Category: Noise Disturbance

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Unidentified loud noise heard by residents in Wayanad, affected by landslides

The locals were alarmed by the disturbing noise, which was especially noticeable in places like Ambalavayal village and Vythiri Taluk.

A mysterious booming sound and underground reverberations were reported in multiple locations on Friday morning, frightening the residents of Kerala’s Wayanad district, who were already traumatized by recent landslides, according to PTI.

The locals were alarmed by the disturbing noise, which was especially noticeable in places like Ambalavayal village and Vythiri Taluk.

Residents in the impacted zones are being moved to safer areas, according to an announcement made by Wayanad District Collector D R Meghashri in response to the reports. To protect the safety of the populace, the district administration is implementing all appropriate safety measures.

Seismic records are being examined as part of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority’s (KSDMA) ongoing investigation to identify the source of the noise. Initial analyses, however, show that there was no unusual seismic activity occurring at the time of the sound.

The incident happened at approximately 10:15 AM, as per a member of the local panchayat. The mystery noise has increased community anxieties, as there has been a history of severe landslides in the area that have claimed 226 lives and left many more missing.

Authorities have proclaimed a holiday for schools in the impacted areas out of caution. Authorities from the state and the local government are still keeping a careful eye on the situation.

with assistance from PTI.

References

https://www.financialexpress.com

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Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

South Pattaya police crack down on rowdy Middle Eastern bikers

Pattaya police have taken decisive action, setting up checkpoints at the beginning, middle, and end of Soi Yensabai, South Pattaya, in response to numerous complaints from locals about disturbances caused by Middle Eastern tourists riding motorcycles, honking horns, and revving engines. They checked documents for both vehicles and individuals, focusing especially on Middle Eastern troublemakers.

 

The police also conducted checks on Thai drivers in the vicinity, concentrating on illicit activity. In order to prevent causing disruptions, authorities also reminded owners of rental businesses to advise visitors about required paperwork and safe driving techniques. For minor infractions, there were warnings and outreach programs regarding safe road usage to keep locals and visitors from becoming more upset.

References

https://www.pattayamail.com

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Noise Disturbance

Kelantan prohibits loud noise and entertainment on Thursday nights in order to promote Muslim acts of worship.

The state of Kelantan has prohibited the holding of any kind of entertainment or the making of loud noises on Thursday night.

Hilmi Abdullah, the chairman of the State Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee, stated that the 1998 Control of Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment contains the prohibition.

Following today’s state executive council meeting, he told reporters, “The ban is apt, to encourage Muslims to increase their acts of worship from Thursday after the Asar prayer until Friday evening.”

He said that the ban will be put into effect due to multiple instances of quarters breaking the law, the most recent of which involved an event organizer testing the public address system at a location close to a mosque in this area.

References

https://www.malaymail.com

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Noise Disturbance Noise Pollution

The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka

The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka
The excessive noise pollution in Dhaka

The alarmingly high levels of noise pollution in Dhaka city are negatively affecting the daily lives of those who live there. The capital’s normalcy is being disrupted by rising traffic, needless honking, excessive use of loudspeakers, and other high-decibel noise sources. There is a noticeable deficiency in the efficient enforcement of current laws.

The excessive noise is posing serious health risks to residents of Dhaka. Hearing loss affects many people, with college and university students being the most affected. Patients, the elderly, and children are especially at risk, and traffic cops are unable to avoid the noise assault.

The general public’s lack of awareness regarding the dangers of noise pollution is something experts point out. The Environmental Science Department at Stamford University’s Prof. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder noted, “Loudspeakers, construction noise, and needless honking are making everyday life intolerable.” This problem affects not only physical health but also mental health, crop yields, and even the reproduction of urban plants.”

Prof. Majumder continued, saying that just limiting the use of horns excessively could cut Dhaka’s noise pollution by 60%. But in this sense, ineffective law enforcement impedes development. “We have laws, but they are hardly ever put into practice. For example, there should be quiet zones around mosques, schools, and hospitals according to the Noise Pollution Control Rules of 2006, but these are rarely enforced.”

Concerns regarding noise pollution’s long-term effects are being voiced by health professionals. The Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Prof. Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, gave an explanation: “Dhaka has noise levels that are more than twice as high as acceptable, which can cause major problems for both physical and mental health. In addition to hearing loss, diabetes and heart problems are on the rise. Older people, children, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. While continuous exposure to 85 decibels for two hours a day can gradually deteriorate hearing, noise levels as high as 120 decibels can cause immediate hearing damage.”

Experts stress the importance of long-term planning and more stringent application of current legislation. “Nations with sophisticated noise abatement policies penalize individuals who use their horns excessively. Here, we also require strong enforcement,” Prof. Majumder urged. In addition, he demanded that noise control measures, such as refraining from wearing headphones needlessly, be adhered to and that public awareness be raised.

From April 2021 to March 2022, the Stamford University Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) examined noise levels at ten different locations in Dhaka. The study found that in every area surveyed, noise levels were higher than acceptable. In particular, noise levels were higher than the standard thresholds 96.7% of the time in quiet zones, 91.2% in residential areas, 83.2% in mixed-use areas, 61% in commercial areas, and 18.2% in industrial areas.

The results of CAPS demonstrate how widespread noise pollution is in Dhaka, with 82% of all monitored locations regularly recording noise levels above 60 dB. Enforcement of the Noise Pollution Control Rules 2006, which establish acceptable noise levels for residential areas at 45 decibels at night and 55 during the day, and for commercial areas at 60 decibels at night and 70 during the day, is still quite difficult.

