DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 22:06:57 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-swept-by-thundershowers-more-rain-on-sunday-and-during-durga-puja-predicted-639616.html Kolkata Sep 20 Kolkata woke up to thundershowers and heavy rain on Saturday morning disrupting daily commuters and adding to the concerns of Durga Puja organisers The Met Office has warned of more thunderstorms later in the day with rainfall expected to intensify from Sunday coinciding with Mahalaya While Durga Puja officially begins with Shasthi on September 28 the festivities start from Mahalaya September 21 which marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha the fortnightlong auspicious period leading up to the festivalAccording to the weather department a fresh lowpressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal next week raising the possibility of rain during the Puja daysA lowpressure system may form in the Bay of Bengal which could impact the weather during Durga Puja Thundershowers are expected in several South Bengal districts on Saturday and Sunday with heavy rainfall also likely in North Bengal said a Met officialCurrently a lowpressure trough is active from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh causing rainfall in North Bengal and pulling in moisture from the Bay of Bengal creating favourable conditions for showersOn Saturday thundershowers are expected in North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East and West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Birbhum Murshidabad and Nadia On Sunday the forecast extends to Kolkata along with these districts Rain is also likely across all of South Bengal including the city on Monday and Tuesday for which a yellow alert has been issuedIn North Bengal heavy rain is forecast across all eight districts on Monday particularly in Darjeeling Kalimpong Cooch Behar Jalpaiguri and AlipurduarMeanwhile Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 284 degrees Celsius on Saturday 21 degrees C above normal while Fridays maximum stood at 324 degrees C 04 degrees C below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kolkata-swept-by-thundershowers-more-rain-on-sunday-and-during-durga-puja-predicted-639616.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/world-bamboo-day-marked-across-northeast-showcasing-bamboo-as-regions-green-gold-639340.html KohimaAgartala Sep 19 World Bamboo Day 2025 was celebrated across the Northeastern states highlighting bamboo as the regions green gold and stressing the need for its better utilisation The World Bamboo Day 2025 was celebrated at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre at Chumoukedima under the theme Next Generation Bamboo Solution Innovation and Design Gracing the event Development Commissioner Temsunaro Aier described bamboo as the green gold of Nagaland and other states of the region highlighting its deep cultural ecological and economic significance She urged stakeholders to sustain this legacy with pride and responsibility noting bamboos role in food shelter craft art and livelihood Aier also stressed the need for sustainable practices citing bamboos rapid growth carbon absorption and soil conservation benefits making it a strong ally in the fight against climate change The official also commended the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency NBDA for promoting bamboobased enterprises training artisans and supporting selfhelp groups She noted that products such as handicrafts furniture incense sticks blinds mats and bamboo shoots are gaining recognition turning Nagaland into a hub for bamboo industries As part of the celebration Aier announced the upcoming stateoftheart Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre which will serve as a Centre for research training and production A weeklong training programme was also launched for 26 artisans to enhance their skills in bamboo design manufacturing and value addition Certificates and machineries were distributed to the trainees and the Bamboo Entrepreneur Award was presented to Bukhaio Khiamniungan On the occasion a special publication titled Facilitating Ease of Doing Business in the Bamboo Sector in Northeast India Removal of Compliance Burdens was also released in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry CII The event featured a bamboo theme song by MusikA School and a keynote address by Kuko Mero State Mission Director NBDA who noted that with over 43 species of bamboo Nagaland has immense potential in bamboobased sustainable development He informed that NBDA has carried out block plantations covering 1506 hectares trained over 200 entrepreneurs and artisans and set up two Common Facility Centres generating employment for more than 500 people The Agency has also established processing units nurseries with 15 lakh saplings rural haats bamboo bazaars and upgraded the Nagaland Handicrafts Emporium in New Delhi and Kolkata under the brand Naturally Nagaland In Tripura at a discussion on the World Bamboo Day states Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma and Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma interacted with the investors and industrialists over the significance of the bamboo resources According to Forest officials nearly 44 per cent of Tripuras geographical area is under bamboo coverage and the state government is exploring avenues for highvalue addition of bamboo including its use in renewable energy and bioethanol production Shailesh Kumar Yadav Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission said We are exploring potential investors interested in bioethanol One metric ton of good quality bamboo can produce around 200300 litres of bioethanol The central government already has a bioethanol policy for blending with fossil fuels like petrol and diesel and recently a bioethanol plant has been set up at Numaligarh Refinery in Assam He said that several private sector players along with local entrepreneurs are showing interest in bioethanol and biochar projects and the government is extending full support Yadav who is also Director of Industries and Commerce highlighting the market potential said that the global bamboo market stood at USD 67 billion in 2024 while Indias bamboo economy was valued at Rs 1300 crore in exports with the rest consumed domestically Notably incense sticks alone had a market worth Rs 13500 crore last year with a majority of round sticks imported from abroad China is currently the largest global producer and exporter of bamboo while India ranks third in production but tops as an importer because value addition in the sector is still limited Tripura probably has one of the largest bamboo resources in the country but we have lagged behind in engineered bamboo products mechanized largescale production of ply veneer and other valueadded items he admitted The official noted that while 2500030000 people are currently engaged in Tripuras bamboo sector it has the potential to provide livelihoods to at least one lakh individuals A master plan supported by the Asian Development Bank is already in place to systematically and sustainably exploit Tripuras bamboo resources for enhanced livelihoods and better financial returns The states bamboo sector presently has an annual turnover of Rs 8590 crore with handicrafts accounting for 2530 per cent of the share The World Bamboo Day 2025 was also celebrated in Mizoram and other Northeastern states IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/world-bamboo-day-marked-across-northeast-showcasing-bamboo-as-regions-green-gold-639340.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday planted a Kadamb sapling at his official residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg Interestingly this Kadamb sapling was given to him by King Charles III of the United Kingdom as a birthday gift on turning 75 on September 17nbspnbspThe planation of the sapling at the Prime Ministers residence not only reaffirms his vision of building a greener and healthier planet but also symbolises friendship and shared commitment to environmental sustainabilityBritish Monarch King Charles who has been strongly inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative sent the Kadamb tree sapling while extending birthday greetings to himnbspThe British High Commission in India also posted a picture of the Kadamb tree on X and wrote His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to send a Kadamb tree to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthdaynbspThe gesture inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative reflects their shared commitment to environmental conservation it further saidThe British High Commission also recalled PM Modis gift to King Charles during the formers visit to the United Kingdom in July this yearnbspDuring his visit to the UK in July PM Modi gifted His Majesty The King a Sonoma tree as part of the same initiative Collaboration on climate and clean energy is a key pillar of the Commonwealth and the UKIndia partnership as set out by the two PMs in Vision 2035 the British High Commission saidnbspPM Modis birthday also marked the beginning of the 15daylong Sewa Pakhwada under which various public welfare programs are being organised across the country which include blood donation camps plantation drives and othersOdisha took the lead in the plantation drive as it saw more than 149 crore saplings sowed in a single day marking a special tribute to Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaignnbspWhile the nationwide target stood at 75 lakh saplings Odishas exceptional contribution stood out as special salute to the Prime Ministers vision and focus on combating climate change https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-focusing-on-raising-share-of-natural-gas-in-indias-energy-mix-639246.html New Delhi Sep 18 The government plans to accelerate the use of piped natural gas PNG complementing renewables through gasbased power and scaling opportunities in CBG hydrogen and LNG mobility Addressing the ASSOCHAM India Gas Infrastructure Conference Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB Secretary Anjan Kumar Mishra said With industry collaboration and policy support we can raise the share of natural gas in Indias energy mix well beyond 15 per cent and make clean affordable energy a reality for every householdLauding the sectors achievements in promoting the ease of doing business including efforts to transition households from LPG to PNG he noted the progress made in laying the groundwork in rural areas and stressed the importance of scaling access and boosting power generation through natural gas A collective commitment is required to build a resilient futureready gas infrastructure aligned with Indias vision for sustainable growth and carbon neutrality he addedMishra said that over the past few years the government has laid the foundation authorising more than 300 geographical areas advancing rural access and fostering ease of doing businessASSOCHAM Task Force on Hydrocarbons CoChairman amp Pipeline Infrastructure Limited MD Akhil Mehrotra emphasised the need for a faster rollout of city gas networks supported by a robust gas to power strategy He called for greater integration of renewables expanded energy storage solutions and a strong mobility ecosystem to drive adoptionIndraprastha Gas Ltds Director Commercial Mohit Bhatia emphasised that the nations vision to achieve a 15 per cent share of natural gas in the energy mix by 2030 is not merely an aspirational figure but a collective mission anchored in actionHighlighting the transformative role of the City Gas Distribution CGD sector he underlined how every new pipeline CNG station and household connection brings the country closer to cleaner air healthier communities and globally competitive industriesBhatia reflected on the growing strength of the global LNG landscape where India has already emerged as the fourthlargest importer and outlined how expanded regasification capacity innovative solutions like SSLNG hubs and transparent gas exchanges will shape the future Stressing natural gas as the bridge fuel for decarbonization he spoke of its pivotal role in reducing industrial emissions modernising logistics and balancing renewable power IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-focusing-on-raising-share-of-natural-gas-in-indias-energy-mix-639246.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/karan-veer-mehra-gets-injured-on-silaa-set-commitment-is-a-promise-you-dont-break-639266.html Mumbai Sep 18 Actor Karan Veer Mehra suffered a painful leg injury while shooting for his next Silaa However despite the challenge he ensured that the shoot did not suffer Commitment is a promise you dont break Karan shared He added Its easy to give in when youre uncomfortable but Ive always believed that keeping your word to your work is the real testTalking about his experience the Bigg Boss 18 contestant revealed that some of the days proved to be physically demanding but his focus remained steadyHe added that he adjusted his training and paid close attention to his recovery ensuring that nothing compromised his performanceExpressing his sense of responsibility towards the people he works with Karan said A project like Silaa involves so many creative minds and hardworking individuals For me its about respecting that collective effort by doing my part wholeheartedlyHighlighting how adversity builds character he added Injuries heal but the work you put in during tough times becomes part of who you areKaran has been roped in as the antagonist in the highlyanticipated dramaMade under the direction of Omung Kumars Silaa stars Harshvardhan Rane as the protagonist The project will feature him as a man on the path of emotional conflict and physical transformationIn order to prepare for his role in the drama the Sanam Teri Kasam actor trained in martial arts and stunt choreographySadia Khateeb will be seen as the leading lady of the movie opposite HarshvardhanZee Studios presents the Blue Lotus Pictures and Stark Entertainment production in association with Innovations India produced by Omung Kumar Umesh KR Bansal Pragati Deshmukh Himanshu Tiwari Ajay Singh Dhananjay Singh Abhishek Ankur Captain Rahul Bali and coproduced by Rahhat Shah KazmiThe release date for Silaa has not been announced yet IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/karan-veer-mehra-gets-injured-on-silaa-set-commitment-is-a-promise-you-dont-break-639266.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 18 The twoday KeralaEU Blue Economy Conclave titled Blue Tides Two Shores One Vision opened here with ambassadors and delegates from European Union EU nations lauding Keralas vibrant coastal traditions and sustainable fishing practices Organised by the state Department of Fisheries in partnership with the Central government and the European Union the conclave seeks to strengthen collaborations for sustainable oceanbased growthAhead of the formal sessions EU envoys and diplomats embarked on a field trip to experience Keralas marine and cultural landscapeLed by the Ambassador of the European Union to India Herve Delphin the delegation began its visit at Hawa Beach in Kovalam where they interacted with local fishermenMany delegates expressed admiration for the communitys resilience and even joined in hauling nets to witness the strenuous efforts behind the earlymorning catchThe team later visited the Adani Vizhinjam International Seaport where AVPPL CEO Pradeep Jayaraman and Managing Director Divya S Iyer presented an overview of the ports operationsDelegates toured the facility noting its strategic location and modern infrastructureThe group also stopped at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Vellar where they commended the craftsmanship showcased through traditional curios and handicraftsThe EU contingent comprised senior diplomats including Robert Maxian Slovakia Juan Antonio March Pujol Spain Antonio Enrico Bartoli Italy Reuben Gauci Malta Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen Denmark Dr Piotr Switalski Poland Yankov Bulgaria Kimmo Lahdevirta Finland Sena Latif Romania Simon H Preker Germany and Irma Sincovek SloveniaThe formal inauguration of the conclave will be held on Friday at Leela Kovalam when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver the keynote addressMinister for Fisheries Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian will preside with Union Minister for Fisheries Animal Husbandry Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Minister of State George Kurian attending as guests of honourThe conclave brings together policymakers investors academics trade union representatives and fisherfolk to explore Keralas potential as Indias leading blue economy hub with a focus on sustainable practices and EUIndia cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-likely-in-21-districts-of-tamil-nadu-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-639135.html Chennai Sep 18 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast widespread rain across Tamil Nadu warning of heavy rainfall in at least 21 districts due to atmospheric circulation and other weather conditions The IMD has also issued an advisory for coastal regions and fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into these waters until conditions improve According to the bulletin Sriperumbudur in Kanchipuram district recorded the highest rainfall of 18 cm during the 24hour period ending Tuesday morning This was followed by 13 cm in Manali New Town in Chennai 10 cm in Guruvaadi in Ariyalur district and 9 cm each in Korattur Parimunai and Ennore in ChennaiThe IMD explained that the present weather is influenced by an upperlevel cyclonic circulation along with lowerlevel convergence across southern IndiaThis pattern is expected to bring moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms across most parts of Tamil Nadu Puducherry and KaraikalStrong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph are also likely Officials further noted that until September 20 thunderstorms with moderate rain are likely to persist in many parts of the stateDistricts including Nilgiris Erode Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Salem Tiruvannamalai Tirupattur Vellore Ranipet Chengalpattu Kanchipuram Kallakurichi Villupuram Cuddalore Perambalur Ariyalur Tiruchirapalli Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur and Thanjavur are likely to receive heavy showers at isolated placesIn addition heavy rainfall is forecast for one or two locations in Tiruvallur Ranipet Vellore and Kanchipuram districts on ThursdayChennai and its suburban areas are expected to experience cloudy skies with spells of moderate rain accompanied by lightning and thunderThe IMD has also issued an advisory for coastal regions Squally winds reaching speeds of 4050 kmph gusting up to 60 kmph are expected over the Gulf of Mannar Comorin Sea and adjoining coastal areas of southern Tamil NaduFishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into these waters until conditions improve Authorities urged the public to remain cautious in lowlying areas prone to waterlogging and advised district administrations to be on high alert for possible flooding and traffic disruptions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-likely-in-21-districts-of-tamil-nadu-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-639135.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/man-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-hyderabad-fourth-death-this-week-639184.html Hyderabad Sep 18 A 27yearold man was swept away in floodwaters in Hyderabad late on Wednesday night while returning home on his motorcycle The incident occurred under Balkampet bridge underpass in the heart of the city after another spell of heavy rains lashed the city Mohammed Sharfuddin who was returning home to Kavadiguda on his scooter fell into the water that had stagnated under the bridge and was washed awayAccording to police some local youth later retrieved his body The deceased was an employee at a company that manufactures artificial limbs in Balanagar Like every day he was returning home from his workplaceOn a complaint by Sharfuddins family SR Nagar Police registered a case and took up investigationSharfuddin was the fourth person to be washed away in floodwaters in the city this week Three persons were swept away in overflowing drains in two separate incidents on Sunday night following heavy downpour Their bodies have not yet been tracedArjun 26 and his relative Ramu 25 were washed away in the flood water in Afzalsagar nala in Mallepally while Dinesh 24 who got washed away into a nala in Vinobha Nagar in Musheerabad area of Secunderabad also remained untracedHeavy rains once again lashed the city on Wednesday night inundating roads and lowlying areas Rain water entered houses in a few colonies in the city while vehicular traffic was disrupted Motorists were caught in traffic jams for 34 hours due to severe waterloggingMotilal Nehru Nagar colony in Begumpet was inundated and people could not step out as rainwater filled the cellars of apartment buildings and houses Residents in old CBI quarters in Khairatabad also spent a sleepless night as water entered their homesFollowing heavy rains in Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed authorities to remain alert All the department heads were ordered to work in coordination and ensure people do not face hardshipsThe Chief Minister instructed the police HYDRAA and city Traffic wings to deploy teams to the areas which were flooded GHMC and Energy departments were also ordered to take immediate relief operations in the flood affected habitationsThe Chief Minister advised people to be alert in lowlying areas and not to venture out of their houses unless there is an emergency IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/man-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-hyderabad-fourth-death-this-week-639184.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ek-ped-maa-ke-naam-20-odisha-achieves-historic-plantation-feat-with-15-crore-saplings-639107.html Bhubaneswar Sep 17 On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birth anniversary Odisha achieved a historical feat by successfully planting around 15 crore saplings in just 12 hours under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 20 initiative on Wednesday The Forest Environment and Climate Change Department in an official statement termed this feat a historic and unprecedented achievement that has captured the worlds attentionOdisha has demonstrated that when united by purpose its citizens can surpass even the loftiest dreams From building the iconic Konark Sun Temple to now setting a world record in environmental activism the people of Odisha have once again proven their extraordinary potential September 17 2025 will be remembered not only in Indias history but also as a global milestone where a simple act of planting saplings blossomed into a magnificent movement of hope and harmony reads the statementThis monumental event was carried out under the banner of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 20 campaign commemorating the 75th birthday of PM ModiOdisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had called upon the people to plant 75 lakh saplings between sunrise and sunset The response was overwhelming with around one and a half crore saplings planted in just half a day far surpassing the target By 430 pm on Wednesday Odisha not only achieved a staggering number of plantations but also secured places in the world records The massive plantation drive saw active participation from key government departments officials NGOs panchayat blocks and district headquarters Citizens across the state were also encouraged to join the initiative turning the campaign into a true peoples movementForest Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia expressed heartfelt gratitude and noted that Odisha is steadily turning pledges into flourishing forests hope into shade and activism into enduring lifeTo put Odishas achievement into perspective previous records were held by Madhya Pradesh with 11 lakh saplings planted in one day and Assam with 926 lakh saplingsOdishas incredible accomplishment far surpasses these setting a new humanitarian record that will inspire generations to come While the numbers are impressive Minister Singkhuntia emphasised that the larger vision matters most building a cleaner greener more beautiful prosperous and selfreliant Odisha for future generationsIn a remarkable display of environmental commitment a total of 14911339 seedlings have been planted across 30 districts by 430 pm This massive effort spans 71924 plantation sites highlighting a significant drive towards afforestation and ecological restoration in the stateSundergarh district leads the plantation drive with an impressive 1421618 seedlings planted Following closely Koraput secured the second position with 1101624 seedlings while Keonjhar stands third with 1042927 seedlings The fourth and fifth places go to Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi districts which have planted 917659 and 767510 seedlings respectively At the bottom of the list Deogarh recorded the least plantation with 131885 seedlings by 430 pm IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ek-ped-maa-ke-naam-20-odisha-achieves-historic-plantation-feat-with-15-crore-saplings-639107.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-notifies-national-policy-on-geothermal-energy-to-achieve-net-zero-goal-639108.html New Delhi Sep 17 The government has notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025 reinforcing its commitment towards achieving the ambitious 2070 Net Zero Goal and strengthening the countrys energy security through diversified renewable energy sources India with its untapped geothermal resources is poised to leverage this clean and reliable energy source for power generation and directuse applications such as district heating agriculture aquaculture and space cooling and heating via Ground Source Heat Pumps GSHPs The newly unveiled policy provides a comprehensive framework to promote exploration development and utilisation of geothermal energy in India according to a statement issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNREThe new policy encourages research interministerial collaboration and adoption of global best practices for geothermal energy development Regulatory and stewardship responsibilities for geothermal energy will rest with the ministryIt targets integration of geothermal energy with Indias Net Zero 2070 and renewable energy objectives with a focus on electricity generation space heatingcooling agriculture greenhouses cold storage tourism and desalinationThe policy aims to promote RampD of advanced systems such as hybrid geothermalsolar plants retrofitting abandoned oil wells and EnhancedAdvanced Geothermal Systems EGSAGS It lays emphasis on local innovation joint ventures and repurposing existing oil and gas infrastructureThe policy also provides for collaboration with international geothermal bodies and pioneering nations as well as collaboration with state governments oil and gas companies and research institutions for building a robust publicprivate ecosystem for the longterm development of the geothermal sectorBesides it promotes knowledge sharing and human resource development in the sectorAs a first step towards the exploration of geothermal energy the ministry has sanctioned five projects in the sector These include both pilot initiatives and resource assessment projects aimed at exploring the viability and potential of geothermal energy in IndiaThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy further stated that it will continue to monitor the progress while providing a conducive environment for developers industries and research institutions to actively participate in Indias clean energy transition IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-notifies-national-policy-on-geothermal-energy-to-achieve-net-zero-goal-639108.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/met-office-issues-orange-alert-for-heavy-rain-in-several-bengal-districts-638966.html Kolkata Sep 17 The Regional Meteorological Centre on Wednesday issued an orange alert for heavy rain in several districts of West Bengal over the next few days According to the met department thunderstorms are likely across South Bengal including Kolkata from Wednesday to Friday Along with this heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in East Burdwan West Burdwan Bankura Birbhum Murshidabad and Purulia districts Accordingly an orange alert has been issued for these districtsOn Saturday there is a possibility of scattered thunderstorms in all districts of South BengalThere is a cyclonic circulation over East Bihar and adjacent areas There is another cyclonic circulation over the southeast Bay of Bengal as well There are two more such systems in the areas adjacent to northeast Bangladesh and central Assam This is resulting in moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal Due to this rain will occur in South Bengal districts There is also a possibility of heavy rain at some places said a met department officialAlthough the temperature may decrease slightly due to rain there will be discomfort due to high humidity in the airAt the same time there is a possibility of heavy rain in north Bengal this week as well Very heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong Alipurduar Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur districts from Wednesday onwards An orange alert has been issued for these six districtsScattered thunderstorms are also likely in South Dinajpur and Malda districts Heavy rain is also forecast in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts on Thursday Thunderstorms are likely in North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda districts on FridayMeanwhile the minimum temperature in Kolkata on Wednesday was 266 degrees Celsius 02 degrees above normal The maximum temperature in the city on Tuesday was 311 degrees Celsius 17 degrees below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/met-office-issues-orange-alert-for-heavy-rain-in-several-bengal-districts-638966.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-unveils-rs-14-000-crore-water-storage-expansion-plan-638727.html Chennai Sep 16 With projections indicating that Chennais drinking water storage demand will more than triple by 2050 the Water Resources Department WRD has rolled out a Rs14000crore plan to restore lakes and tanks build new reservoirs and expand recharge structures A feasibility report of the Chennai Corporation estimates that the citys requirement will rise to 3873 tmc from the current 11 tmc Out of 1165 suggested projects the WRD has approved 704 essential works to be executed within the next decadeThe projects span 12 basins including Chennai and Palar with a major focus on reviving around 1150 tanks in suburban areas These include a chain of 350 tanks such as Thenneri Sriperumbudur Thirunindravur Manimangalam and Pillaipakkam which act as catchments for Chembarambakkam and another 64 tanks along the OMR stretch such as Narayanapuram Thalambur Semmenchery and NanmangalamRestoring them as mini catchments is expected to boost storage capacity and make surrounding neighbourhoods less dependent on the citys reservoirsThe plan also involves constructing 12 new reservoirs along the upstream stretches of the Cooum Adyar and Palar riversSites have been identified at Thiruverkadu and Poonamallee in the Cooum basin and four villages along the Palar Each of these reservoirs is expected to add between 05 tmc and 1 tmc of storageIn addition three major new reservoirs are planned including one on Salt Lake along the East Coast Road and another on 300 acres of government land near PerumbakkamThe Perumbakkam reservoir is designed to store up to 225 tmc while the ECR site will add another 2 tmcTogether these reservoirs will help retain water for the OMR belt and reduce flooding into Pallikaranai marshTo strengthen groundwater reserves 402 recharge structures will be built along river bunds while around 200 tanks within industrial hubs such as Irungattukottai Oragadam and Pillaipakkam will be revived reducing dependence on Metrowater by easing 115 MLD of supplyInterbasin linking measures are also proposed including diverting water from Adyar to Palar and channelising flow from Kosasthalaiyar to CooumExperts note that Chennai receives adequate rainfall annually and that restoring tanks lakes and aquifers while enforcing rainwater harvesting will be crucial to the plans success IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-unveils-rs-14-000-crore-water-storage-expansion-plan-638727.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-takes-lead-with-ai-driven-forecasts-to-help-farmers-face-erratic-weather-638795.html New Delhi Sep 16 While climate change is making the pattern of rainfall more erratic and difficult to predict the Indian government has started providing AIdriven forecasts directly to farmers on smartphones to help them manage their agricultural operations This years unusual monsoon with its early arrival and a rare midseason hiatus illustrates just how fragile agricultural rhythms have become But this year was also different for another reason millions of Indian farmers had artificial intelligence on their side according to an article by Stacey Glaser in One World OutlookEarlier accurate weather forecasting could be done only by governments and wellfunded institutions backed by supercomputers that cost millions of dollarsBut AI has begun to dismantle that exclusivity With opensource models like Googles NeuralGCM and the European Center for MediumRange Weather Forecasts AI systems highly granular predictions are now possible on devices as modest as a farmers smartphone according to an article by Stacey Glaser in One World OutlookThe article refers to this wider availability of forecasting as not just a technological innovation but a political and social breakthrough In India the government sent AIdriven forecasts to 38 million small farmers this monsoon season it statesRather than offering broad weather summaries forecasts were tailored to the needs of individual farmers whether to plant early buy more seed or prepare for droughtlike pauses the article statesWeather forecasting once dominated by elite institutions is now being reframed as a public good Researchers at the University of Chicago working with the Indian government helped bridge the gap between machine learning outputs and actionable adviceThe article cites Amir Jina an assistant professor involved in the project as saying What dots hadnt been connected before was this tailoring of forecast to purposeThis tailoring is important as a nationallevel forecast issues an overall warning of heavy rains However farmers need specific information on whether they should delay planting rice seedlings or whether a sugarcane field should be irrigated This requires locally relevant information which is being made possible through AI forecastsThe article also points out that the scale of Indias forecasting also opens an opportunity for emulating the same method in other countriesIf India can deploy AIdriven forecasts at scale for some of the worlds poorest farmers then other developing nations may follow suit In the face of climate change information is not just power it is survival the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-takes-lead-with-ai-driven-forecasts-to-help-farmers-face-erratic-weather-638795.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gst-rejig-a-major-push-towards-advancing-indias-climate-goals-centre-638800.html New Delhi Sep 16 In a significant development the GST rationalisation is set to provide a major push towards advancing Indias climate goals by making renewable energy waste management biodegradable products and green mobility more affordable and within reach the government said on Tuesday Moreover by cutting costs encouraging domestic manufacturing and supporting sustainable industries these changes will accelerate the adoption of clean energy and pollution control solutions it saidTo begin with GST on solar and wind devices has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent This includes solar cookers biogas plants solar powerbased devices solar power generators windmills windoperated electricity generator WOEG wastetoenergy plantsdevices solar lanternssolar lamps ocean wavestidal waves energy devicesplants and photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panelsThe reduction in GST will directly decrease the capital costs of solar panels PV cells wind turbines and related devices This reduction will enhance the viability of solar and wind projects leading to lower tariffs for end consumersThe GST rate cuts will bolster domestic manufacturing by supporting Indias solar cell and module manufacturing ecosystem under PLI schemes making domestic products more competitive against imports This will make solar pumps more affordable reducing irrigation costs and providing support to farmers according to the governmentThe installed capacity of solar energy in India has increased more than 42 times from 282 GW in 2014 to 11954 GW as of July 31 2025India has progressively continued the decoupling of economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions The emission intensity of Indias gross domestic product GDP has reduced by 36 per cent between 2005 and 2020Similarly GST on services provided by a common effluent treatment plant CETP has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per centReducing taxes on CETPs will motivate industries to use centralised waste treatment methods resulting in a pollutionfree environment and supporting sustainable development in industrial areas This will assist municipal corporations in implementing clean energy solutions for managing waste The GST cuts will create green jobs in areas like waste segregation plant operations and maintenance the government highlightedReduced GST on biodegradable bags from 18 per cent to 5 per cent makes them more affordable encouraging consumers and retailers to move away from singleuse plastics and thereby helping to decrease plastic pollutionThis supports Indias adherence to the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2022 and reinforces the ban on singleuse plastics It will promote investment in research and development and the expansion of biopolymers starchbased and compostable materials said the governmentAs many biodegradable bag producers are small and medium enterprises or startups the lower GST facilitates their market entry and increases demand it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gst-rejig-a-major-push-towards-advancing-indias-climate-goals-centre-638800.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/namibias-capital-launches-zero-emissions-week-638861.html Windhoek Sep 16 Namibias capital city Windhoek has officially launched Zero Emissions Week 2025 to raise awareness about climate change sustainable mobility and the benefits of reducing emissions The weeklong event features various activities including an electric vehicle exhibition an environmental video awareness competition cycling gear giveaways a corporate trivia challenge and a citywide CarFree DayWith these initiatives Windhoek is seeking to lead by example making sustainable mobility and clean energy a reality for its residentsIn his welcoming remarks Pierre van Rensburg strategic executive for urban and transport planning at the City of Windhoek emphasised that Zero Emissions Week is not about following international trends but about addressing practical challenges facing the city including transportrelated emissions congestion and urban air qualityTransport contributes a significant 25 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions with vehicles accounting for 70 per cent according to van Rensburg Xinhua news agency reported He encouraged residents to envision a future with sustainable transport and adopt greener alternatives like public transport cycling and walkingAs part of the initiative the municipality also inaugurated its first electric vehicle charging station which would help normalize electric mobility and expand EV infrastructure across the cityNdeshihafela Larandja Mayor of Windhoek said this milestone reflects the citys commitment to climateresilient development sustainable mobility and reducing its carbon footprintLast week Namibia announced plans to mobilise about 17 billion US dollars for green hydrogen projects as the Global African Hydrogen Summit wrapped up Thursday in the capital Windhoek after drawing more than 1500 participants from over 75 countriesWe are trying to mobilise Namibias share of about 17 billion dollars that we now want to bring home and start deploying into our projects Namibias Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe told delegates Namibia has now gone beyond the realms of dreaming and its now beginning to construct beginning to produce and beginning to implementThe threeday summit held under the theme Ambition in Action Fuelling Africas Green Industrial Revolution gathered over 25 ministers 125 experts financiers project developers and youth representatives to discuss financing infrastructure community benefits and over 50 bankable hydrogen projects across Africa IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/namibias-capital-launches-zero-emissions-week-638861.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-predicts-heavy-rain-across-several-districts-in-tn-this-week-638556.html Chennai Sep 15 Tamil Nadu is likely to witness spells of heavy rainfall across multiple districts over the next few days with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a forecast covering different regions of the state through the week According to the IMDs latest bulletin heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Erode Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Tirupattur Salem and Vellore districts on Tuesday September 16 Other parts of the state may also experience light to moderate showers as the monsoon activity strengthensOn Wednesday the rain belt is likely to expand with heavy showers predicted in Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Salem Tirupattur Vellore Ranipet Kancheepuram Chengalpattu Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi and Villupuram districts as well as in PuducherryThe rainfall activity is likely to intensify further on Thursday covering Salem Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi Villupuram Cuddalore Chengalpattu Kancheepuram Ariyalur Perambalur and Mayiladuthurai districtsBy Friday the IMD expects heavy rain in parts of Tiruvallur Ranipet Vellore and Kancheepuram districts signalling a wet end to the week for northern Tamil NaduOfficials have urged residents in lowlying and floodprone areas to stay alert as heavy rainfall may lead to waterlogging and traffic disruptionsAs for Chennai the IMD has forecast light rainfall in a few areas on Monday with localised showers possible during the evening and nightThe city recorded maximum temperatures of 342 degrees Celsius at Nungambakkam and 349 degrees Celsius at Meenambakkam on Sunday afternoonMeanwhile across the state the maximum temperature is likely to rise slightly on Monday In certain isolated pockets the day temperature may be above normal by 23 degrees Celsius before gradually moderating due to increased cloud cover and rainfall activityWeather experts noted that the rainfall pattern is consistent with the transition toward the northeast monsoon season which typically begins in October but is often preceded by widespread premonsoon showers in SeptemberThe IMD has advised farmers and the general public to take precautionary measures and plan agricultural and outdoor activities accordingly as intermittent rainfall is expected to continue in many parts of Tamil Nadu throughout the week IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-predicts-heavy-rain-across-several-districts-in-tn-this-week-638556.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/congress-mp-rahul-gandhi-to-visit-punjab-tomorrow-638535.html Chandigarh Sep 14 Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modis aerial survey of floodaffected areas of Punjab Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the state on daylong visit on Monday He will be meeting floodaffected people in Amritsar and Gurdaspur the worst hit districts Rahul Gandhi is expected to interact with affected families and assess the damage on the groundEarlier Rahul Gandhi had expressed deep concern over the flood situation in Punjab and neighboring regionsIn a post on X he expressed grief over the loss of lives caused by heavy rains and floods in Punjab Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing for the safe return of missing peopleHe urged the government to issue high alerts in all affected areas and speed up rescue operations to prevent further casualties and ensure timely aid He also called upon Congress leaders and workers to actively support relief efforts in coordination with the administrationResponding to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhis proposed visit Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal raised pertinent questionsHe said the Congress the Aam Aadmi Party and other alliance partners currently govern eight states across the country He questioned how much financial assistance or relief material these governments have extended to Punjab during this crisisHe urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Congress President Raja Warring to present this data publicly so that the people of Punjab may clearly know which parties genuinely stood with them in their time of distressHighlighting the contrast Baliawal noted that while both the state government and the Congress continuously question Central assistance they have not shown the will to extend help from states where they themselves are in powerHe said during the critical period when Punjab was inundated and people were suffering immense hardship Rahul Gandhi was abroad in MalaysiaAccording to Baliawal the timing of Rahul Gandhis Punjab visit now indicates a political spectacle rather than a sincere concern for the floodaffected populationHe underlined the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already provided Punjab with Rs 1600 crore in immediate relief in addition to the Rs 12000 crore available with the state government under the State Disaster Response FundHe said BJPruled states such as Delhi Gujarat Goa and Haryana have each contributed Rs 5 crore to the Punjab Chief Ministers Relief Fund Alongside financial support several BJP governments have dispatched thousands of trucks and train wagons carrying rations and essential supplies for flood victimsThroughout this period BJP leaders and workers across Punjab have been continuously engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts he added Baliawal said Rahul Gandhi must answer why Congressruled state governments have demonstrated indifference and apathy toward Punjabs sufferingHe emphasized that the people of Punjab deserve transparency on who truly stood by them in their hour of need IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/congress-mp-rahul-gandhi-to-visit-punjab-tomorrow-638535.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-1-lakh-delhiites-take-pledge-to-become-vayu-mitras-638260.html New Delhi Sep 13 Over one lakh Delhi residents have taken the Vayu Mitra Pledge to act as champions of clean air as part of a programme supported by the Environment Ministry and the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM The campaign successfully reached nine key hotspots including Narela Bawana Mundka Jahangir Puri Vivek Vihar Rohini RK Puram Okhla and Anand Vihar along with several highfootfall public hubs ensuring wide public participation according to an official statement on SaturdayWWFIndia EIACP Environmental Information Awareness Capacity Building Programme Centre Resource Partner PCRP was supported by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEF and CC and held in collaboration with the CAQMBetween June and August 2025 the campaign team organised over 25 workshops under the flagship campaign Breath of Change Clean Air Blue Skies during which students pledged to become ecoleaders and RWAs committed to reducing local pollution and citizensThe campaign encouraged people to become responsible citizens not to burn crackers and to stop others from doing the sameThese activities brought together students RWAs commuters and local communities with an outreach of over 132481 across Delhis most critical air pollution hotspots said the statementFrom school classrooms to bustling metro stations industrial areas to green parks the campaign sparked collective energy for sustainable living Children teachers parents commuters RWA leaders and citizens from all walks of life came forward to take the Vayu Mitra Pledge and act as champions of clean air it saidThe sessions included informative discussions on air pollution its causes sources and farreaching impacts on human health and the environment The Mission LiFE documentary was screened further reinforcing the message of sustainable living and participants took the Vayu Mitra Pledge for Clean Air committing to make conscious efforts to reduce pollution in their daily lives the statement saidA tree plantation drive was conducted during which nearly 1750 plants were distributed and planted under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 20 involving students An interactive quiz was also conductedBetween June and September 8 the initiative made a significant impact by directly engaging over 200000 participants through awareness and outreach activities including various social media platformsA total of over 65 schools were sensitised across major pollution hotspotsIn addition to these onground efforts several new initiatives were introduced such as a Carbon Footprint Survey in which WWF EIACP Centre created dashboards that evaluate the RWA Surveyed and carbon footprint tracker SAMEER app demonstrations student exhibitions showcasing solar power and waste to wealth innovations AQI monitoring and interactive quizzes making the engagement more dynamic and impactful The major target audience was also reached through social media IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-1-lakh-delhiites-take-pledge-to-become-vayu-mitras-638260.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/monsoon-impact-waning-bengal-to-receive-light-to-moderate-rain-next-week-638270.html Kolkata Sep 13 The Met office has forecast light to moderate rain in south Bengal districts including Kolkata in the next few days At the same time heavy rain will occur in north Bengal districts from Sunday onwards According to a met department official a low pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal which however will not have a direct impact on the weather in West Bengal The low pressure area has formed in the westcentral and northwest Bay of Bengal It is located near the coast of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha On the other hand the monsoon axis has also now increased its distance from West Bengal As a result the amount of thunderstorms in South Bengal is much less However light to moderate rain will occur in south Bengal districts from Sunday onwards said the officialLight rain has been forecast in South 24 Parganas North 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Murshidabad and Nadia districts A yellow warning of rain has been issued in remaining districts of south Bengal except Jhargram Purulia Bankura and West Burdwan on SundayThere is a possibility of thunderstorms in the southern districts including Kolkata on Monday and TuesdayThe weather will remain sultry in Kolkata with the possibility of one two thunderstorms later in the dayMeanwhile rain will continue in north Bengal especially five districts of Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong Alipurduar and some places in Cooch Behar districts from Saturday evening Yellow warning of rain is also in the remaining three districts of north Bengal At the same time continuous heavy rain has been predicted in these all north Bengal districts till MondayMeanwhile the maximum temperature in Kolkata on Friday was 329 degrees Celsius 04 degrees above normal The minimum temperature was 286 degrees Celsius 22 degrees above normal The relative humidity in the air was maximum 88 per cent and minimum 73 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/monsoon-impact-waning-bengal-to-receive-light-to-moderate-rain-next-week-638270.