BINTULU (Aug 21): A total of RM40,000 in disaster relief aid was presented Tuesday to eight recipient bodies, with each receiving RM5,000 to aid recovery efforts.

The aid was presented by Bintulu district officer Awang Mohammed Nizam Awang Ali Bohan, who also serves as district disaster management committee chairman, in a simple ceremony at the district office.

He said the assistance reflects the government’s concern for the people while ensuring that aid is channelled transparently and to communities most in need.

“This aid is one of the government’s efforts to ensure that affected communities can recover from the recent disasters here.

“Although the amount may not be large, we hope it will help speed up recovery and provide moral encouragement to the recipients,” he was quoted as saying in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report.

The recipients were the village security and development committees of Kuala Segan, Kampung Kemunting, Kampung Sungai Plan, and Rumah Munte Nuil; Methodist Ming Ong Church; Masjid Daerah Bintulu; Masjid Darul Yakin; and Masjid Al-Mutaqqin Kampung Sungai Plan Lot.

According to the report, the financial assistance is to be used for the restoration of basic facilities and infrastructure repair.

It added that the Bintulu District Office reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritising the people’s welfare and to work closely with relevant agencies to provide further assistance when necessary.

MADRID – Kebakaran hutan yang marak memusnahkan 30,000 hektar kawasan lagi di barat Sepanyol dalam masa kurang daripada 24 jam, demikian menurut data satelit hari ini, namun suhu lebih sejuk meningkatkan harapan ia dibendung.

Menurut Sistem Maklumat Kebakaran Hutan Eropah, kira-kira 373,000 hektar kawasan hangus di Sepanyol bagi tahun ini setakat pukul 7 pagi (waktu tempatan) hari ini.

Ia menjadikannya musim kebakaran paling teruk di negara itu sejak rekod bermula pada 2006, melepasi rekod 2022 apabila 306,000 hektar hutan terbakar.

Sebahagian besar kemusnahan berpunca daripada kebakaran besar yang berlarutan selama lebih seminggu di wilayah barat laut Zamora dan Leon, wilayah Ourense Galicia serta Caceres di wilayah barat Extremadura.

Pihak berkuasa memindahkan beribu-ribu penduduk dari berpuluh-puluh kampung.

Beberapa jalan utama ditutup, manakala perkhidmatan kereta api di antara Madrid dan Galicia turut digantung.

Suhu maksimum telah menurun sebanyak 10 hingga 12 darjah Celsius, manakala tahap kelembapan meningkat, kata wakil kerajaan pusat di Castile dan Leon, Nicanor Sen.

“Perubahan ini memudahkan dan menambah baik keadaan untuk mengawal kebakaran,” katanya kepada penyiar awam TVE. – AFP

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Tuesday announced five major initiatives aimed at enhancing the country's capacity to respond to natural and human-made disasters, underscoring the government's commitment to protecting lives and property.

Speaking at an event marking World Humanitarian Day in the national capital of Dodoma, Majaliwa said the actions are part of ongoing efforts by the government to strengthen disaster management nationwide.

According to Majaliwa, the government has already distributed seeds, food, and other aid to victims of flooding in Rufiji, Kibiti and Morogoro regions, as well as to survivors of a recent building collapse in the Kariakoo area in Dar es Salaam.

To enhance emergency response, a situation room has been established to monitor crises in real time and coordinate swift interventions, he said, adding that communication systems and emergency operation centers have also been reinforced.

Majaliwa paid tribute to humanitarian aid workers, praising their courage and compassion. He also urged greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure efficient disaster response.

NEW DELHI: Hujan lebat berterusan melanda Mumbai dan kawasan sekitarnya pada Selasa, menyebabkan gangguan besar terhadap kehidupan harian di ibu kota kewangan India.

Lebih 250 penerbangan ditunda atau dibatalkan, perkhidmatan kereta api mengalami kelewatan ketara dan lalu lintas terjejas akibat limpahan air di jalan raya dan lorong, lapor Xinhua.

Beberapa kenderaan dilaporkan rosak akibat berada air sedalam paras lutut hingga pinggang di pelbagai kawasan sekitar Mumbai.

Laporan televisyen menunjukkan sebuah bas separuh tenggelam dalam air bertakung dan penunggang motosikal terpaksa menolak motosikal mereka melalui jalan yang dinaiki air di luar stesen kereta api Kurla.

Perkhidmatan tren tempatan di 'Laluan Harbour' dihentikan selepas landasan kereta api tenggelam dalam air, menurut laporan TV.

Sekolah, kolej dan institusi pendidikan lain ditutup di seluruh Mumbai, ketika hujan lebat dijangka berterusan sekurang-kurangnya hingga petang Selasa.