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Firefighters begin search for Hurricane Harvey survivors
Washington, Aug 31 (IANS) Firefighters in the US state of Texas on Thursday began a block-by-block search for survivors in some of Houston’s most devastated areas while fires at a Crosby chemical plant and a water crisis in Beaumont reflected the complicated process of restoring normalcy to the battered region.
Authorities also ordered an evacuation for communities around the Barker reservoir near Houston amid fears of new flooding. Some of the hardest hit areas of Houston have been awash in water for several days, USA Today reported.
Authorities were concerned that some residents might still be awaiting rescue. So far, 37 people have been killed in Texas since the hurricane made landfall on August 25.
“We’ll be doing a block-by-block, door-by-door search of streets we believe have had three feet or more (of water) to make sure there are no people we’ve left behind,” said Richard Mann, the fire department’s executive assistant chief.
“This will be a one- to two-week-long process to make sure we address all those areas that have been hit hardest.”
In Crosby, 25 miles northeast of Houston, chemicals sparked fires and black smoke was reported at the Arkema Inc. chemical plant. The plant was flooded when more than 40 inches of rain fell in the area.
One Harris County sheriff’s deputy was taken to hospital after inhaling fumes and 14 others drove themselves to the hospital as precaution, the sheriff’s office said. The fumes were later determined to be a “non-toxic irritant”.
In Beaumont, 100 miles east of Houston, flooding damage knocked out the main and secondary sources providing water to the city of more than 100,000 people.
“At this time, there is no water supply for the city water system,” the city said in a statement. “We will have to wait until the water levels from this historical flood recede before we can determine the extent of damage and make any needed repairs.”
More than 33,000 people were in shelters on Thursday, the American Red Cross said. More than 13,000 people have been rescued from flooded homes.
Governor Greg Abbott said another 10,000 National Guard troops from across the nation would be joining the 14,000 already deployed in the region to provide security and aid in rescue efforts.
Across the state, families were searching tirelessly for missing relatives on the sixth day since the catastrophic storm made its first landfall last week as a Category 4 hurricane.
AccuWeather estimated Harvey’s cost at $160 billion, making it the costliest natural disaster in US history. AccuWeather President Joel Myers called Harvey a “1,000-year storm” and said parts of Houston will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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