannada district branch of Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) on Saturday at the auditorium of S.D.M. Business Management College, Mangalore, he advised the volunteers assembled for the workshop to be in touch with the district administration during emergencies.

Stating that the disaster management was a continuous process of containment of risks, he said as many as 12 industries have been recognised in Dakshina Kannada district as Major Accidental Hazard (MAH) units, which is highest in the State after highly industrialised Bangalore. In case of any unfortunate incidents in these units, the damage would be severe. The Konkan Railway is a landslide-prone area, where disasters could occur. Hazardous chemicals are transported via two major National Highways in the region, where accidents can happen. Such reasons make Dakshina Kannada susceptible to disasters, pointed out.

He said that workshops were conducted in every district by Red Cross and humanitarian services were also rendered. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are taught to the voluntary teams so that their services and official rescue operations do not overlap with each other. Training on how to provide relief and rescue operations are also taught to volunteers, to make sure that they are available to help the authorities in case of disasters, he said.

Delivering the inaugural address, Principal of SDM Business Management College Dr. Devaraj K. said that it would be much easier to tackle emergencies if a permanent disaster management team was set up in the region. “Citizens in Western countries like the US are given disaster management training, and we need to conduct workshops for the people so that loss of lives can be prevented. We must be prepared for emergencies and disasters,” he said.

He recounted last year's Fukushima's nuclear plant disaster in Japan, where the situation was brought under control within 15 days because of the effective disaster management planning of Japanese. “When the Bhopal gas tragedy occurred, the factory workers were not largely affected as they knew how to divert the leaked gas elsewhere,” he added.

Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Chief Fire Officer H.S. Varadaraj said that participation and response from volunteers was required during emergencies. “What is necessary during emergency situations is help and assistance, so as to recover as many casualties as possible. We need co-operation from the people if we are to perform our duty in an effective manner,” he said.

On the occasion, Dr. Devaraj released a handbook on 'District Disaster Response Team'.

Vice-President of the district unit of Indian Red Cross Society Dr. Devadas Rai presided over the programme. Chairman of Disaster Response Sub-Committee Yathish Baikampady welcomed the gathering, and Secretary of IRCS, Dakshina Kannada, Suresh Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.


Redcs_2

Redcs_3

Redcs_4

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 29,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.