19 killed as storm ravages Louisiana, South Carolina

Jackson: Severe weather has swept across the South, killing at least 19 people and damaging hundreds of homes from Louisiana into the Appalachian Mountains. Many people spent part of the night sheltering in basements, closets and bathroom tubs as sirens wailed to warn of possible tornadoes. Eleven people were killed in Mississippi, and six more died in northwest Georgia. Two other bodies were pulled from damaged homes in Arkansas and South Carolina. The storms blew onward through the night, causing flooding and mudslides in mountainous areas, and knocking out electricity for about 7,50,000 customers in a 10-state swath ranging from Texas to Georgia up to West Virginia. Mississippi’s death toll rose to 11 on early Monday. AP

Advertisement

Pakistan Army trainer aircraft crashes, two pilots die

Lahore/Islamabad: Two Pakistan Army Aviation pilots were killed on Monday when their trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in Punjab province, the military said. The Mushshak aircraft crashed in Gujrat ciy, some 150 kilometres from Lahore, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said. Both the pilots, Major Umer — who was the Instructor Pilot and Lieutenant Fiazan, a student pilot — were killed in the accident, the army said in a statement. Major Umer is survived by his wife, it said, adding that the exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained. PTI.

Nepal celebrates New Year amidst corona lockdown

Kathmandu: Nepal on Monday celebrated New Year 2077 as per the Bikram Era calendar, amidst the nationwide lockdown to fight the deadly coronavirus in the Himalayan nation. The calendar, which was established by Indian king Vikramaditya, was introduced by Nepal’s Shah Kings, believed to have migrated from India to Nepal centuries ago. To celebrate the occasion, people used to throng temples, greet each other, and gather at restaurants, homes and picnic spots but this year following the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is compelled to stay at home.The New Year or Baishakh 1 started with playing the national anthem. PTI