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/union-minister-bl-verma-reviews-flood-situation-in-punjab-638140.html Sahnewal Punjab Sep 12 Union Minister BL Verma on Friday visited Sasrali village in Sahnewal constituency in Punjab to personally review the flood situation and the measures being undertaken to protect the affected areas He inspected over 25 km of temporary embankments constructed with the active support of the villagers to safeguard their farmland and homesPritpal Singh Baliawal BJP spokesperson and Gagandeep Singh Kaint District Ludhiana Rural were also present during the inspection During the visit Pritpal Singh Baliawal apprised the minister about the extent of the devastation He informed that nearly 450 acres of fertile agricultural land had been washed away into the Sutlej river and categorically highlighted illegal mining in the region as the primary reason for such largescale destruction The minister interacted with residents and farmers of the affected areas assuring them of the Central governments full support He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the BJPled government has already announced an additional relief package of Rs 1600 crore for Punjab over and above the Rs 12000 crore allocated under the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF He further assured that if any additional assistance is required the Central government stands firmly with the people of Punjab in this hour of need Union Minister Verma also appreciated the tireless efforts of BJP volunteers who have been working day and night alongside local villagers to provide relief and strengthen embankments He further distributed flood relief kits to the residents of Sasrali village Meanwhile state Revenue Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said that encouragingly people sheltering in relief camps are steadily moving back to their homes resulting in the number of operational camps dropping from 111 on September 11 to 100 on September 12 He said there is a noticeable decrease of 460 inmates in the relief camps pointing to gradual restoration of normalcy as families return to their homes He said the cumulative figure of evacuated persons has reached 23340 so far Currently 4125 people remain in governmentrun relief camps as against 4585 a day earlier He said that with no more affected crop area reported as per district reports the affected crop area has been assessed at 192380 hectares till date with no fresh area reported damaged during the last 24 hours The Cabinet Minister said that one missing person has been reported from Jalandhar while three persons are still reported missing from Pathankot IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/union-minister-bl-verma-reviews-flood-situation-in-punjab-638140.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/winter-air-pollution-delhi-govt-to-distribute-3-000-electric-heaters-to-curb-open-burning-638143.html New Delhi Sep 12 Aiming to fight winter air pollution the Delhi government on Friday decided to provide electric heaters to over 3000 Resident Welfare Associations forest guards and unorganised industrial workers who rely on open burning of biomass Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said This is a landmark moment for Delhi Instead of just issuing advisories and prohibitions our government is intervening with real solutions that touch the lives of thousandsHe said We are providing heaters so that people dont have to burn biomass or waste helping both the environment and public health This campaign is about stopping open fires and it is about supporting every citizen in Delhi through effective leadership and compassionSirsa added The Delhi governments resolve is to protect life while improving air quality We are not only monitoring and enforcing but also enabling and empowering from providing heaters to workers to modernizing waste management Our goal is clean air safety and dignity for allOn Friday in a highlevel virtual meeting the Divisional Commissioner senior officials from DSIIDC Environment Department and DPCC joined hands to chart out a robust transparent mechanism for assessing and addressing the needs of RWAs across Delhi said an official statementThe Minister directed Divisional Commissioner to carry out a fresh assessment of all RWAs to ensure wide and fair distribution of electric heaters to their night watchmen ahead of the winter seasonThe DSIIDC will utilise around Rs 42 crore from its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR funds to acquire the heaters with direct implementation overseen by the Divisional Commissioners officeThe Environment Department will carry out ongoing monitoring as part of this mission The government will prioritise RWAs forest guards and workers in unorganised industrial areas taking proactive steps so no one needs to resort to polluting practices for winter comfort said the statementSirsa said this initiative is embedded within Delhis comprehensive yearround antipollution strategy a multitiered approach that includes strict vigilance against open burning daily inspection teams robust reporting and awareness campaignsIn addition to the heater distribution the Delhi government continues its ambitious waste management drive including biomining at landfills and expansion of wastetoenergy plants with a focus on achieving 100 per cent waste processing and preventing fire incidents at dumping sites all of which contribute to cleaner air and a safer environment for millionsAs of mid2025 agencies have intensified biomining operations at Ghazipur Bhalswa and Okhla processing over 10000 tonnes of daily waste and reducing methane emissions through scientific excavation and segregation with new directives mandating quarterly fire drills CCTV installations and gas detectors to ensure no incidents occur the statement notedThis year alone these initiatives have prevented any major fire outbreaks supporting the citys goal of achieving 100 per cent waste processing and minimising environmental hazards said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/winter-air-pollution-delhi-govt-to-distribute-3-000-electric-heaters-to-curb-open-burning-638143.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-bhupendra-patel-pays-tribute-to-forest-martyrs-at-gujarats-first-vanpal-memorial-637818.html Gandhinagar Sep 11 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday paid homage to nine forest martyrs from the state who lost their lives while protecting and conserving forests and wildlife Observing National Forest Martyrs Day CM Patel offered floral tributes at the states first Vanpal Memorial built at the Van Chetna Kendra in Sector 30 GandhinagarThe day is marked nationwide on September 11 every year since 2013 following the central governments decision to honour forest rangers guards range officers and frontline personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of dutyAccompanied by State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukesh Patel the Chief Minister observed two minutes of silence in memory of the fallen personnelLegislator Ritaben Patel Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Sanjeev Kumar Head of Forest Force AP Singh and senior forest officials were also present to pay their respectsGujarat has taken several significant budgetary steps toward wildlife and forest conservation In the 202526 state budget Rs 40 crore has been allocated specifically to prevent lion deaths along railway tracks and to improve wildlife protection via a commandandcontrol unitAdditionally the Forest Department has been given Rs 655 crore for the development and promotion of forest areas using methods like Miyawaki plantation and Rs 10 crore for its coastal green wall Mishti programme On lion conservation the state government had spent Rs 27793 crore during 202223 in the Gir and Greater Gir regionsThis amount was spent on hiring veterinarians deploying ambulances in forested zones operating rapidaction rescue teams setting up diseasetreatment centres and other protective infrastructure At the national level the Union Government launched the Project Lion with an approved budget of about Rs 292771 croreThis project will support wildlife health habitat management and humanwildlife conflict mitigation along with setting up a National Wildlife Disease Diagnostic and Referral Centre in JunagadhDuring 20162021 out of a total expenditure by Gujarats forest force wings only about Rs 823 crore was spent specifically on protection conservation and management of wildlife sanctuaries roughly 137 per cent of their total activities over that period according to an official report IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-bhupendra-patel-pays-tribute-to-forest-martyrs-at-gujarats-first-vanpal-memorial-637818.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-office-predicts-heavy-rain-in-north-bengal-637849.html Kolkata Sep 11 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore has now forecast heavy rain in north Bengal districts from Friday due to a twin system of a cyclonic circulation and a monsoon axis A warning of heavy to very heavy rain has already been issued in north BengalNotably Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is in north Bengal to attend administration review meetings of her governmentAccording to an official of the Meteorological Centre several districts of South Bengal are likely to receive rain from Thursday evening onwardsAt the same time the weather office has forecast sweltering heat in various districts of South Bengal including KolkataThere is a possibility of heavy rain in Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Cooch Behar in the next 24 hours Very heavy rain may occur in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on SaturdayOn Sunday scattered heavy rain is expected in Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts On Monday Darjeeling Kalimpong Cooch Behar Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are likely to receive heavy rainfallAfter that scattered heavy rain is forecast in the districts of north BengalThe weather will change drastically in north Bengal Several districts are likely to record heavy rain A warning has been issued in this regard This is primarily due to a cyclonic circulation coupled with active monsoon winds said the Meteorological Department officialThere is a warning of rain with thundershowers in East Midnapore West Midnapore North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Howrah Nadia Murshidabad and East Burdwan districts on Friday and Saturday Along with rain gusty winds are likely in these districtsThe maximum temperature in Kolkata on Wednesday was 35 degrees Celsius which is 25 degrees above normalThe minimum temperature was 284 degrees Celsius which is 2 degrees above normalThe weather in Kolkata is likely to remain sultry as rain accompanied by high humidity will increase the discomfort level IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-office-predicts-heavy-rain-in-north-bengal-637849.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-can-tap-algae-for-rare-earth-extraction-says-expert-637918.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 11 India can reduce its dependence on conventional environmentally damaging mining of rare earth elements REEs by adopting an algal biorefinery approach according to Laladhas KP Director of the Centre for Science in Society and International Biotechnological Applications In a recent assessment Laladhas noted that India despite having significant REE reserves in beach sands and deposits in the Northeast faces challenges in extraction due to the complex nature of the oresREEs critical for electronics renewable energy and defence applications are currently sourced globally from geopolitically sensitive and environmentally intensive mining operationsAlgal mining he explained is a novel and environmentally conscious approach that sidesteps many of the issues associated with traditional methodsThe technology harnesses the natural ability of ocean macroalgae or seaweeds to hyperaccumulate dissolved metals from seawaterResearch has shown that certain species can concentrate these elements within their tissues at levels up to a million times higher than the surrounding waterThis process referred to as photosynthetic mineral sourcing uses sunlight and cultivated seaweed to harvest critical minerals directly from seawaterUnlike conventional mining it generates no toxic tailings or water contamination and can even improve ocean health by sequestering carbon nitrogen and phosphorusIt is restorative rather than destructive Laladhas said while cautioning that the technology remains in its nascent stage with no commercialscale operations yet in existenceThe broader concept of an algal biorefinery goes beyond mineral recovery Alongside REEs it can yield biofuels biopolymers and fertilisers making it a multiproduct valuegenerating system aligned with the circular economy India he pointed out has an advantage due to its vast coastal macroalgae resources and proven expertise in phycoremediation the use of algae to clean industrial effluentsInstead of pursuing openocean projects the country could repurpose its industrialscale systems to recover REEs from waste streams of mineral processing plantsTo realise this potential Laladhas suggested a threephase strategy a targeted Research and Development programme to identify indigenous algae species best suited for REE absorption pilot projects through publicprivate partnerships and eventual scaling into integrated biorefineriesWith the right policy push and investment he argued India could position itself as a global leader in sustainable REE supply chains reducing dependence on environmentally destructive mining and advancing its green economy goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-can-tap-algae-for-rare-earth-extraction-says-expert-637918.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-puc-no-fuel-initiative-to-be-implemented-effectively-in-the-state-maha-minister-637753.html Mumbai Sep 10 Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday directed the state administration to implement the No PUC No Fuel initiative at every petrol pump in future in the state This is necessary to provide a pollutionfree environment to the future generation the present generation needs to impose some environmentallyfriendly restrictions on itself For that purpose the Pollution Control Certificate PUC given to every vehicle must be valid the Minister saidThe chain of production of illegal certificates should be completely stopped he said reiterating that this can be achieved by the No PUC No Fuel initiativeMinister Sarnaik at the department meeting said that the vehicle number of every vehicle coming to fill fuel at every petrol pump in the state will be checked scanned based on the CCTV camera footage so that the validity of the pollution control certificate of the concerned vehicle can be known through thatIf the pollution control certificate of that vehicle is not valid then fuel will not be given to that vehicle The arrangements will also be made to immediately remove the pollution control certificate at the same petrol pump so that the driver does not face any inconvenience This pollution control certificate will have a unique identity UID Therefore the validity of the pollution control certificate can be checked from time to time he addedIn future arrangements will be made to issue pollution control certificates in showrooms selling vehicles and garages that repair vehicles so that every vehicle plying on the road has a valid pollution control certificate This will help reduce pollution levels Minister Sarnaik saidHe added that along with this the Transport Department should launch a major crackdown to expose the gang that is currently illegally issuing pollution control certificatesHe also reviewed the installation of a fire early warning system in the Transport Department office and the construction of a transport building IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-puc-no-fuel-initiative-to-be-implemented-effectively-in-the-state-maha-minister-637753.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 23:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/odisha-unveils-draft-ev-policy-2025-to-boost-green-mobility-637561.html Bhubaneswar Sep 10 The Odisha government has released the draft Electric Vehicle EV Policy 2025 setting an ambitious roadmap to accelerate green mobility and make the state a national leader in sustainable transportation The draft policy aims to achieve 50 per cent electric vehicle adoption in new registrations by 2030 expanding incentives across all vehicle categories ranging from twowheelers and cars to buses trucks and construction equipmentThe state government has included several significant promotional measures in the new policy as the state fell short of its earlier target under the 2021 EV Policy which aimed for 20 per cent adoption by August 2025 but recorded only 9 per cent penetration The state government has expanded the incentives provided on the purchase of electric two three and fourwheelers buses trucks and retrofitted vehicles The subsidies have been linked to performance and efficiencyAs per the new draft EV policy all the fuel pumps on the National Highways and State Highways and the Odisha State Road Transport Corporationowned bus terminals stops across the state shall have at least one fast charging stationThe Odisha government also decided to establish Viability Gap Funding for the installation of fast charging stations across all the highways in the stateThe new EV policy announced capital subsidies for the first 100 public batteryswapping stations in the stateThe state government will also set up at least three Centres of Excellence CoEs focusing on Research and Development in EVs charging infrastructure and hydrogenbased technologies The draft EV policy has provisions for increasing the number of incubation hubs for startups creation of a dedicated Rs 15 crore under the Chief Ministers EV RampD Grant to encourage innovation and commercialisationThe government also proposed to ensure specialised training programmes under SCTEampVT to develop an EVready workforce targeting 500 skilled professionals by 2030As per the draft policy all the vehicles engaged in various government offices shall be replaced with electric vehicles within six months of the policy notification The government will also ensure all school buses ambulances and PCR vans get replaced with electric vehicles within 12 months of the policy notificationThe state government has also decided to form a State EV Cell Steering Committee and Task Force for smooth policy implementation and stakeholder coordinationThe draft policy will remain valid until December 31 2030 The government has invited public and stakeholder feedback within 30 days of its publication in the Odisha Gazette With this initiative Odisha seeks to not only transform its transport ecosystem but also contribute significantly to Indias decarbonization goals and the national Net Zero 2070 commitment IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/odisha-unveils-draft-ev-policy-2025-to-boost-green-mobility-637561.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/after-17-days-of-weather-disruptions-schools-in-jammu-reopen-637564.html Jammu Sep 10 After remaining closed for 17 days since August 24 schools in Jammu division reopened on Wednesday bringing relief to parents and joy on the faces of children as they met classmates after the forced recess The Director of School Education Jammu had announced preparations for the reopening of schools and staff were asked to report on duty on September 8HeadmastersPrincipals of various educational institutions were asked to conduct a thorough safety and security audit of the buildings before offline classes resumeChief education officers had been asked to oversee daytoday activities and submit compliance reports to ensure readinessThe closure of schools in the Jammu division was a consequence of heavy rains flash floods mudslides and landslides since August 24Unprecedented rainfall and cloudbursts caused huge damage to life and infrastructure both public and private With the overall improvement in weather the focus of the authorities has now returned to normal academic activitiesHowever abundant precautions had been ordered to be taken towards structural safety checks before welcoming students backThe reopening of schools in Jammu marks an important step towards recovery after days of disruption with the administration underlining its commitment to safeguarding children while ensuring that the academic calendar stays on trackMeanwhile the Yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra town of Reasi district remained suspended for the 16th day on WednesdayThe yatra had been suspended on the day the landslide hit the route of the shrineMost of the Yatris had returned to Katra base camp on August 26 but many had taken shelter at Ardhkunwari on the route where the landslide struck killing 35 pilgrimsThe strategic JammuSrinagar highway remained closed for the last seven days although it was partially restored before that by laying a bypass along the damaged highwayThe closure has adversely affected the supply of essential supplies into the Valley while apple growers are worried as the nonavailability of transport to the markets outside JampK will rot most of this years crop for want of transportation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/after-17-days-of-weather-disruptions-schools-in-jammu-reopen-637564.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-tipplers-can-now-exchange-plastic-liquor-bottles-as-sales-hit-record-high-637458.html Thiruvananthapuram Sept 9 In a major step towards environmental sustainability the Kerala State Beverages Corporation Bevco will roll out a bottlereturn scheme for plastic liquor containers starting Tuesday Bevco Managing Director Harshita Attalluri announced that a refundable deposit system has been introduced whereby a label will be affixed to each bottle and consumers will be charged Rs 20 as a deposit at the time of purchaseWhen the bottle is returned the same amount will be refunded We urge everyone to return as many bottles as possible This is being launched on a trial basis and will come into full effect from the New Year Attalluri saidThe project is being implemented in collaboration with Clean Kerala Company Initially customers will be required to return bottles to the same outlet from which they were purchasedHowever Bevco is also considering the feasibility of enabling bottle returns at any outlet across the stateAnyone can bring the bottles back to the shop the MD clarified adding that the move is aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting recyclingThe decision comes at a time when Bevco has registered recordbreaking liquor sales during the Onam seasonAccording to official figures Bevco outlets across the state sold liquor worth Rs 92074 crore in just eleven days surpassing last years figures by Rs 7867 croreAmong all outlets the highest sales this year were recorded at Tirur in Malappuram where liquor worth Rs 641 crore was soldLast year the Karunagappally outlet in Kollam had topped the states sales chartsOfficials attribute the surge in Onam sales to strong festive demand despite rising prices of premium brandsWith both an alltime high in revenue and the launch of a green initiative Bevco is seeking to balance its commercial success with social responsibilityThe bottlereturn scheme once fully operational is expected to significantly cut down on plastic waste generated by the liquor trade in Kerala IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-tipplers-can-now-exchange-plastic-liquor-bottles-as-sales-hit-record-high-637458.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-office-forecasts-rain-in-west-bengal-during-durga-puja-637349.html Kolkata Sep 9 With another lowpressure area brewing over the Bay of Bengal the Meteorological Department here has forecast widespread rain in south Bengal during the Durga Puja festival Although Durga Puja will officially begin from Shasthi September 28 the festivities begin from Mahalaya September 21 which marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha an auspicious fortnightlong period in the Hindu calendar that marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrationsAccording to the weather office there is a possibility of rain during Durga Puja and in the runup to the festivalSeptember is the last full month of monsoon season in West Bengal The monsoon winds remain in the state till October 10 The second half of September on most occasions records massive rain in Bengal and Kolkata This year too the conditions are favourable for incessant rain which is likely to intensify after September 18 said a Meteorological Department officialThe rainfall in the runup and during the festivities may dampen the spirit of many enthusiastsThe weather in Bengal is humid and hot The sweltering heat is the reason for the increasing discomfort level However the situation will change from Wednesday onwards as the lowpressure area will result in moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal This will pave the way for more rain accompanied by thunderstormsThere is also a possibility of rain in north Bengal The rain will continue throughout the week in several districts in north Bengal including Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Cooch Behar and AlipurduarMeanwhile the maximum temperature in Kolkata was 34 degrees Celsius 15 degrees above normal The minimum temperature was 278 degrees Celsius 14 degrees above normal The relative humidity in the air was recorded at a maximum of 89 per cent and a minimum of 66 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-office-forecasts-rain-in-west-bengal-during-durga-puja-637349.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/three-soldiers-killed-in-siachen-avalanche-637417.html Srinagar Sep 9 Three soldiers were killed when an avalanche hit the Siachen Glacier in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Tuesday Their bodies have been recovered and inquest proceedings will follow an official told IANS over the phone from LehKnown as the worlds highest and most challenging battlefield the Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control LoC between India and Pakistan ends in northeastern KashmirAt 76 km it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and the secondlongest in the worlds nonpolar areas It falls from an altitude of 5753 m 18875 ft above sea levelThe entire Siachen Glacier with all major passes has been under the control of India as part of Ladakh since 1984Pakistan Army controls the region west of Saltoro Ridge lying west of the glacier with Pakistani posts located 1 km below more than 100 Indian posts on the ridgeThe glaciers region is the highest battleground on Earth where Pakistan and India have fought intermittently since April 1984India launched Operation Meghdoot to occupy Siachen Glacier in 1984 Then due to the Pakistani incursions during the Kargil War in 1999 India further strengthened its position in Siachen Glacier to ward off any attempts by the Pakistan army to occupy the glacierManmohan Singh became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the area during which he called for a peaceful resolution of the problem APJ Abdul Kalam became the first President to visit the areaAfter that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited SiachenTemperatures drop to minus 50 degrees Celsius in the Siachen Glacier during the winter months IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/three-soldiers-killed-in-siachen-avalanche-637417.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-announces-assistance-of-rs-1-600-crore-for-flood-hit-punjab-637419.html Gurdaspur Sep 9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 1600 crore for floodhit Punjab besides Rs 12000 crore already in the states kitty There will be an advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi PM Modi also announced an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamitiesnbspHe announced that children orphaned due to the recent floods and landslides will receive comprehensive support under the PM CARES for Children scheme This will ensure their longterm welfare The Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of floodaffected areas in the stateLater he held a review meeting here with officials and elected representatives PM Modi reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assessed the damage that has occurred in the statenbspThe Prime Minister emphasised the need for a multidimensional approach to help the entire region and its people recover This would include measures such as rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana restoring national highways reconstructing schools providing relief through the PMNRF and distributing mini kits for livestocknbspRecognising the critical need to support the agricultural community additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections For bores which have been silted over or swept away support for refurbishing would be extended under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana on a project mode as per a specific proposal from the state governmentFor bore pumps that are running on diesel convergence with MNRE for solar panels and support will be facilitated for microirrigation under the Per Drop More Crop guidelinesnbspUnder the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin financial assistance will be extended under Special Project submitted by the state government for reconstruction of houses in rural areas to eligible household s whose houses have been damaged due to floods Government schools damaged in the recent floods in Punjab will be financially supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan The state government is required to provide all requisite supporting information as per guidelinesnbspConstruction of recharge structures for water harvesting will be undertaken extensively in Punjab under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari program This will be aimed at repairing damaged recharge structures and constructing additional water harvesting structures These efforts will enhance rainwater harvesting and ensure longterm water sustainabilityThe Union government has also sent InterMinisterial Central teams to visit Punjab to assess the extent of damage and based on their detailed report further assistance will be considerednbspThe Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives in the natural calamity and stated that the Union Government will work closely with the state governments in this difficult time and extend all possible assistancenbspThe Prime Minister also met families from Punjab who were affected by the calamities and floods He expressed his complete solidarity with all those who had suffered and expressed deep sorrow for those who had lost their close onesThe Prime Minister said all assistance under disaster management rules is being made including advance disbursements to the states He appreciated the efforts of the personnel of the NDRF the SDRF the Indian Army the state administration and other serviceoriented organisations for making efforts in immediate relief and responsenbspThe Central government will further review the assessment based on the memorandum of the state as well as the report of the Central teamsnbspEarlier in the day Prime Minister Modi visited disasterhit Himachal Pradesh to review the situation and damage caused due to cloudbursts rains and landslides and announced a financial assistance of Rs 1500 crore for the statePM Modi also announced an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamitiesnbspThe Prime Minister also did an aerial survey of floodhit areas of Himachal Later PM Modi had an official meeting at the Gaggal airport near Dharamsala to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assess the damage that had occurred in Himachal Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pm-modi-announces-assistance-of-rs-1-600-crore-for-flood-hit-punjab-637419.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-trigger-flood-alert-in-kheda-anand-1-500-evacuated-637077.html Ahmedabad Sep 8 Heavy rains in Gujarats upper catchment areas have triggered a floodlike situation in the Sabarmati and Vatrak rivers following the release of water from Dharoi Dam Vasna Barrage and Sant Sarovar Around 1500 residents of Rasikpura and Pathapura villages in Kheda district were evacuated overnight and shifted to a shelter in Hariyala village where arrangements for food and accommodation were madeAuthorities have issued flood alerts in 8 villages of Kheda and 13 villages of Anand with instructions to keep shelter homes readyAccording to the Water Resources Department 94240 cusecs of water was released from Dharoi Dam and 96625 cusecs from Sant SarovarThe inflow has pushed the Sabarmati Rivers water level up by nearly 35 lakh cusecs Currently 27 gates of the Vasna Barrage have been opened releasing 47590 cusecs downstreamIn Anand district waters of the Mahi River entered Umeta and Khadol villages of Anklav taluka submerging the Mahisagar Mata temple Eleven villages in Khambhat Bay and Tarapur have also been put on alert The District Collector along with senior officials visited Baroda and Palla villages in Matar taluka to review preparednessHealth police power water supply and road departments have been instructed to remain on high alert Citizens have been urged to stay away from rivers and waterlogged areas and to contact the control room in case of emergencyAs of September 5 Kheda district recorded significant rainfall with Nadiad receiving 33 mm total 1727 mm Kapadvanj 41 mm 1097 mm Kathlal 34 mm 1015 mm Matar 20 mm 914 mm Mahudha 15 mm 1113 mm and Kheda 13 mm 605 mm bringing the districts average rainfall to 9659 mmMeanwhile the major dams in the region reported high inflows and outflows Dharoi Dam registered a water level of 18779 m with an inflow of 62980 cusecs and outflow of 35202 cusecs Kadana Dam stood at 12687 m with 173545 cusecs inflow and 147768 cusecs outflow Panam Dam at 12715 m with 48908 cusecs inflow and 50508 cusecs outflow Wanakbori Weir at 7155 m with 246724 cusecs inflow and 246024 cusecs outflow and Vasna Barrage at 131 ft with 106830 cusecs inflow and 93658 cusecs outflow IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-trigger-flood-alert-in-kheda-anand-1-500-evacuated-637077.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-warning-for-fishermen-123-dams-in-gujarat-on-high-alert-636944.html Ahmedabad Sep 7 The India Meteorological Department IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea between September 7 and 10 citing rough weather conditions According to details shared by the State Emergency Operations Centre the Sardar Sarovar Dam is currently at 9126 per cent of its capacity storing 309048 mcft of waterOf the 206 reservoirs across the state 123 are on high alert 20 are on alert and 14 are on warning levels Overall the reservoirs hold 467920 mcft of water which is about 8387 per cent of total storage capacityHeavy rainfall across Gujarat in the past 24 hours has led to widespread showers Since June 1 nearly 5598 people have been shifted to safer locations while 1045 individuals have been rescuedCurrently 12 NDRF teams and 22 SDRF teams are deployed across different districts for relief and rescue operations The 2025 monsoon in Gujarat has been marked by early surges uneven distribution and strong revival phasesJune was the wettest in a decade with the state receiving nearly onethird of its seasonal quota in just 20 days led by heavy showers in South Gujarat and parts of Saurashtra By midJuly rainfall had reached about 5154 per cent of the seasonal average though disparities were evident Kutch received close to 60 per cent of its quota while North Gujarat lagged at under 50 per centBy August Gujarat had crossed 64 per cent of its average with districts like Devbhoomi Dwarka recording extraordinary surpluses of more than 2000 mm 135 per cent above normal while Saurashtras Gir Somnath and Amreli remained deficitprone with 2059 per cent less rain Entering September the state had covered nearly 90 per cent of its target with South Gujarat crossing 94 per cent and forecasts predicting abovenormal rainfall at 109 per cent of the Long Period Average for the monthThe season has been a mix of extremes floodlike situations in some regions and rain shortfalls in others posing both opportunities for water storage and challenges for agriculture and dam management IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-warning-for-fishermen-123-dams-in-gujarat-on-high-alert-636944.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-predicts-heavy-rain-in-several-tn-districts-today-636907.html Chennai Sep 7 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai issued an important weather advisory forecasting widespread rainfall across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal on Sunday as a weather disturbance continues to linger over South India According to the statement the atmospheric circulation is likely to trigger thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rainfall in parts of northern and southern Tamil NaduThe adjoining union territory of Puducherry including the Karaikal area is also expected to receive showers during the dayThe weather office highlighted that districts such as Tiruvannamalai Kallakurichi Villupuram Cuddalore Mayiladuthurai Tiruchirappalli Ariyalur and Perambalur may experience heavy rainfall in one or two locationsSimilar conditions are likely over Puducherry as well In southern Tamil Nadu isolated heavy showers are expected in Ramanathapuram Sivaganga Pudukottai Thanjavur Tiruvarur and NagapattinamMountainous regions of Coimbatore may also record rainfallAdditionally districts including the Nilgiris Theni Dindigul and Madurai as well as Ranipet Vellore Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram are likely to witness heavy downpours in scattered areasThe Meteorological MeT Department noted that the intensity of rainfall could increase over the next 48 hours with a higher chance of thunderstorms and lightning activity across parts of the stateFishermen have been advised to exercise caution as rough weather may prevail along the coastal beltsIn Chennai the sky will remain partly cloudy throughout the day Intermittent moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning are expected in some parts of the city particularly in the evening and night hoursWhile the rain is likely to bring some respite from the prevailing heat localised waterlogging in lowlying areas cannot be ruled out the weather office cautionedOfficials urged residents across vulnerable districts to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy spells of rainThe advisory further emphasised that district administrations have been alerted to prepare for possible disruptions in transport and daily activities if rainfall intensifiesWith the monsoon continuing to stay active Tamil Nadu is likely to witness varied weather conditions this week ranging from light to heavy rain in different regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-predicts-heavy-rain-in-several-tn-districts-today-636907.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/man-made-climate-collapse-not-natural-acharya-prashant-on-north-indias-floods-636910.html New Delhi Sep 7 As relentless rains batter North India philosopher and author Acharya Prashant has called the devastation a mirror to our misplaced idea of progress Speaking on the eve of the launch of his forthcoming HarperCollins book Truth Without Apology at India International Centre New Delhi he warned that calling floods and landslides natural calamities is a dangerous denial of their manmade roots Himachal Pradesh has lost over 340 lives since June 20 with landslides and flash floods cutting off entire districts More than 1300 roads remain blocked In Jammu amp Kashmir rivers have surged past danger levels while Punjab reports damage across 1400 villages Even Delhi and NCR are battling waterlogged streets cancelled trains and transport shutdowns The scale of loss dwarfs every relief effort Acharya Prashant saidHimachals hills are collapsing because we drilled blasted and cemented them year after year he said When rivers are forced into concrete and wetlands into real estate the monsoon is bound to return the debtHe pointed to the stark contrast between rural helplessness and urban negligenceVillages in the Himalayas collapse because they are too weak to resist But what excuse do Delhi and Gurgaon have These are the richest cities They drown not from poverty but from negligence storm drains buried floodplains encroached responsibility ending at the boundary wallAcharya Prashant stressed that climate change is the decisive force behind todays devastation Asia is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average which means more violent bursts of rain and more frequent cloudbursts NASA confirms floods and droughts have already doubled worldwide in two decadesAccording to the Council on Energy Environment and Water the average number of floodaffected districts in India has jumped from 19 a year 19702004 to 55 a year 20052019 This is not seasonal wrath it is climate collapse unfolding before us Yet three out of four of Indias floodprone districts still lack proper earlywarning systemsHe added that this crisis is inseparable from global climate feedback loopsPermafrost is releasing methane glaciers are vanishing and coral reefs are dying Once these cycles begin they drive themselves To dismiss floods as accidents of weather is not realism it is denial This is not pessimism it is physicsOn the deeper injustice he noted The worlds richest 10 per cent drive emissions with private jets and excess lifestyles while farmers and labourers lose lives and crops Climate change is not only an ecological crisis It is the violence of the rich upon the poorHe called for urgent reforms restoring wetlands and floodplains taxing carbonheavy consumption and disclosing the footprints of corporations and celebrities We need to redefine progress A good life cannot remain defined by bigger cars bigger houses more air miles That definition was implanted by those who profit from our desires he saidBut he warned that no reform will hold without a shift in human consumptionPolicies will fail unless minds change Festivals need not mean firecrackers Joy need not mean excess travel or display The climate outside reflects the climate within and when the inner self is restless nature too collapsesHe also referenced Operation 2030 the PrashantAdvait Foundations mission to awaken citizens before the UNs climate deadlineScientists warn that unless warming is capped at 15 degrees Celsius by 2030 feedback cycles melting glaciers rising seas collapsing ecosystems will lock us into irreversibility Operation 2030 rests on one insight only inner clarity can anchor outer changeHe concluded with the Gita Action born of inner clarity liberates while action born of delusion destroys Development without wisdom is rehearsal for the next tragedy The monsoon has spoken The question is will we listen IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/man-made-climate-collapse-not-natural-acharya-prashant-on-north-indias-floods-636910.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-govt-starts-scrapping-old-vehicles-to-replace-them-with-evs-636782.html Kolkata Sep 6 About 22000 government vehicles that are 15yearsold will be scrapped by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government of which about 700 are police vehicles The process of identifying those old government vehicles and replacing them with new Electric Vehicles has already begun said a state government source on Saturday According to a senior government official every department has been asked to replace these old vehicles by providing the vehicle number and registration numberFrom small fourwheelers to sedans all types of vehicles are on this listThe matter of old vehicles being in use came to light after the pilot police car of Trinamool Congress MLA Saokat Molla had a brake failure and collided with a motorcyclist last week resulting in his deathIt was found that the pilot car was more than 15 years old After that incident the government took the decision to scrap such old vehiclesSome departments have already started buying new vehicles However this time the state government has emphasised on buying Electric Vehicles According to the Transport Department the list of vehicles to be scrapped includes 698 vehicles belonging to the police 481 vehicles belonging to the Transport Department and 710 vehicles belonging to various stateowned organisations said the senior government officialThere are about 19793 vehicles belonging to other government departments including Public Works Panchayat Public Health and Technical In total about 22000 vehicles will be scrappedRecently the transport department has started seizing unfit vehicles be it private or government Therefore along with cancelling private commercial vehicles the process of cancelling government vehicles has also started According to sources many vehicles are also being rentedSources said the cancelled cars have been kept in various government open spaces and depots They will be scrapped step by stepHowever in case the 15year period is extended by the Supreme Court the state government will take a call on whether these cars will be put on the road againAccording to an official of the West Bengal government the process of cancelling these old cars has started in compliance with the court order as of now IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-govt-starts-scrapping-old-vehicles-to-replace-them-with-evs-636782.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-cm-visits-flood-affected-areas-in-anantnag-district-636785.html Srinagar Sep 6 Jammu and Kashmir JampK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the flood affected areas of Anantnag district CM Omar Abdullah visited different areas of Anantnag town in addition to other floodaffected areas of the districtCM Abdullah later took stock of the flood aftermath and restoration work with officers of the district administration at the local Dak Bungalow in Anantnag townHe met families of the affected people and went around to personally assess the extent of damage caused to homes streets private and public propertiesCM Abdullah assured the affected families that all assistance would be made available to them and that all necessary steps would be taken to provide relief and assistance to those impacted by the floodsDeputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary Cabinet ministers Sakina Itoo and Javed Rana in addition to the CMs advisor Nasir Aslam Wani legislators Altaf Kaloo Majeed Larmi Dr Bashir Veeri Reyaz Khan and Zafar Khattana accompanied CM Abdullah during the visitDeputy Commissioner of Anantnag and other senior officers also accompanied the Chief MinisterJampK has been in the throes of one of its worst floods since August 14 when 67 people mostly pilgrims of the Machail Mata Yatra were killed and over 100 others injured when a cloudburst hit Chashoti village of Kishtwar districtOn August 26 a landslide killed 35 pilgrims to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine when the Yatra was officially suspendedMost of the Yatris had returned to base camp Katra but many had taken refuge at a shelter on the route to the shrineIt was this shelter that was hit by the landslide that caused the tragedyWater from the swollen Tawi Chenab Basantar and Ujh rivers in Jammu division breached their embankments at many places submerging dozens of villages in Jammu Samba and KathuaFloods caused by the swollen Jhelum river in the Valley also caused devastation especially in areas marooned after Jhelum breached its embankment in Budgam districtAnantnag and Pulwama were the other districts in which flood waters washed away fruit bearing trees and submerged many apple orchards in which the trees were laden with the fruitScores of acres of land under Paddy crop also suffered massive damage due to incessant rain accompanied by wind that prostrated the grain bearing crop IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-cm-visits-flood-affected-areas-in-anantnag-district-636785.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tamil-nadu-braces-for-heavy-rains-in-coming-days-636792.html Chennai Sep 6 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has issued a weather advisory forecasting heavy rainfall across parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over the next few days According to the latest bulletin seven districts Thanjavur Tiruvarur Nagapattinam Mayiladuthurai Pudukkottai Cuddalore and Ariyalur along with the Karaikal region in Puducherry are expected to receive heavy showers today at one or two locationsResidents in these areas have been urged to stay alert as the monsoon activity intensifiesThe forecast further indicates that moderate rainfall is likely across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal on Sunday Widespread showers are expected to provide relief from the heat but may also disrupt normal life in lowlying and floodprone areasOn Monday heavy rainfall has been predicted in the districts of Ramanathapuram Sivaganga Pudukkottai Thanjavur Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam These coastal and delta regions are particularly vulnerable during the northeast monsoon season often experiencing waterlogging and inundation of agricultural fieldsLooking further ahead on September 9 heavy rain is expected in the western and southern districts of Nilgiris Theni Coimbatore Dindigul and Madurai along with Sivaganga Tiruchirappalli Salem and KallakurichiThe Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts known for their hilly terrain may face landslide risks if the downpour intensifies The forecast for September 10 points to widespread rainfall across several northern and central districts including Coimbatore Nilgiris Salem Kallakurichi Tiruvannamalai Tirupattur Vellore Ranipet Kanchipuram Chengalpattu and Villupuram In addition heavy showers are expected in Puducherry on the same dayMeteorologists have advised farmers to take precautionary measures to protect standing crops especially in the Cauvery delta region where paddy cultivation is at a crucial stageLocal authorities have also been asked to keep stormwater drains clear and ensure that relief teams remain on standby in case of flooding or power disruptionsWith the monsoon expected to remain active for the next few days residents across the state have been cautioned to plan their travel accordingly and follow updates from the Meteorological Department IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tamil-nadu-braces-for-heavy-rains-in-coming-days-636792.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-guv-flags-off-nine-trucks-of-relief-material-for-flood-hit-people-636694.html Chandigarh Sep 5 Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday flagged off nine loads of trucks of relief material for floodaffected people on behalf of the Red Cross Society Punjab All these nine trucks carrying relief material are being sent to Ferozepur Amritsar Gurdaspur Pathankot Kapurthala Hoshiarpur Ropar Ludhiana Malerkotla and Jalandhar This relief material will be delivered to the needy floodaffected people through the Red Cross units of the respective districtsThe relief material includes family tents tarpaulins kitchen sets blankets and 7000 household items including sanitary pads rations soap etc In addition Punjab Red Cross in collaboration with NGOs has also sent 100 tons of animal fodder to the floodaffected areasOn this occasion Governor Kataria said that it is the moral duty of society to provide relief and assistance to the affected families in disasters like floods This cooperation of the Red Cross and various organisations further strengthens the tradition of Punjab service cooperation and human valuesRecently I visited seven floodaffected districts of the state and closely observed the situation there It is time that we all come together to help the affected families and come forward in this noble work of providing relief to themHe further said The people of Punjab have always supported each other in difficult situations Today also we all have to unite and provide support and cooperation to the affected people so that they can return to normal life soonOn Thursday Chandigarh Red Cross sent two truckloads carrying relief material for flood victims of the Amritsar district These included 500 kits of various household items sanitary pad kits and 500 units of utensilsPrincipal Secretary to Governor Vivek Pratap Singh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav Secretary Punjab Red Cross Society Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon and other officials of Punjab Raj Bhawan and Red Cross Society Punjab were present on the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/punjab-guv-flags-off-nine-trucks-of-relief-material-for-flood-hit-people-636694.