World
Big floods along Yangtze River likely
Beijing : China’s flood control authorities have warned of possible big floods this summer as weather and hydrologic factors closely resemble those of 1998, when floods killed at least 3,000 people nationwide.
Because of the strong El Nino phenomenon – an oscillating band of warm surface water in the ocean – there is a strong possibility that floods will hit the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to Liu Ning, vice-minister of water resources.
The Yangtze is China’s longest river and the world’s third-longest. Massive floods ravaged the river and its basin areas in 1998, claiming thousands of lives, and El Nino was blamed, the China Daily reported on Saturday.
Liu said the ongoing strong El Nino, which started in September 2014 and is expected to end in May, has been the longest lasting and strongest oscillation since 1951.
Because of a larger amount of rainfall in the spring compared with previous years, some regions along the river entered flood season early, according to the Yangtze River Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
Usually, the flood season starts in April and lasts until October each year.
In addition, the water level along some branches – the Xiangjiang and Ganjiang rivers, for example – rose above the warning line in March.
Predictions from the Meteorological Centre for the Yangtze River showed that, with the strong El Nino, rainfall in the middle and lower reaches of the river will increase by 10 to 50 percent in May. From June to August, the major flood season, rainfall in parts of the middle reaches will rise by 50 to 80 percent.
To cope with possible major floods, flood control authorities are asking government agencies to make detailed plans for disaster prevention and relief. Other measures include monitoring ground saturation and weather closely and preparing for possible torrents and typhoons.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.