Top News
7 killed, 1mn without power as massive storm pounds US (Second Lead)
Washington, March 3 (IANS) At least seven people were killed and over one million left without power as a massive storm continued to pummel the US East Coast on Saturday with drenching rain, howling winds and surging waves. The nor’easter also brought travel services to a halt.
The fatalities included a six-year-old boy in Virginia who died after a tree fell on his family’s home. Others were an 11-year-old boy in New York state; a 57-year-old man in Upper Merion, Pennsylvania; a 77-year-old woman in Baltimore; a 72-year-old man in Newport, Rhode Island and a 44-year-old man in James City County, Virginia, ABC News reported.
All were hit by falling trees. There was one more storm-related death, according to officials.
The storm that morphed into a “bomb cyclone” knocked out power to more than one million customers — with more than 440,000 of them in Massachusetts. Virginia had at least 301,671 customers without power, and the Washington area counted over 154,000 people without power.
Over 4,000 flights were cancelled in the US on Friday, according to FlightAware. Nearly half of all scheduled flights at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport were cancelled on Saturday, the airport said.
Rail operator Amtrak temporarily halted service between New York, Boston and Washington. It tweeted on Friday that its Northeast Corridor service was “temporarily suspended due to multiple weather related issues”.
Airlines, including Delta, United and Southwest, were offering fee waivers for flight cancellations or changes involving affected airports. Airports on the East Coast had been experiencing delays and ground stops, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
Massachusetts was hit hard by the storm. High tides powered coastal flooding in Boston and other towns, leaving city streets awash for the second time since a massive nor’easter in early January, CNN reported.
A foot (30 cm) of snow fell on northern and western areas of New York state.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam had declared a state of emergency in order to marshal resources and “appropriate preparedness, response, and recovery measures”, according to a statement.
In the Washington area, federal offices didn’t open, schools closed and trash collection was suspended. The wind even directed its wrath at the Capitol, blowing out a window on the west front over the Olmstead Terrace, an official from the Architect of the Capitol office said.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “March is coming in like a lion”.
The storm was moving slowly and the wind, rain and flood effects will linger for days, officials said. Parts of eastern Long Island and eastern Massachusetts were predicted to get up to five inches of rain through Saturday.
The rest of the region could see two to four inches of rain. A foot of snow had already fallen in parts of eastern Massachusetts.
–IANS
soni/sac
Top News
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.