Massive releases of agents intentionally or unintentionally can be disruptive to the lines of individuals at many levels. In 1984, the release of toxic Methylisocyanate gas had occurred suddenly and without warning from the union carbide plant in Bhopal. This disaster had created thousands of casualties thereby overwhelming local, health and medical resources.

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Five southeast Asian countries have recently endorsed a joint plan of action to fight the haze caused by Indonesian forest fires. The haze was at its worse this season, leading to the closure of

World Bank pulled up for aid to flood control programmes in Pakistan

• China plans to invest US $175 billion (more than 1.5 per cent of its national GDP) towards protecting the environment during its 11 th five-year plan. The money will be spent on water pollution control, improving air quality in cities, disposing of solid waste, harnessing soil erosion and improving rural environment.