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bhakra-dam-water-level-starts-falling-says-punjab-minister-636715.html Chandigarh Sep 5 The water level of the Bhakra Dam has started coming down as it was 167866 feet on Friday almost half a foot lower than 167905 feet a day earlier Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said He said that rainfall in the coming days is expected to be less than before and weather conditions are predicted to remain favourable everywhere This is indeed a relief he said Bains said that continuous monitoring of the situation is being carried out For several days he has been on the ground with workers to intensify relief and rescue operations Education Minister Bains further directed the acceleration of the ongoing work to strengthen the weakened Satluj embankment at Hariwal village in his assembly constituency Anandpur Sahib He said officials and his teams are continuously present onsite ensuring that no local resident faces any difficulty Jumbo bags are being brought in and volunteers are actively working at every location where there is a possibility of impact he said adding that with everyones cooperation the work will be completed soon Bains said that riverbanks are being reinforced with the jumbo bags The minister expressed gratitude saying that during this difficult time support has come from all directions saints religious leaders social service organisations panchayats sarpanches youth clubs women and especially the young volunteers who along with the administration have played a vital role in relief and rescue work He said that wherever there is need AAP volunteers are working with dedication and sincerity A helpline number 8727962441 has also been issued and every needy person is being assisted All of this is being made possible with the collective support from wellwishers Bains said adding that in the next two to three days conditions are expected to improve further and for this they are thankful to the Almighty IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bhakra-dam-water-level-starts-falling-says-punjab-minister-636715.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 22:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-braces-for-wet-week-imd-warns-of-heavy-rains-rivers-swell-636611.html New Delhi Sep 5 The national Capital and its adjoining regions are bracing for another spell of heavy rains The Indian Meteorological Department IMD has forecast continuous showers across DelhiNCR between September 5 and September 10 According to the weather department moderate rainfall with normal cloud cover is expected on September 5 while September 6 and 7 are likely to witness heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightningAfter a brief respite on September 8 with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon and evening the IMD says torrential downpours may return on September 9 again with thunder and lightning Skies will remain partly cloudy on September 10Meteorologists warn that this fresh spell could last for an entire week keeping the mercury between 3435 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature between 2325 degrees CelsiusHumidity levels ranging from 55 to 90 per cent are expected to add to discomfort making conditions sticky and oppressive for DelhiNCR residentsThe persistent rainfall has already pushed up the water levels of the Yamuna and Hindon rivers triggering flooding around the banks though water levels in Yamuna receded a little bit on FridayOfficials said that over 43 villages in lowlying areas in DelhiNCR have been affected with many residents evacuated to safer locations District administrations have deployed relief and rescue teams across vulnerable zones to provide assistanceExperts caution that if the intensity of rainfall increases further waterlogging and flooding could become criticalDaily life is already hampered in several NCR cities due to severe traffic jams and waterlogged roads and fresh downpours may worsen the situationAuthorities have appealed to citizens to avoid venturing into lowlying or flooded areas and to strictly follow IMD warningsPeople have also been advised to take precautions against lightning strikes by staying away from open spaces during thunderstorms IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-braces-for-wet-week-imd-warns-of-heavy-rains-rivers-swell-636611.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-bioeconomy-leaps-from-just-10-bn-to-1657-bn-in-10-years-636656.html New Delhi Sep 5 Over the past decade India has emerged as one of the fastestgrowing bioeconomies in the world with the sector expanding to 1657 billion in 2024 from just 10 billion in 2014 With an ambitious target of 300 billion by 2030 the bioeconomy is steadily becoming a cornerstone of Indias sustainable growth and innovation driven by advancements in biotechnology agricultural innovation biomanufacturing and healthcare The four key subsectors of the countrys bioeconomy comprise BioIndustrial 47 per cent BioPharma 35 per cent BioAgri 8 per cent and BioResearch 9 per cent according to official figuresSignificant biotech milestones achieved by India in 2025 include consolidating its position as a top vaccine manufacturer According to the WHO Global Vaccine Market Report the Serum Institute of Indias share of the global vaccine market excluding Covid19 vaccines rose from 19 per cent in 2021 to 24 per cent in 2024 This was driven by higher production of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV measlesrubella MR and tetanusdiphtheria Td vaccinesThe global vaccine market is highly concentrated with 10 manufacturers supplying over 80 per cent of vaccines Three of these Serum Institute Bharat Biotech and Biological E are from India Indian firms supplied 40 per cent of the WHOs vaccine purchases with a large share used domestically About 20 per cent of Indias vaccine exports went to the WHO African RegionIndia has also achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending E20 in petrol in 2025 five years ahead of the original target This is a steep rise from 15 per cent in 2014 and reflects the countrys progress towards building a sustainable bioeconomy The programme has delivered multiple bioeconomy benefits including higher incomes for farmers who between Ethanol Supply Year ESY 201415 and June 2025 received Rs 121000 crore for ethanol feedstock eliminating sugarcane arrears and improving the viability of maize cultivationAt 20 per cent blending it is expected that payment to the farmers in this year alone will be to the tune of Rs 40000 crore and forex savings will be around Rs 43000 croreTill July 2025 ethanol blending substituted 245 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil and conserved Rs 144087 crore in foreign exchange significantly strengthening energy securityThis achievement underscores the role of ethanol blending in integrating energy agriculture and sustainability thereby contributing to Indias bioeconomyThe Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Biotechnology DBT on August 24 2024 for Indias first biotechnology policy the BioE3 Policy Biotechnology for Economy Environment and Employment The policy focuses on fostering highperformance biomanufacturing and lays down the framework for the Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Initiative This initiative aims to promote green growth by shifting from consumptive manufacturing to regenerative and sustainable practicesThe bioeconomy has strong potential to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices It supports cleaner farming methods carbon storage in agriculture balanced diets and forest restoration At the same time it encourages recycling reduces food waste bioenergy use and greener industrial processes By combining these approaches the bioeconomy helps lower emissions while advancing sustainability and resource efficiency IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-bioeconomy-leaps-from-just-10-bn-to-1657-bn-in-10-years-636656.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-fear-just-beauty-astronomer-calls-sept-7-lunar-eclipse-a-rare-celestial-spectacle-636659.html New Delhi Sep 5 The upcoming lunar eclipse on Sunday September 7 will be a rare astronomical alignment a leading astronomer said The eclipse visible across most parts of India will be the years longest and is expected to spark wide public curiosity from villages to citiesSpeaking to IANS Nehru Centre Planetarium Mumbai Director Arvind Paranjpye noted that this will be a total lunar eclipse beginning at around 858 pmThe totality when the Moon is completely covered by Earths shadow will start close to 11 pm and reach its peak at 1142 pm The eclipse will last well into the night finally ending at 126 amThis is a longduration eclipse At its peak the Moon will appear dark and may even take on a brickred hue Paranjpye told IANS adding that such colour changes occur because Earths atmosphere scatters blue light while allowing red light to reach the lunar surfaceHe also said that while astrology often associates lunar eclipses with auspicious or inauspicious effects science views them as a purely natural eventThere is no need for fear or superstition Unlike a solar eclipse you dont need any special filters to watch a lunar eclipse It is perfectly safe to view with the naked eye he notedRecalling his own experiences Paranjpye mentioned past eclipses that appeared extraordinary including one in the 1970s when volcanic ash made the Moon seem to vanish completely for a few minutesSuch sights remind us that eclipses are among the most beautiful celestial events one can witness he saidHe encouraged people to enjoy the phenomenon click photographs and cherish the memoryIf the skies are clear it will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone in India to witness one of natures finest spectacles Paranjpye addedThe September 7 lunar eclipse is the last of the year and according to astronomers one of the most significant celestial events of 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-fear-just-beauty-astronomer-calls-sept-7-lunar-eclipse-a-rare-celestial-spectacle-636659.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-records-over-92-pc-rainfall-113-dams-on-high-alert-636419.html Gandhinagar Sep 4 Gujarat has received widespread rainfall this monsoon with an average of 9264 per cent recorded across the state till Thursday according to the State Emergency Operation Centre SEOC North Gujarat has reported the highest rainfall at 9694 per cent followed by South Gujarat 9691 per cent EastCentral Gujarat 9379 per cent Kutch 8514 per cent and Saurashtra 8474 per cent The heavy and uniform rainfall has significantly filled up reservoirsOut of 206 dams in the state 113 are on high alert with 82 filled to 100 per cent capacity and 68 between 70100 per centThe Sardar Sarovar Dam considered Gujarats lifeline currently holds more than 89 per cent of its total storage capacity The abundant rainfall has also benefited agriculture By September 1 a total of 9629 per cent of the cultivable area had been sown under kharif crops Groundnut tops the list with 22 lakh hectares under cultivation followed by cotton on 20 lakh hectares and paddy on over eight lakh hectares according to the state agriculture department In the last 24 hours 24 districts and 158 talukas reported more than 12 mm of rainfallMeanwhile the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea between September 4 and 7 due to rough weather conditionsThe impact of this years rainfall on farming in Gujarat has been twofold largely beneficial for crop prospects but also challenging in certain pockets With the state receiving over 92 per cent of its seasonal average rainfall it ensures ample irrigation water for kharif crops like cotton groundnut paddy pulses and bajraFarmers in Saurashtra and North Gujarat where groundnut and cotton dominate have particularly benefited as timely and sufficient rains boosted sowing and improved crop growth The assured water supply is also expected to support a strong rabi season especially for wheat cumin and mustardThe states extensive dam network over 200 major and medium reservoirs with 113 placed on high alert this season plays a crucial role in flood control irrigation and water storage ensuring both drinking water and agricultural supply for the yearUrban centres like Ahmedabad Surat and Vadodara have invested in stormwater drainage projects riverfront development and floodcontrol mechanisms which help reduce the impact of heavy downpours Rural areas benefit from thousands of check dams farm ponds and watershed structures that recharge groundwater and prevent drought conditions later IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-records-over-92-pc-rainfall-113-dams-on-high-alert-636419.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-visits-flood-hit-kamareddy-district-636456.html Hyderabad Sep 4 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday visited the floodaffected Kamareddy district and assured all possible assistance to the affected Accompanied by a couple of ministers local MLA and other leaders he inspected the damage caused by recent heavy rains and floodsThe Chief Minister interacted with farmers and other people affected by floods and assured them that the government would stand by themStating that it was the worst flood in 100 years he said the government would definitely take measures to provide relief to the victimsThe Chief Minister inspected the damaged roads in Kamareddy town and enquired about the damage due to floodsRevanth Reddy who reached Kamareddy by a helicopter also had an aerial view of the floodaffected areas and damaged cropsRevenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Seethakka Zaheerabad MP Suresh Kumar Shetkar Telangana Congress President and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud MLA Madan Mohan Rao government advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir and others were presentStating that minor and major irrigation projects were damaged in the floods the Chief Minister said repair works were undertaken immediatelyHe noted that the Pocharam project withstood the massive floods preventing loss of lives and propertyHe directed officials to prepare a plan to permanently solve the problem of inundation during heavy rains The Chief Minister assured the farmers that the government would allocate special funds to remove sand which washed into the fields due to the floods He also assured compensation for crop lossHe asked officials to prepare estimates for repairs of damaged roads bridges and projectsThe Chief Minister visited GR Colony which was the worsthit area in the town He stated that due to the alertness shown by the administration loss of lives and property was minimisedHe wanted officials to prepare detailed estimates of the losses suffered due to floodsThe Chief Minister assured the residents that the government would do everything possible to solve their problems If necessary the government would provide new books to students and arrange other items lost in the floods IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-visits-flood-hit-kamareddy-district-636456.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/unregulated-groundwater-extraction-poses-threat-to-pakistans-environmental-stability-report--636519.html Islamabad Sep 4 Pakistan is standing at the precipice of an environmental catastrophe due to climate change and countrys own unchecked exploitation of its vital resource water Unchecked groundwater extraction is an existential threat to Pakistans environmental and social stability a report has stated During a recent event titled Building WaterSensitive Communities Collaborative Solutions for Freshwater Sustainability experts have warned of the deepening crisis facing Pakistans freshwater ecosystems a report in Islam Khabar stated Water has always remained central for survival of Pakistan with the Indus River system being the lifeline of Pakistan supporting agriculture industries and peoples use However the demand of water in Pakistan along with poor regulation and outdated practices has pushed groundwater reserves towards dangerous depletionMasood Arshad Senior Director of WWFs Freshwater Programme underscored the gravity of the crisis pointing to how the unregulated pumping of groundwater is damaging fragile ecosystems Across the Indus Keenjhar Lake and the Ravi River the signs of collapse are increasingly visible shrinking wetlands vanishing fish populations and rising water salinity This problem is compounded by Pakistans demographic and agricultural pressures the report highlightedWith the population of over 240 million people demand for water continues to rise in Pakistan However conservation and regulation remains virtually absent Farmers depend heavily on tubewells to irrigate their fields Urban centres also carry out reckless overextraction with groundwater being as the main source of drinking water for millions of homesThe report said The Indus River once a mighty artery flowing through the length of the country is increasingly reduced to a shadow of itself Excessive extraction coupled with upstream diversions and the impacts of climate change has left vast stretches of the river struggling to maintain flow The ecological consequences are direKeenjhar Lake one of Pakistans largest freshwater lakes and a critical Ramsar site is also under threat Overextraction from groundwater reserves feeding the lake along with pollution and mismanagement has turned this ecosystem into a declining habitat Meanwhile the Ravi River which was once a vibrant waterway is now choked by unchecked pollution and reduced flows due to groundwater extractionGroundwater depletion does not exist in isolation It compounds Pakistans vulnerability to climate shocks amplifying the devastation wrought by extreme weather The 2022 monsoon floods which submerged a third of the country and displaced millions served as a brutal reminder of how fragile the nations water management system has become Islam Khabar report mentionedThe almost nonexistent regulation for groundwater extraction results in people industries and farmers being free to exploit reserves unchecked The report said Unchecked groundwater extraction is not simply a technical issueit is an existential threat to Pakistans environmental and social stability The degradation of the Indus Keenjhar Lake and the Ravi River reflects a larger unravelling of ecosystems that have long supported the nations people Each passing year of overextraction digs the country deeper into a crisis that will not easily be reversed The continued collapse of freshwater systems leaves Pakistan more exposed to food insecurity health crises and climatedriven disasters IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/unregulated-groundwater-extraction-poses-threat-to-pakistans-environmental-stability-report--636519.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tgana-seeks-rs-16-732-crore-from-centre-as-immediate-flood-relief-636529.html Hyderabad Sep 4 The Telangana government on Thursday urged the Centre to immediately release Rs 16732 crore to the State towards flood relief A delegation from the state government headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and submitted a representation urging the Centre to immediately provide the assistanceThe assistance sought by the state include Rs 11713 crore towards relief works in districts affected by last years flood The remaining Rs 5018 crore is towards relief in the districts affected by the recent floodsThe Centre was also urged to declare it as national calamity The delegation also requested the Centre to send a Central team to Telangana to visit the floodaffected areas and assess the damagesAccording an official release here the Union Home Minister told the delegation a team of Central government officials will be sent to Telangana to assess the damages due to floodsThe state delegation brought to Home Minister Amit Shahs notice that the state had last year sought Rs 11713 crore towards flood relief in Khammam and surrounding districts but the Centre did not release the assistanceThey also told the Union Home Minister that as per the preliminary assessment the state suffered a loss of Rs 5108 crore in the recent floodsThe delegation which included Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao state governments special representative in Delhi AP Jitender Reddy and senior government officials that this is only an initial estimate The final estimates will be known after the floods completely recedeThe delegation explained that the state received heavy rains between August 25 and 28 The rains caused extensive damage to infrastructure in Kamareddy Medak Nirmal and Nizamabad districts The state has so far recorded 25 per cent excess rainfall while rainfall received in eight districts is 6595 per cent above normalHome Minister Amit Shah was told that the state government has mobilised resources to undertake relief measures Seven teams of NDRF 15 teams of SDRF and about 100 Army personnel participated in relief operationsThe delegation informed Home Minister that the heavy rains badly damaged roads railway tracks culverts electricity poles and transformers and disrupted normal life across the stateThey informed the Home Minister that as per the initial estimates the floods resulted in the loss of 22 human lives The assessment about loss of cattle damage to houses and crops is underwayAccording to the representation the Municipal Administration department suffered an estimated loss of Rs 1025 croreThe loss due to roads damaged in the floods is estimated at Rs 785 crore The irrigation department suffered loss of Rs 655 crore while the crop loss was to the tune of Rs 236 crore Panchayat Raj and Rural Development suffered a loss of Rs 377 croreThe Home Minister was told that the state immediately needs Rs 1500 crore for emergency repairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tgana-seeks-rs-16-732-crore-from-centre-as-immediate-flood-relief-636529.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 22:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-wreaks-havoc-in-jammu-weather-likely-to-improve-today-636318.html SrinagarJammu Sep 4 Floods across the Jammu division wreaked havoc over the last 24 hours however with no rainfall the water level in rivers of Kashmir started receding on Thursday morning Officials said two persons were killed when their house collapsed in Rajouri district while a driver and his vehicle were washed away in the Ban Talab area of Jammu on WednesdayBSF troopers using helicopters rescued 47 villagers trapped in the heavily flooded Chenab River in the Garkhal area of the Pargwal sector in Jammu districtInfrastructure related to roads water and electric supply suffered massive damage in the Jammu division during the last 24 hoursThe Chenab River was flowing about 8 to 9 ft above the danger mark at Akhnoor in Jammu district while the Tawi River reached closer to the danger mark 16 ft Ravi Ujh Basantar Devak and Tarnah flowed at flood level this morningJammuSrinagar National Highway Batote Kishtwar and Mughal roads remained closed due to massive landslidesTeams of NDRFSDRF and police were deployed at inundated and floodprone areas of the Jammu divisionIn Rajouri district a woman and her daughter lost their lives after a wall and some other portion of their house collapsed during heavy rain at Kagri village in the Sunderbani area Both were sleeping when the incident took placeThe driver of a Tata Mobile load carrier was washed away along with his vehicle in a Nallah near the CRPF Camp in the Ban Talab area of JammuMeanwhile as the water level continued to rise in the swollen River Tawi in Jammu city during the morning hours authorities launched a multiagency operation to shore up embankments near the damaged fourth bridge to prevent flooding in the lowlying areas Heavy rain in Jammu and its upper areas like Udhampur and Ramnagar had damaged the approach road near the fourth Tawi bridge causing vehicles to get stuck on the broken stretch on August 26Jammu city has also been cut off from three main road stretches due to landslides on the PanjtirthiSidhra road mudslides on the MandaNagrota road and the closure of one bridge on the River Chenab at Akhnoor Many Jammu localities were flooded with rainwater while floodwater from many nallahs entered the houses and shops of the people Areas like Kabir Nagar Talab Tiloo Bathindi Channi Nanak Nagar Canal Road Rajiv Nagar Satwari Nai Basti Ban Talab Lower Roop Nagar Janipur Paloura Muthin etc suffered heavy lossesMany City areas remained waterlogged throughout Wednesday disrupting the smooth movement of traffic Officials said that JammuSrinagar National Highway Batote DodaKishtwar JammuKatraReasiMahore AkhnoorRajouriPoonch KathuaBasohliBillawar and Bani roads besides many other roads in the region have been closed due to multiple landslidesHundreds of vehicles are stranded at various places on the JammuSrinagar highwayIn the Valley authorities started preventive evacuation of people from floodaffected areas of Kulgam Anantnag Pulwama and Srinagar districts moving them to relief shelters while many residents of these areas preferred to move to the houses of their relatives located at safer locationsThere had been no rainfall in the Valley during the last 24 hours and the water level in all rivers and streams started receding this morning All educational institutions including schools colleges and universities have been closed by the authorities for the day as a preventive measureThe Meteorological MeT department has forecast improvement in the overall weather situation throughout the union territory from Thursday onwards IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-wreaks-havoc-in-jammu-weather-likely-to-improve-today-636318.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-govt-to-provide-rs-2-lakh-compensation-in-heatwave-death-cases-636392.html Kolkata Sep 4 The West Bengal government has listed heatwave deaths as a natural disaster and will provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the affected family This decision was taken in a recent meeting of the State Executive Committee said sources in the state secretariat on ThursdayIn the last few years several deaths due to heatstroke were reported across the state The deaths were reported from districts including western districts of Purulia Bankura West Midnapore Jhargram West Burdwan and Birbhum which witness heatwave or heatwave conditions during summerThe government officials took notice of such incidents and started thinking about this said the sources In August state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held a meeting on this It is reported that in that meeting it was decided to provide financial assistance in case of death due to heatstroke as a result of a heatwaveThe government will soon be issuing a formal notification in this regard said the sourcesIn case of a death due to the heatwave a postmortem report will be mandatory to get financial assistance Once it is established that the person died due to heatstroke then only the family will receive the compensationThe money will be released only after verifying the cause of the deathAccording to a government official declaring heatwave deaths as natural disasters will now make it possible to provide this compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF About 10 per cent of the annual allocation of the SDRF can be used to provide compensation to the families of those who died in natural disasters the official addedIt may be noted that the state government till now provides compensation of Rs 2 lakh in cases of death due to lightning strike accidental fire boat capsizing falling trees and wall collapse of a houseFrom now on the state government declared 14 incidents including heatwave river erosion heavy rain wild animal attack death due to electrocution forest fire death due to venomous animal bite or animal attack as natural disasters IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bengal-govt-to-provide-rs-2-lakh-compensation-in-heatwave-death-cases-636392.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-drenched-heavy-downpour-brings-relief-from-heat-but-city-chokes-on-traffic-snarls-636178.html New Delhi Sep 3 IANS The monsoon has returned to DelhiNCR with full force on Wednesday drenching the region in heavy showers and disrupting peoples routinenbspThe India Meteorological Department IMD had sounded a yellow alert for Tuesday and the skies did not disappoint By afternoon dark clouds gathered and unleashed a spell of rain that cooled the air washed the city clean and at the same time threw traffic out of gearnbspWhile the downpour provided muchneeded respite from the muggy heat it also led to waterlogging in several areas turning the daily commute into a nightmareIt usually takes me 40 minutes to reach my office in Noida but today I was stuck for almost two hours said a harried Ghaziabad residentnbspAnother commuter from South Delhi who travels to Noida for work admitted to being caught off guard The sky looked clear when I left but midway it started pouring By the time I reached Noida I was drenched to the bonenbspAccording to IMD DelhiNCR is likely to witness a wet spell for the next week Similar conditions are forecast for September 4 and 5Rains accompanied by thunder may continue on September 6 and 7 as well while September 8 is likely to see a cloudy sky During this period temperatures are expected to hover between 2324 degrees Celsius minimum and 3234 degrees C maximumnbspInterestingly the rain has also brought a dramatic improvement in air quality With dust and pollutants washed away monitoring stations across the capital recorded AQI levels in the good to very good rangeAyyanagar stood at 37 Bawana at 39 Mundka at 35 and Narela at 44nbspHowever some pockets such as Jahangirpuri AQI 108 and North Campus AQI 197 remained in the moderate to poor categorynbspNoida however reported good AQI levels at 4748 in several sectorsnbspThe showers have pulled the maximum temperature down to around 3334 degrees C while the minimum has dipped to 2324 degrees C https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-drenched-heavy-downpour-brings-relief-from-heat-but-city-chokes-on-traffic-snarls-636178.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ambala-cantonment-on-alert-after-increased-water-flow-in-tangri-river-636187.html Chandigarh Sep 3 IANS Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that the Ambala Cantonment administration has been placed on high alert following increased water flow in the Tangri rivernbspnbspThe State Disaster Response Force SDRF has been called in and direction has been issued to the Deputy Commissioner for coordinating with the Army to remain on standbynbspResponding to media queries regarding heavy rainfall waterlogging and drainage in Ambala Minister Vij said that senior officials including the SDM of the cantonment and the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council have been inspecting vulnerable areasDue to continuous rainfall blockages often occur under culverts and steps are being taken to clear them immediatelynbspHe said that all councillors and officials formed teams early this morning and have been visiting their respective wards from 6 am onwards to assess conditions and ensure swift remedial actionnbspMinister Vij further stated that the government had earlier constructed an eightkmlong permanent embankment on the Tangri River which is today providing safety to Ambala CantonmentRecently when the river carried a flow of 38000 cusecs the embankment protected the cantonment area he assertednbspThe minister said that damage occurred only to those who had constructed houses within the riverbed of TangrinbspDespite repeated warnings to vacate some people did not complynbspLater they were rescued with the help of the State Disaster Response Force and the administration using boats and arrangements were made for their accommodation and foodHe added that voluntary organisations have also been engaged to provide meals in the affected areas Haryana has recorded its highest cumulative monsoon rainfall in 27 years From June 1 to September 2 the state has received 4984 mm of rainfall against a normal of 3573 mm 39 per cent above averagenbspThe government has directed all field officers to remain at their headquarters till September 5 with no leave allowed without clearance from the Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary Home https://dailyworld.in/environment/ambala-cantonment-on-alert-after-increased-water-flow-in-tangri-river-636187.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-flood-threat-in-odisha-says-water-resources-department-636192.html Bhubaneswar Sep 3 Amid heavy rainfall triggered by a lowpressure system across Odisha the state government on Wednesday ruled out any immediate flood threats in the state Speaking to the media Chandra Sekhar Padhi EngineerinChief of the State Water Resources Department clarified that despite the lowpressureinduced incessant rainfall there is no flood threat in the stateAll the major rivers in the state are flowing below danger marks he saidThe wellmarked lowpressure area formed over the Northwest Bay of Bengal triggered heavy rainfall across the stateThe India Meteorological Department on Wednesday predicted that the system is likely to move westnorthwestwards across north Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand north Chhattisgarh during the next 24 hoursThe weather agency issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over the districts of Puri Khurda Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack till Thursday morningSimilarly the IMD has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall at many places in districts such as Bhadrak Jajpur Keonjhar Mayurbhanj Angul Dhenkanal Nayagarh Ganjam Gajapati Boudh Kandhamal Malkangiri Koraput Sundargarh Balasore Kendrapara etc throughout the state till Thursday morningThe IMD has also issued a heavy rainfall alert for several districts of the state for the next four daysIt further revealed that heavy to very heavy rainfall has occurred at one or two places over the Bolangir Nayagarh Koraput and Keonjhar districts of Odisha during the last 24 hoursMeanwhile owing to swollen rivers many villages across Kendrapara Balasore Jajpur Bhadrak and nearby districts continue to be surrounded by stormwater The agricultural fields are also submerged causing huge crop losses in Odisha especially in the northern part of the stateThe state government had earlier assured to provide adequate financial compensation to residents as well as farmers in floodhit areas of the state for the damage to houses and crops IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-flood-threat-in-odisha-says-water-resources-department-636192.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/madhya-pradesh-nbhm-boosts-scientific-beekeeping-paves-way-for-self-reliance-of-neemuch-youths-636213.html Neemuch Sep 3 Beekeeping once considered a supplementary activity is now turning into a promising industry for farmers and entrepreneurs across India With the launch of the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission NBHM in 201920 under the SelfReliant India Scheme the government aims to promote the Sweet Revolution increase agriculturalhorticultural productivity create employment and empower rural communities particularly women In Neemuch Madhya Pradesh this mission has gained significant momentum A twoday districtlevel seminar and training programme was organised on September 3 and 4 2025 at the Neemuch Town Hall under the joint aegis of the Department of Horticulture and Krishi Vigyan Kendra The programme brought together farmers beekeepers entrepreneurs and enthusiastic youth to learn the nuances of scientific beekeeping honey production marketing strategies and government support mechanismsExperienced scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra technical experts regional officials and progressive beekeepers conducted the sessions Participants received detailed insights into modern beekeeping techniques methods for producing highquality honey disease management and opportunities for tapping into global markets Demonstrations on bee breeding hive management and honey extraction also formed part of the trainingThe programme witnessed active participation from key dignitaries including Neemuch MLA Dilip Singh Parihar Jawad MLA Omprakash Saklecha and Deputy Director of Horticulture Atar Singh Kannauji along with hundreds of farmers and agricultural entrepreneursThis initiative is an important step towards promoting scientific beekeeping and encouraging youth to take up enterprises that can make them selfreliant said officialsAddressing the gathering Neemuch MLA Dilip Singh Parihar emphasised the alignment of the initiative with the Prime Ministers vision Through this workshop farmers are being given the tools to fulfil the dream of doubling their income Both the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav want farmers to prosper Today farmers are not only supported through schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi but also provided essential infrastructure such as roads electricity water and fertilisers Beekeeping is an innovative way to ensure additional income through honey productionAtar Singh Kannauji Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department underlined the schemes impactUnder NBHM youth are being trained not only in honey production but also in how to establish enterprises after extraction From which species of bees to rear to the techniques of processing and packaging everything is being explained by experts The aim is to strengthen the farmers economic condition and ensure sustainable livelihoodsThe programme also showcased inspiring success stories Anil Dhakad a mechanical engineerturnedentrepreneur shared his journey I availed a loan of Rs 15 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana with 35 per cent subsidy With this I established a honey production and packaging unit in my village Kelukheda Earlier we used to sell raw honey directly to companies with minimal profit Now we market honey under our own brand offering 25 to 30 varieties The business has provided employment to many villagers I am grateful to the government because schemes like this turned my dream into realityFarmers attending the workshop expressed optimismPrabhu Lal a participant said This training taught us the complete process of rearing bees and extracting honey Listening to successful beekeepers like Anil Dhakad has motivated us Many farmers are now realising that beekeeping can significantly add to their incomeThe event highlighted not only technical knowledge but also the importance of marketing strategies and branding for honey products ensuring that farmers and entrepreneurs capture better value for their produceNBHM aims for the overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of Sweet Revolution which is being implemented through the National Bee Board NBBThe main objective of NBHM is to promote holistic growth of beekeeping industry for income and employment generation for farm and nonfarm households to enhance agriculturehorticulture production developing infrastructural facilities including setting up of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre IBDCsCoE honey testing labs bee disease diagnostic labs custom hiring centres Apitherapy centres nucleus stock bee breeders etc and empowerment of women through beekeeping IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/madhya-pradesh-nbhm-boosts-scientific-beekeeping-paves-way-for-self-reliance-of-neemuch-youths-636213.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/viksit-krishi-sankalp-campaign-in-kerala-to-focus-on-climate-smart-advisories-636218.html Kochi Sep 3 The upcoming Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan VKSA of the Union Ministry of Agriculture will focus on districtspecific climatesmart advisories and farmercentric innovations in Kerala The campaign will be held from October 3 to October 18 across 14 districts in KeralaClimatesmart advisories would help farmers to adopt precautionary measures in water management pest and disease surveillance soil health maintenance and developing bioinputs in agriculture animal husbandry and fisheries sectors experts said at a statelevel webinar held by ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI on Wednesday for preparing a road map for the campaignApart from climate induced adversities increasing attack of wild boars in farms is posing serious threat to the agriculture sector and dependent livelihood in the state the webinar observedRepresentatives from Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare state departments of agriculture fisheries animal husbandry and dairy development ICAR research institutes including Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI Kerala Agriculture University Veterinary University Fisheries University and Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the webinarThe roadmap focuses on diversification of crops across sectors development of robust technology system and collaboration among various agenciesThe campaign will bring together agricultural scientists government officials subject matter specialists and resource managers in addressing issues and challenges faced by farmers in the stateIt also aims to popularise government schemes disseminate commercially viable technologies identify researchable issues and document farmer innovationsAgricultural and allied enterprises in the state such as plantation crops food crops fisheries animal husbandry and dairying will be expected to benefit from this twoweek long campaignSpeaking at the webinar Dr Grinson George Director of CMFRI and Nodal Officer of VKSA for Kerala said the primary objective of the campaign is to create awareness about innovative technologies and identify researchable issues from the field directlyA collaborative effort this campaign will have scientific expertise from ICAR research institutes coordination from various state departments technical support from state agricultural universities and leadership at the district level from KVKs IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/viksit-krishi-sankalp-campaign-in-kerala-to-focus-on-climate-smart-advisories-636218.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-flooding-in-delhi-relief-camps-set-up-in-affected-areas-636285.html New Delhi Sep 3 Yamuna Rivers water level in Delhi rose to 20741 metres at 9 PM on Wednesday marking the thirdhighest level ever recorded in the capital The rising water has triggered massive flooding across several lowlying areas along the riverbanks severely impacting both residential and commercial localities According to officials this level is only slightly lower than the historic highs of 20866 metres in 2023 and 20749 metres in 1978 Forecasts suggest that the river may rise further to 20748 metres by 8 AM on September 4 A slight decline is expected after that but the situation remains precariousMore than 14000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas so far officials confirmed as rescue and relief operations continue Several parts of the national capital including Yamuna Bazar Geeta Colony Majnu Ka Tila Kashmiri Gate Garhi Mandu and Mayur Vihar are already submergedRelief camps have been set up in ITO Geeta Colony and Mayur Vihar offering shelter food and medical aid to affected residentsMeanwhile the Delhi civic authorities have directed the public health department to spray insecticides to prevent the outbreak of mosquitoborne diseases in the relief zonesFloodwaters have inundated key roads and landmarks The Outer Ring Road has seen severe disruptions with the stretch from ITO to Ring Road now rendered impassable Authorities have also shut down Vasudev Ghat Monastery Market and the Old Delhi Railway Bridge due to rising water levels and safety concernsThe situation turned more alarming as floodwater began entering the Nigambodh Ghat Delhis oldest and busiest cremation groundThe primary reason for the rise is the continuous release of high volumes of water from the Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages officials said The Central Flood Control Room stated that monitoring efforts are underway in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department especially regarding the Okhla Barrage where higher discharge is being allowed to ensure smooth water outflow from the capitalDistricts most prone to flooding include North North East Shahdara East Central and South East Delhi according to officialsWith water levels predicted to rise marginally by Monday morning residents in vulnerable areas are being urged to stay alert follow evacuation orders and avoid lowlying regions Civic agencies continue to work around the clock to mitigate damage provide aid and ensure public safety as Delhi battles one of its worst floods in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-flooding-in-delhi-relief-camps-set-up-in-affected-areas-636285.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/equipping-indias-workforce-with-green-skills-will-be-critical-expert--636287.html New Delhi Sep 3 Equipping Indias workforce with green skills will be critical for meeting the twin challenges of economic growth and climate action said experts at a highlevel plenary on Skilling for a Green Future on the second day of WRI Indias annual flagship event Connect Karo 2025 on Wednesday The session highlighted that while India has made significant progress in strengthening its skilling ecosystem the rapid expansion of clean energy sustainable manufacturing and resourceefficient practices now calls for urgent reforms in training and workforce development Speakers emphasised that the transition to a lowcarbon economy could create millions of jobs but workers must be trained in line with the demands of emerging sectors Madhav Pai CEO WRI India said India aims to create 34 million jobs in the green sector by 2030 To meet this demand we must adopt an identifytrainrecruit approach to skilling Publicprivate partnership models are key and the private sector must play a deeper role in workforce development Above all the skilling transition has to be inclusive and just ensuring that vulnerable communities also benefit from the opportunities of a green economy Expanding the discussion Shashishekhar Pandit Chairman and Cofounder KPIT Technologies underlined the global context of shifting jobs and the need to rethink economic growth models He said We are witnessing both a shift and a shrinkage in jobs Manufacturing jobs are moving geographically while technological change is shrinking traditional roles With AI many more jobs will soon come into question At the same time our current economic model is exploitative forests are being destroyed plastic is filling our oceans and our air and rivers are polluted We need to fundamentally shift towards a sustainable model that creates value without destroying the environment Arpit Sharma CEO Skill Council for Green Jobs further said India has set a target of reducing one billion tons of carbon emissions by 2030 which is also leading to the creation of a large number of green jobs To meet this demand we are revamping existing curricula designing new ones and preparing certificate training programs to make the workforce ready for green jobs in an evolving industry landscape While we draw on international best practices we are tailoring the curricula and training to suit the local context Connect Karo 2025 brought together leaders committed to critical issues related to sustainable cities clean energy food land and water and climate action and finance The twoday convening hosted more than 150 thought leaders experts academics scientists and civil society members to discuss the most urgent development and environmental challenges of our times Speaking at a session on Shift Transport Datadriven DecisionMaking for Indias Urban Mobility at Connect Karo Kailash Gahlot member of the Delhi legislative Assembly said The biggest hurdle in mobility today is the debate around fare box collection and cost recovery When we talk about mobility we cannot focus only on how much money is recovered We dont call hospitals or schools lossmaking institutions our mindset has to change He further said Public transport must be seen as a social investment with wideranging benefits not as a revenuegenerating scheme Any city or country with a strong transport system attracts investments and drives both social and economic development Joining the same session virtually Tejasvi Surya member of the Lok Sabha said For too long we have prioritised vehicles over moving people Our cities need peoplecentric infrastructure and a shift towards datadriven decisionmaking Strengthening governance in urban local bodies and building capacity in our corporations is critical The only sustainable solution to traffic congestion is investing in more public transport not building more roads Pawan Mulukutla Executive Program Director Integrated Transport Clean Air and Hydrogen at WRI India said To make urban mobility truly seamless and integrated we need a robust framework that looks at transport economics with demand supply and performance indicators Equally critical is mandating the collection of household travel data across all cities Only then can transport planning be evidencebased inclusive of diverse user needs and guided by a spatialtemporal approach to effectively address urban mobility challenges In a fireside chat G Mathivathanan Director General State Administrative Training Institute and Head Centre for Good Governance Government of Odisha emphasised institutionalising innovation He said Transformation in urban governance is possible only through innovation and innovation must be tested validated scaled and finally institutionalised so that it outlasts individual leaders or teams IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/equipping-indias-workforce-with-green-skills-will-be-critical-expert--636287.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mp-set-to-offer-tourists-an-experience-long-awaited-at-kuno-and-gandhisagar-636063.html Bhopal Sep 2 To take ecotourism and adventure tourism to new heights Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board MPTB announced two significant events for this year These two big events are the Gandhisagar Forest Retreat will begin from September 12 at Gandhisagar Dam in Mandsaur district and the Kuno Forest Retreat which will commence from October 5 near Kuno National Park in Sheopur district Both Gandhisagar and Kuno have emerged as hubs of ecotourism and adventure tourism While Gandhisagar Forest Retreat is aimed at placing Madhya Pradesh firmly on the map of adventure tourism Kuno Forest Retreat is envisioned as a hub for wellness and wildlife tourism With this Kuno National Park KNP which witnessed the historic reintroduction of cheetahs is now set to present a unique blend of ecotourism and cultural heritage The retreat will redefine tourism with a strong focus on environmental protection and community participation These events will not only attract tourists from across India and abroad but also create employment opportunities for local communities Managing Director of MPTB Sheo Shekhar Shukla said in a press conference on Tuesday Shukla who is also Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Culture in the Madhya Pradesh government told IANS that both these events have been designed to ensure that along with tourism environmental conservation community participation and sustainable development remain top priorities Visitors will enjoy highquality fully equipped glamping and indulge in water land and aerial adventure activities including parasailing paramotoring jet skiing hot air ballooning jungle safari night walks and stargazing Shukla said Along with the allseason tent city boat safari boat spa yoga and wellness sessions local cuisines handicraft displays and cultural performances will connect tourists closely with the culture and lifestyle of Madhya Pradesh The initiative not only aims to establish Madhya Pradesh tourism at the national and international level but will also boost the regional economy and create new local employment opportunities Shukla added He further stated that promoting nature and adventure tourism will increase the inflow of thrillseeking tourists while preserving culture and traditions It will also instil awareness among the younger generation about the states heritage and natural wealth Shukla said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mp-set-to-offer-tourists-an-experience-long-awaited-at-kuno-and-gandhisagar-636063.