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Extremely heavy rains forecast for Mumbai already reeling under heavy pre-monsoon showers

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Extremely heavy rains forecast for Mumbai already reeling under heavy pre-monsoon showers

Heavy pre-monsoon rains lashed Mumbai, flooding several areas and disrupting flights, trains and power supply, while worst was still to come with the weather department warning of ‘extremely heavy rains’ over the weekend.

Several trains were delayed as many were reportedly forced to wait as power supply was disrupted. Trains were running late by 15-20 minutes on the Mumbra Thane line. A Jet Airways flight from London was diverted to Ahmedabad, reports said on Thursday.

Flooded roads were reported from Dadar, Parel, Cuff Parade, Bandra, Borivali and Andheri. Disaster management authorities warned about very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.

The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) said in a statement that a number of precautionary measures had been taken and the leaves of senior officials, including deputy municipal commissioners and assistant commissioners, have been cancelled.

These are pre-monsoon showers. Monsoon, which has currently reached south Goa, is expected to reach Mumbai in the next 48 to 72 hours, the IMD said.

The Indian Meteorological Department warned of rain and thunder across Mumbai over the next 24 hours and has advised residents to stay indoors.

The Met department’s colour-coded weather warning has indicated Konkan and central Maharashtra in ‘red’ on June 8 and June 9, respectively.

Red signifies ‘warning’ which indicates take action, while orange, yellow and green signify ‘alert’, ‘watch’ and ‘no warning’.

Officials said that warnings in red are indicative of severe weather conditions, and in this case, extremely heavy rainfall.

The weather bureau also issued an ‘extremely heavy’ rainfall alert for the city from June 9 to 11 (Saturday to Monday), and has asked citizens to stay indoors as much as possible on these three days.

Under the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) classification, 15.6mm to 64.4mm of rainfall in 24 hours is considered moderate, 64.5mm to 115.5mm is heavy, 115.6mm to 204.4mm is very heavy and more than 204.5mm qualities as extreme.

“Widespread rainfall activity with over 75% of weather stations reporting heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over south Konkan and Goa from June 7 onwards. Weather systems will gradually extend over north Konkan, including Mumbai, from Friday onwards, and continue till June 12 [Tuesday],” KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD was quoted as saying by media reports.

“Between Saturday and Monday, the maximum intensity of rainfall is expected over Mumbai and the surrounding areas, with heavy to very heavy rain; the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas cannot be ruled out,” said reports quoting the official.

The advisory released by the IMD reads: “Active to vigorous monsoon conditions are likely to prevail, leading to persistent very heavy rainfall along the west coast, especially between June 10 and 11. In view of intense rainfall forecast, people are advised to abstain from outdoor activities as much as possible during the period and also watch for weather updates from Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai.”

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecast in central Maharashtra between Thursday and Friday, as well as heavy showers in some parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, the weather bureau said.

On monsoon’s progress, the weather department said it reached the Goa and Konkan coast today (Thursday, June 7). On the weekend, rain is expected in Gujarat, southern Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

The BMC said it has taken a number of precautionary measures to tackle any eventuality in view of extremely heavy rainfall warning by the India IMD from June 9 to 11.

Officials equipped with walkie-talkies and flood rescue supplies have spread out across Mumbai.

Three teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will be pre-positioned at Parel, Mankhurd Fire Station and Andheri Sports Complex with walkie-talkies and flood rescue equipment.

Navy personnel are being posted at areas like Colaba, Worli, Ghatkopar, Trombay, Malad for flood rescue, according to news agency PTI.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade’s six flood rescue teams have also been directed to remain pre-positioned at the fire brigade’s regional command centers in Byculla, Mankhurd and Borivali.

Officers have been asked to keep schools open at all times for shelter during possible flooding.

Mumbai faced its worst civic nightmare when in 2005, a single day of rain left thousands dead in Maharashtra.

India News

Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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