Mauna Loa volcano, the world’s largest active volcano, erupts for the first time in nearly four decades

The US Geological Survey assures that even though lava is flowing down one side of the volcano, the eruption does not pose any threat to the communities. The volcano is in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The agency issued an advisory and said - “All indications are that the eruption will remain in the Northeast Rift Zone.” Referring to an area where the volcano is splitting, allowing for lava flow, it added - “Volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s Hair (strands of lava glass) may be carried downwind.” However, a “trace to less than one quarter inch” of ashfall could accumulate on parts of the island. That is what the National Weather Service in Honolulu. The state Transportation Department also issued an advisory for those who plan to fly. It said - “Passengers with flights to Hilo International Airport (ITO) or the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) should check with their airline prior to heading to the airport due to the volcanic activity at Mauna Loa.” The airline also announced that Southwest Airlines is not operating from Hilo International Monday because of the eruption. It has canceled five flights to and from Honolulu. Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is erupting for the first time since 1984. The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement saying – it is “closely monitoring the volcanic eruption and will issue air traffic advisories once the size of the ash cloud is determined.”

The agency confirmed there is no threat to nearby communities, and no evacuation orders issued. However, as a precaution, two shelters have opened. The weather service says falling ash can damage vehicles, buildings, and lead to contamination of water supplies, disruption in sewage and electrical systems, and damage or destruction of vegetation. Moreover, abrasive volcanic ash could lead to irritation of eyes and lungs. Those who suffer from respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling the ash particles and anyone outside should cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth. Hawaii, or the Big Island, has an area of about 4,000 square miles. It is the largest of the Hawaiian chain but has a population of just over 200,000 people. This works out to less than 50 people per square mile. Most of them live in cities and communities around the coast.

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VIP Road in Kolkata being upgraded to a 10-lane one for speedier traffic

VIP Road in Kolkata is being widened by adding two lanes on either side to make it a 10-lane high speed road. It aims to reclaim from Rajarhat Expressway its reputation as the fastest route to the airport. The two extra lanes will be added on either flank from Ultadanga till the airport and there would be dedicated bus bays both ways. Thereby, the rest of the road space would be meant for other vehicles.
It is a Rs 54-crore project and will convert VIP Road from a six-lane corridor to a 10-lane one and uniform in width along almost the entire 8-Km stretch between Ultadanga and Airport Gate No. 1.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 4 June 2016.

The only hitch is that necessary land is not readily available yet in some places. Near the Kaikhali crossing, extra lanes cannot be added to one flank because of privately owned land that starts from the edge of the thoroughfare. The ambitious project had started last year and is targeted for completion in another three months time.
However, PWD officials are hesitating to indicate a deadline because there are some underground electric cables involved from Raghunathpur till Haldiram's. These have to be relocated for work to begin. The project envisages subways at Raghunathpur, Bangur and Kaikhali apart from a concrete walkway along the Kestopur canal that separates Salt Lake from VIP Road.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Drones in civilian applications are risky - at least 49 near misses reported since April 2014

Drones are fine for military applications and have proved their usefulness in eliminating terrorists and their bases but, when it comes to applications in the civilian areas, there are dangers looming round every corner. Fears of collision between drones and planes are on the rise. As many as 49 proximity reports have been filed by pilots since April 2014 - these include 16 incidents where there was a serious risk of collision and 12 where the safety of the aircraft may have been compromised.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 23 May 2016.

Freedom of Information requests reveal that in the first four months of 2016, there were 15 reported near-misses - more than half of a total of 29 in the previous 12 months. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data has revealed 13 near-miss incidents reported by pilots - these are under investigation. Six of these were near London Heathrow and others at airports like Gatwick and Glasgow.
Certain rules have already been formulated - for instance drone users must be able to see the craft at all times and must not fly above 400ft (122m). Drones installed with cameras must not be flown within 50m (164ft) of people, vehicles or buildings, or over congested areas or large gatherings like concerts and sports events. Of course, high-end drones can fly up to and beyond 6,000ft, travel at speeds of up to 50mph and remain airborne for 25 minutes. (These can come for anything between £25 and £20,000 - as per reports, more than 15,000 such units have been sold in the UK last year.)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

World's smallest porpoise of Mexico is on the verge of extinction

Coca-Cola to stop production of its beverage in Venezuela because of sugar shortage

Melting of Totten Glacier due to global warming could raise sea levels by three meters


Moody’s mind flits from Black Money to White House (satire)

Lord Shiva and Durga on home delivery and drones (satire)

Didi plans new conquests via Rabindrasangeet (satire)


Daniel Craig is through with James Bond - turns down £68 million offer from MGM

Snoop Dogg and Lucy Liu will be seen together in thriller 'Future World'

Kavita Kaushik to play the role of an Army doctor in TV show “Dr. Bhanumati on Duty”


Was the EgyptAir crash an act of terrorism by the ISIS?

Suicide bombings in Baghdad kill 43 - brings total death in 7 days to more than 145

One more Chibok girl rescued - she was kidnapped along with 275 others in April 2014