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-cannot-be-delegate-adjudicatory-functions-to-expert-committees-sc-635910.html New Delhi Sep 2 IANS The Supreme Court has reiterated that the adjudicatory functions of the National Green Tribunal NGT cannot be delegated to committees even if they are expert bodiesnbspThe adjudicatory functions of NGT cannot be assigned to committees even expert committees The decisions have to be that of NGT observed a Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan in a recent judgementnbspThe green tribunal has been constituted as an expert adjudicatory authority under the statute and therefore the discharge of its functions cannot be obviated by tasking committees to carry out a function which vests in the NGT it addedThe Justice Misraled Bench was dealing with a plea filed by a sugar manufacturing company based in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar which had challenged an NGT order imposing an environmental compensation of Rs 18 crore on itnbspThe green tribunal had based its decision on a detailed inspection report submitted by a joint committee comprising the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board UPPCB and the District Magistrate of MuzaffarnagarIn its judgement the apex court said that the NGT had abdicated its jurisdiction by entrusting judicial function to an administrative expert committeenbspWhile acknowledging the utility of expert bodies the Justice Misraled Bench clarified that their role must remain limited to assisting the NGTnbspAn expert committee may be able to assist NGT for instance by carrying out a factfinding exercise but the adjudication has to be by NGT it saidnbspFurther it said that the green tribunal being a judicial body must strictly adhere to statutory procedures and principles of natural justice while discharging its functionsNGT exercises judicial functions Therefore it is all the more necessary for the NGT to adhere to a fair procedure which is statutorily laid down of which principles of natural justice are an inalienable part the bench observednbspIt clarified that the flexibility granted under Section 191 of the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 pertains only to the procedure adopted by the green tribunal and cannot be stretched to overlook mandatory provisions provided under other lawsIt NGT cannot abandon the statutory procedure laid down under Sections 21 and 22 of the Water Act and base its decisions on the recommendation of such an administrative committee This is not within the remit of NGT the Supreme Court saidnbspUltimately the Justice Misraled Bench quashed the impugned decision of the NGT citing violations of natural justice and procedural lapses most notably the petitioner company had not been given an opportunity to respond or participate in the proceedingsIn December last year a bench of then Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan stressed that the green body is required to arrive at its decision by fully considering the facts and circumstances of the case and cannot adjudicate solely on the basis of an expert committee report It had flagged the approach of the NGT in deciding the matter without impleading an affected party and passing its decision on an outsourced opinion of the experts https://dailyworld.in/environment/ngt-cannot-be-delegate-adjudicatory-functions-to-expert-committees-sc-635910.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cauvery-flow-lifts-storage-in-delta-tanks-farmers-hopeful-for-samba-crop-635956.html Chennai Sep 2 Thanks to steady Cauvery water inflow and a favourable southwest monsoon in neighbouring states nearly twothirds of the 737 system tanks in Tamil Nadus delta districts have recorded more than 50 per cent storage a sharp improvement from last year when fewer than onethird of the tanks had reached that level The four key delta districts Thanjavur Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai and Pudukkottai depend heavily on these tanks most of which are located in tailend areas crucial for irrigationOf the total 737 system tanks Thanjavur alone accounts for 537 followed by Pudukkottai with 170 Tiruvarur with 28 and Mayiladuthurai with twoIn Thanjavur considered the heart of the Cauvery delta 38 tanks have already reached full capacity compared to just 19 last yearAnother 113 tanks hold between 75 per cent and 100 per cent of their capacity while 184 are in the 50 per cent 70 per cent rangePudukkottai with its 170 tanks has one at full capacity 62 filled to between 75 per cent and 100 per cent and another 62 in the 50 per cent 75 per cent rangeOfficials said the overall picture is far brighter than last year and pointed out that the situation is expected to improve further during the northeast monsoonAccording to a senior Water Resources Department WRD official the steady discharge through the Grand Anicut and Vennaru rivers has boosted storage in most tanksA key factor he noted was the timely release of water from the Mettur dam on June 12 unlike last years delayed opening on July 28 The dam has already touched full reservoir level four times this season supported by surplus flows from Karnataka while normal southwest monsoon rainfall in Thanjavur further strengthened inflowsFor farmers across the delta the improved storage has come as a major reliefThe tanks in villages around Pattukkottai and Peravurani in Thanjavur and Nagudi in Pudukkottai have good water storage this year Samba paddy cultivation which depends on tank water will greatly benefit said a farmer from Pallathur in ThanjavurOfficials expressed confidence that with the northeast monsoon due in October most of the system tanks will attain full capacity ensuring water security for samba cultivation and bringing cheer to the farming community IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/cauvery-flow-lifts-storage-in-delta-tanks-farmers-hopeful-for-samba-crop-635956.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-breathes-like-the-hills-rains-gift-capital-its-cleanest-air-in-months-635959.html New Delhi Sep 2 IANS For a change Delhis lungs feel lighter After days of incessant rain residents of DelhiNCR are soaking in air so fresh that it has reminded many of a holiday in the hillsnbspThe capital notorious for its choking smog in winter has suddenly found itself breathing easy thanks to continuous showersnbspOn most days the city struggles with an Air Quality Index AQI hovering between 200 and 300 often slipping into the poor or even very poor category But on Tuesday morning monitoring stations reported a different picture AQI levels between 25 and 60 in the excellent categoryDelhis Anand Vihar clocked 66 while DUs North Campus saw 55 IGI Airport and Nehru Nagar matched at 53nbspThe national capitals traditionally polluted areas were recording numbers one could hardly believe Najafgarh 43 Okhla 34 Majnu Ka Tila 39 and Punjabi Bagh 42nbspGhaziabad too breathed cleaner air with Sanjay Nagar at 38 Indirapuram at 41 and Vasundhara at 39 Loni stood at a moderate but still respectable 51 And in Noidas Sector1 the AQI dropped to just 25 a figure rarely seen in the NCRResidents have welcomed the respite with joy It feels like Mussoorie has shifted to Delhi a Noida resident told IANS adding that for the first time in months she could sit on her balcony and breathe in the cleanest airnbspA South Delhi resident speaking to IANS said Its a big relief for our lungs but how long it continues like this remains to be seennbspAcross neighbourhoods ACs and coolers have been switched off windows thrown open and people are stepping outdoors simply to enjoy the airThe rains have also brought relief from heat and humidity On September 2 Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 30 degrees CnbspAccording to the Meteorological Department intermittent rain and thundershowers will continue for the next four to five days keeping temperatures pleasant with highs around 33 degrees C and lows between 23 and 24 degrees CelsiusnbspSeptember 7 may bring cloudy skies but for now DelhiNCR is relishing this rare mix of cool breezes washed skies and pure breathable airnbsp https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-breathes-like-the-hills-rains-gift-capital-its-cleanest-air-in-months-635959.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-growth-story-guided-by-green-principles-environment-minister-yadav-635968.html New Delhi Sep 2 Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday that Indias model of development is deeply rooted in balancing economic progress with ecological stewardship Addressing the 20th Global Sustainability Summit Yadav said Sustainability should not be considered as a goal or an objective I believe it is a lifestyle choice an evolving commitment to be resilient regenerative and responsibleThe Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Environment Ministry has recently issued very critical notifications with the aim of building a sustainable futureYadav also pointed to the prevailing global trade tensions policy uncertainties geopolitical conflicts and barriers to global financial investments by major economies collectively create a fragile environmentThe Minister called upon all countries to make sustainability foundational to growth by embracing economywide solutions that encompass circular economy models nature positive actions green manufacturing and advancing behaviour change for responsible practicesYadav said that on August 29 the government notified the Environment Audit Rules 2025 which create a formal framework for environmental auditing across the countryThe rules establish a twotiered system of auditors and set up a dedicated agency to transparently oversee the process said a statementThese rules are designed to supplement the existing monitoring and inspection framework of the government not to replace it Yadav statedThe Minister said the notification of a revised methodology for the Green Credit Programme was also issued on August 29Originally launched in October 2023 to encourage voluntary environmental action the programme has now been strengthened with provisions that allow direct participation by private entities establish minimum restoration commitments mobilise private capital for climate action and utilise Earned Green CreditsThe revised methodology ensures that the Green Credit Programme becomes a catalyst for meaningful ecorestoration the Minister explainedYadav highlighted that on August 31 the Ministry amended the Forest Conservation and Augmentation Rules 2023 to facilitate the objectives of achieving selfreliance in the Critical Mineral sector under the newly launched National Critical Mineral Mission 2025Under this mission 24 minerals have been identified as critical and strategic and 29 others have been recognised as important for strengthening the countrys economy and national security he saidThe amended rules simplify the approval process for mining these minerals in forest areas for both public and private entities he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-growth-story-guided-by-green-principles-environment-minister-yadav-635968.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-floods-damage-crops-over-236-lakh-acres-635814.html Hyderabad Sep 1 The recent heavy rains and floods in parts of Telangana damaged roads to a length of 1023 kilometres and resulted in crop loss over 236 lakh acres The officials informed the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during a review meeting here on MondayThe Chief Minister ordered the officials to expedite the repairs of the damaged roads buildings breached ponds and water bodies and the reconstruction of the submerged electric substationAccording to the Chief Ministers Office he expressed anger at the officials for their neglect in utilising the State Disaster Relief Fund SDRF funds as per the rulesThe officials briefed the CM that 257 streams and ponds were damaged The CM enquired the authorities about the neglect of the Minor Irrigation Department and suggested that the damaged water bodies should be restored by utilising the funds from RRR Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanchai Yojana and other centrally sponsored schemesState Agriculture department officials briefed the Chief Minister that the crop loss has occurred in 236 lakh acres in 82 mandals of the stateThe officials were ordered to submit complete details within two days to bring to the centres attention the severity of the problem State RampB Panchayat Raj Drinking Water Supply and Animal Husbandry departments were also ordered to prepare comprehensive reports and submit them within two daysHe enquired about the lack of assistance from the Centre despite heavy losses in the floodaffected Khammam and Warangal districts last yearThe Chief Minister instructed the officials to submit a detailed report on the promises made by the Centre which were not fulfilled last year pending the release of central funds damages and the extent of losses incurredA team led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will submit the two reports to the Union Ministers in Delhi on September 4The CM spoke to the Collectors of Kamareddy Adilabad Rajanna Siricilla and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts and enquired about the conditions after heavy rain The officials were ordered to take up the relief works expeditiously and also release the relief materials immediatelyReviewing the utilisation of the disaster funds CM Revanth Reddy directed all departments to utilise the SDRF funds properly and submit utilisation certificates UC in a timebound mannerThe Chief Minister congratulated the SDRF forces for their quick response to disasters and for providing better services during the floods The CM expressed satisfaction over the rescue of 217 people by the SDRF personnel who participated in 42 operations during the heavy rains The CM also instructed the State Director General of Fire and Disaster Response Nagireddy to provide better training and skills to the SDRF personnel The Chief Secretary was also instructed to immediately deploy the required officers and staff to the Disaster Management DepartmentCM Revanth Reddy observed that changing weather conditions posed a big risk of untimely heavy rains and floods in the future The CM emphasised that the Collectors and SPs of all districts should be on alert and go to the fields during the disasters and monitor the relief measuresIt was decided that Rs 10 crore will be released to the collectors under the contingent fund for works in the districts which have been severely affected by the rains Rs 5 crore will be released to the collectors of the districts which suffered minor losses IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-floods-damage-crops-over-236-lakh-acres-635814.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-puducherry-brace-for-rain-and-strong-winds-imd-warning-for-coastal-areas-635834.html Chennai Sep 2 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai has forecast the formation of a lowpressure area over the north Bay of Bengal in the coming days a development that is expected to influence weather patterns across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and adjoining regions According to the RMC changes in wind patterns are likely to bring light to moderate rain to isolated places in northern and southern Tamil Nadu as well as Puducherry and Karaikal areasThunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are also expected in some districts The weather office has further cautioned that maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry could rise by up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal levels over the next five daysModerate rainfall is forecast in parts of the state until September 7In Chennai and its suburbs skies are likely to remain partly cloudy The city may experience light to moderate rain with thunderstorms at isolated locationsThe maximum temperature is expected to hover between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius while the minimum will likely range between 26 and 27 degreesMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a warning for coastal and marine areas Strong winds with speeds of 45 to 55 kmph gusting up to 65 kmph at times are likely to prevail over the central and southwest Arabian Sea adjoining southeast Arabian Sea KonkanGoaKarnataka coast LakshadweepMaldives region and nearby areasFishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into these seas during the forecast period due to rough conditionsThe IMD stressed that the evolving lowpressure system over the Bay of Bengal will be closely monitored as its intensification could alter rainfall distribution in southern statesLocalised heavy spells cannot be ruled out an official noted adding that contingency measures have been communicated to district administrationsWith September marking the active phase of the northeast monsoon buildup weather experts say the system could play a crucial role in replenishing water bodies in parts of Tamil Nadu However they also warned that rising temperatures coupled with thunderstorms may cause short bursts of intense rain leading to waterlogging in urban pockets such as Chennai IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-puducherry-brace-for-rain-and-strong-winds-imd-warning-for-coastal-areas-635834.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/thunderstorms-with-heavy-rain-warning-for-south-bengal-fishermen-advised-to-avoid-sea-635851.html Kolkata Sep 2 A powerful squall front swept across south Bengal districts including Kolkata bringing torrential rain lightning and gusty winds Incessant rain accompanied by thunderstorms was reported from several areas in South Bengal since Monday nightThe system is likely to remain effective for another 12 hours said the Meteorological MeT Department As a result heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in the next 12 hours in the south Bengal districts especially in Kolkata Howrah and Hooghly Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea from Tuesday to ThursdayA squall front is a convergence zone where massive cumulonimbus clouds form in a linear pattern triggered by the collision of easterly and westerly winds Such fronts often result in heavy downpours thunderstorms microbursts and cloudburstsAccording to meteorologists a squall front forms within a very short period As a result darkness suddenly descends and conditions are created for lightning heavy storms and rainOn Monday night the MeT Department issued a red alert for severe thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by intense rain for Howrah Hooghly and KolkataA cyclonic circulation is present over the Bay of Bengal near the Myanmar coast Due to its influence a lowpressure area will form in the sea within the next 24 hours The monsoon axis has shifted again in the state It extends over Digha to the northeast Bay of Bengal Due to this there is a possibility of heavy rain in some areas of South Bengal The sea will remain rough due to the influence of the lowpressure area said a MeT Department official As a result rain will intensify over South Bengal from Tuesday onwardsRain will continue in North Bengal as well There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in some northern districts till next Sunday Light to moderate rainfall is likely in all the remaining districts said the MeT officialsThe maximum temperature in Kolkata on Monday was 342 degrees Celsius 17 degrees above normal The minimum temperature was 282 degrees Celsius 16 degrees above normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/thunderstorms-with-heavy-rain-warning-for-south-bengal-fishermen-advised-to-avoid-sea-635851.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-mettur-dam-touches-full-reservoir-level-for-6th-time-in-2025-flood-alert-issued-635864.html Chennai Sep 2 The Mettur dam Tamil Nadus lifeline on the Cauvery has once again reached its full reservoir level FRL of 120 feet marking the sixth such occasion this year Officials confirmed the development on Tuesday morning following a sharp surge in inflow from the rivers catchment areas in Karnataka With the reservoir brimming water discharge from the dam has been increased from 22500 cubic feet per second cusecs to 35000 cusecs Of this 22500 cusecs are being released through the dams main power house and the tunnel power house 800 cusecs through the canal and the remaining 12500 cusecs through the Ellis SaddleAuthorities have sounded a flood alert to residents of villages situated along the downstream banks of the Cauvery Announcements are being made through the public address system to ensure precautionary measuresThis is the sixth time the Mettur has touched its FRL this year with previous instances recorded on June 29 July 5 July 20 July 25 and August 20By comparison the dam filled to capacity only three times in 2024The latest surge came after consistent rainfall in the Cauvery basin with inflow rising from 9828 cusecs on August 27 to 35800 cusecs by 8 am on TuesdayCommissioned in 1934 the Mettur dam is the largest in Tamil Nadu and a crucial reservoir for the states agrarian economy It irrigates nearly 18 lakh acres across 12 districts including Salem Namakkal Erode Karur Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur Tiruvarur and NagapattinamKnown as the granary of South India the Cauvery deltas paddy cultivation is heavily dependent on timely releases from the MetturWater from the reservoir also supports cash crops such as sugarcane and turmeric while providing drinking water to several towns and ensuring power generationFarmers associations have welcomed the steady storage levels this year saying they provide confidence for the samba paddy crop which begins in September However officials have urged people in lowlying downstream areas to remain cautious as high releases are expected to continue until the inflow subsidesThe Mettur dams repeated filling this year highlights both the generosity of the monsoon and the challenges of balancing irrigation needs with flood management in Tamil Nadus heartland IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-mettur-dam-touches-full-reservoir-level-for-6th-time-in-2025-flood-alert-issued-635864.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-alert-in-delhi-after-water-released-from-hathni-kund-in-haryana-635712.html New Delhi Sep 1 IANS The Delhi governments Central Flood Control Room on Monday issued a flood warning after the discharge of 329 lakh cusecs of water from the Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana in the morning at around 9 AM an official saidnbspThe official said water released from upstream barrages typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi but the situation is being closely monitored and all the agencies concerned have been asked to take precautionary measures to handle a floodlike situationThe flood warning issued by Executive Engineer Shiv Kumar incharge of the control room said The water level of Old Railway Bridge may cross the danger level and is likely to exceed 20650 metres So all the Sector Officers are hereby advised to keep a strict vigil in their respective areas and to take necessary action at vulnerable points such as people residing within the river embankments shall be warned and shifted to safer placesThe flood warning said The police and the staff of Irrigation and Flood Control Department would undertake patrolling along right and left marginal embankments and keep vigil roundtheclock on the vulnerable points regulatorspumps as requirednbspThe warning also listed the benchmarks at Old Railway Bridge which include Warning level 20450 metres Danger Level 20533 metres and Highest Flood Level observed on July 13 2023 at 20866 metresAn Apex Committee has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to recommend supervise and coordinate flood control measures in the National Capital Territory of DelhinbspA Central Flood Control Room has also been established to assist the Apex Committee and it will function round the clock at LM Bund Shastri Nagar till October 15 or till monsoon withdrawsnbspEarlier CM Gupta inspected several floodprone stretches along the Yamuna including Asita Ghat Yamuna Chhath Ghat Regulator No 12 the East Delhi DM office and the Central Flood Control RoomAccompanied by Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma and senior officials she assured that a comprehensive floodpreparedness plan has been activatednbspThe Chief Minister said relief and rescue teams are deployed with full alertness so that every situation can be dealt withnbspI want to assure the people of Delhi that the government stands with you at every step she said https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-alert-in-delhi-after-water-released-from-hathni-kund-in-haryana-635712.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rains-lash-delhi-ncr-temperature-dips-traffic-snarls-reported-in-several-areas-635737.html New Delhi Sep 1 The weather in DelhiNCR changed dramatically on Monday as overcast skies gave way to spells of rain and gusty winds across the region bringing muchneeded respite from the heat and humidity By afternoon several parts of Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram and Delhi received heavy showers accompanied by strong winds leading to a sharp drop in temperatureAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the maximum temperature on Monday was recorded several degrees below normal for this time of the yearMany residents said they felt an unusual September chill as cool winds swept through the regionThe IMD had earlier issued a yellow alert for September 1 warning of rain thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds in the afternoon and evening The forecast proved accurate with heavy rainfall turning the skies dark in broad daylight and forcing commuters to switch on headlightsWhile the showers provided relief from sweltering conditions they also caused widespread disruption Waterlogging was reported in several areas of Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram and parts of Delhi leading to severe traffic congestionLong traffic snarls formed on arterial roads with the movement of vehicles slowing to a crawl in many pockets Commuters struggled with flooded streets particularly underpasses and lowlying roadsDespite these issues the rain brought smiles to many residents who enjoyed the sudden cool breeze and relief from the oppressive heatIt feels like the monsoon is back in full swing This is such a welcome change said a resident of NoidaLooking ahead the IMD has predicted that the pleasant weather will continue for the next week with light to moderate showers expected intermittentlyThe skies are likely to remain cloudy on September 2 as well though no alert has been issued for that dayHowever the Met department has forecast another spell of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning on September 3Meteorologist Naresh Kumar in an update on continued rainfall said An orange alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir Alerts are also in place for Rajasthan western Uttar Pradesh Punjab and Haryana Delhi and NCR expect heavy rain for 12 days before the weather normalises IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rains-lash-delhi-ncr-temperature-dips-traffic-snarls-reported-in-several-areas-635737.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/lightning-strike-kills-one-injures-three-in-assam-meghalaya-border-area-635752.html Guwahati Sep 1 A sudden lightning strike in the AssamMeghalaya border region of Lampi on Monday afternoon left one person dead and three others seriously injured officials said The victim has been identified as 47yearold Mongal Ray a resident of Gohalkona under Boko in Assams Kamrup district According to eyewitnesses Ray was inside his house when a bolt of lightning struck killing him on the spotThe impact also injured three other men who were near the residence at the time of the incident They were identified as Tikhor Boro Dhaneswar Boro and Parimal Boro all residents of GohalkonaPolice said the trio had gone to Lampi for daily wage work and were caught in the sudden strike during an afternoon spell of inclement weather Local villagers rushed the injured to the Boko Primary Health Centre around 35 km from the site of the incidentMedical officers at the centre confirmed that while the three sustained critical injuries initially their condition has since stabilised They remain under medical observationOfficials from Boko revenue and police circles have reached the site and initiated standard procedures including verification of the casualtyVillagers of Gohalkona and surrounding areas expressed shock over the sudden tragedy describing Ray as a hardworking man who was the primary breadwinner of his familyIncidents of lightning strikes have been increasingly reported across Assam and adjoining hill regions of Meghalaya during the ongoing monsoon seasonDisaster management authorities have repeatedly issued advisories urging people to remain indoors and avoid open fields during thunderstorms but rural communities continue to remain vulnerable due to a lack of protective infrastructure State government officials said ex gratia assistance to the victims family will be processed as per the disaster relief normsMeanwhile the three injured men are expected to be shifted to a higher medical facility if their condition demands further specialised careThe Lampi region known for its remote location and difficult terrain has often faced delays in medical response during emergencies something that local organisations have urged the administration to address as a priority IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/lightning-strike-kills-one-injures-three-in-assam-meghalaya-border-area-635752.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 19:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/adverse-weather-schools-in-jammu-division-to-remain-shut-on-sep-2-635769.html Jammu Sep 1 All schools in the Jammu division of JampK will remain shut on September 2 in the wake of the adverse weather advisory on Monday authorities said An order issued by the Director School Education Department Jammu said that in view of the weather alerts and incessant rain causing landslides in hilly areas and to ensure the safety of students and staff it is ordered that all government and private schools across the Jammu division will continue to remain closed on September 2 It is ordered that online classes be conducted wherever possible the Department saidThe MET Department has forecast generally cloudy weather on September 2 and 3 with one or two spells of light to moderate rainthunder at many places with a possibility of heavy to very rains over Kathua Jammu Udhampur and Reasi and moderate to very heavy rainfall in Doda Ramban Rajouri Poonch Kishtwar Samba Anantnag and KulgamThere is a possibility of cloudburstlandslidemudslide shooting stones and vulnerable places People are advised to stay away from water bodiesnallahsriver embankments and loose structures etc the advisory saidMeanwhile after clearing many stranded vehicles today the JammuSrinagar highway was again closed for trafficThe continued blockade of the highway has hit the essential supplies in the Valley and prices of poultry etc have skyrocketed during the last few daysSince August 14 when a cloudburst in Chashoti village of Kishtwar district killed 67 people most of them Machail Mata Yatra pilgrims incessant rainfall has triggered unprecedented floods in Jammu division causing huge damage to bridges roads government and private buildingsOn August 26 a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine killed 36 pilgrims even when the Yatra had been suspendedWhile most of the pilgrims had come down to the base camp Katra many of them had taken shelter in a designated shelter space which was hit by the landslideThis portion of the Yatra route had never been affected by a landslide in the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/adverse-weather-schools-in-jammu-division-to-remain-shut-on-sep-2-635769.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-civic-body-assures-conservancy-workers-of-same-pay-pending-tribunal-decision-635789.html Chennai Sep 1 The Greater Chennai Corporation GCC on Monday informed the Madras High Court that Delhi MSW Solutions Ltd the private concessionaire entrusted with conservancy operations in two city zones has agreed to pay absorbed workers their existing salaries until an ongoing industrial dispute is resolved Appearing before a division bench of Justices MS Ramesh and R Sakthivel Advocate General PS Raman said the concessionaire would continue the lastdrawn wages of conservancy workers in Zones V Royapuram and VI ThiruViKa Nagar as a temporary measure The concessionaire has its own wage structure but following a meeting with GCC officials two days ago it agreed to match the previous pay scale until the industrial disputes tribunal decides the matter The next hearing before the Tribunal is scheduled for September 3 The issue stems from GCCs decision to outsource conservancy operations in the two zones to Delhi MSW Solutions On August 22 a bench of Justice K Surender had refused to interfere with the Corporations resolutions noting that similar outsourcing had been carried out in other zones earlier However while disposing of two writ petitions filed by the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam which represents conservancy workers the judge directed the GCC to negotiate with the concessionaire to ensure employees were not paid less than their existing wages Challenging this the Uzhaippor Urimai Iyakkam filed writ appeals before the division bench During Mondays hearing senior counsel Vijay Narayan representing the concessionaire told the court that nearly 800 workers had not reported for duty hampering garbage clearance in the two zones With nearly 2000 tonnes of waste to be lifted daily the absence of workers had led to severe difficulties he said After hearing submissions from all sides the division bench declined to pass any interim order at this stage Instead it ordered notices to GCC and the concessionaire and posted the appeals for hearing on October 6 In the meantime the judges advised conservancy workers to return to work to prevent disruption in waste management The case has significant implications for over 800 workers and the citys sanitation system with the final outcome now hinging on the industrial dispute tribunals ruling IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-civic-body-assures-conservancy-workers-of-same-pay-pending-tribunal-decision-635789.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/elathur-lake-in-erode-declared-tamil-nadus-third-biodiversity-heritage-site-635805.html Chennai Sep 1 Elathur lake in Erode district a haven for migratory birds and diverse wildlife has been formally declared Tamil Nadus third Biodiversity Heritage Site BHS The state government issued the notification under Section 371 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 for the lake covering an expanse of 3742 hectaresThis new designation places Elathur alongside Arittapatti in Madurai which received the tag in November 2022 and Kasampatty in Dindigul notified in March 2025Officials described the move as a recognition of the lakes ecological fragility biological richness and cultural significanceBiodiversity Heritage Sites are recognised natural areas that conserve rare threatened and keystone species while protecting unique habitats They also highlight the deep cultural and traditional connections people share with such landscapesThe Elathur Lake has long been regarded as a critical habitat for both resident and migratory birds Its varied ecosystem includes deep and shallow waters marshland dry scrubland mudflats and rocky outcrops During peak migratory months the lake attracts nearly 5000 birds making it one of the important wintering and breeding grounds in the stateSurveys have identified 187 bird species at the site Among them are endangered species like the steppe eagle vulnerable ones such as the river tern and greater spotted eagle and nearthreatened birds including the Asian woollynecked stork and the blackheaded ibisBeyond its avian wealth Elathur supports 38 species of plants 35 butterflies 12 dragonflies 12 reptiles seven mammals and a variety of amphibians fish and invertebrates underlining its ecological diversityThe Erode Collector noted that the governments notification first issued on January 28 2025 ensures permanent protection for the lake and its surrounding landscapes He emphasised that the step would not only conserve the areas natural wealth but also preserve the cultural values and traditional practices associated with the community By securing BHS status for Elathur Lake Tamil Nadu has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding fragile ecosystems Conservationists believe this recognition will strengthen awareness and encourage local participation in protecting one of the states most vital wetlands for generations to come IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/elathur-lake-in-erode-declared-tamil-nadus-third-biodiversity-heritage-site-635805.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-nears-monsoon-target-with-90-pc-rainfall-48-talukas-record-over-40-inches-635599.html Ahmedabad Sep 1 Gujarat this year has received 90 per cent of its seasonal rainfall so far According to official data the state has recorded an average of 315 inches of rainfall this season Rainfall distribution shows that June saw the highest showers with 12 inches on average followed by 10 inches in July and 95 inches in AugustAt present 48 talukas have received more than 40 inches of rain while 10 districts have already crossed the 100 per cent mark of their seasonal quota South Gujarat leads the state with an impressive 55 inches of rainfall amounting to 94 per cent of the seasonal averageOther regions have also reported healthy showers EastCentral Gujarat 28 inches North Gujarat 27 inches Saurashtra 25 inches and Kutch 16 inches In most regions rainfall has reached over 85 per cent of the seasons target At the district level Valsad tops the charts with 84 inches followed by Dang 72 inches and Navsari 66 inchesPatan reported the lowest average at 16 inches Among talukas Kaprada in Valsad registered a remarkable 110 inches Umaragaon in Surat 9625 inches and Khergam in Navsari 90 inches In total 48 talukas have received more than 40 inches of rainfall 140 talukas between 2040 inches and 61 talukas between 1020 inches Two talukas are still at the lower end with just 510 inches of rainLast year by the end of August Gujarat had recorded 3865 inches of rain 111 per cent of the seasonal averageIn comparison this years rainfall has been slower particularly in August which saw 95 inches of rain against last years 174 inchesDistricts that have already crossed the 100 per cent seasonal mark include Sabarkantha and Banaskantha North Gujarat Mahisagar Kheda Anand CentralEast Gujarat Porbandar Botad Bhavnagar Saurashtra and Tapi and Surat South Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-nears-monsoon-target-with-90-pc-rainfall-48-talukas-record-over-40-inches-635599.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-heavy-rainfall-across-gujarat-orange-alerts-issued-for-select-districts-635432.html Gandhinagar Aug 31 The India Meteorological Department IMD has predicted widespread rainfall activity across Gujarat in the coming days with several districts placed under yellow and orange alerts The forecast highlights the likelihood of intense showers through the first week of September A yellow alert has been issued for Mehsana Sabarkantha Gandhinagar Aravalli Kheda Ahmedabad Anand Panchmahal Dahod Mahisagar Vadodara Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch Surat Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad Daman Dadra and Nagar HaveliFor September 12 heavy rainfall is expected in Sabarkantha Aravalli Panchmahal Dahod Mahisagar Navsari Valsad Daman Dadra and Nagar HaveliOn September 3 an orange alert was issued for Chhota Udepur and Narmada where very heavy rain is forecast A yellow alert remains in place for Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara Bharuch Surat Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad Daman Dadra and Nagar HaveliOn September 4 an orange alert was declared for Dang and Tapi while a yellow alert continues for Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch Surat Navsari Valsad Daman Dadra and Nagar Haveli Additionally SaurashtraKutch districts including Amreli Bhavnagar Gir Somnath and Diu may also experience heavy showersBy September 5 the orange alerts are expected to ease However heavy rain is still likely at isolated places across Sabarkantha Aravalli Kheda Anand Panchmahal Dahod Mahisagar Vadodara Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch Surat Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad Daman Dadra and Nagar Haveli Amreli Bhavnagar Gir Somnath and DiuGujarat has received nearly 85 per cent of its seasonal average rainfall this monsoon with exceptionally heavy showers in the past week boosting the number of talukas crossing 1000 mm to 44 and filling the states river systems to near capacityThe precipitation surge has dramatically pushed water storage levels upward the Sardar Sarovar Dam now stands at approximately 84 per cent capacity while the states 206 monitored reservoirs average around 78 per cent filled with 67 already over 100 per cent capacity 27 between 90100 per cent and 27 more between 8090 per centKey dams across regions reflect a similarly robust picture Dharoi Dam is storing 82 per cent of its capacity with significant inflows of over 42000 cusecs and regulated outflow Kadana Mahisagar has begun releasing nearly 100000 cusecs prompting alerts in downstream districts In recent days widespread rainfall has filled 76 dams to between 70100 per cent with official warnings issued for 26 of them underscoring the urgency of vigilant water management IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-heavy-rainfall-across-gujarat-orange-alerts-issued-for-select-districts-635432.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-struggles-with-half-completed-works-ahead-of-northeast-monsoon-635447.html Chennai Aug 31 With just weeks left before the onset of the northeast monsoon the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has managed to complete only half of the citys road restoration work Of the 3908 interior roads identified for relaying only 1862 have been covered in the past two months leaving large stretches across the city in disrepair The civic body had set itself a September 15 deadline for completing the work However several stretches remain unattended even after the completion of stormwater drainage sewage and electricityrelated projectsThe slow progress has left residents anxious about another monsoon season marked by potholes waterlogging and unsafe commutesNeighbourhoods such as K K Nagar Thoraipakkam West Mambalam Ashok Nagar and Vadapalani are among the worst affected Many of these localities are dotted with dugup stretches uneven patches and craters that make daily travel slow and hazardousResidents complain that the delays have already caused accidents and falls while the recent spells of rain have worsened conditions in several areas In some places temporary measures such as dumping debris have been attempted instead of proper relaying but these have further inconvenienced commuters particularly twowheeler ridersCertain stretches relaid months ago were dug up again soon after raising questions over planning and coordination between departmentsThe lack of attention to interior roads has also become a sore point with visible focus placed only on bus route roads Residents say the disparity has left inner neighbourhoods neglected and unfit for regular use In several parts of West Mambalam newly laid roads were dug up again within days sparking criticism over the waste of public fundsCivic officials maintain that efforts are being made to accelerate the pace of work and instructions have been given to restrict fresh road cuts Notices have also been issued to service departments to stop excavation activities from August 31With the northeast monsoon expected to intensify in late September and October the pressure is mounting on the civic body to complete the pending works Unless the pace picks up significantly Chennai could once again face a monsoon season plagued by broken roads slow traffic and mounting frustration among commuters IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-struggles-with-half-completed-works-ahead-of-northeast-monsoon-635447.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-rain-fury-schools-in-jammu-to-remain-shut-on-monday-national-highway-closed-for-6th-day-635459.html Jammu Aug 31 Due to an adverse weather forecast authorities on Sunday ordered the closure of all schools in JampKs Jammu division on September 1 The strategic JammuSrinagar national highway also remained shut for the sixth consecutive day Director School Education Jammu division said in an order In continuation to earlier orders and keeping in view the incessant rains and landslides in hilly areas it is hereby ordered that all government and private schools across Jammu Division shall continue to remain closed on 01092025 MondayThe order also said that the situation is being closely monitored and further decisions regarding the reopening of schools will be taken after reviewing the weather conditionsThe Meteorological MeT Department said in its bulletin One or two spells of light to moderate rain at many places are likely on August 31 and September 1 with the possibility of heavy rain over a few districts of Jammu divisionOn September 2 generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rainthunder at most places with possibility of very heavy to extremely heavy rain over Kathua Doda Udhampur and Reasi with heavy to very heavy rainfall over Jammu Samba Ramban Rajouri and Kishtwar A few districts of South Kashmir and Poonch may also receive moderate to heavy rainfallshowers Between September 3 to September 8 a brief spell of rainthundershower at a few places is expectedAn advisory issued by the MeT Department said There is a possibility of heavy rain during August 31 and September 1 and the possibility of very heavy to extremely heavy rain on September 2 at a few places in the Jammu division There is a possibility of cloudbursts flash floodslandslides mudslidesshooting stones at a few vulnerable places Stay away from water bodiesNallahsRiver embankmentsloose structures etc All concerned are advised to stay alert and updatedMeanwhile the strategic JammuSrinagar national highway remained closed on the 6th consecutive day on Sunday as officials said hectic efforts are on to restore the highwayOver 2000 vehicles are stranded at different places on the national highwayThe continued blockade of the highway has hit the essential supplies in the Valley and prices of poultry etc have skyrocketed during the last few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jampk-rain-fury-schools-in-jammu-to-remain-shut-on-monday-national-highway-closed-for-6th-day-635459.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-wetter-september-little-respite-from-natures-fury-635534.html New Delhi Aug 31 As several parts of the country continue to face floods landslides and cloudbursts the India Meteorological Department IMD on Sunday released its monthly report forecasting a wetter September with above normal rainfall The IMDs Monthly Outlook for Rainfall and Temperature said the monthly average rainfall over the country as a whole in September 2025 is most likely to be above normal greater than 109 per cent of the Long Period Average LPAThe LPA of rainfall over the country as a whole during September based on data from 19712020 is about 1679 mm it saidGeographically most parts of the country are likely to receive normal to abovenormal rainfall However some parts of northeast and east India many areas of extreme south peninsular India and some parts of northernmost India are likely to receive belownormal rainfall the IMD report saidAbovenormal rainfall can significantly benefit agriculture and water resources but also brings potential risks such as flooding landslides surface transport disruptions public health challenges and ecosystem damage it saidTo manage these risks effectively it is essential to reinforce infrastructure utilise IMDs early warnings enhance surveillance and conservation efforts and establish robust response systems in vulnerable sectors it saidSince 2021 the IMD has been issuing monthly and seasonal forecasts for the southwest monsoon rainfall over the country based on the MultiModel Ensemble MME forecasting systemThe MME approach uses the coupled global climate models CGCMs from different global climate prediction and research centres including the IMDs Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System MMCFS modelThe IMD had issued the first stage forecast for the 2025 southwest monsoon season June to September rainfall over the country on April 15 and an update for the forecast on May 27In addition the IMD also issued the forecast for rainfall during June on May 27 and during July on June 30The Southwest Monsoon Rainfall Forecast for the Seasonal Rainfall during AugustSeptember 2025 and Monthly Rainfall and Temperature Outlook for August 2025 was issued on July 31In its forecast for surface air temperature over the country during September the IMD said that monthly average maximum temperatures are expected to remain normal to below normal in many regions of westcentral northwest and south IndiaIt is likely to be above normal over many parts of eastcentral east and northeast India and some parts of northwest India and the western coastal region it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-wetter-september-little-respite-from-natures-fury-635534.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-yogi-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-areas-in-up-issues-relief-guidelines-635326.html Ghazipur Uttar Pradesh Aug 30 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of floodaffected areas in Ghazipur districtnbspCM Yogi first reached Varanasi and from there he left to conduct an aerial survey of the floodaffected Ghazipur district of the statenbspAfter reviewing the situation from the air the Chief Minister instructed district and divisional officials to ensure that floodaffected families face no inconvenienceHe emphasised the timely supply of food clean drinking water and healthcare at relief shelters and asked officials to remain in constant touch with peoplenbspYogi also ordered special arrangements for cattle feed purity of drinking water and adequate stock of medicines including antisnake venom and antirabies vaccines in the floodhit villagesnbspHe reiterated that the state government stands with every citizen in this crisis and urged people not to panicnbspFloods have inundated several areas of Ghazipur submerging standing crops and cutting off connecting roadsWaterlogging has blocked the Gahmar bypass forcing residents to rely on boats for commutingnbspIn Zamania tehsil officials held a chaupal to hear villagers grievances while health teams spread awareness about disease prevention and sprayed bleaching powder in affected villagesnbspWith the water level stabilising since Saturday morning after crossing the danger mark on Friday people remain hopeful that the situation will improve in the coming daysFlooding has severely impacted the Sadar Saidpur Zamania Sevrai and Muhammadabad tehsils of the district Hundreds of acres of farmland have been submerged and many connecting roads are now underwater disrupting transportation and daily lifenbspMonsoon has wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh this year The flood situation has worsened in many districts At least 43 districts of the state are badly affected due to the floodsnbspThe districts affected by the floods include Ballia Bahraich Badaun Chandauli Farrukhabad Gonda Ghazipur Hardoi Kanpur Kasganj Lakhimpur Kheri Meerut Mirzapur Muzaffarnagar Prayagraj Shahjahanpur Unnao and Varanasi https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-yogi-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-areas-in-up-issues-relief-guidelines-635326.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jammu-floods-private-water-tankers-to-remain-at-disposal-of-jal-shakti-dept-635347.html Jammu Aug 30 District Magistrate DM in JampKs Jammu district on Saturday ordered all private water tankers to remain at the disposal of the Jal Shakti Department in the wake of the situation arising out of floods An order issued by DM Jammu said that floods in Jammu district have disrupted the potable water supply system and the concerned agencies are working for the quick restoration of the potable water supplyThe order said that it has been observed that private water tankers are operating in an unregulated manner leading to arbitrary pricing unequal access and potential distribution of unsafe water thereby endangering public health hygiene and safetyAll private water tankers operating within the territorial jurisdiction of District Jammu are restrained from independently supplying or selling water to any householdcommercial establishment with immediate effect it saidThe order pointed out that all such private water tankers are requisitioned by the district administration Jammu and placed at the disposal of the Jal Shakti PHE department Jammu for regulated and equitable water distributionIt further said that all private borewells drilled in District Jammu for filling of tankers are hereby requisitioned by the District Administration Jammu and placed at the disposal of the Jal Shakti PHE department Jammu with immediate effectThe order directed that all the SDMs are further directed to identify within their respective jurisdictions individualsestablishments running private tankers and to immediately hand over the same to the Jal Shakti PHE department JammuThere is a general crisis of safe drinking water in Jammu district after the recent floods as most safe water supply sources have become muddy and unsafeTen people have been killed and three have gone missing in the landslide and cloudburst that hit Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi and Ramban districts overnightState government officials said that seven people died in a landslide that flattened a residential house in the Mahore area of Reasi district on Friday nightThe officials said that the incident occurred after intense overnight showers lashed the areaThree people died overnight in a cloudburst incident in the Rajgarh area of Ramban in the Jammu divisionAccording to the administration many houses were damaged in the incident with some completely washed away by the force of the floodwatersThe latest disaster added to a series of destructive events in Jammu and Kashmir this month where heavy rain flash floods and landslides have already taken a heavy tollSeveral districts in the Jammu region have witnessed largescale devastation with official reports confirming that more than 46 people have died so far in rainrelated incidentsIn Reasi and Doda districts alone at least 16 people have been killed as heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides swollen rivers and floodlike conditions that engulfed many villagesOver the past week districts including Jammu Samba and Kathua have also faced severe damage to property and infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jammu-floods-private-water-tankers-to-remain-at-disposal-of-jal-shakti-dept-635347.