News Challenge | India floods, Sydney protests against lockdown

India floods: rescuers search for survivors among mud and debris

Rescuers in India combed through mud and debris on Saturday in a desperate search for survivors as the death toll from heavy monsoon rains climbed to 115, with nearly 90,000 people evacuated .

comb (v.) to search carefully

debris (n.) debris, debris

desperate (adj.) desperate, eager

monsoon (n.) rainy season

 Indian rescuers sifted through mud and debris Saturday for survivors. Intense showers brought by the monsoon season have now killed 115 people, and nearly 90,000 have taken refuge.

Torrential downpours have lashed India's western coast in recent days, leaving dozens missing near the financial capital of Mumbai and causing the worst floods in decades in the resort state of Goa.

torrential (adj.) pouring out, like a note

downpour (n.) torrential rain

lash (v.) to slam

resort (n.) resort

 In recent days, heavy rains on India's west coast have left many people missing near the economic capital of Mumbai, and the torrential rain has caused Goa's worst disaster in decades.

Thousands protest lockdown in Sydney, several arrested

Thousands of people took to the streets of Sydney and other Australian cities on Saturday to protest lockdown restrictions amid another surge in cases, and police made several arrests after crowds broke through barriers and threw bottles plastic and plants.

surge (n.)

barrier (n.) barrier, barrier

 Thousands of demonstrators marched in Sydney and other Australian cities on Saturday, unhappy with another surge in the number of confirmed cases and the ensuing lockdown measures. Police made several arrests after crowds crossed the line and threw plastic bottles and plants.

There was a heavy police presence in Sydney, including mounted police and riot officers in response to what authorities said was unauthorized protest activity. Police confirmed a number of arrests had been made after objects were thrown at officers.

a heavy/strong police presence

mounted police (n.) mounted police

riot officer (n.)

 Large numbers of police, including mounted police and riot control units, gathered in Sydney for unsolicited rallies. Police confirmed that several protesters were arrested after items were thrown.

New South Wales Police said it recognized and supported the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, but the protest was a breach of public health orders.

assembly (n.)

a breach of sth

 NSW Police have said they support free speech and peaceful assembly, but the demonstrations at the moment are in breach of public health directives.