Action must be taken quickly and thoroughly in response to the Dhaka situation. Mitigating the city’s noise pollution crisis requires strengthening legal frameworks, raising public awareness, and enforcing noise control measures. Residents of Dhaka will continue to suffer from the constant assault of noise pollution unless immediate action is taken to improve their health and general well-being.

References

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

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Noise Disturbance

Aircraft noise pollution may cause weight gain

Living close to an airport can make it difficult to ignore the annoying sound of airplanes taking off and landing all day.

However, researchers from Oregon State University and Boston University’s School of Public Health have found that noise pollution may have an unrecognized negative impact on health: it may encourage weight gain. Their findings were published in the journal Environment International.

Their research shows that self-reported BMI is higher in those who are exposed to aircraft noise levels above 45 dB, and that body weight changes since the age of 18.

“A 45dB noise level is quieter than a typical home conversation (50dB) and slightly above the hushed tones of a library (40dB),” the researchers wrote.

Data from 74,848 nurses who lived close to the 90 major airports between 1995 and 2010 were used in the US study. During this time, researchers measured aircraft noise levels every five years using a 24-hour time span and accounting for differences in noise levels during the day and night.

BMI changes starting at age 18 were also computed. According to the study’s findings, older adults appear to be more vulnerable to the relationship between aircraft noise pollution and weight gain than younger adults.

Participants who lived in arid climates, on the US west coast, or who had previously smoked also showed stronger associations.

Our bodies might not have adapted to the constant input of noise that permeates our modern world. According to study co-author Junenette Peters, noise affects stress responses, which can set off a chain of events that can result in a higher BMI and eventually disease.

The experts offer a theory for regional differences, but they haven’t determined why ex-smokers appear to be disproportionately impacted.

“It’s possible that study participants who lived in the west were more exposed to aircraft noise because of open windows or the type of housing they occupied, which allowed more noise to penetrate,” Peters said. “Regional differences in temperature and humidity may influence behaviors such as window opening.”

Although this study employs a novel methodology to investigate the correlation between obesity and aircraft noise exposure at the national level in the United States, it is not the first to draw attention to the detrimental impacts of airport noise pollution on public health.

Specifically, aviation noise pollution has been linked to disturbed sleep patterns and a higher chance of developing cardiovascular conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The inhabitants of towns where aircraft noise is most prevalent have a higher risk of dying from myocardial infarction, according to French research published in 2020.

References

www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Categories
Noise Disturbance

Tenant in Yishun Industrial Complex accuses neighbor of hammering a lorry and obstructing the fire escape route, causing a standoff.

A man going by the name Wang has reportedly been bothered for the last two months by his neighbor, who was playing loud music.

Wang, who operates a storage company on the third floor of the YS-One industrial building in Yishun, claimed to Lianhe Zaobao that both he and his clients were disturbed by the noise coming from his neighbor, an event company.

He claims that for the previous three years, the event company has been dumping its products along the shared driveway. Additionally, they pile their belongings in the shared space, obstructing the path to the fire extinguisher and the fire escape.

Every time I use the driveway, I have to tell them to move their truck, which is really annoying.

We also offer eyelash extension products, but customers are unable to enter my business due to a lorry that is blocking the entrance. It has an impact on my business,” Wang remarked.

On January 31, a fight broke out between Wang and his neighbor over the latter’s unloading of items and obstruction of the path, which further infuriated the tenants. They called the police to ask for help.

Wang said that ever since, his neighbor has been blasting loud music through speakers facing his apartment.

Wang said that nothing had changed despite his repeated complaints to the police and building management.

Neighbour used hammers to hit his lorry
Neighbour used hammers to hit his lorry

In addition to the noise, Wang told Zaobao that on April 8, one of the event company’s employees struck his truck with two hammers.

A man was seen wandering the parking lot with two hammers in his hands while wearing a green T-shirt on CCTV footage. In addition, the man was observed beating on the iron railings close to Wang’s apartment with the hammers, seemingly in an attempt to scare the residents.

Wang called the police again, this time feeling scared by the man’s behavior.

“As far as I’m aware, my employees asked him to quiet down, but he responded that since this is an industrial building and not a residential neighborhood, noise is acceptable.

“When the police came, he went back into his unit and refused to respond.”

An employee of the event company with the last name Lin claimed in an interview that her coworkers were in the habit of listening to music while at work.


However, the 58-year-old claimed that there was never any intention of causing a commotion.

Lin didn’t think Wang would be affected by the music because the industrial building was already noisy.

“We don’t want to create trouble, making money is more important,” she stated.

Lin stated that the items in the common area are only left outside when taking stock.

“We don’t leave the items there for long, we’ve been careful since the authorities warned us.”

In response to Zaobao’s inquiries, a JTC Corporation representative stated that they had heard from a renter regarding noise disruption and unapproved item storage within the building.

According to the spokesperson, tenants have been reminded to keep their noise levels down and stay within the National Environment Agency’s allowed bounds.

To guarantee a secure working environment for all tenants, they further stated that they are collaborating with the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF).

The SCDF notified Zaobao that they had received a report of an unauthorized item storage in the YS-One building’s common area, which constituted a fire safety violation.

They are trying to get the tenant to fix the problem by working with JTC Corporation.

References

https://www.asiaone.com/

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