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tangri-ghaggar-rivers-flow-above-danger-mark-in-haryana-punjab-635137.html Chandigarh Aug 29 Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij on Friday assessed the rising water levels in the Tangri river in Ambala Cantonment and directed the district administration to evacuate residents living in vulnerable areas In Punjab the Ghaggar river has witnessed a heavy flow of water and floodgates of Chandigarhs manmade Sukhna Lake were opened to flush out excess water The water level of the river crossed the danger mark in the morning with an inflow of 30000 cusecs posing a significant threat to the peopleMinister Vij conducted an inspection of affected areas and issued directions to the administration to take precautionary measures Later interacting with the media he said heavy rainfall in the mountains caused heavy water in the riverToday more than 30000 cusecs of water has entered the river which is significantly above normal levels he saidVij said before the rainy season considerable work was undertaken to deepen the River but due to certain obstacles only 25 per cent of the work was completed The remaining work will resume after the monsoonHe expressed hope that the 30000 cusecs of water will safely pass through Ambala Cantonment but emphasised that the administration remains on high alert given the potential risk He also said that the National Disaster Response Force NDRF has been called for security and boats have been arranged to handle any exigencyIn the previous rainy seasons too the Tangri overflowed several times but the water receded safelyIn neighbouring Punjabs Dera Bassi several villages along the Ghaggar river have been placed on high alert following the water discharge that crossed 70000 cusecs Heavy rainfall has disrupted life across parts of the Panchkula districtIn Khatouli village located near Barwala the road adjoining a local bridge collapsed after heavy water flow eroded the soil underneathIn the Punjab and Haryanas joint capital Chandigarh two of the three Sukhna Lake floodgates were opened as the water level crossed the danger mark of 1163 feet This is the sixth time this year that the floodgates were opened IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tangri-ghaggar-rivers-flow-above-danger-mark-in-haryana-punjab-635137.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/raghav-chaddha-takes-stock-of-flood-hit-regions-of-punjab-distributes-relief-kit-and-ration-635164.html Chandigarh Aug 29 As various districts of Punjab struggle to deal with monsoon deluge on the back of incessant rains Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chaddha on Friday visited many parts of the floodhit regions and took stock of the ground situation The AAP lawmaker elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Punjab Assembly in 2022 visited different parts of Gurdaspur and Dinanagar districts to get a firsthand account of the disruption due to floods He met many floodaffected families and also assured them all possible support as well as the people of the stateThe Rajya Sabha MP also took to his social media handle shared pictures of submerged farmlands and also gave an account of how he and his team worked for long hours to mitigate peoples woes by distributing relief and ration kitsWe distributed relief kits and rations and assured people that repair and rehabilitation work will be taken up he wrote on XHe further informed I will also be allocating funds from my MPLADS fund for the preparation of flood safety measures in vulnerable areas and towards relief work in affected villagesNotably several districts in Punjab are reeling under a flood crisis due to swollen water levels in the Sutlej Ravi and Beas rivers Large tracts of agricultural land and villages have been inundated with water Some videos of devastation in Pathankot due to swollen rivers also circulated on social media igniting a feeling of fear and trepidation among the netizensWhile many families have lost their homes due to relocation to higher reaches livelihoods have seen major disruptionsThe worstaffected districts are Pathankot Gurdaspur Fazilka Amritsar Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar Gurdaspur in particular has been severely affected by floods with evacuation operations going on a war footing Thousands of stranded people have been taken to safer places with the Indian Army BSF NDRF SDRF along with Punjab Police and volunteers evacuating thousands of people from floodhit areasChief Minister Bhagwant Mann also visited floodhit areas in Amritsar recentlyMeanwhile the cabinet ministers and all the MLAs of the state have pledged to donate their one months salary towards floodrelief operations in the state and to offset the immense losses caused due to natures fury IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/raghav-chaddha-takes-stock-of-flood-hit-regions-of-punjab-distributes-relief-kit-and-ration-635164.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/raghav-chaddha-takes-stock-of-punjabs-flood-hit-regions-distributes-relief-kit-and-ration-635166.html Chandigarh Aug 29 As various districts of Punjab struggle to deal with monsoon deluge on the back of incessant rains Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chaddha on Friday visited many parts of the floodhit regions and took stock of the ground situation The AAP lawmaker elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Punjab Assembly in 2022 visited different parts of Gurdaspur and Dinanagar districts to get a firsthand account of the disruption due to floods He met many floodaffected families and also assured them all possible support as well as the people of the stateThe Rajya Sabha MP also took to his social media handle shared pictures of submerged farmlands and also gave an account of how he and his team worked for long hours to mitigate peoples woes by distributing relief and ration kitsWe distributed relief kits and rations and assured people that repair and rehabilitation work will be taken up he wrote on XHe further informed I will also be allocating funds from my MPLADS fund for the preparation of flood safety measures in vulnerable areas and towards relief work in affected villagesNotably several districts in Punjab are reeling under a flood crisis due to swollen water levels in the Sutlej Ravi and Beas rivers Large tracts of agricultural land and villages have been inundated with water Some videos of devastation in Pathankot due to swollen rivers also circulated on social media igniting a feeling of fear and trepidation among the netizensWhile many families have lost their homes due to relocation to higher reaches livelihoods have seen major disruptionsThe worstaffected districts are Pathankot Gurdaspur Fazilka Amritsar Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar Gurdaspur in particular has been severely affected by floods with evacuation operations going on a war footing Thousands of stranded people have been taken to safer places with the Indian Army BSF NDRF SDRF along with Punjab Police and volunteers evacuating thousands of people from floodhit areasChief Minister Bhagwant Mann also visited floodhit areas in Amritsar recentlyMeanwhile the cabinet ministers and all the MLAs of the state have pledged to donate their one months salary towards floodrelief operations in the state and to offset the immense losses caused due to natures fury IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/raghav-chaddha-takes-stock-of-punjabs-flood-hit-regions-distributes-relief-kit-and-ration-635166.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/aap-govt-failed-to-provide-relief-in-flood-hit-areas-punjab-bjp-635179.html Chandigarh Aug 29 Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Friday visited the floodaffected Ajnala Assembly constituency and met with people to listen to their problems Jakhar accused the state government of failing to provide relief and assistance in floodaffected areas holding it directly responsible for the massive losses in states border regions He said his visit was not for political purposes but to remind the government of its responsibilities and to support the flood victims The BJP has postponed its facilitation camps due to the severity of the floods as we stand shouldertoshoulder with Punjabs floodaffected people in this hour of grief he said Do not forget Punjab This disaster is a result of the Punjab governments failure People in floodaffected areas are neither getting rations nor fuel for draining water nor any government assistance The government is only indulging in publicity He further said social organizations religious groups and ordinary Punjabis have stepped forward to help the flood victims while the government has proven entirely ineffective Warning the Chief Minister Jakhar said Take up your responsibility you will be held accountable later Jakhar said the Central government has released Rs 229 crore out of the allocated Rs 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively He questioned Where has this money been spent The government neither made arrangements nor held preparatory meetings Jakhar also blamed uncontrolled mining in border areas for the devastation He said Due to mining embankments broke causing significant damage in Pathankot Gurdaspur and Ajnala constituencies Jakhar assured that the Central government stands with people as Punjab is an integral part of the country He suggested the Chief Minister could seek any assistance from the Centre as its doors are always open Jakhar highlighted the floods have completely destroyed the paddy crop and wheat sowing will also be impossible causing significant economic losses for farmers He urged the state government to immediately start relief and rehabilitation efforts in the floodaffected areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/aap-govt-failed-to-provide-relief-in-flood-hit-areas-punjab-bjp-635179.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/army-rescues-eight-people-trapped-in-telangana-floods-635187.html Hyderabad Aug 29 The Army safely rescued eight people trapped in floodwaters in Medak district of Telangana on Friday an official statement said A column of the Bison Division operating under the aegis of Headquarters Telangana and Andhra Sub Area HQ TASA successfully completed the rescue operationEight people were trapped after the overflow of Pocharam Reservoir triggered a deluge and led to the catastrophic collapse of a bridge on the state highwayThe rescued individuals were administered first aid and provided with essential medical care Furthermore a major breakthrough was achieved with the rescue of eight missing children from Kamareddy reuniting them with their relieved families a defence release saidThe army is working in close coordination with the civil administration and the State Disaster Response Force SDRF to provide critical support to those affected by the floods With its expertise and resources the army column is tirelessly striving to mitigate the impact of the disaster and restore normalcy in the region it saidThe armys prompt and selfless response is a testament to its unwavering commitment to serving the nation and its people in times of crisis The Bison Division Army Column under HQ Telangana amp Andhra Sub Area remains steadfast in its resolve to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief upholding the values of duty compassion and service to the nation it addedTelanganas Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence Department said it rescued 1646 people in floodhit districts during the last three daysThe department with the help of the SDRF and local fire station crew rescued these people in 31 separate operations in Kamareddy Medak Nizamabad Jagtial Rajanna Sircilla and Nirmal districtsFive of these people were rescued by armed forces helicopters in the Rajanna Sircilla district At Mid Manir these five persons were stranded on the other side of Narmala Vagu The crew of Siricilla Fire Station provided assistance to the helicopter team and the rescue operation was successfully carried out IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/army-rescues-eight-people-trapped-in-telangana-floods-635187.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/climate-change-impacting-india-severely-moonshot-tech-key-for-sustainable-development-niti-aayog-635009.html New Delhi Aug 29 Even as climate change is severely impacting India the need is to explore moonshot technologies for sustainable development said BVR Subrahmanyam CEO NITI Aayog He was speaking at the highlevel workshop cohosted by the NITI Aayog the Council on Energy Environment and Water CEEW and the Centre for Social and Economic Progress CSEP hereThe workshop which brought together senior policymakers scientists and thought leaders deliberated on the need for India to evaluate research risks and governance of geoengineering to stand up against the challenges brought by climate changeIndias development journey is unprecedented our economy growing while pursuing a lowcarbon and sustainable path This transition will be energyintensive yet we are progressing steadily on our NDCs and promoting policies such as Mission LiFE Climate change is impacting India severely even as many large emitters are not moving fast enough on their energy transitions said SubrahmanyamMitigation should remain the foremost global responsibility but we must also keep researching other technologies That requires India to also explore some moonshot technologies to ensure that we not only keep pace but set the trend for sustainable development in the decades to come he addedThe workshop also featured thematic sessions on Indias carbon dioxide removal pathways and the governance dilemmas posed by solar radiation managementIndia must develop in a nonlinear manner decarbonising without deindustrialising While research on climate engineering has grown the wider conversation on the governance of climatealtering technologies must also keep pace Climate geoengineering with implications for planetaryscale impacts demands far greater collaboration between governments researchers and scientists across borders Equity and climate justice must remain at the centre of global decisions said Dr Arunabha Ghosh FounderCEO CEEWGeoengineering refers to largescale interventions in the Earths climate system to intentionally cool the planet or remove greenhouse gases GHGs from the atmosphereGeoengineering raises profound questions of science sovereignty and society India must engage early invest in strategic research and ensure that any pathway we consider is aligned with democratic oversight and national interest This also means assessing the technoeconomics of options designing institutions that can manage longterm risks and recognising the stakes for water security agriculture and livelihoods in a monsoondependent nation said Dr Laveesh Bhandari President and Senior Fellow CSEP IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/climate-change-impacting-india-severely-moonshot-tech-key-for-sustainable-development-niti-aayog-635009.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-after-amoebic-encephalitis-cases-reported-in-kerala-634881.html Chennai Aug 28 Following cases of amoebic encephalitis being reported in neighbouring Kerala the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday advised the public to avoid unsafe water sources such as ponds puddles and poorlymaintained swimming pools Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the rare but deadly infection Primary Amoebic MeningoEncephalitis PAM is caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri which thrives in stagnant and polluted waterWhen contaminated water enters through the nose the amoeba can reach the brain causing meningitis and leading to fatalities However the disease is not contagious so there is no need for panic the minister told reportersHe pointed out that Kerala had reported 18 cases with patients under treatment Common symptoms of the infection include severe headache fever vomiting neck pain seizures and confusionSubramanian urged people in Tamil Nadu to exercise caution and avoid bathing in unsafe water bodiesThe Minister also briefed the media on the health condition of veteran Communist leader R Nallakannu who is undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital RGGGHThe 101yearold was admitted on August 24 with breathing difficulties Doctors detected food particles lodged in his respiratory tract which were cleared through bronchoscopy He was placed on respiratory support and antibioticsWhile his condition initially improved Nallakannu again developed breathing problems on August 27 and remains under close observationA medical team comprising specialists from RGGGH and private hospitals is monitoring him round the clock We request the public and political leaders not to visit him directly as he requires rest and intensive care Subramanian saidOn other public health concerns the Minister said that the state is taking measures to curb stray dog bites through sterilisation drives and by setting up shelters He also highlighted that antirabies vaccines and antisnake venom are now being supplied even at primary health centres to ensure easy access for rural populationsReiterating the governments commitment to safeguarding public health Subramanian urged citizens to follow advisories and remain vigilant particularly during the monsoon season when waterborne infections tend to rise IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-health-department-issues-advisory-after-amoebic-encephalitis-cases-reported-in-kerala-634881.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-districts-634923.html Hyderabad Aug 28 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday conducted aerial survey of floodhit areas in Peddapalli Kamareddy and Medak district Accompanied by Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and state Congress president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud the Chief Minister also visited Sripada Yellampalli ProjectThe Chief Minister was scheduled to land in Kamareddy to hold a review meeting on flood situation However the helicopter could not land there due to bad weather He held the review meeting in MedakThe helicopter landed at the helipad near Goliwada Pump House in Peddapalli district He inspected the Sripada Yellampalli Reservoir Project at AnthargamHe reviewed the flood inflows current water storage levels and the quantum of water being released downstream He directed officials to ensure strict maintenance of the project and to take necessary steps to achieve full water storage by the end of the flood seasonThe Chief Minister also ordered immediate measures to evacuate people from lowlying areas to safer locations as water levels continue to riseRecalling that Congress government in united Andhra Pradesh had originally constructed the Yellampalli Project as a key junction for optimum utilisation of Godavari waters the Chief Minister said that experts and engineers recommendations will be sought to examine repair and restoration possibilities of Medigadda Annaram and Sundilla projects of KaleshwaramHeavy rains since Tuesday night under the impact of lowpressure area wreaked havoc in Kamareddy and Medak districtMeanwhile the state government said six persons were missing while 1444 people were rescued from floodaffected areasFire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence Department rescued people trapped in floods with the help of State Disaster Response Force SDRF and crew of local fire stations Most of the people were rescued in worstaffected districts of Kamareddy and MedakChief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has directed officials of the concerned departments to submit reports with estimates of losses due to heavy rains and floodsHe held a teleconference with special chief secretaries chief secretaries and secretaries of various departmentsThe Chief Secretary stated that heavy rains and floods have caused huge losses especially in the districts of Nirmal Medak Kamareddy and Sircilla He wanted officials to immediately submit preliminary reports on the damages due to heavy rains and floods IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-cm-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-hit-districts-634923.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-sees-record-rainfall-over-53-pc-above-seasonal-average-634686.html Jaipur Aug 28 Rajasthan has witnessed an exceptionally heavy monsoon this year recording 52860 mm of rainfall so far which is 5333 per cent more than the normal average In view of the situation Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed largescale relief and rescue operations in areas affected by floodingSo far 792 people have been rescued safely across the state said officials on ThursdayTeams of NDRF SDRF and Civil Defence have so far safely rescued people stranded due to heavy rains A total of 57 SDRF teams and seven NDRF teams are continuously active in the affected regions working round the clock Indian Air Force helicopters have also been deployed for airlifting people from severely affected areasCivil Defence teams are providing additional support on the ground As per SDRF norms in cases of death due to drowning lightning or other rainrelated causes financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh is being provided to the dependents of the deceasedRelief camps have been set up to provide temporary shelter to displaced families while surveys of damaged houses and public buildings are being conducted This monsoon season till August 26 the state has received 52860 mm of rainfall which is 5333 per cent more than the normal average of 34474 mmChief Minister is personally monitoring the situation and has directed administrative officers to remain on high alert He has also instructed NDRF SDRF and the police administration to ensure maximum preparedness and extend every possible help to the affected peopleMeanwhile Rainfall activities have continued across Rajasthan as a wellmarked lowpressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast According to the Meteorological MeT Centre Jaipur the system is expected to move gradually northwest in the next 24 hours bringing more showers to the stateOn Thursday light to moderate rain is likely in several districts while parts of southern Rajasthan may experience moderate to heavy downpoursThe weather department has predicted that rain activity will intensify from August 29 to 30 particularly in Kota and Udaipur divisions where heavy rain is expected at isolated places Also parts of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions may witness moderate to heavy rainfallLooking ahead the MeT office has said that rainfall activity is likely to persist across most regions of Rajasthan during the first week of September except for some areas along the border IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-sees-record-rainfall-over-53-pc-above-seasonal-average-634686.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-wreaks-havoc-in-rajasthan-schools-colleges-closed-in-jodhpur-today-634693.html Jaipur Aug 28 In view of heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Jodhpur the district administration has declared a holiday for students in all educational institutions including schools and colleges on Thursday District Collector Gaurav Agarwal issued the order late Wednesday under Sections 30 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act 2005The decision follows heavy rainfall on August 27 which caused severe waterlogging in several areasAccording to the Meteorological Department moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in the coming hours which could further aggravate the situationAs per the order all government and private schools coaching institutes and Anganwadi centres will remain closed for studentsHowever teachers officers and staff members are required to attend and perform their scheduled duties as usual The administration has urged parents to avoid sending children outdoors unnecessarily and to take all necessary precautions to ensure safety during the ongoing rain and waterloggingCopies of the Collectors order have been circulated to the Divisional Commissioner CEO of the District Council Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department Chief District Education Officer subdivision officers tehsildars and Civil Defence officials They have been instructed to comply with the order and remain on alert strictlyRajasthan has witnessed an exceptionally heavy monsoon this year recording 52860 mm of rainfall so far which is 5333 per cent more than the normal averageIn view of the situation Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed largescale relief and rescue operations in areas affected by floodingSo far 792 people have been rescued safely across the state said officials on ThursdayOn Thursday light to moderate rain is likely in several districts while parts of southern Rajasthan may experience moderate to heavy downpoursThe weather department has predicted that rain activity will intensify from August 29 to 30 particularly in Kota and Udaipur divisions where heavy rain is expected at isolated places Also parts of the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions may witness moderate to heavy rainfall IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-wreaks-havoc-in-rajasthan-schools-colleges-closed-in-jodhpur-today-634693.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/short-spell-of-rain-lashes-gujarat-634699.html Gandhinagar Aug 28 A short spell of rainfall lashed several parts of Gujarat on Thursday with Panchmahal recording the highest According to data from the State Emergency Operation Centre Gandhinagar Morwa Hadaf taluka in Panchmahal received 20 mm 079 inch rainfall the highest in the state during the twohour period 6 am to 8 amSurats Umarpada received 17 mm 067 inch of rain while Idar in Sabarkantha received 13 mm 051 inchOther areas including Kamrej 9 mm Olpad 8 mm Valia in Bharuch 7 mm and Himatnagar in Sabarkantha 4 mm also recorded measurable showersAhmedabad city and its nearby talukas such as Sanand and Bavla witnessed only 13 mm of rainfall The rainfall activity was scattered across central south and eastern Gujarat covering districts like Dahod Tapi Bhavnagar Navsari and the Dangs though in smaller amounts ranging from 1 to 4 mmOfficials said the rainfall is expected to provide relief to farmers in raindependent areas while also slightly improving water levels in local reservoirsHowever the showers remained below heavy rainfall levels offering only moderate respite amid the ongoing monsoon seasonThe SEOC continues to monitor rainfall patterns closely with updates being issued regularly to track the impact across districtsGujarat has witnessed a robust monsoon this year with rainfall levels reaching close to the seasonal average well before SeptemberAccording to the SEOC and IMD data by Wednesday the state had recorded nearly 85 per cent of its annual average rainfall with North Gujarat 888 per cent and South Gujarat 884 per cent leading in coverageOfficials said the widespread and timely rain has eased concerns over water availability for both agriculture and drinking purposes across the stateThe monsoon began on a strong note with Gujarat receiving about 30 per cent of its seasonal rainfall by June 27 marking the fastest accumulation in a decade This early surge which totalled nearly 257 mm was 135 per cent above the longterm average for that period By midJuly the state had already received 450 mm of rainfall or 51 per cent of its seasonal quota providing muchneeded relief for sowing in rainfed areasThe momentum continued into August with the state recording 555 mm of rainfall by August 1 covering almost 63 per cent of the seasonal requirement Regionwise data showed that South Gujarat had already crossed 997 mm 67 per cent while EastCentral Gujarat Saurashtra and Kutch recorded between 5065 per cent of their averages by that time The rainfall also boosted reservoir levels improving the water storage situation across major damsAugust further consolidated the states monsoon tally with 21 per cent of seasonal rainfall recorded in the month alone up to August 24 including a sharp 15 per cent contribution in just the last weekFarmers welcomed these showers particularly in raindependent districts as they replenished soil moisture and stabilised kharif cropsOfficials noted that while the rain was widespread its intensity remained moderate to heavy in select pockets preventing largescale flooding while still ensuring adequate replenishment IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/short-spell-of-rain-lashes-gujarat-634699.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telanganas-kamareddy-medak-receive-highest-rainfall-in-50-years-634768.html Hyderabad Aug 28 Kamareddy and Medak districts of Telangana received the highest rainfall in the last 50 years state government officials said on Thursday The two districts witnessed unprecedented rain during the last 24 hours triggering flash floodsWhile Argonda station at Rajampet mandal in Kamareddy received 44 cm of rain a total of 23 locations received more than 20 cm of rainfall These include 10 stations in Kamareddy four in Nirmal six in Medak and the remaining in Nizamabad and SiddipetThis has been the heaviest downpour in such a short span in the last 50 yearsA total of 15 State Disaster Response Force SDRF teams and five National Disaster Response Force NDRF teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations in the affected districts In addition about 100 Army personnel from the TASA unit Hyderabad are engaged in rescue and relief in Medak DistrictDue to heavy rainfall in Kamareddy district six mandals have been severely affected by floods namely Kamareddy Bibipet Rajampet Nizamsagar Yellareddy and Machareddy With the coordination of all concerned departments more than 500 people have been rescued so farState Disaster Response Force team rescued nine workers at Boggu Gudise and another five people at Gunkal Village A person died in a wall collapse A car with two people got washed in Neelakatta vagu DomakondaThe railway track has caved in at Rameshwarpally in Bhiknoor mandal forcing authorities to stop train movement until further orders In Kamareddy town the Housing Board Colony GR Colony Teachers Colony and Sarampally ST Residential School areas are among the worst affectedThe officials said food and other essential supplies are being provided to the affected peopleRescue operations were on with the help of SDRF and NDRF teams Evacuation operation is going on in the affected villagers of Nizamsagar and Pocharam damsHyderabadNagpur National Highway NH44 caved in at least three places and as a result vehicles in both directions have been divertedHaveli Ghanpur Papannapet Ramayampet Shankarampet A and Nizampet are the worstaffected mandals in MedakAccording to the officials water is overflowing on 47 roads 23 culvertscauseways and 15 bridges where traffic on either side has been blocked by barricading and Joint teams from Police Revenue and Panchayat are monitoring these places At 16 places tanks have breached and all the affected villages have been alerted and are under constant vigilNDRF and SDRF teams have successfully rescued five persons stranded at the Animal Birth Control Centre at Medak Municipal dump yardOne person was stranded on the top of a car near Nakkavagu surrounded by water from all sides The NDRF Team has successfully rescued himAround 11 people stranded on the Wadi Bridge have been successfully rescued A total of 350 SC Womens degree college students were rescued and shifted to a safe place in Ramayampet Another 80 students from Ramayampet SC girls hostel were rescued and shifted to a safe placeAround 53 families of people from lowlying areas in Ramayampet and Medak Municipalities and other places have been rescued and shifted to Rehabilitation centres Around 375 members from Sardhana Village which may be affected by flows from the Pocharam project have been shifted to rehabilitation camps arranged at Medak Municipality as a precautionary measureTwo people while trying to cross the Rajpet bridge were swept away due to the heavy flow of the Gandari Vagu A large extent of the agricultural fields in the district has been inundated A detailed assessment of crop damage is being doneRoads culverts causeways and bridges were damaged at 85 locations The railway track at Shamnapur on the Akkanpet Ramayampet line was damaged and trains on this line have been cancelled IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telanganas-kamareddy-medak-receive-highest-rainfall-in-50-years-634768.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/two-defence-choppers-rescue-five-men-trapped-in-telangana-floods-634791.html Hyderabad Aug 28 Two armed forces helicopters rescued five villagers trapped in floods in Telanganas Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday The villagers were stranded in the floods near the Upper Maneru Project in Gambhiraopet Mandal since WednesdayThe helicopters were deployed for the rescue operation after Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar made a request to Defence Minister Rajnath SinghThe Defence Minister responded immediately and directed defence officials to send helicopters for the rescue missionSanjay Kumar thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for their swift response in deploying helicopters and to IAF Air Commodore VS Saini and team for their efficient coordination of the operationHe had earlier reached out to Defence Ministry officials regarding the movement of armed forces helicopters to Telangana and requested their deployment at the earliest to strengthen rescue operationsAir Commodore Saini and Group Captain Chattopadhyaya assured that three helicopters were ready but explained that continuous heavy rains were affecting their movement to the affected areas They also informed him that efforts were underway to mobilise choppers from alternative stations like Nanded and BidarSanjay Kumar said the two helicopters will remain stationed at Sircilla to provide immediate assistance as requiredThe minister on Wednesday spoke to one of the trapped persons over the phone and assured full support to rescue themThese men had gone to graze cattle but were stranded in floods Collector Sandeep Kumar Jha and SP Mahesh B Gite said that essential food items were delivered to the trapped men using dronesThe Union Minister said that National Disaster Response Force NDRF teams were extending full cooperation to the Telangana government in evacuation and relief effortsMeanwhile Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha visited floodaffected areas in Ramayampet in Medak district He met the victims and inspected submerged coloniesHe directed officials to shift people to safer places and provide essentials like food clothes and bed sheetsRescue teams of revenue police and disaster management officials saved 60 people trapped in floods IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/two-defence-choppers-rescue-five-men-trapped-in-telangana-floods-634791.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/eight-men-trapped-in-telangana-floods-airlifted-634805.html Hyderabad Aug 28 Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force rescued eight villagers trapped in floods in Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday The villagers were stranded in the floods near the Upper Maneru Project Gambhiraopet Mandal since WednesdayArvind Kumar Special Chief Secretary Disaster Management Government of Telangana said the eight men who were stranded for over 26 hours were successfully airlifted by Indian Air Force IAF helicoptersHe said the state government coordinated closely with the Union Minister of State for Home General Officer Commanding GOC of Telangana and Andhra Sub Area TASA and Air Force Station HakimpetUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar had requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to send IAF helicopters for the relief and rescue operationsBandi Sanjay thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for their swift response in deploying helicopters He also thanked IAF Commodore VS Saini and team for their efficient coordination of the operationBandi Sanjay had earlier reached out to Defence Ministry officials regarding the movement of Army helicopters to Telangana and requested their deployment at the earliest to strengthen rescue operationsThe Central minister said the two helicopters will remain stationed at Sircilla to provide immediate assistance as requiredHe spoke to one of the trapped persons over the phone on Wednesday and assured full support to rescue themThese men had gone to graze cattle but were stranded in floodsCollector Sandeep Kumar Jha and SP Mahesh B Gite said that essential food items were delivered using drones to the trapped menThe Minister of State said National Disaster Response Force NDRF teams were extending full cooperation to the Telangana government in evacuation and relief effortsMeanwhile State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha visited floodaffected areas in Ramayampet in Medak district He met the victims and inspected submerged coloniesHe directed officials to shift people to safer places and provide essentials like food clothes and bed sheetsRescue teams of Revenue Police and Disaster Management saved 60 people trapped in floods IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/eight-men-trapped-in-telangana-floods-airlifted-634805.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-parts-of-telangana-cm-puts-administration-on-alert-634504.html Hyderabad Aug 27 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday placed the entire state administration on high alert as heavy rain has been lashing parts of Telangana since Tuesday night inundating lowlying areas and snapping road connectivity to several villages Rivulets lakes and ponds were overflowing due to heavy downpour flooding the roads and villages in lowlying areasHeavy to very heavy rains in Medak and Sangareddy districts resulted in inundation of residential areas in some pockets Few roads were damaged disrupting the vehicular trafficWater was flowing over the NarayankhedKangti road bringing the traffic to a halt A culvert was washed away near Lakshmapur village in Kamareddy districtPeddashankarampet in Medak district received the highest rainfall of 204 cm since last night Tekmal recorded 201 and Ramayampet 179 cm of rainfallHeavy rains have dampened Ganesh Chaturthi festivities The installation of idols in various towns and villages was affected by the downpourModerate rain has also been lashing parts of Greater Hyderabad since Tuesday night The rains disrupted Ganesh Chaturthi festivities here alsoChief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed the officials to evacuate those living in old houses and shift them to safer areas The officials of the electricity department were ordered to take all precautionary measures in the supply of power ensuring the safety of devotees visiting the Ganesh pandals during the festivitiesThe Chief Minister directed Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Production Agency HYDRAA Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC State Disaster Response Force SDRF Fire Services and Police departments to coordinate with each other and prevent trouble for people during heavy rainsIn view of heavy inflows on lowlying causeways culverts rivulets and streams the Chief Minister ordered the officials to stop the vehicle movement on such flooded areasThe Chief Minister suggested that the Irrigation department take precautionary measures at ponds and other water bodies which are prone to breaches due to heavy inflowsSince there is a high risk of epidemics the Chief Minister also ordered the sanitation staff of the Municipal Corporations Municipalities and Gram Panchayats to be on high alert and remove stagnant water regularlyThe Medical and Health authorities were instructed to stockpile adequate medicines in the hospitals and organise medical camps in the floodaffected areas to prevent communicable diseasesThe IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Jayashankar Bhupalpally Mulugu Bhadradri Kothagudem Hanumakonda Jangaon Karimnagar Khammam Komaram Bheem Asifabad Mancherial Nalgonda Peddapalli Suryapet Warangal Mahabubabad and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts of Telangana on WednesdayThunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds 3040 kmph is very likely to occur at isolated places in all districts of Telangana the IMD said in a bulletin IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-parts-of-telangana-cm-puts-administration-on-alert-634504.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-working-on-mission-to-curb-greenhouse-gas-emissions-niti-aayog-634505.html New Delhi Aug 27 The Union Government is finalising the roadmap and outlay for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage CCUS mission to curb greenhouse gas emissions and support netzero goals by 2070 according to Rajnath Ram advisor for energy natural resources and environment Niti Aayog We are working on finalising the mission roadmap Discussions are also on to finalise the total outlay Niti Aayog official said at an eventHe also called for longterm supply contracts for liquefied natural gas LNG to boost gas consumption to 180200 billion cubic meters by 2030 aiming for a 15 per cent energy mix share This requires a two to threefold increase in LNG consumptionCarbon Capture Utilisation and Storage CCUS is a process that captures carbon dioxide CO2 from industrial sources and power plants before it enters the atmosphere Captured CO2 is transported for use in products like chemicals building materials or fuels or it is permanently stored in underground geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifersTo increase LNG consumption and long term supplies Ram called for a nationwide survey of geographical basins to map existing resources and reduce import dependence At the domestic front we have to tie up at mass level for CBG compressed biogas he addedBC Tripathi former chairman and managing director of GAIL stated that Indias gas pipeline network though large in scale operates at approximately 5055 per cent capacity The transport sector can be a major area of gas demand which would help in reducing the use of diesel and carbon emissions he saidRajarshi Gupta MD of ONGC Videsh Ltd said that discussions are ongoing regarding different and innovative models for gas sourcing ONGC plans to source approximately five million tonnes of LNG from multiple sources a combination of Henry Hub and crudebased LNG IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/govt-working-on-mission-to-curb-greenhouse-gas-emissions-niti-aayog-634505.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/hundreds-of-villages-in-punjab-inundated-impacting-life-and-crops-634515.html Chandigarh Aug 27 Hundreds of villages in Punjab along the swollen Satluj Beas and Ravi rivers were flooded on Wednesday severely affecting life and damaging crops after the floodgates of the Bhakra and Pong dams were opened The inflow into these reservoirs had alarmingly increased due to torrential rains in their catchment areas mainly Himachal Pradesh Rescue and evacuation of people are currently underway by teams of the National Disaster Response Force NDRF The worstaffected districts are Pathankot Gurdaspur Fazilka Amritsar Hoshiarpur and JalandharAuthorities however said the inflow in the reservoirs declined significantly compared to Tuesday with the decline in the rainfall activityThe flood gates of both dams which serve the irrigation requirements of Punjab Haryana and Rajasthan were opened to lower the reservoir levelWith the opening of the floodgates a floodlike situation prevailed mainly in Punjabs Ropar Anandpur Sahib and Hoshiarpur districts and Himachals Kangra districtIn Punjab the inundation of villages has been reported second time within a month severely impacting the standing cropsOwing to heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh for the past many days the situation in villages situated along the IndiaPakistan border in Pathankot district has become critical The increased flow of water in the Ujh and the Ravi rivers has submerged the PathankotJammu highwayThe crucial Lakhanpur bridge connecting Punjab to Jammu has also been damaged by the floodwaterPunjab Chief Minister Bhagwant will visit Pathankot and Gurdaspur later in the day to take stock of the situation in floodaffected areasThe government has announced that all primary secondary and senior secondary schools both government and private will be closed across the state till August 30 due to heavy rainfallThe India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for rainfall in five districts Pathankot Gurdaspur Barnala Sangrur and MansaAmritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited floodhit villages in Ajnala and assessed the situation She appealed to the people not to panic and assured all helpThe government has issued directions to local administration and officials concerned to maintain roundtheclock presence at the ground level to continue rescue and relief operations on a war footing in floodaffected areasSimultaneously all leaves for officers and staff have been cancelledWater Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak visited floodaffected areas on Tuesday in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districtsThe government said the situation in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts aggravated after continuous rainfall this week in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh which led to a rise in water level in the Ranjit Sagar Dam near the maximum capacityThe water released from the overflowing dam has significantly elevated water levels in the Ravi River according to the government Besides the Ujh and Jalalia rivers are experiencing unprecedented flow submerging most villages in the Narot Jaimal Singh and Bamial blocks in Pathankot IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/hundreds-of-villages-in-punjab-inundated-impacting-life-and-crops-634515.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/snowfall-in-summer-kiren-rijiju-shares-stunning-ladakh-experience-634527.html Leh Aug 27 Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju currently on a visit to Ladakh was left delighted and thrilled as he witnessed the seasons snowfall in the mountainous reaches of Kargil on Wednesday The Union Minister was pleasantly surprised to see the snowfall in August a month when the rest of the country continues to grapple with heat and sweat He took to his social media handle on X to share the pictures of snow draping him and the fellow dignitaries in whiteRijiju also thanked the local residents of Ladakh Suru valley in particular for giving him a grand welcome and extending warm hospitality during the Suru Summer festivalThe Union Minister visited Ladakh at the invitation of Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon to attend the Suru Summer festival in Suru Valley slated for August 26 as the chief guestAfter attending the festivities he said that he will cherish the memories of Suru Valley forever and thanked people for extending love and affection to himThank you for so much love and affection at Suru Summer Festival Saw firstever snowfall in Summer he wrote in a post on XSharing pictures of the summer snowfall he wrote First time in my life Ive seen so much snowfall in August Attended the Vibrant Suru Summer Festival at Namsuru Village in Suru Valley Kargil Ladakh along with Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta ChairmanCEC LAHDC Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and other esteemed dignitaries A celebration of Ladakhs natural beauty vibrant culture amp spirit of adventureNotably Suru Summer Festival is a wonderful celebration of Ladakhs living traditions and thriving tourism potential Its vibrant spirit truly reinforces why Suru Valley has earned a global spotlight The fresh snowfall made the celebrations even more magicalWhile parts of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing incessant bouts of rainfall Ladakh saw the seasons first snowfall coinciding with the Suru Summer festival Many parts of Ladakh including Leh Kargil and Drass witnessed snowfall officials said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/snowfall-in-summer-kiren-rijiju-shares-stunning-ladakh-experience-634527.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/family-of-four-killed-in-bastar-as-car-swept-away-in-jheeram-ghati-amid-heavy-rains-634565.html Jagdalpur Chhattisgarh Aug 27 Incessant rains have wreaked havoc in Chhattisgarhs Bastar claiming four lives after a car was swept away in Jheeram Ghati officials said on Wednesday The victims a couple and their two children from Tamil Nadu died after their vehicle was washed away while trying to cross the swollen Jheeram Nala on National Highway 30According to officials the incident occurred on Tuesday when a car carrying five people attempted to cross the flooded stretch While the driver managed to save himself by jumping out the family was trapped inside and swept away by the strong currentAfter an 18hourlong rescue operation by the district administration and the State Disaster Response Force SDRF the car was recovered on Wednesday with all four bodies insideOfficials said the bodies have been shifted to Jagdalpur Medical College and the familys relatives have been informedContinuous downpour has led to the Sabari River overflowing forcing the closure of traffic at several points along NH30 which connects Jagdalpur to SukmaWith medical facilities disrupted officials said helicopters may have to be used in emergencies Many stranded travellers were forced to spend the night on the roadside after roads were suddenly blockedChief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai currently on a Japan tour expressed concern and reviewed the situation over the phone with Revenue Secretary Reena Baba Saheb Kangale and Bastar Divisional Commissioner Doman SinghHe later posted on X that relief and rescue operations are being carried out with full readiness and that people are being evacuated from the lowlying areasPublic safety is our top priority I have instructed administrative officials and SDRF to remain on high alert and provide assistance to those affected as required the CM saidMeanwhile a long traffic jam has left over 2000 passengers stranded on the roadsReports from various locations indicate that several houses have collapsed resulting in the deaths of two villagers and injuries to many othersThe injured have been taken to hospitals despite challenging conditionsIn Bijapur district the situation remains equally dire The Indravati River is in full spate causing widespread disruption Numerous roads are closed and at least 100 villages in the Cherpal area have been cut off from the district headquarters More than 20 houses have collapsed in this region alone IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/family-of-four-killed-in-bastar-as-car-swept-away-in-jheeram-ghati-amid-heavy-rains-634565.