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Toll from Philippine tropical storm rises to 200
Manila, Dec 24 (IANS) The death toll from mudslides and flooding triggered by tropical storm Tembin has risen to 200, police said here on Saturday night.
Tembin has also left dozens of others missing as it has been pounding the southern Philippines and dumping torrential rains in its way since early on Friday, Xinhua reported.
In a report, Superintendent Lemuel Gonda of the provincial Philippine National Police (PNP) said 135 people have died in Northern Mindanao and 47 in Zamboanga Peninsula during the storm.
Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said 18 people were also killed in the ARMM region.
Of the 135 killed in Northern Mindanao, 127 people were from Lanao del Norte, six from Bukidnon, one from Iligan, and one from Misamis Occidental. About 72 others are still missing, the police said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is still culling reports from the storm-ravaged region.
NDRRNC spokeswoman Romina Marasigan earlier said that the agency has received unofficial reports of 75 people who have died and 58 people missing in the region.
“These are consolidated reports but these are subject to validation,” Marasigan said.
In its latest forecast, the state weather bureau Pagasa said that severe tropical storm Tembin made a landfall in Baalbac, Palawan Saturday night. It warned that the storm “may intently turn into a typhoon before exiting the Philippines” on Sunday.
“Scattered to widespread, moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Palawan, while scattered light to moderate with at times of heavy rains are expected over the western section of Visayas and Mindanao within 24 hours,” the bureau said.
The bureau also warned more flooding and landslides, and reiterated that sea travels remains risky.
Tembin battered the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Friday, triggering floods and mudslides in the region.
–IANS
ahm/
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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.