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Floods in polluted rivers can pollute groundwater too: Study

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Floods in polluted rivers can pollute groundwater too: Study

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]File photo of the floods that submerged large parts of Chennai in December 2015. Photo credit: PTI

~By Bhavya Khullar

Scientists from Anna University studied groundwater samples taken before and after Chennai floods of December 2015 to probe effect of floods on water quality

New Delhi: A new study has pointed out that flooding in polluted rivers has the potential to make groundwater unsafe for human use.

In December of 2015, when Chennai was flooded and people were marooned, a team of scientists from Anna University was collecting groundwater samples along the Adyar river to investigate if the groundwater in this region was fit for human consumption.

Researchers collected water samples from 17 locations in December 2015 and April 2016, that is, during and after floods. They tested the samples for salt and heavy metal concentration, microbial load and their susceptibility to available antibiotics.

“We wanted to know if the city water met water quality parameters laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards during and post-flood”, Lakshmanan Elango, professor at the Department of Geology of Anna University, who led this study, told India Science Wire.

The results showed that heavy metal and microbial load in groundwater samples was high. The samples contained microbes such as Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Streptococcus, Vibrio, and Salmonella that are known to cause infections like dysentery, cholera, and typhoid in humans. These microbes were cultured with various antibiotics used in clinical practice to treat life-threatening infections, to know they were susceptible or resistant to drugs.

“The bacteria were sensitive to most antibiotics but some were resistant to nalidixic acid, which is alarming as antibiotic resistance can rapidly spread in the environment”, said Prof Elango. The results of the study have been published in journal Nature Scientific Data.

In addition, scientists found high genetic similarity between bacteria from various locations implying that they must have originated from a single domestic sewage source containing fecal matter. “Sewage must have washed off with flood water, which in turn inundates the wells that would have resulted in contaminating the ground water”, believes Prof Elango.

“Our findings show that floods have the potential to impact the microbial quality of ground water in affected areas. Based on our study, we advise that wells must be chlorinated and the public must be warned to avoid consuming ground water for drinking, at least for some months post floods”, he added.

The research team included Ganesan Gowrishankar, Ramachandran Chelliah, Sudha Rani Ramakrishnan, Vetrimurugan Elumalai, Saravanan Dhanamadhavan, Kartikeyan Brindha, Usha Antony, and Lakshmanan Elango. It was done in collaboration with the University of Zululand in South Africa and the National University of Singapore, and was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

(This article has not been edited by the APNLive staff. It is from an auto-generated syndicated feed provided by the India Science Wire)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Instagram influencer and RJ Simran Singh found dead in Gurugram

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Simran Singh, popular Instagram influencer and radio jockey, found dead in Gurugram apartment

Simran Singh, a well-known freelance radio jockey and social media influencer from Jammu and Kashmir, was found dead in her apartment in Gurugram’s Sector 47. Authorities suspect suicide as the cause of death.

The 25-year-old, known by her fans as RJ Simran, had a significant following on Instagram, amassing nearly seven lakh followers. Her last post, shared on December 13, featured a reel captioned, “Just a girl with endless giggles and her gown, taking over the beach.”

Simran, often referred to as “Jammu Ki Dhadkan” (Heartbeat of Jammu), was a beloved personality in her hometown and beyond. Her vibrant presence and engaging content had endeared her to fans across the country.

According to police reports, Simran’s friend, who was staying with her, alerted authorities. Following standard procedures, her body has been handed over to her family.

The news of her untimely death has left her fans and followers in shock. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the young influencer.

Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to her death.

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2 killed as masked men open fire outside gym in Haryana’s Yamunanagar

The police officials said that the motive for the killings is still unclear. The deceased, both in their mid-30s, have not been identified publicly yet.

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2 killed as masked men open fire outside gym in Haryana’s Yamunanagar

In a tragic incident, two men were killed, and another was injured when unidentified armed miscreants opened indiscriminate fire on them in Haryana’s Yamunanagar on Thursday.

The incident was captured on CCTV and surfaced on social media, showing three victims exiting a gym and approaching their vehicle when 4-5 masked assailants arrived on motorcycles and fired multiple rounds at them. The attack occurred in Yamunanagar’s Lakha Singh Khedi.

Reportedly, while two of the men succumbed to their injuries, the third remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. The assailants fled the scene after the attack, and an investigation has been initiated.

The police officials said that the motive for the killings is still unclear. The deceased, both in their mid-30s, have not been identified publicly yet.

Previously, on late Sunday night, three people, including a woman, were shot dead by unidentified assailants in the parking lot of a hotel in Haryana’s Panchkula, police said.

Reportedly, the victims were identified as Vicky and Vipin, both residents of Delhi, and Nia from Hisar. The police confirmed that the trio was killed by unknown attackers in the hotel’s parking area.

In another separate incident on December 8, a businessman was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing his friend in Fatehabad on Saturday evening, police reported. The accused were identified as Palvinder alias Pampa, fatally shot Manoj Bansal, a 45-year-old originally from Jharkhand, at his shop. Manoj Bansal had been living with his family in Fatehabad for several years.

As per a complaint filed by the deceased’s nephew, Sandeep Kumar, another friend, Nishant Singla, informed him about the incident. Sandeep Kumar said that in the CCTV footage, it is clear that Palvinder took out his pistol and fired at his maternal uncle while sitting next to him on the bed. He said that three other people sitting there were shocked as Palvinder opened fire at his maternal uncle, adding that they had no enmity with him.

Furthermore, Fatehabad SHO Prahlad Rai confirmed that the accused had been arrested, and a murder case was registered. He added that they will determine the motive behind the killing during interrogation.

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Hard work alone not enough, a time-bound and solid strategy necessary to strengthen Congress: Kharge at Belagavi meet

He invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “Truth survives even when it does not have public support,” reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to truth alongside the overwhelming support of the people.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday asserted the importance of not just hard work, but also a well-defined and timely strategy required to strengthen the grand old party, saying there is a need to give a chance to new power and to bring forth local and new leadership.

He outlined his vision for the upcoming year, declaring 2025 as the year for organisational empowerment, with plans to fill all vacant positions within the party and fully implement the Udaipur Declaration.

Kharge stressed that the organisation must be equipped with the skills necessary for electoral success, from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to local booths.

He highlighted the need to include individuals who are ideologically committed and ready to defend the Constitution, as well as those who share the Congress Party’s vision of India. “These individuals must be integrated into the party’s activities and mainstream efforts.”

Addressing the party’s supporters at the meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee in Belagavi to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency, Kharge noted the ongoing discussions from the previous Working Committee meeting on strengthening the organisation.

The Congress chief referred to the collective decision to actively combat the atmosphere of disappointment following electoral setbacks in Haryana and Maharashtra.

With determination and creativity, the Congress has managed to push the government back and rejuvenate the Opposition’s energy during the last parliamentary session.

Kharge acknowledged the power of ideas and the legacy of the Gandhi-Nehru lineage as vital to the party’s identity and future.

As the Congress reconvenes in Belgaum for the ‘Nav Satyagraha,’ Kharge expressed a resolve to challenge misleading narratives propagated by those in power, stating that “those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution have been the ones spreading falsehoods”.

He invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “Truth survives even when it does not have public support,” reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to truth alongside the overwhelming support of the people.

Kharge urged unity against the Opposition’s lies and called for a confident and bold approach to overcoming the challenges ahead, expressing optimism that the Congress will ultimately succeed in this endeavor.

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