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-5675-lakhs-registered-evs-till-february-2025-govt-634573.html New Delhi Aug 27 India has been making significant progress in the transition to green energy and electrification as the nation has a total of 5675 lakh registered electric vehicles EVs till February this year according to government data In FY25 electric twowheeler e2W sales hit 1149 lakh units up 21 per cent from the previous years 948 lakh the data showedThese figures signal a rapidly accelerating shift towards cleaner more sustainable mobility on Indian roads as the government has set a vision of 30 per cent EV penetration by 2030 in alignment with the global EV3030 initiativeFlagship initiatives like Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles II FAME II PM EDrive Production Linked Incentive PLI schemes and PM eBus Sewa are steering investment localisation and largescale EV adoption in the countryBuilding on the momentum of the previous phase FAMEII shifted gears injecting bold investments for the transition to electric mobility supporting 1629600 units of EV including twowheelers 3wheelers 4wheelers and eBusesLaunched in April 2019 FAME India PhaseII came with a budget of Rs 11500 croreTo back the EV adoption the Ministry of Heavy Industries approved Rs 800 crore in March 2023 for three oil companies Indian Oil Corporation Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation to set up 7432 public charging stations at their fuel outlets across IndiaIn March 2024 an additional Rs 7350 crore was sanctioned to upgrade 980 charging stations with 400 more sanctioned through Expressions of Interest in various statesA total of Rs 91250 crore has been sanctioned for the installation of 9332 EV PCS out of which 8885 EV PCS have been installed as on June 30 2025 marking a major step towards empowering the nations electric mobility infrastructureMeanwhile the PLI scheme is fueling Indias ambition to become a global hub for advanced automotive technologies putting homegrown innovation in the drivers seatLaunched in September 2021 the PLI Scheme for the automobile and auto component industry brings a budget of Rs 25938 crore to boost domestic manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technologies AATAs of March 2025 the scheme has attracted Rs 29576 crore in cumulative investment and created 44987 jobsAt the same time the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement PMEDRIVE approved in September 2024 and implemented until March 2028 is a focused push to curb such emissions tackling one of the most pressing challenges in urban air qualityIt is a comprehensive Rs 10900crore initiative to accelerate electric mobility in IndiaThe PM eBus Sewa is another scheme that is designed to reshape public transport by putting thousands of electric buses on Indias roads bringing comfort connectivity and sustainability to every rideWith a budget of Rs 20000 crore for deploying 10000 electric buses under the PublicPrivate Partnership PPP model the scheme focuses on making urban travel cleaner and more efficient the government data showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-5675-lakhs-registered-evs-till-february-2025-govt-634573.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-5675-lakh-registered-evs-till-february-2025-govt-634574.html New Delhi Aug 27 India has been making significant progress in the transition to green energy and electrification as the nation has a total of 5675 lakh registered electric vehicles EVs till February this year according to government data In FY25 electric twowheeler e2W sales hit 1149 lakh units up 21 per cent from the previous years 948 lakh the data showedThese figures signal a rapidly accelerating shift towards cleaner more sustainable mobility on Indian roads as the government has set a vision of 30 per cent EV penetration by 2030 in alignment with the global EV3030 initiativeFlagship initiatives like Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles II FAME II PM EDrive Production Linked Incentive PLI schemes and PM eBus Sewa are steering investment localisation and largescale EV adoption in the countryBuilding on the momentum of the previous phase FAMEII shifted gears injecting bold investments for the transition to electric mobility supporting 1629600 units of EV including twowheelers 3wheelers 4wheelers and eBusesLaunched in April 2019 FAME India PhaseII came with a budget of Rs 11500 croreTo back the EV adoption the Ministry of Heavy Industries approved Rs 800 crore in March 2023 for three oil companies Indian Oil Corporation Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation to set up 7432 public charging stations at their fuel outlets across IndiaIn March 2024 an additional Rs 7350 crore was sanctioned to upgrade 980 charging stations with 400 more sanctioned through Expressions of Interest in various statesA total of Rs 91250 crore has been sanctioned for the installation of 9332 EV PCS out of which 8885 EV PCS have been installed as on June 30 2025 marking a major step towards empowering the nations electric mobility infrastructureMeanwhile the PLI scheme is fueling Indias ambition to become a global hub for advanced automotive technologies putting homegrown innovation in the drivers seatLaunched in September 2021 the PLI Scheme for the automobile and auto component industry brings a budget of Rs 25938 crore to boost domestic manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technologies AATAs of March 2025 the scheme has attracted Rs 29576 crore in cumulative investment and created 44987 jobsAt the same time the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement PMEDRIVE approved in September 2024 and implemented until March 2028 is a focused push to curb such emissions tackling one of the most pressing challenges in urban air qualityIt is a comprehensive Rs 10900crore initiative to accelerate electric mobility in IndiaThe PM eBus Sewa is another scheme that is designed to reshape public transport by putting thousands of electric buses on Indias roads bringing comfort connectivity and sustainability to every rideWith a budget of Rs 20000 crore for deploying 10000 electric buses under the PublicPrivate Partnership PPP model the scheme focuses on making urban travel cleaner and more efficient the government data showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-5675-lakh-registered-evs-till-february-2025-govt-634574.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/six-persons-trapped-in-swollen-stream-in-telangana-634585.html Hyderabad Aug 27 Six persons were trapped in flood waters in Telanganas Kamareddy district on Wednesday following heavy rains in the region since Tuesday night Six workers had climbed onto a water tanker and were waiting to be rescued while the water level was rising in the streamThe incident occurred in the Kalyani stream in Timmareddy where they were engaged in bridge construction workIn Medak district a car was washed away in floodwaters in the Nakkavagu stream in Haveli Ghanpur mandal State Disaster Response Force SDRF has launched the search operation It was immediately not clear how many people were travelling in the carSDRF personnel rescued 350 girl students caught in flood waters in Medak district A government womens degree college hostel was flooded due to heavy rains The students were trapped inside and with no food in the hostel building they all pleaded authorities to rescue them The rescue teams safely brought out all the studentsFire Services personnel rescued 10 people from a flooded area in Ramayampet town in Medak districtAccording to officials the SDRF team was carrying out a rescue operation in Annasagar village in Yellareddypet mandal of Kamareddy districtHeavy to very heavy rains in the united Medak and Kamareddy districts have wreaked havoc Rivulets streams lakes and ponds were overflowing inundating lowlying areas and cutting off road and rail connectivity at a few placesRajampet in Kamareddy district received the highest rainfall of 3638 cm between 830 am and 2 pm on WednesdayAccording to the Telangana Development Planning Society Bhiknoor in Kamareddy district received 2380 cm rainfall Kamareddy and Havelighanpur in Medak district recorded rainfall of 2153 and 2088 cm respectivelyTen other places in Medak Kamareddy Karimnagar Rajanna Sircilla and Siddipet districts recorded rainfall between 1215 and 1983 cmMeanwhile Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has alerted the Collectors of Medak and Kamareddy districtsHe directed the Collectors to immediately launch rescue operations wherever required He asked officials of all the departments to be ready to tackle any situation He also directed them to use the NDRF and the SDRF for the rescue operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/six-persons-trapped-in-swollen-stream-in-telangana-634585.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/train-traffic-hit-as-track-flooded-in-telanganas-kamareddy-district-634597.html Hyderabad Aug 27 Movement of trains between Hyderabad and Kamareddy in Telangana was disrupted on Wednesday as the flood water was overflowing the tracks at a couple of places following heavy rains The South Central Railway SCR cancelled partially cancelled or diverted a few trainsThe flood water submerged the tracks on the BhiknurTalmadla section and AkanpetMedak section of the Hyderabad DivisionThe NizamabadTirupati Rayalaseema Express Train Number 12794 scheduled to depart on Wednesday and TirupatiNizamabad Rayalaseema Express 12793 scheduled to leave on Thursday have been cancelledHS NandedVisakhapatnam train 20812 has been cancelled between HS Nanded and Charlapalli the SCR saidKachegudaKarimnagar 77649 is partially cancelled between Bhiknur and Karimnagar KachegudaPurna train 77605 is partially cancelled between Cavalry Barracks and Purna and the GuntakalBodhan train 57411 is cancelled between Kacheguda and BodhanVisakhapatnamHS Nanded 20811 which departed on August 26 is partially cancelled between Akanpet and HS Nanded HS NandedMedchal 77606 is cancelled between Kamareddy and Medchal and the KachegudaMedak 57301 is also partially cancelled between Mirzapalli and MedakThe HyderabadJaipur train 12720 is diverted via Secunderabad Kazipet Peddapalli Karimnagar Armoor and Nizamabad while the Tirupati Adilabad Krishna Express 17405 is diverted via Warangal Kazipet F Cabin Peddapalli Karimnagar Armoor and NizamabadNarkherKacheguda 17642 is diverted via Purna Parli Vaijnath Vikarabad Secunderabad and Kacheguda and the NagarsolKacheguda train 17662 will run through Purna Parli Vaijnath Vikarabad Secunderabad and KachegudaThe NarasapurNagarsol train 12787 is diverted via Warangal Kazipet F Cabin Peddapalli Karimnagar and Nizamabad the NagarsolNarasapur train 12788 is diverted via Nizamabad Karimnagar Peddapalli Kazipet F Cabin and Warangal and the KachegudaManmad 17064 will run through Secunderabad Vikarabad Parli Vaijnath and ParbhaniBhagat Ki KothiKacheguda 17606 is diverted via Nizamabad Armoor Karimnagar Peddapalli Kazipet Junction Moula Ali and Kacheguda the Mumbai CSMTLingampalli 17057 diverted via Nizamabad Armoor Karimnagar Peddapalli Kazipet Junction and Secunderabad and the LingampalliMumbai CSMT 17058 diverted via Secunderabad Kazipet Peddapalli Karimnagar Armoor and NizamabadOkhaRamesaram 16734 is diverted via Nizamabad Armoor Karimnagar Peddapalli Kazipet Junction Moula Ali and Kacheguda IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/train-traffic-hit-as-track-flooded-in-telanganas-kamareddy-district-634597.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/train-services-to-jammu-disrupted-after-flash-floods-soil-erosion-damage-tracks-634410.html Jammu Aug 26 Train services to Jammu and adjoining regions were severely hit on Tuesday following landslides and heavy soil erosion triggered by flash floods in the Chakki River in Pathankot a statement said The Indian Railways said traffic on the Pathankot CanttKandrori section had to be suspended after the track alignment was damaged due to erosionOwing to heavy soil erosion and flash floods in the Chakki River rail traffic has been temporarily suspended between Jammu TawiShri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Jammu TawiBari Brahman sections the Railways said in a statementSeveral Jammubound trains have been cancelled including the Martyr Captain Tushar MahajanPathankot Shri Mata Vaishno Devi KatraYog Nagari Rishikesh JCO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi KatraNew Delhi JCO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi KatraChennai JCO KalkaShri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra JCO New DelhiShri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra JCO Jammu TawiVaranasi JCO and Jammu TawiSambalpur JCO among othersIn addition several trains have been shortterminated including the SealdahJammu Tawi JCO and the IndoreMartyr Captain Tushar Mahajan JCO The Railways has advised passengers to check revised schedules before travellingMeanwhile mobile and internet services in parts of the Valley remained suspended disrupting normal life The sudden blackout of communication services by multiple providers caused severe inconvenience to residentsWith floodlike conditions reported from several areas the Jammu administration has ordered the closure of all schools on August 27In view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions and floodlike situations at various places across the region all government as well as private schools in Jammu division shall remain closed on Wednesday a government order statedA bridge on the JammuPathankot highway collapsed forcing the closure of the highway as shooting stones blocked the JammuSrinagar highwayMeanwhile fresh snowfall on Zojila Pass has closed the SrinagarLeh highway while Sinthan Pass connecting the Kashmir Valley with Kishtwar district and Razdan Pass leading to the Gurez border town have also been closedSeveral people have been killed due to inclement weather across the region The Tawi River is flowing far above the evacuation level in Jammu city and Udhampur districts The authorities have closed the Tawi Bridge in Jammu city IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/train-services-to-jammu-disrupted-after-flash-floods-soil-erosion-damage-tracks-634410.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/committed-to-promoting-green-transport-e-buses-in-schools-delhi-cm-gupta-634423.html New Delhi Aug 26 Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday flagged off more than 24 electric buses at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya Lodhi Estate as part of an initiative to promote green transport in the national Capital Chief Minister Gupta remarked that true progress lies in living in harmony with nature She emphasised that the Delhi government is consistently working to reduce pollution and promote green transportationCM Gupta said The introduction of electric buses is not merely a technological shift but a concrete step towards environmental conservation By providing EV buses to schools the government aims to ensure that children travel in pollutionfree vehicles thereby safeguarding both their physical and mental healthThe LG lauded CM Gupta by saying Delhi is in safe hands todayHe noted that within just six months she had begun commendable work towards improving the citys air qualityThe LG expressed confidence that within the next two to three years Delhi would witness remarkable transformation that citizens had long awaitedHe highlighted that the introduction of electric buses would facilitate the daily commute of nearly 1200 students thereby reducing 400500 private vehicles on the roadsThis would not only lower pollution levels but also ease traffic congestion He added that if all schools and colleges adopt such initiatives the problem of pollution could be significantly mitigatedCM Gupta said that the ebus initiative at the school would not only ensure safe travel for students but also play an important role in improving Delhis air qualityShe reiterated that reducing pollution is one of the topmost priorities of the Delhi governmentReferring to the LGs earlier initiatives she said that the government had already been undertaking efforts such as the removal of landfill sites dust control afforestation and the rejuvenation of the Yamuna riverfrontTransitioning school buses to electric mode she noted was now a decisive step in the same directionHighlighting the significant role played by private and governmentrun diesel and CNG buses in pollution she urged all schools to shift to electric buses in order to make Delhis air cleanerThe Chief Minister commended Sardar Patel Vidyalaya for converting its entire bus fleet into electric vehicles with the support of the Delhi Government Now it will not be pollution that flows through Delhis veins but clean air she remarkedShe announced that the Delhi government would organise competitions across all schools on themes related to environmental protection and sustainable development encouraging children to understand their responsibility towards nature and to uphold these values throughout their livesThe Chief Minister added that patriotism today is not merely about sacrificing ones life for the nation but about every citizen contributing daily towards making their city and country clean safe and pollutionfree We have the opportunity every single day to live for our country and to take it forward she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/committed-to-promoting-green-transport-e-buses-in-schools-delhi-cm-gupta-634423.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 21:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tirumala-temple-to-be-closed-on-sep-7-due-to-lunar-eclipse-634440.html Tirupati Aug 26 The famous Sri Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradeshs Tirupati will remain closed on September 7 due to a lunar eclipse The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD which manages the affairs of the hill shrine announced on Tuesday that the temple doors will be closed from 330 pm on September 7 till 3 am on September 8As per the tradition the TTD closes the temple six hours prior to a lunar eclipse it saidThe temple body said the doors will be reopened at 3 am on September 8 after performing Shuddi and Punyahavachanam programmes The darshan for devotees will resume at 6 am on September 8Arjita Sevas like Unjal Seva Arjitha Brahmotsavam Sahasra Deepapalankara Seva stand cancelled on September 7 on account of the lunar eclipseThe Annaprasadam distribution in various places in Tirumala including the main Annaprasadam Complex PAC2 VQC compartments and all other places will also be stopped from 3 pm onwards on September 7 However the Annaprasadam wing of TTD will distribute 30000 Annaprasadam packets of Pulihora among devotees at Rambhageecha PAC1 CRO Seva Sadan and ANC areasThe Annaprasadam activity will resume from 830 am onwards on September 8 for the devoteesThe TTD requested devotees to plan their pilgrimage to Tirumala accordingly to avoid any inconvenienceOther major temples in both the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will also be shut on account of the lunar eclipse Its common for the temples to shut the doors during solar and lunar eclipses The authorities cancel darshan and all sevas and reopen the temples in the evening after purificationThe Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradeshs Nandyal district will also be closed for devotees The priests will shut the main doors after performing the pujaKanaka Durga temple at Vijayawada and the sun temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh will also remain closed during the lunar eclipseIn Telangana the Saraswati temple at Basar and the Sri Raja Rajeswari temple at Vemulawada will also be shut due to the lunar eclipse IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tirumala-temple-to-be-closed-on-sep-7-due-to-lunar-eclipse-634440.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-delta-district-waterbodies-near-capacity-as-monsoon-rain-boosts-storage-634186.html Chennai Aug 26 Continuous southwest monsoon showers coupled with steady releases from the Mettur dam have brought relief and optimism to the delta districts of Tamil Nadu where major waterbodies are rapidly filling up Officials said the strong inflows will ensure that all lakes and tanks in the region reach their maximum storage by October setting the stage for a favourable agricultural season According to the Water Resources Department the Mettur reservoir maintained full storage levels between August 20 and 23 during which time the discharge for irrigation was stepped up Alongside this the region recorded 1771 mm of rainfall in the third week of August significantly higher than the usual 1384 mm for the period This dual support of rainfall and reservoir release has led to surging levels in the Cauvery Vennaru and the Grand Anaicut Canal with waterbodies across the Delta filling at a brisk paceOut of the 764 lakes and tanks maintained in the Delta nearly 200 have reached 75 per cent capacity while about 100 have already reached full storage officials said Although water levels in some lakes and tanks have slightly declined due to continuous diversion for irrigation authorities assured that regular inflow from Mettur will replenish them without difficulty The system is functioning as it should While irrigation demand is high the steady discharge ensures that there will be no shortage in storage over the coming months said a senior irrigation official Farmers in the region are welcoming the development with cautious optimism They point out that not only have the lakes and ponds been restored to healthy levels but the groundwater table has also shown significant improvement In many areas water can now be tapped at a depth of just 20 feet a stark contrast to the much deeper levels seen in previous dry years Looking ahead farmers believe that if the trend of rainfall and controlled releases from Mettur continues both standing crops and subsequent sowing seasons will benefit This cycle of recharge has come at the right time and could ensure a strong yield season they said adding that the water security will help sustain agriculture well into the next phase of cultivation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-delta-district-waterbodies-near-capacity-as-monsoon-rain-boosts-storage-634186.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-delta-farmers-pin-hopes-on-samba-paddy-cultivation-after-kuruvai-paddy-season-success-634203.html Chennai Aug 26 Encouraged by the success of kuruvai cultivation farmers in the Cauvery Delta have now started preparations for samba crop hoping to replicate the bumper yield as steady inflows into reservoirs and widespread rainfall create favourable conditions The annual release from Mettur Dam on June 12 enabled farmers to take up kuruvai cultivation without delay According to the agriculture department figures kuruvai was raised on 566 lakh acres surpassing the target of 532 lakh acres Adequate storage in the Mettur dam coupled with a brisk southwest monsoon has boosted farmers confidence and the kuruvai crop is already set for a prosperous yield Traditionally many farmers concentrate on samba alone while others alternate between kuruvai and thalady depending on water availability and financial conditions Officials noted that while increased acreage for kuruvai this year has slightly reduced the area available for samba thalady cultivation is expected to gain more coverage after the current season For samba the target acreage has been fixed at 307 lakh in Thanjavur 346 lakh in Tiruvarur 167 lakh in Mayiladuthurai 156 lakh in Nagapattinam and 135 lakh in Tiruchy Farmers have begun ploughing preparing nurseries and transplanting seedlings in several parts of the region Senior agricultural technocrat P Kalaivanan expressed confidence that water availability would not be an issue this year stating that the 120 TMC required for the season could be met through current Mettur storage and continued rainfall He added that completing sowing by September would help farmers avoid losses from the northeast monsoon which in turn would further supplement the water needed for the crop The Mettur reservoir has been full for the past five days and officials pointed out that in its 91 years of existence it has reached full capacity in 51 years underlining the favourable situation this season Farmers however stressed that government support was crucial to ensure they could maximise the yield AKR Ravichandar president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association said farmers dependent on river irrigation focus entirely on samba but often receive only modest returns despite months of work He appealed to the state government to announce a special samba package on par with the kuruvai scheme demanding a full subsidy for paddy seeds and a 50 per cent subsidy for fertilisers Farmers also urged authorities to monitor private fertiliser firms alleging that they are forced to buy nano fertilisers along with DAP With reservoirs brimming rains arriving on time and cultivators pushing for timely support measures hopes are high across the Delta that samba will deliver another season of prosperity IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-delta-farmers-pin-hopes-on-samba-paddy-cultivation-after-kuruvai-paddy-season-success-634203.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-gujarat-fishermen-advised-not-to-venture-into-sea-till-august-28-634331.html Ahmedabad Aug 26 The India Meteorological Department IMD on Tuesday predicted heavy rain in Bhavnagar Dahod and Chhota Udepur districts in Gujarat and issued a warning to fishermen advising them not to venture into the sea until August 28 The authorities have directed those already at sea to return and secure their boats at the nearest port with mandatory return entriesRainfall was reported in 152 talukas of Gujarat though the showers have yet to bring substantial relief The IMD has further predicted that heavy rain will continue across Gujarat for the next six days Districts including Banaskantha Patan Sabarkantha Aravalli Morbi Kutch Devbhoomi Dwarka Jamnagar Bhavnagar Mehsana Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad are likely to receive heavy downpoursThe IMD has issued an orange alert for Bhavnagar Chhota Udepur and Dahod a yellow alert for Banaskantha Sabarkantha Mehsana Gandhinagar Aravalli Mahisagar Panchmahal Vadodara Narmada Ahmedabad Tapi Dang Navsari Valsad Amreli and Gir SomnathFor August 2728 a yellow alert has been issued in 13 districts of Saurashtra and South Gujarat including Gir Somnath Amreli Bhavnagar Bharuch Surat Tapi Dang Navsari Valsad Narmada Vadodara Chhota Udepur Panchmahal and DahodA yellow alert has also been issued for August 29 for Bhavnagar Bharuch Surat Tapi Navsari Dang and ValsadHeavy rain is likely in Banaskantha Sabarkantha Aravalli Mahisagar Dahod and Bhavnagar on August 3031The administration has warned that fishermen will have to remain cautious and avoid the sea until further notice as rough weather conditions are expected to persistGujarat has so far received about 8485 per cent of its average seasonal monsoon rainfall with regional variations showing North Gujarat at the top with around 87 per cent followed by South Gujarat at 86 per cent Kutch at 85 per cent and Saurashtra slightly lower at 8384 per centAccording to state data the month of August alone contributed nearly 21 per cent of the seasonal share with 15 per cent falling in just the last week leading to significant inflows in major reservoirs including the Sardar Sarovar Dam which is now at 8487 per cent of its live storage capacityWhile the overall state figure indicates nearnormal rainfall heavy spells in recent weeks have triggered alerts in districts such as Bhavnagar Dahod Banaskantha and Chhota Udepur and the Meteorological Department has predicted more rain until the end of August keeping the season on track to possibly touch or surpass the longperiod average by September IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-gujarat-fishermen-advised-not-to-venture-into-sea-till-august-28-634331.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/landslide-disrupts-traffic-on-key-national-highway-in-nagaland-634164.html Kohima Aug 25 Huge landslides between Nagaland capital Kohima and the states Wokha town totally blocked vehicular movement on the National Highway 2 NH2 on Monday officials said A Nagaland government official said that massive landslides triggered by continuous rainfall since Sunday night blocked the busy route as huge boulders fell onto the highway from the hillsSeveral passenger vehicles and goods trucks were stranded for hours on both sides of the affected highwayAccording to the official no casualties have been reported so farTeams from the district administration police and Public Works Department have rushed to the spot but the engineers and workers are facing huge troubles to clear the road as rains and mudslides continueEfforts are being made for the movement of light vehicles through alternative routes the official saidThe KohimaWokha portion of the NH2 connects several districts including Tseminyu Wokha Pughoboto subdivision under Zunheboto and Mokokchung with the state capitalThe KohimaWokha route also serves as the main route to ferry goods and essential commodities as the NH2 connects with Assams Dibrugarh and Mizorams TuipangThe NH2 is also a vital route between Nagaland and neighbouring ManipurNagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang accompanied by officials from the Public Works Department and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd NHIDCL recently visited the NH2 and reviewed the road conditionsChief Minister Rio earlier held a meeting with and wrote letters subsequently to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari demanding the improvements of the National Highways in the northeastern stateIn a post on X the Chief Minister had said Inspected the NH2 landslideaffected area at Phesama Kohima While appreciating the ongoing efforts in restoring connectivity the hilly and landslideprone terrain has always been a challenge requiring new approaches IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/landslide-disrupts-traffic-on-key-national-highway-in-nagaland-634164.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-in-rajasthan-schools-in-19-districts-closed-today-633983.html Jaipur Aug 25 Schools in 19 districts of Rajasthan were closed on Monday following a heavy rain alert Continuous heavy rainfall has severely affected normal life in the state for the last two days In view of the weather situation the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert in 16 districts of the state on Monday prompting the administration to declare holidays in schools As a precautionary step government and private schools along with Anganwadi centres in 19 districts are closed for students for the dayHowever teachers and staff of schools and Anganwadis are required to attend work as usualAccording to official orders schools will remain closed on Monday in Sikar Karauli Kota KhairthalTijara Dungarpur Chittorgarh Ajmer KotputliBaharod Sirohi Bundi Bhilwara Udaipur and Sawai MadhopurApart from these holidays of multiple days have also been announced in other districts depending on weather conditionsSchools will remain closed for three days in Tonk from Monday to Wednesday while in Alwar Jaipur Dausa Nagaur and DidwanaKuchaman schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday Sikar Karauli Kota KhairthalTijara Dungarpur Chittorgarh Ajmer KotputliBaharod Sirohi Bundi Bhilwara Udaipur and Sawai Madhopur are closed on MondayThe Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in 16 districtsAn orange alert has been issued for Udaipur Rajsamand and Sirohi where very heavy rainfall is expected A yellow alert has been declared for Alwar Bhilwara Chittorgarh Dungarpur Jhunjhunu Pratapgarh Churu Hanumangarh Jalore Jodhpur Nagaur Pali and Sri GanganagarAuthorities have urged people to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel in rainaffected areasThe district administrations are keeping a close watch on the situation and disaster management teams have been kept on standby to deal with any emergencyWith widespread rains continuing lowlying areas are at risk of waterlogging and rural connectivity may be disrupted The government has also advised residents to follow safety guidelines and cooperate with local administration until the weather improves IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-in-rajasthan-schools-in-19-districts-closed-today-633983.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-batters-gujarat-imd-issues-red-orange-alerts-in-multiple-districts-633999.html Ahmedabad Aug 25 Gujarat continues to witness heavy monsoon showers with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing multiple alerts across the state Since early Monday morning several areas of Ahmedabad have reported intense rainfallThe IMD has sounded a red alert for Banaskantha Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts while an orange alert has been issued for 21 districtsAccording to the IMD orange alerts are in place for Kutch Surendranagar Patan Ahmedabad Mehsana Gandhinagar Kheda Anand Vadodara Panchmahal Bharuch Dahod Chhota Udepur Narmada Surat Tapi Navsari Dang Valsad Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman A yellow alert has been issued for other districtsForecast for August 2627 The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in more than 20 districts including Sabarkantha Patan Mehsana Banaskantha Gandhinagar Kheda Aravalli Mahisagar Ahmedabad Surendranagar Anand Panchmahal Dahod Bharuch Botad Amreli Bhavnagar Surat Navsari Valsad Chhota Udepur Narmada Tapi Dang and VadodaraForecast for August 2830 From August 28 to 30 the IMD has forecast widespread heavy rainfall across Kutch Morbi Surendranagar Patan Banaskantha Mehsana Sabarkantha Tapi Dang Navsari Valsad Devbhumi Dwarka Porbandar Jamnagar Amreli Bhavnagar Aravalli Mahisagar Dahod Chhota Udepur and Narmada districtsGujarat has so far received about 77 per cent of its seasonal rainfall this monsoon with regional variations ranging from 73 per cent in central Gujarat to over 80 per cent in South Gujarat and KutchThe steady rains have pushed up storage in reservoirs across the state with the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River now holding about 8185 per cent of its capacity while the states other 206 reservoirs are on average 7678 per cent fullIn fact 76 dams including Sardar Sarovar have reached between 70 per cent and 100 per cent capacity ensuring sufficient water for drinking irrigation and kharif cropsWhile many districts have seen widespread heavy showers filling up reservoirs and boosting kharif sowing some pockets however remain below the seasonal average underlining the states recurring trend of abundant rain in the southern and coastal belts and relatively moderate showers in central and northern regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-batters-gujarat-imd-issues-red-orange-alerts-in-multiple-districts-633999.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/atteros-selsmart-expands-to-over-25-cities-targets-rs-500-crore-revenue-by-fy26-634054.html New Delhi Aug 25 Atteros directtoconsumer takeback platform Selsmart has scaled up its operations across more than 25 cities strengthening its position as the largest directtoconsumer used electronics collection network in India With a sharp focus on accessibility and convenience Selsmart is now clocking over 30000 monthly orders and has laid out a clear roadmap to reach 150000 monthly orders and Rs 500 crore revenue run rate with 75000 metric tonnes of ewaste by March 2026The platform also expects to grow its user base sixfold from half a million currently to over 3 million by the end of this calendar yearBased on current volumes Selsmart is set to process over 15000 metric tonnes of ewaste annually and is already operating at a revenue runrate of Rs 100 croreWhat we are building with Selsmart is infrastructure that speaks to the future The real value lies not just in the numbers but in how we are shifting behaviour at the ground level We have made it easy for people and businesses to take the right step with their old electronics said Nitin Gupta CEO amp CoFounder AtteroEvery device picked up through the platform is one less item headed for a landfill and one more step toward recovering materials that India otherwise imports The network we are creating will serve the countrys growing demand for circular resources without putting additional pressure on mining or manufacturing It is smart local and built for scale Gupta addedLaunched in mid2024 Selsmart was built to solve a growing gap in Indias waste infrastructure how to get unused electronics out of homes shops and offices and into verified recycling channelsThe return supply chain for electronics in India has been historically fragmented and broken Selsmart addresses this challenge through a fully digitised model that integrates OEM contracts brand tradein programmes and retail partnerships into a single organised systemThe model blends convenience doorstep pickup instant digital payout and endtoend traceability and allows anyone to schedule a pickup in a few clicksAs part of this integration Selsmart has signed up with three leading airconditioning majors to manage their complete offline and webstore exchange programmes partnered with two large MNCs to run the full tradein process for their electronics category at the webstore level and joined hands with two home appliances majors to offer consumers vouchers and coupons for new sales at their brand stores both online and offlineSelsmart runs a network of strategically located warehouses in the cities it operates positioned in highdensity residential and commercial zones for faster doorstep collectionsThe platform is active across major metros growing Tier2 hubs and several partnerled locations covering more than 25 cities in totalThrough partnerships with leading electronics brands retailers and service networks Selsmart is building a unified tradein and takeback system for India turning what was once an unorganised fragmented ewaste and device exchange market into a structured transparent and scalable channelRecognising that data security is a key concern for consumers especially in the IT sector Selsmart ensures secure data erasure for all collected devices before they enter the recycling processThis approach is helping consumers get fair value for their old devices while ensuring that collected products enter certified recycling streams instead of informal or unsafe disposal routesExpansion into additional Tier2 and Tier3 locations is already in progress with a strong focus on keeping the service simple and convenient for end usersSelsmart feeds directly into Atteros patented recycling technology which is designed to recover metals such as gold silver cobalt copper lithium and rare earth elements from discarded electronics with worldclass efficiencyAttero Indias largest ewaste recycling company and the worlds most advanced recycler of lithiumion batteries currently holds 46 global patents and operates with metal recovery rates as high as 98 per cent for 999 per cent pure critical materialsThe companys closedloop recycling infrastructure is fully compliant with global environmental standards and is engineered to reduce Indias dependence on raw material imports while creating value from domestic waste IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/atteros-selsmart-expands-to-over-25-cities-targets-rs-500-crore-revenue-by-fy26-634054.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-alarm-in-odisha-as-major-rivers-flow-above-danger-marks-634069.html Bhubaneswar Aug 25 Major rivers in the state continue to flow above the danger mark triggering widespread flooding situations in several parts of Odisha especially in the northern districts Speaking to media persons here the Odisha Water Resources Department EngineerinChief Chandrasekhar Padhi on Monday stated that Bhograi Baliapal Basta and Jelswar blocks of Balasore district have been affected due to the flood situation in the Subarnarekha RiverHe also stated that the Jajpur Dasarathpur blocks of Jajpur district and Dhamnagar block of Bhadrak district are also affected as the Baitarani River is flowing above the danger markPadhi also stated that a breach of 30 meters wide has occurred in the Kani River a tributary of the Baitarani River near Ahiyaas Bazar under Kaspa panchayat in Jajpur districtThe restoration work at the place will start after the water recedes The required material for restoration work is being collected at the siteHe stated that the Baitarani and Subarnarekha Rivers are flowing above the danger marks at Akhuapada in Bhadrak district and Rajghat in Balasore district respectivelyThe Baitarani River is flowing 063 meters above the danger mark at Akhuapada on Monday Padhi said the water level in the Baitarini River is expected to come down by Tuesday morningSimilarly the Subarnarekha River was flowing at 1072 meters at Rajghat at arround 10 am where the danger mark is 1036 metersIt is expected that the increased level in the Subarnarekha River will come down up to 104 meters between 11 pm 12 am tonight However the water level in the Subarnarekha River is likely to rise again due to incessant rain at Jamsola Ghat in Balasore for the past couple of daysHeavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas has also caused the water level of the Brahmani River another major river of the state to rise significantly at Bonai in Sundargarh districtFloodwaters entered several parts of Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak district prompting the local administration to shut down schools and Anganwadi centres for two days The farmlands located in many lowlying parts of the state are also inundated due to the flood IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-alarm-in-odisha-as-major-rivers-flow-above-danger-marks-634069.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-forecasts-week-long-rain-in-bengal-633870.html Kolkata Aug 24 The Meteorological MeT Department has forecast weeklong rain in Kolkata and south Bengal districts as another depression is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal on Monday The new system along with the present lowpressure area over Gangetic West Bengal will bring moderate to heavy rain across south Bengal According to the MeT Department a lowpressure area has formed over Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining areas It will move towards Jharkhand in the next 24 hours and gradually weaken The monsoon axis has crossed Gangetic West Bengal via Ganganagar Gwalior Banda Dehri and extended to the northeast Bay of BengalAt the same time a new depression is likely to form near the OdishaWest Bengal coast on MondayThis will result in moisture incursion from the sea paving the way for the right conditions for more rain As a result scattered to heavy rain will continue across all districts in south Bengal including Kolkata throughout the week starting from Monday said a MeT officialThe Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore has issued a warning of thunderstorms for at least two more days in Kolkata Scattered rains with thunderstorms are likely till Monday The same forecast is in place for Howrah and Hooghly districtsThe minimum temperature in Kolkata on Sunday was 26 degrees Celsius 06 degrees below normal The maximum temperature on Saturday was 272 degrees Celsius 48 degrees below normalThere is a possibility of rain in North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore and Jhargram districts from Sunday to Wednesday said the officialApart from this heavy rain is likely in Purulia and Bankura districts for the next few days The north Bay of Bengal adjacent to North Odisha and West Bengal will remain rough at least for the next 24 hours As a result fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this periodMeanwhile heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong and Alipurduar districts on Sunday and Monday Light to moderate rain will continue in the remaining districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/weather-department-forecasts-week-long-rain-in-bengal-633870.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-sabarmati-river-overflows-amid-heavy-rainfall-25-workers-rescued-633916.html Ahmedabad Aug 24 Continuous heavy rainfall across Gujarat has led to several dams overflowing particularly in the northern region of the state With water being released from the Dharoi and Sant Sarovar dams the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad has overflowed on both banks flooding lowlying areas and submerging walkways along the riverfront Amid the rising water levels 25 workers trapped near Bakrol village in Sarkhej were successfully rescued on SundayThe workers engaged in the construction of an overbridge across the Sabarmati were caught in the sudden surge of water after release from the upstream dams The Ahmedabad Fire Department deploying four to five rescue vehicles and three boats reached the site and evacuated all the stranded workers to safetyMeanwhile the swelling river also affected ongoing infrastructure projects in the city Near Subhash Bridge equipment related to the MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train project was reportedly swept away in the strong river current Authorities have urged people to stay away from the riverfront and avoid venturing into lowlying areas as water levels continue to remain high As of today Sunday the Dharoi Dam is over 94 per cent full receiving 59444 cusecs of inflow To manage water levels authorities have opened four gates releasing 58880 cusecs into the SabarmatiCollectors of seven districts have been informed about the water release and riverbank areas in Mehsana Sabarkantha Ahmedabad Gandhinagar and Kheda have been placed on alert Authorities have advised residents in lowlying areas along the Sabarmati to remain cautious as the water level continues to rise As of August 24 Gujarat has received approximately 77 per cent of its average seasonal monsoon rainfall with 193 talukas having recorded at least 1 mm of precipitationEarlier in August the state had crossed the 64 per cent mark with southern Gujarat leading at about 688 per cent followed by EastCentral North and Kutch regions in the mid60s and Saurashtra trailing at about 56 per cent At the start of August August 1 Gujarat had received approximately 629 per cent of its seasonal average south Gujarat was at around 669 per cent eastcentral at 648 per cent north at 654 per cent Saurashtra at 551 per cent and Kutch at 642 per centPutting this together throughout June to August Gujarats monsoon delivered strong earlyseason performance with early milestones of around 3034 per cent by late June by early August the state had achieved nearly 63 per cent and by midAugust surpassed 64 per cent culminating in 77 per cent of the normal total by late August IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-sabarmati-river-overflows-amid-heavy-rainfall-25-workers-rescued-633916.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-funds-available-tns-thuraimangalam-lake-restoration-gets-delayed-633837.html Chennai Aug 24 The ambitious project to restore and transform the Thuraimangalam lake in Tamil Nadu into both an irrigation source and a tourist attraction has come to a standstill leaving residents frustrated Despite being launched with much fanfare in March 2024 the work has seen little progress in nearly a year The 150acre lake located near the ThreeJunction Road along the TiruchyChennai National Highway was once a vital water source for surrounding villagesFed by the Vellanthangi Amma lake its surplus waters would flow into the smaller Thuraimangalam lake Over the years however lack of maintenance encroachments and rampant growth of seemai karuvelam Prosopis choked its natural flow reducing it to a neglected waterbodyActing on repeated petitions from locals and activists then District Collector K Karpagam initiated a Rs 98lakh restoration planThe proposal included clearing encroachments strengthening bunds and creating amenities such as a walkway and boating to boost tourism Initial works such as bund strengthening and partial walkway laying began under the Water Resources Department WRD However after Collector Karpagams transfer in July 2024 progress slowed and eventually stopped by OctoberThe lake once looked like a river and supported our lives Its restoration gave us hope but the stoppage has disappointed the whole community said activist S RagavanHe added that the return of seemai karuvelam is worsening the lakes conditionOfficials say the project got stalled due to inadequate fundsA WRD official noted The contractor withdrew as the sanctioned amount was not fully released At least Rs three crore is needed to finish the walkway alone We plan to raise the matter with the present District CollectorResidents meanwhile are urging authorities not to let the effort go to waste They warn that unless the work is resumed quickly the project risks being forgotten like past initiatives leaving the lake and its potential untapped IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-funds-available-tns-thuraimangalam-lake-restoration-gets-delayed-633837.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-yellow-alert-in-kerala-amid-heavy-rain-forecast-633838.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 24 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a yellow alert for multiple districts in Kerala warning of heavy rainfall over the next two days under the influence of a lowpressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as strong winds and intense showers are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday According to the IMD heavy rain measuring between 7 mm and 11 mm in 24 hours is very likely at isolated places in the state from August 26 to 28Northern and central Kerala are expected to be the most affectedOn Tuesday August 26 a yellow alert has been declared for Thrissur Malappuram Kozhikode Wayanad Kannur and Kasaragod districts The following day Wednesday the alert will extend to include Ernakulam along with Thrissur Malappuram Kozhikode Wayanad Kannur and KasaragodThe IMD has also issued a warning to fishermen advising them not to venture into the sea off the Kerala Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts during this periodWinds are expected to reach speeds of 4060 kmph making marine conditions unsafeCoastal residents have been asked to exercise cautionEarlier this month Kerala had witnessed widespread damage due to heavy rainfall and strong winds that uprooted trees damaged houses and caused power outages across several districtsWith the state still recovering from those impacts authorities are concerned that another spell of heavy rain could lead to renewed disruptionsDisaster management officials have instructed local administrations to remain prepared including setting up relief camps in vulnerable areas if water levels riseResidents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel keep away from waterlogged roads and follow safety guidelines issued by the governmentWhile the southwest monsoon continues to remain active the evolving lowpressure system in the Bay of Bengal will play a key role in determining the intensity of rainfall in Kerala over the next few daysWith yellow alerts already in force for both Tuesday and Wednesday officials have stressed the importance of heightened vigilance in the districts placed under warning IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-yellow-alert-in-kerala-amid-heavy-rain-forecast-633838.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 09:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-in-jampk-jammu-records-1904-mm-in-24-hours-flood-alert-in-samba-633852.html Jammu Aug 24 Jammu city recorded 1904 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours as authorities declared a flood alert on Sunday in Samba district after the Basantar Nallah crossed the danger level Heavy downpour continued in Jammu city during the last 24 hours recording 1904 mm of rainfall during this periodAuthorities have declared a flood alert in different parts of the Samba district after heavy rainfall led to a sharp rise in the water level of the Basantar Nallah this morningOfficials said that at 8 am the water level in the allah touched six feet breaching the evacuation markThe prescribed alert level for the stream is four feet while the danger level is set at 45 feet and the evacuation level at six feetPeople living in lowlying areas and near river banks have been cautioned against venturing close to the water The administration has advised residents to remain alert and follow safety advisories in order to avoid any untoward incidentsContinuous rainfall in the region has added to the concern and the district authorities are monitoring the situation closelyRelief and rescue teams have been kept on standby in case the water level rises furtherJammu city recorded 1904 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 830 am SundayMeanwhile the JampK disaster management authority has said that heavy rain is most likely to occur at many places over Anantnag Kulgam Doda Jammu Kathua Samba Kishtwar Reasi Ramban Rajouri Poonch and Udhampur districts of the union territory in the next 48 hoursThere is a possibility of cloudburstsflashfloodslandslides in Jammu Division Stay Alert Dial 112 for emergency the statement saidThe Meteorological MeT Department has said the forecast is generally light to moderate rainfall in most places and heavy rainfall in a few places in Jammu Reasi Samba Kathua Udhampur and Rajouri districts till August 26The MeT has advised people to stay away from river banks and Kaccha structures IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-in-jampk-jammu-records-1904-mm-in-24-hours-flood-alert-in-samba-633852.