Tag Archives: sports
11 dead, 1,200 injured as heavy snow hits Japan
11 dead, 1,200 injured as heavy snow hits Japan (AFP) / 9 February 2014 As much as 27 centimetres (10.6 inches) of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday, the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years, according to meteorologists. People walk against blowing snow in Tokyo. AP The heaviest snow in decades in Tokyo and other areas of Japan has left at least 11 dead and more than 1,200 injured across the country, reports said on Sunday. As much as 27 centimetres of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday, the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years, according to meteorologists. The storm hit Tokyo on the eve of its gubernatorial election. Observers say the weather may affect voter turnout in the city of 13 million people. As of 6pm (0900 GMT), turnout was down more than 10 percentage points from a previous poll during the last mayoral election. As a depression moved along the Pacific coast on Saturday, the northeastern city of Sendai saw 35 centimetres of snow, the heaviest in 78 years. Local media said at least 11 people have been killed with one person also in critical condition in snow-linked accidents — mostly crashes after their cars skidded on icy roads. In central Aichi prefecture, a 50-year-old man died after his car slipped on the icy road and rammed into an advertisement steel pole, a local rescuer said. Public broadcaster NHK reported at least 1,253 people were injured across the nation, many of whom had slipped on the ground or fallen while shovelling the snow off their roofs. More than 20,000 households were without electricity early on Sunday while airlines cancelled more than 400 domestic flights a day after over 740 flights were grounded. Nearly 5,000 people were stranded at Narita airport on Saturday as traffic linking the airport to the capital was disrupted, NHK said. Further snowfall is expected on Sunday in the northern part of the country, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Heavy rain lashes UAE, motorists warned
Heavy rain lashes UAE, motorists warned 9 February 2014 Residents and motorists have been warned to be attentive and cautious as weather conditions may cause a drop in visibility and roads may become slippery. Rain lashed various parts of the country on Sunday morning. Residents and motorists have been warned to be attentive and cautious as weather conditions may cause a drop in visibility and roads may become slippery. Dubai and parts of the UAE have experienced a slightly unstable weather. The weather became cloudy in certain areas accompanied by light to moderate showers, with a fall in temperature. According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology , the weather will be partly cloudy on Monday as well with an increase in the cloud amount in the northern and the eastern areas with chances of rain in the morning. Motorists driving on the roads should also be warned as a probability of a fog has also been predicted. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
12-lane Al Ittihad Bridge to replace Floating Bridge
12-lane Al Ittihad Bridge to replace Floating Bridge Staff Reporter / 9 February 2014 Contract for Etihad Bridge that will allow bulky ships to pass underneath to be awarded by year-end, says RTA An artist’s impression of the Etihad Bridge. -Supplied photo The Floating Bridge will be replaced with a 12-lane Etihad Bridge that will allow bulky ships to pass underneath, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday. By the end of this year, the RTA will award a contract for constructing Etihad Bridge near the Dubai Creek Park and Dubai Courts on the Bur Dubai side, and near Deira City Centre and the Dubai Golf Club in Deira. The Dubai Tram project, which has a track extending 11km along Al Sufouh Street, could see its initial phase opened in November this year. Etihad Bridge, which will replace the existing Floating Bridge, comprises 12 lanes (six in each direction) in addition to a footpath in each direction. It measures 61.6 metres in width and has an arch that rises 100 metres. The bridge is set to provide free traffic movement in both directions and will allow free navigation round the clock as it rises 15 metres above the creek water level and has a 400 metre-wide navigation line, enabling the passage of bulky ships underneath. “The RTA will complete the construction of internal road projects in residential areas in accordance with the five-year plan (2012-2016) where a budget of Dh234 million is allocated for constructing internal roads in a number of residential communities in Dubai,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director, RTA. “It will also work on the Parallel Roads Project supporting Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road for which a budget of Dh398 million is being allocated. The portfolio of projects funded also include the Jumeirah Corniche Project at a cost of Dh70 million, widening of Al Qudra Road Project at a cost of Dh49 million, and the construction of the Union Gallery as well as the rehabilitation of the Union House at a total cost of Dh201 million.” He also said that the total expenditure budget approved for the RTA in 2014 was Dh7.036 billion, comprising operational budget of Dh3.156 billion and capital and projects budget estimated as Dh3.88 billion. “The aggregate anticipated revenues for this year is Dh5 billion, marking a 17 per cent increase over last year’s budget. The approved projects budget is estimated at Dh3.62 billion, which will be allocated for constructing around 99 projects; comprising 50 new projects to be undertaken in roads, marine transport and public transport sector, and 49 projects currently under way,” explained Al Tayer. He said: “Traffic and Roads Agency will get 36 per cent of the budget, 33 per cent will go to the Rail Agency, 13 per cent to the Public Transport Agency, 17 per cent to be shared between the Licensing Agency, Administrative Support Services Sector, and Technical Support Services Sector, and one per cent to the remaining agencies.” news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
