Delhi government is planing to reserve lanes on city roads for ambulances, fire-tenders and emergency services vehicles to strengthen emergency response system. Informing this in New Delhi, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Dev said that as per the proposal, the restrictions on plying of other vehicles on the separate lanes will only be put into force in the time of disaster. He said that the proposal, put forth by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, will be discussed with the police soon before a final decision is taken.

Mr. Dev said the government was also planning to put in place an emergency public warning system under which sirens will be installed across the city. He said in case of a disaster, sirens will be blown and immediately the dedicated lanes will have to be left for vehicles under the emergency response system.

In Assam,relief and rescue operation are in full swing as the flood situation in 23 districts in the state continued to be grim. National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, SDRF, and army have intensified the operations particularly at Majuli island in Jorhat district and Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur. 44 villages at Southern Majuli were inundated by the raging water last night. A large number of cattle population being swept away in Majuli. Flood water submerged Tokobari, Narasingha and Jogunia sattra. A CRPF camp has been evacuated at Kamalabari after water submerged the camp.Administartion postponed half-yearly examination of schools at Majuli due to flood. Around 1 lakh people have taken shelter at high embankments in Majuli.Relief materials and medicines are being distributed at the affected areas. 10 additional medical teams are being deployed in the Majuli river island. Health department will spray DDT, Bleaching powder to prevent water borne diseases. Medicated mosquito net is also likely to be distributed soon. Meanwhile, security measures have been intensified at Pobitara Wildlife Sanctuary and World Heritage Sites Kaziranga and Manas National Park. While flood water completely submerged Pobitara, around 80 percent of Kaziranga reeling under water, forcing the animals to move to high lands. Forest guards, local people and NGOs rescued more than 40 deer and a rhino calf near Kaziranga in the last couple of days. Additional forest guards have already been deployed at Kaziranga National park. Breach in the embankment of River Nakhanda flooded residential areas at Barpeta town in Barpeta district this morning. Flood water also damaged the workshops of indigenous fire cracker industry.

The boat capsized last evening in the river due to a heavy storm at Burha-Burhi Char under Fakirganj police station in Dhubri district.

Over 200 people are still reported missing in the boat carrying over 300 passengers. Our Correspondent reports that four persons have been rescued. Army, BSF, Police and National Disaster Response Force are continuing their joint rescue operation.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has constituted an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) for effective management to deal with drought like situation. The 11 member EGoM, will be headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The EGoM is authorized to review the situation and take "quick and timely decisions" on policy issues as well as other issues for effective management of drought and related issues.

Turkey says the number of Syrian citizens taking shelter in Turkey stood at 17,655 on Wednesday. The Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate on Wednesday said 12 more Syrians went back to their country following a returning trend started last week, while 366 others crossed into Turkey. The Directorate said Turkey is providing shelter, food, health, security, education, communication and religious services to Syrians who escaped from clashes in their country and took shelter in the country. It also said 2,150 Syrian children are receiving pre-school, elementary and high school education in 68 classes formed at the tent sites in Hatay province. Turkey, once a close ally of Damascus, has imposed on Syria a series of sanctions, including an arms embargo, due to its alleged crackdown on protesters.

The Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju has urged the corporate sector to contribute the Government’s Disaster Management efforts. Addressing a seminar on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief in New Delhi on Wednesday, Dr. Raju advocated setting up of a system where private sector efforts could be integrated with national efforts.
On the occasion, Dr. Raju said that regional co-operation is important in disaster management. He said that India has taken a leading role among South Asian countries for reducing disasters.

Lauding the role of the Armed forces in rescue and relief operations during disasters, he said, the forces are the most dedicated, professional and well equipped with manpower and material resources. He cited the Tsunami disaster, cloud burst in Leh, Bihar floods and the Sikkim earthquake as excellent examples of the Armed forces' capabilities to reach out to the remotest parts of the country for such operations