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-floods-army-deployed-for-rescue-in-kota-schools-shut-633665.html Jaipur Aug 22 Heavy rains have triggered a floodlike situation in Rajasthans Kota severely impacting both urban and rural areas on Friday The situation worsened in the rural Digod area prompting the deployment of Army personnel for rescue operations They evacuated residents from waterlogged areas and distributed essential food suppliesIn Nimoda village several kutcha houses collapsed with Army teams conducting rescue efforts late into the night Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar visited the floodaffected areas Birla arrived in an Army truck to reach Digod Nimoda and Hariji villages where he assessed the ground situation Overflowing ponds in Amarpura and Khedli Kalya led to water entering homes Rescue teams carried children and the elderly to safety Floodwater also breached the DelhiMumbai Expressway near Neemli village causing significant disruption In response to the heavy rain alert the district administration has announced school closures for August 23 Kota has recorded 9695 mm of rainfall so far including 1271 mm in the past 24 hours Due to waterlogging nine major roads in the district have been closedSpeaker Om Birla has directed the district administration to evacuate residents from highrisk areas and ensure proper food arrangements He emphasised setting up temporary shelters for displaced families as a priority He also instructed the district collector to conduct a detailed damage assessment survey covering losses to crops livestock homes and shops He also urged social workers to mobilise public cooperation for providing rations and temporary housing to the victims Providing all possible help to affected citizens is our top priority In this hour of crisis the administration and public representatives stand with every family he claimed IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-floods-army-deployed-for-rescue-in-kota-schools-shut-633665.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-heavy-rain-in-parts-of-tn-puducherry-today-633706.html Chennai Aug 23 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at nine locations across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday According to the IMD statement a cyclonic circulation is currently prevailing over the Tamil Nadu regionBy August 25 a lowpressure area is expected to form over the northwestern Bay of Bengal off the OdishaWest Bengal coastThis system is likely to intensify weather activity across southern India in the coming daysDue to the prevailing conditions heavy rainfall is expected on Saturday in the districts of Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur Cuddalore Thanjavur Pudukottai Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram as well as the Karaikal region of PuducherryResidents in these areas have been advised to remain cautious as sudden heavy showers are likelyIn Chennai and adjoining suburbs the sky will remain partly cloudy Some areas of the city are expected to receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightningThe maximum temperature in Chennai is likely to be around 33 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature will be close to 27 degrees CelsiusAlongside rainfall warnings the IMD has also issued alerts for strong winds over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of BengalIn the midwestern southwestern and eastcentral Arabian Sea squally winds reaching speeds of 4555 kmph gusting up to 65 kmph are expectedOver the northeastern Arabian Sea winds may blow at speeds of 4050 kmph and could occasionally reach up to 60 kmphSimilarly in the northern Bay of Bengal winds are forecast to reach 4050 kmph with gusts of up to 60 kmphFishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the sea in these regions because of hazardous conditionsThe IMD has cautioned that the combination of heavy rains in coastal districts and strong winds over the seas could affect normal life especially in lowlying areasAuthorities have been placed on alert and disaster management teams have been instructed to remain prepared to handle emergencies if required IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-heavy-rain-in-parts-of-tn-puducherry-today-633706.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-to-launch-pilot-project-to-revive-diversified-fish-farming-in-kuttanad-633748.html Kochi Aug 23 In a bid to rejuvenate the traditional aquaculture sector of Keralas Kuttanad region the Union Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry Dairying and Minority Affairs has unveiled a new pilot project that seeks to blend modern technology with traditional practices Union Minister George Kurian announced the initiative at a consultative meeting held at the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRIThe project aims to enhance the livelihood of fish farmers by introducing a mix of innovative and sustainable aquaculture modelsThese include integrated fish farming cage farming biofloc technology and the unique one fish one paddy system which allows for concurrent paddy cultivation and aquacultureThe Department of Fisheries will also facilitate the formation of Fish Farmers Producers Organisations FFPOs to provide local farmers with greater bargaining power access to markets and institutional supportEnhancing livelihood for the regions farmers is the primary goal of this initiative said KurianHe added that skill development and training programmes will be rolled out to equip farmers with the latest techniques in fish farming and related practices In addition to production the project will actively encourage startups in the fisheries sector with a strong focus on postharvest activities such as processing cleaning packaging and tradingThis officials said would create new employment avenues and ensure greater value addition to fish products from the regionRecognising the unique aquatic ecosystem of Kuttanad the project will adopt distinct strategies for fresh and brackish water systems in Upper and Lower Kuttanad respectivelyThe expertise of research institutions including ICAR institutes central agencies and Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs will be tapped to provide technical guidance and scientific supportA detailed project report DPR will be prepared immediately to ensure quick rollout and effective monitoring of outcomesThe scheme is expected to provide longterm sustainable benefits to the farming community in Kuttanad a region often described as the rice bowl of Kerala but equally known for its rich fisheries potentialThe meeting was attended by former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Fisheries Development Commissioner Mohammed Koya CMFRI Director Grinson George Principal Scientist Imelda Joseph and representatives of various ICAR research institutes and central agencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/centre-to-launch-pilot-project-to-revive-diversified-fish-farming-in-kuttanad-633748.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 15:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kota-floods-army-and-sdrf-in-action-as-heavy-rains-disrupt-life-schools-closed-expressway-shut-633760.html Jaipur Aug 23 Continuous heavy rains over the last two days have created a floodlike situation in rural areas of Kota The Army and State Disaster Response Force SDRF have taken charge of rescue and relief operations Schools across the district remained closed on Saturday while Kota University has also postponed its scheduled examinations Due to overflowing creeks rivers and drains connectivity with Sultanpur and the district headquarters has been nearly cut off The main market of Digod is submerged while relief and rescue work is underway in Digod and Nimoda villagesThe Army and SDRF teams are relocating affected families to safer areasThe DelhiMumbai Expressway has been closed from Karadia after the rising creek water submerged the eighth lane Traffic from Kota to Karadia towards Delhi has come to a complete halt A 4foot water sheet on the Marwada Chowki drain has blocked traffic while drains overflowing on SultanpurBhaura Road have further disrupted connectivityThe Mother Teresa Home in the Bhimganj Mandi area was inundatedThe continuous downpour has increased water inflow in Chambal dams Authorities have opened two gates of the Kota Barrage releasing 14718 cusecs of waterKota recorded 1271 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours taking the seasonal total to 10966 mm so far The weather has turned cooler with Fridays maximum temperature at 258 degrees Celsius and minimum at 24 degrees C just a onedegree differenceAccording to Radheshyam Sharma Director of the Meteorological Center Jaipur the monsoon has reactivated after two weeks of inactivity With the trough shifting back to its normal position a cyclonic circulation system developed along the RajasthanMadhya Pradesh border Its stability caused heavy rainfall across southern Rajasthan including KotaThe SDRF team delivered essential supplies under the supervision of the SDM Also Army personnel continued rescue operations in Nimoda village safely relocating residents Villagers raised slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande MataramFurther there has been traffic chaos as waterlogging on the Bhej river bridge forced its closure again after briefly reopening On the Mumbai side traffic was also shut with several vehicles attempting wrongside diversions worsening the situation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kota-floods-army-and-sdrf-in-action-as-heavy-rains-disrupt-life-schools-closed-expressway-shut-633760.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-villages-in-gaya-jehanabad-submerged-as-falgu-rivers-water-level-rises-633773.html Patna Aug 23 Continuous rainfall in neighbouring Jharkhand has worsened the flood situation in Bihar with the Falgu river swelling dangerously and inundating several villages across Gaya and Jehanabad districts Floodwaters have entered dozens of lowlying villages including Basadhi Silaunja Batsapur in Bodhgaya and Chunukpur Mananpur Bharathu and Pariyama in Jehanabad districtThree breaches in the embankment near Bharathu village triggered heavy flooding leading to waterlogging on the JehanabadBihar Sharif National Highway NH33 bringing traffic to a standstill since Friday nightDistrict Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar visited floodhit villages and reviewed the situation State Disaster Response Force SDRF teams have been deployed for relief and rescue operationsAccording to locals floodwater entered Bharathu village under Ghosi police station around midnight submerging 200 houses and hundreds of ponds within hoursFamilies were forced to flee their homes and take shelter in safer areasThe floods have devastated the rural economy as hundreds of hectares of farmland with paddy maize and vegetables now lie under waterOver 50 fish farming ponds have been washed awayFarmers and fish farmers estimate losses worth several crores of rupees crippling their main sources of livelihoodOfficials said floodwaters rose sharply after the release of 126 lakh cusecs of water from the Udera Sthan BarrageRelief camps and temporary shelters are being set up while distribution of essential supplies has begun in the affected areasThe sudden floods have once again highlighted the fragility of embankments and poor flood preparedness leaving thousands of families struggling to rebuild their livesMeanwhile the meteorological department has issued an orange alert for 14 districts including Gaya Jehanabad Arwal Patna and other districts in the next 48 hoursPeople have been asked to stay indoors during the rain as chances of lightning strikes are also predicted They have been asked to avoid taking shelter inside the trees and clay houses IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-villages-in-gaya-jehanabad-submerged-as-falgu-rivers-water-level-rises-633773.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bsf-troopers-thwart-animal-smuggling-attempt-along-india-bdesh-border-633776.html Kolkata Aug 23 The Border Security Force BSF has foiled an animal smuggling attempt along the IndiaBangladesh border in Nadia district of West Bengal an official said An African Serval Cat was rescued and handed over to the forest department The Serval is a rare wild small cat native to Africa It is widespread in subSaharan countries where it inhabits grasslands wetlands moorlands and bamboo thickets Across its range it occurs in protected areas and hunting it is either prohibited or regulated in range countriesThe Serval is a slender mediumsized cat that stands 5462 cm 2124 in tall at the shoulder and has a weight range of approximately 918 kg 2040 lb It is characterised by a small head large ears a goldenyellow to buff coat spotted and striped with black and a short blacktipped tail The serval has the longest legs of any cat relative to its body sizeIn the early hours of Friday troops of the 56 Bn BSF deployed at Border Outpost Natna Forward noticed a suspicious movement of 56 smugglers near the IBB They were attempting to cross over from Bangladesh into Indian territory Acting swiftly the BSF jawans challenged them and rushed forward On seeing the approaching BSF troops the smugglers panicked and fled back towards Bangladesh taking advantage of the dense vegetation a senior BSF official saidThe troops immediately launched a thorough search of the area During the search a rare wild cat suspected to be an African Serval Cat was found alive inside the wooden crate The rescued animal was taken into custody and handed over to the concerned forest department office for further action he addedCrossborder animal trafficking has turned into a major cause for concern for Indian border guarding troops Attempts are regularly made to smuggle exotic species across the international border These include all kinds of animals and birds Demand from private collectors promotes this illegal trade The price of a Serval in the Indian market can go up to Rs 600000The official commended the swift action by the troops that thwarted the smuggling attempt IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bsf-troopers-thwart-animal-smuggling-attempt-along-india-bdesh-border-633776.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/who-wmo-call-for-global-efforts-to-protect-workers-from-rising-heat-633649.html Geneva Aug 22 The World Health Organisation WHO and the World Meteorological Organisation WMO on Friday urged global action to address the escalating health threats posed by extreme heat to workers worldwide The year 2024 marked the hottest one on record with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees centigrade even 50 degrees centigrade in some regions a phenomenon which is becoming increasingly common according to a comprehensive report and technical guidance jointly released by the WHO and WMO Xinhua News Agency reportedHeat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers especially in the most vulnerable communities said Jeremy Farrar assistant directorgeneral for health promotion disease prevention and care at the WHOHealth risks including heatstroke dehydration kidney dysfunction and neurological disorders are undermining the longterm health and economic stability of workers worldwide said the report adding that approximately half of the global population have already experienced adverse effects from high temperaturesOccupational heat stress has become a global challenge not just confined to countries close to the Equator as highlighted by the recent heatwave in Europe said WMO Deputy SecretaryGeneral Ko Barrett Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity Barrett saidThe guidance outlines a multistakeholder approach to mitigate risks including developing national policies prioritizing vulnerable groups as well as fostering collaboration among governments employers trade unions and health expertsMeanwhile a Barcelonabased climatologist said that the devastating wildfires sweeping across Spain this summer should serve as a warning to the rest of Europe about the rising dangers of climate changeThis is a warning to countries that have traditionally enjoyed temperate cool summers because these conditions of intense heat will increase in latitude and will reach these countries Javier MartinVide climatologist and professor of physical geography at the University of Barcelona told XinhuaAccording to Thursdays update from the European Forest Fire Information System wildfires have scorched 403171 hectares of land in Spain so far this year Around 350000 hectares were destroyed in just the past two weeks coinciding with a severe heat wave that began in early AugustMartinVide emphasised that climate models point to worsening conditions in the coming decades Adaptation is key to reducing the risk he said noting that temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in central and northern Europe will pose serious challenges to societies less accustomed to extreme heatHe called for stronger prevention measures and better landscape management highlighting the effects of rural depopulation The woods are not as clean as in the past when there were cattle sheep goats grazing and eating the vegetation that now acts as the fuel that starts a forest fire he explainedThe climatologist urged innovative strategies including the creation of mosaic landscapes with forest areas interspersed with cultivated fields to make land more defensible against blazes IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/who-wmo-call-for-global-efforts-to-protect-workers-from-rising-heat-633649.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 23:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/wildfires-in-spain-signal-growing-climate-risks-for-europe-expert-warns-633441.html Madrid Aug 22 The devastating wildfires sweeping across Spain this summer should serve as a warning to the rest of Europe about the rising dangers of climate change a Barcelonabased climatologist said This is a warning to countries that have traditionally enjoyed temperate cool summers because these conditions of intense heat will increase in latitude and will reach these countries Javier MartinVide climatologist and professor of physical geography at the University of Barcelona told XinhuaAccording to Thursdays update from the European Forest Fire Information System wildfires have scorched 403171 hectares of land in Spain so far this year Around 350000 hectares were destroyed in just the past two weeks coinciding with a severe heat wave that began in early August Xinhua news agency reportedMartinVide emphasised that climate models point to worsening conditions in the coming decades Adaptation is key to reducing the risk he said noting that temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in central and northern Europe will pose serious challenges to societies less accustomed to extreme heatHe called for stronger prevention measures and better landscape management highlighting the effects of rural depopulation The woods are not as clean as in the past when there were cattle sheep goats grazing and eating the vegetation that now acts as the fuel that starts a forest fire he explainedThe climatologist urged innovative strategies including the creation of mosaic landscapes with forest areas interspersed with cultivated fields to make land more defensible against blazesHe also pointed to adaptation already underway in agriculture as olive and wine producers move production to higher altitudes in search of more favorable climatic conditions to maintain both quality and outputMartinVide welcomed the Spanish governments plan to establish a nationwide pact on fire prevention calling it very necessarySpain is enduring its worst summer for wildfires this century with more than 20 major blazes still burning mainly in the northwestern provinces of Orense Zamora and Leon The interior ministry said over 33000 people have been evacuated while four people including three firefighters have died IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/wildfires-in-spain-signal-growing-climate-risks-for-europe-expert-warns-633441.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/significant-step-says-bhupender-yadav-on-ibca-getting-privileges-given-to-un-agencies-633471.html New Delhi Aug 22 Union Cabinet Minister for Environment Forest amp Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Friday said the Centre has issued the Gazette Notification extending privileges and immunities to the International Big Cat Alliance IBCA which is a significant step reaffirming Indias steadfast commitment to strengthening international cooperation for big cat conservation With this IBCA its officials and representatives in India will enjoy privileges and legal safeguards typically granted to United Nations organisations according to a gazette notificationTaking to social media Minister Yadav welcomed the move and said that he was glad to share this informationThe Government of India has issued the Gazette Notification extending privileges and immunities to the International Big Cat Alliance its representatives and officials under the United Nations Privileges and Immunities Act 1947 The significant step reaffirms Indias steadfast commitment to strengthening international cooperation for big cat conservation said YadavHe said the conservation of big cats is also instrumental in preserving and protecting their ecosystems and hence the wellbeing of our PlanetWith these privileges and immunities IBCA gets the necessary empowerment to function effectively as a global platform to foster collaboration knowledge exchange and capacity building for the conservation of our big cats worldwide he addedThe gazette notification said the Government of India signed the Host Country Agreement with the International Big Cat AllianceIBCA on April 17 for establishing the International Big Cat AllianceIBCA in IndiaIt said the Central Government considers it expedient to extend the necessary privileges and immunities provided under the United Nations Privileges and Immunities Act 1947 46 of 1947 to the International Big Cat Alliance its representatives and officials in accordance with Article X of the above mentioned Host Country Agreement the notification readsIn exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the United Nations Privileges and Immunities Act 1947 46 of 1947 the Central government has declared that the provisions of section 1 of Article I provisions under Article II section 9 of Article III sections 18 and 20 of Article V and sections 22 and 23 of Article VI of the Schedule to the said Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the International Big Cat Alliance its representatives and officialsIBCA is an Indialed intergovernmental organisation formed to support the conservation of the worlds seven principal big cat species tiger lion leopard snow leopard cheetah jaguar and puma by facilitating international cooperation and sharing best practices and technical knowhow It became a treatybased intergovernmental organisation in February 2025 upon ratification by India Nicaragua Eswatini Somalia and LiberiaIt was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9 2023 during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in Mysuru Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav was elected as the first President of IBCAThe primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy amongst range countries and other stakeholders consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at the global level This unified approach bolstered by financial support aims to boost the biodiversity conservation agenda halt the decline in big cat populations and conserve ecology IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/significant-step-says-bhupender-yadav-on-ibca-getting-privileges-given-to-un-agencies-633471.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-alert-in-several-mp-districts-633492.html Bhopal Aug 22 A widespread monsoon surge has gripped Madhya Pradesh bringing intense rainfall thunderstorms and lightning across nearly every corner of the state The Bhopal Centre of the India Meteorological Department has flagged several districts for very heavy rainfall with Dhar Ujjain and Sheopur expected to bear the brunt These regions are likely to see torrential downpours accompanied by frequent lightning strikes and gusty winds posing risks of waterlogging and localised floodingHeavy rainfall is also forecast for Rajgarh Alirajpur Jhabua Indore Ratlam Dewas Shajapur Agar Mandsaur Neemuch Guna Ashoknagar Shivpuri Gwalior Datia Bhind Morena Singrauli Anuppur Dindori Mandla and Balaghat These districts may experience intense spells of rain interspersed with thunder and lightning especially during the afternoon and evening hoursMadhya Pradesh remains under the grip of relentless monsoon activity as three major rain systems continue to dominate the regions weather patternOn Friday an orange alert has been issued for Sheopur Neemuch and Mandsaur where very heavy rainfall is expected to reach up to 85 inches within 24 hoursA yellow alert has also been sounded for several other districts including Gwalior Morena Bhind Datia Niwari Shivpuri Guna Ashoknagar Rajgarh Ratlam AgarMalwa Anuppur Dindori Mandla and Balaghat all of which are likely to receive substantial showersLight rain is forecast to persist across the remaining parts of the stateOn Thursday rainfall was recorded in 26 districts including Bhopal and similar conditions are expected to prevail over the next four days keeping much of the state soaked and on alertMeanwhile a broader swath of the state including Bhopal Vidisha Raisen Sehore Narmadapuram Betul Harda Burhanpur Khandwa Khargone Barwani Sidhi Rewa Mauganj Satna Shahdol Umaria Katni Jabalpur Narsinghpur Chhindwara Seoni Panna Damoh Sagar Chhatarpur Tikamgarh Niwari Maihar and Pandhurna is expected to see scattered thunderstorms and lightning activityRainfall in these areas may range from light drizzles to moderate showers with occasional bursts of thunderThe meteorological dynamics behind this surge are complex and active The monsoon trough currently stretches from Jaisalmer through Kota Datia Sidhi Ranchi and Bankura extending southeastward into the Bay of BengalThis trough is situated about 15 kilometres above mean sea level and is fuelling widespread instability An offshore trough along the GujaratMaharashtra coast continues to feed moisture into the system while upper air cyclonic circulations over northwest Madhya Pradesh north Odisha Gangetic West Bengal and the Kutch region are intensifying the rainfall patternA persistent shear zone along latitude 24 degrees N is further enhancing vertical wind shear contributing to thunderstorm developmentWith most districts under active weather alerts residents are advised to remain indoors during lightning activity avoid travel through flooded roads and stay tuned to official updates The current conditions are expected to persist for the next few days with rainfall intensity varying across regions but remaining widespread IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-alert-in-several-mp-districts-633492.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/widespread-rain-lashes-gujarat-dams-near-capacity-633503.html Gandhinagar Aug 22 Heavy rainfall continued across Gujarat over the past 24 hours with showers reported in 212 talukas across 33 districts Valsads Pardi taluka recorded the highest rainfall at 4 inches followed by Dharampur with 3 inches while Khervagam Navsari Kaprada Valsad and Talod Sabarkantha received more than 2 inches according to the State Emergency Operation Centre SEOCThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a warning to fishermen advising them not to venture into the sea along Gujarats coastal belt from August 22 to 25 due to rough weather conditionsAs of now the state has received an average of 68114 mm rainfall accounting for 7724 per cent of the seasons quotaSouth Gujarat leads with 8051 per cent of seasonal rainfall followed by Kutch 8026 per cent Saurashtra 7739 per cent North Gujarat 7587 per cent and EastCentral Gujarat 7340 per centWater levels in reservoirs have surged with the Narmada Dam considered Gujarats lifeline now at 8084 per cent capacityAcross the state 206 other reservoirs are filled to 7574 per cent of their capacity Authorities have placed 73 dams on high alert 35 on alert and 16 under warning The monsoon has also triggered largescale evacuationsSince June 1 2025 nearly 5205 people have been shifted to safer locations while 900 citizens have been rescuedTo deal with emergencies 12 National Disaster Response Force NDRF teams and 20 State Disaster Response Force SDRF teams have been deployed across the state One NDRF and 13 SDRF teams are kept on standby at headquartersGujarats 2025 monsoon has been marked by extremes early surge patchy distribution and sudden cloudburstsJune turned out to be the wettest in a decade with around 28870 mm of rainfall or nearly 33 per cent of the annual average falling in just one monthBy late June the state had already received over 34 per cent of its seasonal quota a record pace compared to previous yearsThe rain however was uneven South Gujarat and Kutch saw rainfall above 80 per cent of their average while Saurashtra struggled with long dry spells and deficits with some talukas recording as little as 23 per cent36 per cent of normal rain IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/widespread-rain-lashes-gujarat-dams-near-capacity-633503.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/four-giraffe-species-officially-recognised-in-major-scientific-reclassification-iucn-report-633379.html Windhoek Namibia Aug 21 A groundbreaking assessment has officially recognised four distinct giraffe species overturning previous classifications of the worlds tallest land mammal as a single species The taxonomic review undertaken by the International Union for Conservation of Natur IUCN Species Survival Commissions Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group GOSG Taxonomic Task Force and made public on Thursday marks a major milestone in the giraffe taxonomy and reshapes how giraffe diversity is understood and conservedHistorically giraffe Giraffa spp have been classified as a single species with nine subspecies but they have long been the subject of taxonomic uncertaintyIn response to growing scientific evidence and the urgent need for clearer conservation planning the GOSG launched a Taxonomic Task Force in 2024 to comprehensively review the latest genetic morphological and biogeographical dataThis landmark taxonomic revision by the IUCN Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group reflects the best available science and provides a globally standardised framework to inform conservation said Michael Brown CoChair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group and Conservation Science Coordinator for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and one of the coauthors of the assessmentRecognising these four species is vital not only for accurate IUCN Red List assessments targeted conservation action and coordinated management across national borders The more precisely we understand giraffe taxonomy the better equipped we are to assess their status and implement effective conservation strategies Brown addedThe Task Force evaluated extensive genetic data from multiple peerreviewed studies many of which investigated giraffe genetics making giraffe among the most genetically wellstudied large mammal taxa in AfricaAnalyses of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA consistently revealed large differences between several giraffe lineages supporting the recognition of multiple speciesComplementing the genetic work the review also incorporated studies of morphological differentiation including notable differences in skull structure and bone shape across regionsBiogeographic assessments also considered the role of natural barriers such as major rivers rift valleys and arid zones that could have contributed to evolutionary isolationTogether these multiple lines of evidence provide scientific support for elevating certain giraffe populations to full species status reflecting their distinct evolutionary histories IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/four-giraffe-species-officially-recognised-in-major-scientific-reclassification-iucn-report-633379.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistans-sindh-struggles-with-power-cuts-waterlogging-as-heavy-rainfall-continues-633288.html Islamabad Aug 21 Torrential monsoon rains continue to batter Pakistan leaving Sindh province and its capital Karachi grappling with power outages and waterlogging on Thursday The Pakistani officials warned that the next phase of the monsoon spells could bring even greater devastation local media reportedAccording to the Karachi Traffic Police several roads remain submerged in rainwater while the Korangi River and Causeway Road in the city remain shut to general trafficResidents in multiple areas of the city including North Nazimabad GulistaneJauhar Defence View Orangi Town Lyari Baldia Town Liaquatabad Surjani and Korangi Industrial Area reported being without electricity for more than 24 to 48 hoursAdditionally in some parts of Karachi outages extended beyond 36 hours leaving households without waterAt least 11 people were killed and 10 were injured in Karachi as of Wednesday according to a report by the leading Pakistani media outlet Dunya NewsMeanwhile in the GulistaneJauhar area Block 8 residents staged a protest after enduring 32 hours without electricity while in Block 2 the outage had persisted since Tuesday Several parts of North Nazimabad reported blackouts for as long as 45 hoursSimilar complaints were recorded by locals in Hyderabad city who stated that 90 per cent of Latifabad and Qasimabad were still without electricity with delays in restoration stretching beyond seven hours Pakistani media outlet Geo News reportedAddressing a press conference following his visit to floodaffected parts of Karachi Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said that the electricity crisis had emerged as the citys major challengeHe told reporters that in Surjani many families had no choice but to sleep on rooftops as rainwater flooded their homesTessori noted that Governor Houses complaints cell had received over 11000 complaints in a single day the majority concerning power outages IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistans-sindh-struggles-with-power-cuts-waterlogging-as-heavy-rainfall-continues-633288.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-roorkees-new-tool-to-predict-how-floods-spread-disease-in-cities-633115.html New Delhi Aug 19 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Roorkee have developed HyEco a firstofitskind integrated floodwater quality modelling platform which shows how potential diseasecausing microbes can travel in floodwaters and where people are most at risk of getting affected This novel framework which also predicts how urban flood waters will spread across a city was tested during the 2023 Delhi floodsThe results were alarming over 60 per cent of flooded areas were in the high to very high danger zones and harmful bacteria E coli in the water were found to be hundreds of thousands of times above safe limitsChildren in particular faced infection risks more than double the internationally accepted safety levels when playing in floodwatersFloodwaters in many Indian cities mix with untreated sewage and industrial waste creating a toxic mix that can lead to outbreaks of diarrhoea cholera and other dangerous waterborne diseasesHyEco can help authorities see these threats in advance identify health danger hotspots and take quick action to protect people for example by improving sewage treatment cleaning drains before monsoons warning residents through SMS alerts and using advanced water cleaning methodsFloods dont just damage buildings they can trigger silent health crises HyEco gives us the power to see where the danger will be highest so action can be taken before its too late said Prof Mohit P Mohanty Department of Water Resources Development and Management IIT RoorkeeThis research is a perfect example of science serving society By helping cities prepare for both the visible and hidden dangers of floods HyEco can play a vital role in building safer healthier and climateresilient communities in India and around the world said Prof Kamal Kishore Pant Director IIT RoorkeeHyEco is designed to be used not just in India but in floodprone cities worldwide from Mumbai to Manila Jakarta to New Orleans offering an innovative sciencebased solution to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases after floodsThe research supports key government missions such as the National Mission for Clean Ganga Swachh Bharat Mission National Disaster Management Plan and the National Health MissionIt also helps meet several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs including SDG 3 good health and wellbeing SDG 6 clean water and sanitation SDG 11 sustainable cities and communities and SDG 13 climate action IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-roorkees-new-tool-to-predict-how-floods-spread-disease-in-cities-633115.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-prompts-flood-warning-for-eastern-australia-633127.html Sydney Aug 20 Millions of residents of the Australian state of New South Wales NSW were on Wednesday told to prepare for possible flooding as a severe wet weather system hit the countrys east coast Authorities in NSW on Wednesday issued heavy rainfall warnings for communities along almost 1000 km of the states coastline including SydneyThe Bureau of Meteorology BoM said that the significant rain event driven by three separate weather systems was expected to bring isolated rainfall totals of up to 75 millimetres on Wednesday night followed by up to 120 millimetres on Thursday and another 60 millimetres on FridayAddressing a press conference on Wednesday afternoon NSW State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz said that some communities that have been hit by heavy rainfall in recent months could experience flooding overnightShe said that water from previous severe rainfall events made flooding more likely and warned residents that complacency is a riskThis year we have seen significant weather events significant flooding and a lot of damage We know the community is tired and volunteers are tired Platz saidRegions north of Sydney experienced recordbreaking flooding in May that caused five deathsSteve Bernasconi a hazard preparedness manager at the BoM said on Wednesday that the current event was not expected to bring enough rain to prompt a severe weather warning but that it could cause isolated major flooding due to some water catchments already being at capacity Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on August 2 more than 27500 homes in the east coast Australian state of NSW were without power because of damage from heavy rain strong winds and snowfall the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC had reportedABC quoted local power provider Essential Energy as saying that impacted customers should prepare for the power outages to continue overnight because though its crews were working to restore power where it is safe to do so severe weather would cause delaysThe NSW State Emergency Service SES had said on its website that moderate to heavy rainfall was forecast to persist in the Coffs Coast Mid North Coast Upper Hunter and New England regions in the state on Saturday afternoon and it had issued 28 warnings about storms and predicted minor flooding as well as possible moderate floodingNicole Hogan Assistant Commissioner of NSW SES had said that heavy and persistent rainfall could cause roads to become flooded and impassable IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-prompts-flood-warning-for-eastern-australia-633127.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/andhra-pradesh-mla-followers-accused-of-kidnapping-assaulting-forest-officials-633213.html Amaravati Aug 20 An Andhra Pradesh MLA and his followers allegedly assaulted Forest Department officials after kidnapping them near Srisailam in Nandyal district according to a police complaint Srisailam MLA B Rajasekhara Reddy of the ruling Telugu Desam Party TDP and his followers allegedly attacked the officials of Nekkanti Forest Range a part of Srisailam Tiger Reserves Markapuram Division late on TuesdayThe forest officials lodged a complaint with the police According to them the MLA and his followers kidnapped and assaulted them near Srisailam around 10 pm on TuesdayAccording to the complaint lodged at Srisailam One Town Police Station the MLA and others kidnapped Nekkanti Range Deputy Forest Officer Ram Naik Beat officers Guruvaiah Mohan Kumar and driver Karimullah and assaulted themThe Forest officials informed the higher officials about the incident Later a complaint was lodged with the policeThe employees told media persons that they were on a patrolling duty in connection with the case relating to the killing of a tiger when the MLA and his followers confronted them near a checkpost One of the employees said they abused them and told them that they were not following their orders and cooperating despite their government being in powerThe employees alleged that the MLA himself drove the government vehicle in which they were kidnapped and assaulted The vehicle was driven around the area till 2 am before the employees were let offMeanwhile Chenchu and other tribals staged a protest against the attack at Sunnipenta Srisailam Dornala and YerragondapalemThe association of forest officials condemned the incident They said the matter has been brought to the notice of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan who also holds the forest portfolio They demanded strong action against those involved in the attack on the employees belonging to the Scheduled Castes the Scheduled Tribes and minoritiesMeanwhile Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has taken serious note of the incident involving his party MLA He spoke to senior officials about the incident and sought a detailed reportThe Chief Minister directed officials to register a case and take up an investigationOpposition YSR Congress Party has alleged that the TDP MLA Rajasekhara Reddy under the influence of alcohol attacked forest officers on duty obstructed patrolling operations and even harassed tribal staff This shocking incident has drawn widespread criticism and highlighted the lawlessness among ruling party legislators the party said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/andhra-pradesh-mla-followers-accused-of-kidnapping-assaulting-forest-officials-633213.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-over-bay-of-bengal-triggers-cyclone-warning-in-tn-ports-633007.html Chennai Aug 20 A lowpressure system has formed over the westcentral and northwest Bay of Bengal close to the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts prompting the India Meteorological Department IMD to issue cyclone warnings for several Tamil Nadu ports According to the IMD the system is expected to move in a westnorthwest direction over the next few daysAs a result heavy rainfall is likely along the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha while Tamil Nadu particularly its northeastern districts is expected to experience intermittent showers influenced by the weather disturbanceIn view of the situation cyclone warning signal number 1 has been hoisted at Nagapattinam port Similar alerts have been sounded in eight other ports Chennai Cuddalore Puducherry Karaikal Ennore Pamban Kattupalli and ThoothukudiThe warning indicates the possibility of squally winds and rough sea conditions and fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea until further noticeWeather officials have cautioned that while Tamil Nadu is not directly in the path of the lowpressure system its coastal regions will still be affectedThe system is more concentrated towards northern Andhra and southern Odisha but Tamil Nadus northeastern belt will see spells of rain over the coming days the IMD said in a statementAuthorities have already begun implementing precautionary measures at ports while district administrations in coastal regions have been alerted to prepare for heavy rains possible waterlogging and gusty windsEmergency response teams have also been instructed to remain on standbyThe IMD added that it is closely tracking the development and movement of the system and further updates will be issued depending on its intensificationResidents in coastal areas have been urged to follow weather advisories and cooperate with safety instructionsThe lowpressure system comes at a time when the southwest monsoon is active across Tamil NaduMeteorologists said the combination of monsoon activity and the Bay of Bengal disturbance could bring additional rainfall providing relief from heat but also increasing the risk of local flooding in lowlying areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-over-bay-of-bengal-triggers-cyclone-warning-in-tn-ports-633007.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-receives-71-per-cent-of-seasonal-rainfall-633063.html Ahmedabad Aug 20 Heavy rain lashed Gujarats coastal Saurashtra region with Devbhumi Dwarka district recording the highest rainfall of 11 inches including 1075 inches in Kalyanpur and 6 inches in Dwarka taluka The rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hoursPorbandar received around 4 inches of rainfall Mangrol 374 inches Sutrapada 335 inches and Jafrabad over 3 inchesIn Junagadhs Mendarda taluka nearly 10 inches of rain poured in just four hours between 6 am and 10 am on Wednesday while Vanthali and Keshod saw over 5 inches and 4 inches respectively Heavy showers were also reported from Bhavnagars Mahuva 476 inches and GirSomnaths Talala 4 inchesThe downpour has significantly boosted water storage with the Sardar Sarovar Dam now 7788 per cent full holding 260174 MCM of water while the other 206 reservoirs across the state are at 7448 per cent of their capacity Authorities have placed 64 dams on high alert 29 on alert and 21 under warningAccording to the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar Gujarat has so far received over 71 per cent of its seasonal average rainfall with Kutch leading at 75 per cent followed by South Gujarat 73 per cent North Gujarat 72 per cent CentralEastern Gujarat nearly 70 per cent and Saurashtra at 6906 per cent Since 2020 Gujarat has exhibited increasingly erratic and intense rainfall trendsThe year 2020 saw an extraordinary 10917 mm of rain about 58 per cent above average with Devbhumi Dwarka alone recording 2132 mm a staggering 325 per cent excess In 2021 Saurashtra endured severe floods in September resulting in loss of life and massive infrastructure damageData for 2022 suggests nearnormal to slightly belownormal totals though numbers remain limited By 2023 the trend toward volatility deepened 12 of Gujarats 33 districts experienced more than a 50 per cent increase in seasonal rainfall over the 20142023 norm Devbhumi Dwarka again led the surge with a 135 per cent rise while regions like Porbandar Vadodara Bharuch and Tapi also saw significant gainsIn 2024 SaurashtraKutch alone saw a 75 per cent excess rainfall one of the highest in India The total seasonal rainfall ended up approximately 8 per cent above normal with reservoir levels significantly impactedIn 2025 the monsoon arrived early and by midJune Gujarat had already received 30 per cent of its seasonal rainfall 257 mm the fastest such pace in a decade far surpassing the fiveyear average of just 106 per cent for that period June proved to be the wettest month since 2015 delivering about 2887 mm around 327 per cent of the annual average rainfall IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-receives-71-per-cent-of-seasonal-rainfall-633063.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/krishna-godavari-in-spate-first-warning-issued-at-prakasam-barrage-632834.html Vijayawada Aug 19 Krishna and Godavari rivers are in spate while the first flood warning was issued at Prakasam Barrage here on Tuesday Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDMA has alerted people in the downstream of the Prakasam BarrageDue to massive inflows following incessant rains upstream the water level has increased at the barrage across the Krishna RiverOfficials said the inflow of 401 lakh cusecs at the barrage was being let out downstream The inflow is likely to reach 6 lakh cusecs by Tuesday eveningMassive inflows from upstream reservoirs driven by heavy rain in catchment areas prompted authorities to lift 69 out of 70 crest gates to release surplus water into the seaAll major dams on both the Krishna and Godavari were receiving massive inflows The inflow at Srisailam dam across the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh was 342 lakh cusecs The authorities were releasing 404 lakh cusecs downstream The inflow and outflow at Nagarjuna Sagar dam in Telangana were 371 lakh cusecs and 398 lakh cusecs respectivelyThe water level in Godavari was also rising sharply at Bhadrachalam in Telangana The water level stood at 366 feetThe inflow and inflow at Dowleswaram Barrage near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh was 823 lakh cusecsAPSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain has urged people living along the Krishna Godavari and Tungabhadra rivers to remain alert He cautioned people against crossing overflowing streams and canalsMeanwhile the Indian Meteorological Department IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall over coastal Andhra Pradesh on TuesdayThe lowpressure area over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts intensified into a wellmarked lowpressure area and crossed the Odisha coast at Gopalapuram on TuesdayUnder the influence of a lowpressure area isolated places in the north coastal Andhra received heavy rainfall Squally winds with a speed of 3545 km are likely in the regionAPSDMA has cautioned fishermen against venturing into the sea and appealed to people to remain alertMeanwhile G Vijayalaxmi Special Chief Secretary Disaster Management held a teleconference with district Collectors in view of the floods in the Krishna and Godavari riversShe reviewed the situation with Collectors of 13 districts along the course of the two rivers She directed them to take all measures to prevent any untoward incidentThe Collectors were asked to alert people of lowlying areas and if necessary shift them to relief campsThe Special Chief Secretary directed that the teams of National Disaster Response Force NDRF Special Disaster Response Force SDRF should be kept on standbyThe officials were also directed to ensure sufficient stocks of essential commodities medicines and sanitation material IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/krishna-godavari-in-spate-first-warning-issued-at-prakasam-barrage-632834.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/hariyalo-campaign-over-10-crore-saplings-planted-in-2025-claims-rajasthan-cm-632880.html Jaipur 19 Aug Rajasthan has achieved a historic milestone under the Hariyalo Rajasthan campaign with the state crossing the target of planting 10 crore saplings this year On Tuesday Minister of State for Forest and Environment Independent Charge Sanjay Sharma met Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at his residence and congratulated him on this achievementOn this occasion the Chief Minister released a campaign poster while the Forest Minister presented a sapling to himTaking inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative the state government launched Hariyalo Rajasthan under the Chief Ministers Plantation Mahabhiyan on Hariyali Teej last yearThe government has set a goal of planting 50 crore saplings in five years ensuring their survival through geotagging and systematic monitoringThe Chief Minister said that last year the target of 7 crore saplings was surpassed by planting 75 crore saplings and this years goal of 10 crore has also been exceeded with 1021 crore saplings planted so farHe urged the department to continue motivating citizens to participate actively as the monsoon season still offers opportunities for plantationSharma emphasised that this success reflects the collective awareness and commitment of the people of Rajasthan towards environmental conservationHe noted that the plantation is not merely symbolic but a concrete step towards securing a greener future for the coming generationsThe Chief Minister also appealed to the public to take an active part in plantation drives under Hariyalo RajasthanSo far 375 lakh saplings have been planted individually and 983 crore at the block level covering nearly 20 lakh hectares of land across 274920 plantation sitesVarious departments have also contributed significantly Education Department 325 crore Rural Development 265 crore Forest Department 2 crore and Pollution Control Board 50 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/hariyalo-campaign-over-10-crore-saplings-planted-in-2025-claims-rajasthan-cm-632880.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-heavy-rains-forecast-in-several-districts-ndrf-sdrf-teams-on-alert-632919.html Gandhinagar Aug 19 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a forecast of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat over the next two days According to the advisory Amreli Bhavnagar Surat Navsari and Valsad districts are likely to witness very heavy rain on August 20 while Kutch Devbhumi Dwarka Porbandar and Junagadh may experience similar conditions on August 21 The IMD has further predicted moderate to heavy rainfall across the state until August 25A meeting of the Weather Watch Group chaired by the Relief Commissioner at SEOC Gandhinagar reviewed the situation IMD officials provided a detailed outlook for the coming week while disaster management agencies outlined preparedness measures NDRF officials informed that 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and 20 teams of the State Disaster Response Force SDRF have been deployed across districts with one NDRF team kept in reserve An additional SDRF unit has been assigned for crowd management during the Tarnetar fair in SurendranagarOfficials from the irrigation department shared data on water storage across 206 reservoirs in the state noting that 61 are on high alert 27 are on alert and 21 are at the warning level Updates on the Sardar Sarovar Dams storage levels were also presentedThe Relief Commissioner instructed all departmental nodal officers to remain vigilant and ensure effective coordination in case of emergencies during the ongoing monsoon Representatives from the Gujarat Water Supply Board Gujarat Maritime Board Central Water Commission ISRO GSRTC Agriculture Health Roads and Buildings Energy Indian Army Panchayat Urban Development and Animal Husbandry departments attended the meetingAs of August 1819 2025 Gujarat has received about 6891 per cent of its average seasonal monsoon rainfall with widespread showers over the past week pushing up water levels in major dams and reservoirsSince 2020 Gujarats rainfall pattern has become increasingly erratic marked by fewer rainy days but far more intense downpours In 2023 Cyclone Biparjoy devastated crops across 13 lakh hectares while in 2024 the state saw an unprecedented 66 extremely heavy rainfall events double the previous year with Cyclone Asna pushing seasonal rain up to 180 per cent of normal in some districts and rapidly filling reservoirsThe trend intensified in 2025 when Gujarat recorded 20 times more rain than usual in May and 161 per cent excess rainfall in June breaking a 44year record with Kutch alone receiving 184 per cent of its seasonal average As of mid2025 the state had already logged 30 per cent of its monsoon quota the fastest start in a decade and the IMD projects abovenormal rains through August underlining how climate change is driving short sharp and disruptive rainfall episodes rather than steady monsoons IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-heavy-rains-forecast-in-several-districts-ndrf-sdrf-teams-on-alert-632919.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-holiday-declared-for-schools-amp-colleges-in-7-ktaka-districts-today-632740.html Bengaluru Aug 19 The administrations of seven districts in Karnataka declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday in various taluks following heavy and incessant rain officials said The holidays have been declared as a precautionary measure for schools and colleges in Dharwad Chikkamagaluru Belagavi Karwar Hassan Bidar and Madikeri districtsA red alert has been issued for Udupi Uttara Kannada Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districtsAn orange alert has been issued for Dakshina Kannada Belagavi Bidar Kalaburagi Vijayapura Hassan and Kodagu districts while a yellow alert has been declared for Bagalkot Yadgir Ballari and Davanagere districtsThe Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre has warned that the state especially coastal and hilly regions will continue to witness heavy rainfall and strong winds until August 20The combined water release towards Tamil Nadu from the Krishna Raja Sagar KRS dam in Mandya district and Kabini reservoirs in Mysuru district has been increased to 95000 cusecsDue to continuous heavy rain in the Shiradi Ghat region of Hassan district landslides have occurred at several locationsNear Kappalli in Sakaleshpur taluk a large quantity of mud and huge boulders collapsed onto the road Fortunately no casualties were reportedAt Donigal in Sakaleshpur taluk a retaining wall built to ensure the safety of National Highway75 in the Shiradi Ghat has collapsedIn Dharwad district Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu has declared a holiday on Tuesday for all Anganwadi centres primary schools high schools and preuniversity colleges citing continuous rainfall over the past two to three days and concerns for childrens safetyShe also directed the Deputy Director of the Department of School Education to compensate for the holiday by conducting classes on one of the upcoming general holidaysIn Madikeri Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja announced holidays for schools and colleges across Kodagu district citing predictions of heavy rain and rough weather on TuesdayAn orange alert has been issued in the district and precautionary measures have been initiated The inflow into the Harangi reservoir has increased prompting the release of 8000 cusecs of waterAuthorities in Chikkamagaluru district have also declared holidays for schools and Anganwadi centres in Chikkamagaluru Mudigere Kalasa Sringeri Koppa Tarikere and NR Pura taluks Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj issued the order The Tungabhadra river is in spate and in Sringeri taluk it has crossed the danger markIn Belagavi district Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan has declared a holiday for Anganwadi centres schools and colleges in seven taluks Belagavi Bailhongal Kittur Khanapur Ramdurg Savadatti and ChikkodiKarwar Deputy Commissioner Laxmi Priya has announced holidays for schools and preuniversity colleges Classes 11 and 12Similarly Hassan Deputy Commissioner Lathakumari has declared holidays for Anganwadi centres and schools in three taluks Holidays have also been declared in Aurad taluk of Bidar districtThe administrations of seven districts in Karnataka had already declared holidays on Monday for schools and colleges in various taluks following heavy and incessant rainfallThe downpour continues to lash coastal Karnataka and the hilly regions of the state severely disrupting normal lifeThe parched lands of North Karnataka too are receiving heavy rain Meanwhile Bengaluru experienced drizzle and chilly weather on Monday giving the city a hillstationlike feel as the week began IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-holiday-declared-for-schools-amp-colleges-in-7-ktaka-districts-today-632740.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 01:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-western-ghats-chennai-to-see-isolated-showers-632744.html Chennai Aug 19 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai in a statement said that the southwest monsoon has become active over Tamil Nadu bringing the possibility of heavy rain in the Western Ghats region over the coming days According to the forecast the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall while Chennai and its neighbouring areas will experience light to moderate showers in isolated places The RMC also warned of thunderstorm activity in the city during the next few days Officials noted that a lowpressure area has formed over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near the north Andhra Pradesh coast This system meteorologists said is likely to intensify into a depression in the coming days further strengthening rainfall activity across parts of Tamil Nadu The RMC has predicted that light to moderate rain will occur at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal until August 24 The Western Ghats particularly the Nilgiris and Coimbatore are expected to see heavy downpours while interior districts may receive moderate rainfall an official said In Chennai the sky condition is expected to remain partly cloudy with intermittent spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms Residents have been advised to take precautions particularly in lowlying areas prone to waterlogging during intense spells The rainfall is likely to bring muchneeded relief to farmers in the delta and interior districts who have been awaiting consistent showers to support crop cultivation However officials also cautioned that heavy rain in hilly regions could trigger landslides urging local administrations to remain on alertFishermen along the coastal districts have been advised to exercise caution as weather conditions may deteriorate due to the developing depression in the Bay of Bengal The Meteorological Department said it is closely monitoring the systems progress and will issue updates as the situation evolves With the southwest monsoon gaining momentum Tamil Nadu is expected to see widespread rainfall activity in the coming days bringing both relief and challenges across different regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-western-ghats-chennai-to-see-isolated-showers-632744.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/8-die-as-rain-batters-maharashtra-heavy-forecast-in-mumbai-thane-palghar-632754.html Mumbai Aug 19 At least eight people have died so far amid heavy rain and floods in various parts of Maharashtra even as the Weather Department has forecast heavy downpours on Tuesday and until August 21 Rain lashed all parts of the state on Sunday and Monday and the rain will continue with the same intensity in Mumbai for the next two days After that it will decrease on Friday The weather bureau has issued a warning of extremely heavy rain for Mumbai Thane and Palghar districts on Tuesday and has appealed to people to venture out of their homes only if necessaryIn the Nanded district at least five people have died and six are missing in the floods There is preliminary information that about 150 animals have been killed in the district Rescue teams have succeeded in saving 293 people trapped in the floods Midnight on Sunday a team of the State Disaster Response Force SDRF was deployed in the Mukhed area for rescue operations and the Army has also been called from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar One person died in Beed and three people trapped in the flood were rescued One person died after a wall collapsed in AkolaIn South Mumbai one person died after a retaining wall collapsed on him at Shimla House in the Nepean Sea Road area of Malabar Hill The accident occurred around 1130 am on Monday The deceased was identified as Satish Tirke A youth who fell into the Mithi River from the BKC bridge near the Kanakia Palace building in Bandra continues to be missing His name is Vardan Janjotar 24 The fire brigade was searching for him till late Monday nightAccording to the state governments disaster management control room and emergency operation centre rescue teams have evacuated more than 300 people to safer places According to preliminary estimates 45 lakh hectares of farmland have been damaged across the state Six to seven villages in Mukhed taluka of Nanded district are reeling under floodlike conditions due to a cloudburst A team of the Central Disaster Response Force NDRF was dispatched to Kaudgaon in Parli taluka of Beed district on MondayIn Konkan the Jagbudi Shastri and Kodavali Rivers in Ratnagiri district and the Kundalika River in Raigad district have crossed the danger levels It is estimated that two lakh hectares of crops have been damaged due to rain in Vidarbha and about 259 lakh hectares in Nanded and Beed districts of Marathwada Turmeric cotton and soybean crops have been the most affectedAs the heavy rain lashed Mumbai Thane Raigad Konkan Western Maharashtra Vidarbha and Marathwada since Sunday night Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday took stock of the situation and ordered the revenue emergency and police agencies to be on alert mode and participate in relief work Traffic jams in various parts of Mumbai were witnessed throughout Monday due to waterlogging on roads in many lowlying areas The speed of suburban trains also slowed down due to waterlogging on the tracks Students suffered a lot as school buses got stuck in the flooded streetsAccording to the state emergency operation centre Mumbai city suburbs and Thane district have been receiving heavy rainfall for the last three days The rain intensified on Monday with heavy rain starting in Mulund Bhandup Ghatkopar Kurla Sion Jogeshwari Borivali Malad Andheri Santa Cruz and Colaba areas The Colaba centre of the Meteorological Department recorded 452 mm of rainfall from 830 am to 530 pm on Monday while the Santa Cruz centre recorded 1239 mm 1014 mm of rainfall was also recorded in ThaneThe BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday for schools for their second session beginning after noon on Monday In the wake of the weather bureaus prediction for heavy rain the schools and colleges in Mumbai Thane and Navi Mumbai remained closed on Tuesday The government has delegated the necessary orders to the District Collectors to take a call on declaring a holiday for schools and colleges in such a situation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/8-die-as-rain-batters-maharashtra-heavy-forecast-in-mumbai-thane-palghar-632754.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbai-heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-homes-submerged-in-kandivali-632780.html Mumbai Aug 19 Relentless rainfall paralyzes life in Mumbai as the city grapples with waterlogging traffic disruptions and flooded homes One of the worsthit areas is the Milind Vikas Samiti Society in Hanuman Nagar Kandivali where residents are trapped indoors since early Tuesday morning due to flooding Water entered several groundfloor homes around 4 am and remained stagnant for over five hours With rain showing no signs of slowing down the situation has turned dire for many families Daily life has come to a standstill as residents struggle for basic necessities like food drinking water and electricityIANS spoke to residents of Kandivali where they talked about the difficulties they are facing with heavy rainfallWe are surrounded by water Its been five hours and the water level hasnt come down We have no food and no one has come to help us yet said Ranjan a local resident expressing frustration at the delay in relief effortsUma another resident shared her distress Water entered our house at 4 am We have no dry place left to sit No authority has responded This happens every year and still nothing changesSunil Vishwakarma added Mumbai has been battered by rain for the last four days Everything is lost Our children are huddled upstairs Theres no food or water Its a nightmareThe ongoing monsoon fury has put much of Maharashtra on high alert with Mumbai being one of the worstaffected cities In the last 24 hours alone several areas have received over 200 mm of rainfall Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs recorded the highest at 2555 mm Major localities like Borivali Andheri Sion Dadar and Chembur have experienced relentless downpours leading to severe waterlogging and disruptions in public transportAs a precaution the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC declared a holiday for all schools and colleges across Mumbai on Tuesday The Thane Municipal Corporation followed suit announcing a twoday closure for all educational institutions on August 18 and 19 due to continuous rain and the red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department IMDThe IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai Thane and Palghar districts urging citizens to step out only if necessary The department forecasts continued downpours until Thursday with some relief expected by FridayMeanwhile Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the State Emergency Control Room on Monday to assess the flood situation He directed immediate relief measures for affected areas and urged coordination among various civic agenciesAt least eight people have lost their lives across Maharashtra due to rainrelated incidents in the past few days Rescue teams remain on high alert as the city prepares for more rainfall in the coming hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbai-heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-homes-submerged-in-kandivali-632780.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-parts-of-west-bengal-till-weekend-632802.html Kolkata Aug 19 The Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecast moderate to heavy rain over Kolkata and south Bengal districts till the weekend due to a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal According to the weather office the lowpressure system formed in the sea has turned into a deep depression It entered the land near Gopalpur in Odisha on Tuesday morningAlthough the system will not have a special impact on West Bengal there is a possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rain in most districts of South Bengal this weekAn official at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore said that the monsoon axis is currently extending over the deep depression of Odisha along Nalia Bhopal Betul and Raipur to the eastcentral Bay of BengalThe deep depression formed in the Bay of Bengal has entered the land near Gopalpur At present it is located near South Odisha and Chhattisgarh It will gradually lose strength and turn into a distinct depression However due to this the sea will remain rough off the Odisha coast for the next few days As a result fishermen along the coast of South Bengal and Odisha adjacent to the north Bay of Bengal have been advised not to venture into the deep sea till Friday said the officialOn Tuesday and Wednesday thunderstorms may occur in Kolkata and the districts of Howrah Hooghly North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram and Bankura The same alert has been issued for Murshidabad district on WednesdayHeavy rain will start from Thursday On that day heavy rain is likely to occur in the South 24 Parganas district On Friday heavy rain may occur in North 24 Parganas East Midnapore East Burdwan Murshidabad and Nadia districts The weather will remain like this until next Monday said the met department officialMeanwhile thunderstorms will continue in north Bengal as well Thunderstorms are likely in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts on Tuesday Heavy rain is likely in Jalpaiguri Kalimpong and Alipurduar districts on Wednesday Heavy rain is likely in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Thursday and will continue till FridayMeanwhile the minimum temperature in Kolkata on Tuesday was 264 degrees Celsius 01 degrees above normal The maximum temperature in the city on Monday was 32 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-forecast-for-parts-of-west-bengal-till-weekend-632802.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-cm-gupta-takes-stock-of-flood-affected-areas-assures-all-possible-help-632805.html New Delhi Aug 19 IANS As rising water levels in the Yamuna continue to flood parts of Delhi including Yamuna Bazar and nearby lowlying areas Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday visited the affected regions to assess the situation and review the flood preparedness measuresnbspDozens of families have been forced to abandon their homes seeking refuge in makeshift tents or on rooftops as the Yamuna swells dangerously close to the evacuation marknbspCM Gupta said The water level has risen significantly I have inspected the control room there is continuous flow and no water retention These houses are situated near the Yamuna floodplain I had earlier requested residents to shift temporarily but many chose to stayShe added I have taken stock of the area One major issue is the lack of electricity I believe the water level will start receding in the next one or two days In the meantime weve installed medical relief camps and provided food and water To address electricity concerns weve distributed solar panels to ensure people dont face power issues The situation is under control While I continue to advise residents to relocate for their safety for those who choose to stay we are committed to providing all necessary support I am available for the people of DelhinbspCM Gupta also shared a few photos on social media platform X and said Today I reached Yamuna Bazaar area of Delhi and inspected the flood management and administrative preparations on the spot and talked to the local people and listened to their problems For some time in the morning the water level of Yamuna was expected to touch 206 metres but now the situation is completely under controlThis area is the lowline area of the flood plain of Yamuna so the water reached here but did not go beyond that There is no floodlike situation in Delhi This was the maximum rise in the water level and now the water is in the direction of receding The situation is being continuously monitored from the control room Relief and rescue teams are deployed with full alertness so that every situation can be dealt with I want to assure the people of Delhi that the government stands with you at every step Your safety and convenience is our top priority so there is no need to worry about anythingnbspThe water level in Yamuna river at Delhis Old Railway Bridge reached 20579 metres slightly short of the 206metre evacuation level at 8 AM on TuesdayThe water level in the river had touched 20555 metres on Monday afternoon breaching the danger mark of 20533 metres and has been increasing since thennbspOfficials said the situation is being closely monitored and all the agencies concerned have been asked to take precautionary measures to handle a floodlike situationnbspWater released from upstream barrages typically takes 48 to 50 hours to reach Delhi but even smaller discharges are now significantly raising water levelsnbspOn Monday CM Gupta also inspected several floodprone stretches along the Yamuna including Asita Ghat Yamuna Chhath Ghat Regulator No 12 the East Delhi DM office and the Central Flood Control RoomnbspAccompanied by Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma and senior officials she assured that a comprehensive floodpreparedness plan has been activated https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-cm-gupta-takes-stock-of-flood-affected-areas-assures-all-possible-help-632805.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbais-mithi-river-crosses-danger-mark-beaches-closed-amid-heavy-rain-high-tide-632811.html Mumbai Aug 19 Mithi River one of the most important rivers flowing through Mumbai has crossed the danger level following incessant rain lashing the city on Tuesday The river which has been hogging the headlines for alleged corruption in its cleaning reached 407 metres danger mark 4 metres Due to this the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC and police have issued an alert to the citizens in the surrounding settlements to remain vigilant while residents of Bhandup and Vikhroli have been moved to safer locations in light of the potential for landslidesConsidering the increasing intensity of rain the beaches in Mumbai have been closed to the general public and tourists as they have been prohibited from visiting those beaches All places in Mumbai like Juhu Beach Versova Beach Aksa Beach and Gorai Beach have been evacuated People have been advised to be alert on beaches like Marine Drive Worli Sea Face Bandra Carter Road and Madh Island BMC and police have taken due precautionary measures due to the high tides and heavy rainThe suburban services on Central Railway have been running behind schedule by 15 to 20 minutes due to waterlogging on the railway tracks between Ghatkopar Vidyavihar Kurla Sion and Matunga stations of Central Railway Local trains are running 20 to 25 minutes late due to waterlogging between Kurla Tilak Nagar and Govandi stations on the Harbour Line Local trains on the Western Railway line are running at a snails pace due to waterlogging at Mahim and Matunga RoadThe Central Railway chief public relations officer Dr Swapnil Dhanraj Nila said that as per the information available till now only around 34 stations on harbour line Kurla Chembur Tilaknagar are having some issues of waterlogging and the points on these stations have been clamped and the movement of trains is delayed on harbour line by approximately 1015 minutesOn the main line the delay is around 810 minutes but it is primarily because of reduced speed on account of reduced visibility due to the heavy rains which are reported at various locations from Karjat to Kalyan Kasara to Kalyan as well as Kalyan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus he addedHe further stated During evening peak time when the high tide time also coincides around 630 pm additional manpower specifically engineering have been deployed at various locations previously prone to waterlogging and they have been equipped with an adequate amount of water removing materials and the motors of high capacity pumps have been provided at multiple locations The CR administration has clarified that the rail traffic will be normal after the water level recedesThe Western Railway in its post on X said We wont stop we wont pauseThe speed of local trains continuesIn recent days Mumbai has been affected by continuous rain However WRs trains as always are taking people to their destinations Even in every situation our controllers are making the right decisions to ensure that Mumbai locals dont stop always keep running in every situationLong queues of vehicles have formed on Eastern Express Highway Eastern Freeway and Western Express HighwayMeanwhile Mumbai suburban district coguardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani jointly visited the BMCs Disaster Management Control Room and monitored the situation arising due to heavy rain and waterlogging IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbais-mithi-river-crosses-danger-mark-beaches-closed-amid-heavy-rain-high-tide-632811.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-7-karnataka-districts-holiday-declared-for-schools-632576.html Bengaluru Aug 18 The administrations of seven districts in Karnataka declared a holiday on Monday for schools and colleges in various taluks following heavy and incessant rain The precautionary measures were taken in Mangaluru Udupi Karwar Chikkamagaluru Hassan Madikeri and Davanagere districtsThe rain has been lashing coastal Karnataka and the hilly regions of the state disrupting normal life The parched lands of north Karnataka are also receiving heavy rainfall Meanwhile the weather in Bengaluru resembled that of a hill station as the week began with drizzle and cold conditionsIn Mangaluru Deputy Commissioner HV Darshan declared a holiday for primary and higher primary schools across the district following predictions of heavy rain In Karwar district schools and preuniversity colleges Classes 11 and 12 have been ordered to remain shut across Karwar Ankola Kumta Sirsi Honnavar Bhatkal Siddapura Yellapur Dandeli Joida and Haliyala taluks Similar measures have been taken in the Udupi districtThe Shivamogga district administration has also announced holidays for schools and colleges In Hassan district holidays have been declared for Anganwadi preschools primary and high schools in Sakaleshapura Beluru and parts of Alur taluk A landslide has been reported on Kadagaravalli Road and vehicle movement on the stretch has been stopped as a precautionIn Madikeri Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja declared holidays for schools and colleges in the district due to predictions of heavy rain and rough weather An orange alert has been issued to initiate precautionary measures The inflow into the Harangi reservoir has increased and 8000 cusecs of water have been released from the damAuthorities in Chikkamagaluru district have also declared holidays for schools and colleges in Chikkamagaluru Mudigere Kalasa Sringeri Koppa and NR Pura taluks The Tunga Bhadra River is overflowing and in Sringeri taluk it has crossed the danger markHeavy rain is also lashing Davanagere district where the authorities have declared holidays for schools in many taluks North Karnataka districts too are witnessing heavy rainfall with reports of crop loss emerging IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-7-karnataka-districts-holiday-declared-for-schools-632576.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-issues-advisory-to-safeguard-cotton-crops-from-rising-pest-infestations-632606.html Ahmedabad Aug 18 With cotton fields across Gujarat entering a critical growth stage the State Agriculture Directorate has sounded an alert against increasing infestations of pink bollworm spotted bollworm and green caterpillars In an official advisory released this week the department urged farmers to adopt integrated pest management IPM practices to protect standing crops and ensure healthy yields Officials have recommended the collective use of pheromone traps two per acre to track pest activity from sowing until the final picking Farmers have been advised to replace lures at intervals and record pest counts dailyThe circular further suggests neem oil sprays neembased pesticides and biological solutions such as Trichogramma wasps and Chrysopa eggs to curb pest populations For pink bollworm management the advisory details the use of gossyplure RTU tubes at specific intervals during crop growthIn addition farmers practicing natural farming have been encouraged to rely on botanical insecticides and mechanical measures such as handpicking larvae and removing damaged buds Bird perches have also been recommended to attract insectivorous species that naturally control pestsThe Agriculture Directorate has cautioned against indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides emphasising that sprays should be undertaken only when economic damage thresholds are crossed and with proper intervals between biological interventions and chemical applicationsIn areas where endemic pest pressure is severe farmers have been directed to use only universityrecommended pesticides in prescribed dosagesBy adopting integrated methods farmers can not only protect their crops but also reduce reliance on chemical pesticides ensuring higher productivity and better incomes the advisory statedCotton remains one of Gujarats most significant cash crops and experts warn that unchecked pest attacks could dent yields and farmer earnings this seasonGujarat has around 62 lakh farmers with nearly 80 per cent being small and marginal cultivators holding less than two hectares of landAgriculture remains a vital part of the states economy engaging more than 50 per cent of its rural population though it contributes about 15 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product GSDP Major crops include cotton groundnut bajra wheat rice and pulses while the state is also a leader in horticulture and dairy farming through the Amul cooperative modelThe government supports farmers with schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Kisan Sahay Yojana for crop loss compensation Soil Health Card schemes subsidies for drip irrigation and solar pumps and training programs under Krishi Vigyan Kendras to promote modern farming practices IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-issues-advisory-to-safeguard-cotton-crops-from-rising-pest-infestations-632606.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/29-districts-in-raj-19-in-punjab-hit-by-overexploitation-of-groundwater-mos-632665.html New Delhi Aug 18 Rajasthan and Punjab have the maximum number of 29 and 19 districts respectively facing overexploitation of groundwater resources the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in a written reply shared details related to the 193 Over Exploited Critical and Semi Critical OCS districts as per National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024He said UP has 38 OCS districts out of which 5 are Over Exploited Rajasthan has 29 OCS districts which are all Over Exploited Tamil Nadu has 22 OCS districts out of which 9 are Over Exploited Punjab has 20 OCS districts out of which 19 are Over Exploited and Haryana has 19 OCS out of which 16 are Over ExploitedOut of the 193 OCS districts 102 were identified as those facing the problem of overexploitation of groundwater resources said ChoudharyHe said water being a State subject the primary responsibility for the augmentation conservation assessment and efficient management of water resources lies with the respective state governments However the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States through technical and financial supportThe MoS said the Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country are assessed every year from 2022 jointly by Central Ground Water Board CGWB and State Governments to analyse trends in groundwater recharge and extractionHe said as per the report of National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024 shared by CGWB 102 districts are categorised as Over exploited 22 districts are categorised as Critical and 69 districts are categorised as SemicriticalElaborating on water conservation efforts the MoS said the Ministry launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan JSA in 2019 as a timebound missionmode water conservation campaign in 256 waterstressed districts of the countryThe Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain JSACTR was launched in 2021 with the tagline Catch the Rain Where it Falls When it Falls The Abhiyan was scaled up to cover all districts blocks and municipalities across the countryAlthough the JSACTR campaign is implemented nationwide each edition has included a targeted focus since 2023 to maximise impact he saidThe JSACTR 2023 with the theme Source Sustainability for Drinking Water prioritised 150 special focus districts identified by the Jal Jeevan Mission said the MoS IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/29-districts-in-raj-19-in-punjab-hit-by-overexploitation-of-groundwater-mos-632665.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-plans-to-introduce-ai-cameras-to-reduce-human-wildlife-conflict-in-valparai-forest-632500.html Chennai Aug 18 The Forest Department is considering the installation of Artificial Intelligence AIenabled cameras in Tamil Nadus Valparai to reduce incidents of humanwildlife conflict in the region The move comes as part of a broader effort to use technology to track animal movements and issue timely alerts to local residentsWe are exploring the use of AI systems to monitor leopards sloth bears and wild elephants Whenever there is an intrusion the system will generate a speciesspecific alert to warn the public and prevent potential conflict A detailed study is being carried out to identify locations where cameras need to be fixed the manpower required and the infrastructure needed said M Suresh Krishnan Forest Range Officer FRO Valparai RangeThe findings of this study will form the basis of a proposal to the state government along with an estimate of the financial requirements for implementationThe department has already had success with similar measures elsewhere An AIbased monitoring system set up along railway tracks in Madukkarai near Coimbatore has helped reduce elephant deaths caused by trainsEncouraged by those results officials now hope to extend the technology to foresthuman interfaces in Valparai where conflict has been a recurring issueAs part of earlier initiatives virtual fencing has been introduced to protect human settlements in vulnerable areasUnder the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives TANII scheme 1300 solarpowered smart fencing devices with thermal sensors were installed 700 in Valparai Range and 600 in the Manomboly RangeThese tenfoothigh smart fences can detect animal movement up to 100 feet away When triggered they activate sirens and flashing lights designed to drive animals back and simultaneously alert people nearbyResidents remain vigilant when the alarms go off especially during night hours which has greatly reduced accidental encounters a forest department staff member notedHowever recent attacks on children have occurred outside the zones covered by these fences underlining the limitations of the current systemIt may be recalled that two children of migrant tea workers were recently mauled to death by a leopard and a sloth bear in this areaOfficials believe AIenabled cameras could fill this gap by providing a wider surveillance network and realtime alerts thereby strengthening existing safety measures The proposed AI camera project is expected to mark a major step toward ensuring safer coexistence between people and wildlife in the ecologically fragile Valparai region IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-plans-to-introduce-ai-cameras-to-reduce-human-wildlife-conflict-in-valparai-forest-632500.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/srinagar-jammu-national-highway-shut-after-heavy-rain-shooting-stones-632537.html Srinagar Aug 18 Heavy rain followed by shooting stones on Monday forced the closure of the SrinagarJammu national highway as authorities disallowed all traffic on the highway Traffic department officials said that all types of vehicular movement along the JammuSrinagar National Highway have been suspended after shooting stones were reported at several locations making travel unsafeOfficials said the highway has been closed as a precautionary measure in view of the threat posed by falling debris triggered by continuous rainfallThe JammuSrinagar highway is closed due to shooting stones at multiple places All types of vehicular movement have been stopped as a safety measure an official statedThe officials added that weather conditions remain adverse across the highway stretchThere is heavy rainfall across the entire route which has increased the risk of shooting stones the officials saidAuthorities have advised commuters to refrain from undertaking any journey on the highway until debris clearance operations are carried out and weather conditions improveThe JammuSrinagar National Highway serves as the only allweather road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country and frequent closures due to landslides and shooting stones during the rainy season often disrupt travel and essential goods supply movementThe unforeseen hardships in the landlocked Valley due to frequent closure of this highway in the rainy season and in winter months have been mitigated to a large extent by the arrival of the Vande Bharat train service to the ValleyThe train service has eased the passenger traffic on the highway as people have an alternative method of transport available in case of highway closureThe arrival of the freight train has promised to ease the essential shortages scenario created by the closure of the highwayOne goods train has already chugged successfully carrying cement to the ValleyAs the goods trains start regular movement between the Valley and the rest of the country in the coming days the dependence on road transport will be taken care of by an alternative method of ferrying goods into and from the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/srinagar-jammu-national-highway-shut-after-heavy-rain-shooting-stones-632537.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-trigger-flash-floods-in-parts-of-telangana-632551.html Hyderabad Aug 18 Heavy rains triggered flash floods in parts of Telangana inundating lowlying areas damaging roads and crops Rivulets streams lakes and ponds were overflowing due to incessant rains under the impact of lowpressure area in the Bay of Bengal With massive inflows from upstream reservoirs were filled to the brim prompting authorities to lift the gates to release water downstreamHeavy rains since Sunday battered united Medak district Flood water from overflowing water bodies damaged roads at a few places disrupting road transportThe road was washed away near Pambanda in Shivampet mandal in Medak district The road connectivity between Usirikapalli and Veldurthy was snapped The road between Neelakantipalli and Alladurgam was also washed awayThe famous Edupayala Durga Bhavani temple in Medak district was inundated after water was released from the Singur project due to huge inflows in Manjeera a tributary of the Godavari RiverFlash floods also caused widespread damage to crops in Medak Sangareddy and Siddipet districtsAccording to Telangana Development Planning Society Gouraram in Siddipet district recorded highest rainfall of 2358 cm during the last 24 hours that ended at 5 AM on Monday Mulugu in the same district saw rainfall of 1863 cm Islampur in Medak district received 1785 cm of rainfallAs many as 32 places in Medak Sangareddy Siddipet Kamareddy Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and Nizamabad district received rainfall of above 1150 cmIncessant rains for the last one week have damaged crops over thousands of acres in some districtsUnited Adilabad district witnessed a deluge due to heavy rainfall A man who had gone for fishing in Kadam project went missing Authorities were searching for him with the help of dronesMeanwhile the water level in Godavari rose to 348 feet at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem districtHeavy rains also disrupted coal production in stateowned Singareni Collieries Company Limited SCCL Coal production of 40000 tonnes was affected as flood water entered minesThe IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Monday Red alert has been issued for Bhadradri Kothagudem Mahabubabad and Mulugu districtsHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district while heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad Hanumakonda Kamareddy Khammam Komaram Bheem Asifabad Mancherial Medak Nirmal Sangareddy Suryapet Vikarabad and Warangal districtsThunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds 3040 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in all districts of Telangana IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-trigger-flash-floods-in-parts-of-telangana-632551.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-coastal-andhra-low-pressure-in-bay-of-bengal-likely-to-intensify-632555.html Visakhapatnam Aug 18 Heavy rain lashed parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday under the impact of a lowpressure area over the Bay of Bengal paralysing normal life and disrupting vehicular traffic Lowlying areas and roads in Visakhapatnam Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts were inundated due to heavy rain since SundayAuthorities sounded an alert and opened control rooms in the offices of district collectors in the north coastal districtsA holiday has been declared for educational institutions in the north coastal districts as a precautionary measureAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the lowpressure area of the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression It is likely to cross the south Odishanorth Andhra Pradesh coasts on TuesdayIMD said in a bulletin on Monday morning that the lowpressure area over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts lay as a wellmarked lowpressure area over west central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and north Andhra Pradeshsouth Odisha coasts at 0530 hrs ISTIt is likely to move westnorthwestwards and concentrate into a depression during the next 12 hours and cross the south Odishanorth Andhra Pradesh coasts around the forenoon of August 19According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDMA heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely under the impact of a lowpressure areaExtremely heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over Visakhapatnam Sri Alluri Sitharama Raju Anakapalli Kakinada Yanam East Godavari Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema Eluru West Godavari NTR and Guntur districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam Red alert has been issued to these districtsHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam Parvathipuram Manyam Vizianagaram Krishna Palnadu Bapatla and Prakasam districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamHeavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over SPSRNellore and Tirupathi districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamPrakhar Jain Managing Director of APSDMA has advised people to remain alert He said people in lowlying areas should take precautionary measuresFishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea areas for the next five daysLocal cautionary signal has to be kept hoisted at Visakhapatnam Gangavaram Kakinada Machilipatnam Nizamapatnam and Krishnapatnam ports The Cyclone Warning Centre has to send informatory message to Kalingapatnam Bheemunipatnam and Vadarevu portsPartial reduction in visibility slippery roads major disruption in traffic flow moderate waterlogging in parts of lowlying areas and adjacent to river banks possibility of tree falling and loosening of rocks due to persistent rains leading to the possibility of minor landslidesmud slides in elevated hilly areas are likely impacts in the coastal region IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-in-coastal-andhra-low-pressure-in-bay-of-bengal-likely-to-intensify-632555.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbai-rains-streets-inundated-local-trains-hit-airlines-issue-advisories-amid-red-alert-632567.html Mumbai Aug 18 Mumbaikars woke up to very heavy rainfall on Monday while the India Meteorological Department IMD issued a red alert forecasting extremely heavy rains at isolated places in the city and adjoining areas prompting the civic body to declare a holiday for schools and colleges officials saidRoads in several areas of the city got inundated after the heavy downpour for the third consecutive daynbspSome lowlying areas like the Andheri Subway and Lokhandwala Complex witnessed water accumulation at a few locations affecting traffic movementnbspLocal trains considered the lifeline of the metropolis were running late by around 10 minutes However there was no suspension of services according to officialsnbspThe suburban services on the Central Railway route were affected as water accumulated on tracks in a few lowlying areas on the Harbour Line and due to failure of track changing points between Kurla and Tilak Nagar stations the officials saidThe blinding rain in some parts of the city affected visibility and slowed down vehicular movement as per motoristsnbspIn its latest bulletin the IMD has upgraded and issued a red alert for Mumbai Thane and Raigad districts for the next two daysnbspData from the IMD shows that in the 24 hours ending 830 am on Monday the suburban Santacruz station received 99 mm rainfall while the Colaba coastal observatory registered 38 mm of rainfallnbspAs heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Monday waterlogging was reported in several pockets leading to slow moving trafficnbspAirlines such as Akasa Air and IndiGo issued advisories for travellers asking them to keep additional time in hand as some routes leading to the Mumbai airport witnessed traffic congestionOwing to waterlogging both lanes of the Andheri subway were shut for vehicular movement for the day The Mumbai Traffic Police informed that traffic will be routed via Thackeray bridge and Gokhale bridgenbspWaterlogging was also reported along the Vakola bridge Hyatt Junction as well as Khar subway leading to slow traffic movement police saidnbspIn light of the incessant showers lashing Mumbai the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city operating in the second shift post 12 pmnbspKeeping in mind the safety of students due to the continuous rains that have been continuing since morning Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai in the second semester ie after 12 noon on Monday August 18 the BMC posted on XMumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti advised citizens to exercise caution as heavy rainfall continued to lash the citynbspDear Mumbaikars Caution is advised as heavy rainfall continues under Orange Alert incidents of waterlogging and reduced visibility are being reported from multiple areas Please avoid nonessential travel plan your commute with care and step out only if necessarynbspOur officials and staff are on high alert and ready to assist In case of any emergency please dial 100112103 Your safety always comes first the CP posted on XIn a post on X Akasa Air wrote Due to heavy rainfall in certain parts of Mumbai Bengaluru Goa and Pune we anticipate slow moving traffic and congestion on roads leading to the airport To ensure a seamless travel experience we request you to plan for additional travel time to reach the airport well in time for your flight IndiGo said its airport staff will help the travellers along the waynbspnbspThe rain continues to make its presence felt across Mumbai and road travel has been affected in parts Traffic is moving slowly on some routes to the airport due to persistent showers and pooling waternbspIf you are catching a flight today we recommend heading out early and keeping an eye on your flight updates via our app and website Our airport teams are standing by and ready to help you along the way IndiGo posted on XAgencies https://dailyworld.in/environment/mumbai-rains-streets-inundated-local-trains-hit-airlines-issue-advisories-amid-red-alert-632567.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/widespread-rainfall-fills-76-dams-across-gujarat-boosts-kharif-sowing-to-87-pc-632572.html Ahmedabad Aug 18 Heavy monsoon showers across Gujarat have led to a significant rise in water levels across the states reservoirs As of August 18 76 out of the states 207 dams including the lifeline Sardar Sarovar have reached between 70 per cent and 100 per cent of their storage capacity placing them on high alert Additionally 26 dams are on alert and 22 are on warning The Sardar Sarovar Dam alone is currently holding 7640 per cent of its full capacityAccording to the State Emergency Operation Centre SEOC Gujarat has so far received 6891 per cent of its average seasonal rainfall with the highest rainfall in South Gujarat at 72 per cent followed by North Gujarat 71 per cent Kutch 70 per cent EastCentral Gujarat 69 per cent and Saurashtra 63 per centIn the past 24 hours heavy showers were reported in several regions with Dhoraji in Rajkot recording over 3 inches MaliaHatina over 2 inches and more than 1 inch in 24 other talukasThe rainfall has provided a major boost to agriculture with kharif sowing completed on more than 87 per cent of cultivable land in the state Groundnut has been sown in 20 lakh hectares followed by cotton on 273 lakh hectares and paddy in 843 lakh hectares according to the Agriculture DepartmentMeanwhile the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea between August 18 and 21 due to weather conditionsOver the past decade Gujarat has seen a notable rise in average annual rainfall climbing from approximately 797 mm 19852014 to 882 mm 19952024 marking an increase of around 11 per cent with Kutch witnessing the sharpest surge at 25 per cent and Saurashtra following with a 15 per cent riseThis trend has been accompanied by more intense erratic downpours that have reshaped regional climate dynamics 12 out of 33 districts now experience over 50 per cent more seasonal rain compared to the 201423 average with Devbhoomi Dwarka recording a staggering 135 per cent riseAnalyses stretching back to 1871 place the longterm annual normal rainfall at 839 mm with July typically delivering about 329 mm or nearly 40 per cent of the seasonal average These shifts are increasingly affecting agriculture water management and urban planning urging stakeholders to adopt adaptive strategies such as improved drainage strategic crop planning and climateresilient infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/widespread-rainfall-fills-76-dams-across-gujarat-boosts-kharif-sowing-to-87-pc-632572.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistan-farmers-in-balochistan-criticise-govt-for-not-providing-funds-for-solarisation-632373.html Quetta Aug 17 Kissan Ittehad Pakistan KIP Chairman Khalid Hussain Bathh has slammed the Balochistan government for not providing funds to the farmers of Nasirabad Divisionthe only green belt of the province for converting agricultural tube wells to solar energy despite making promises local media reported on Sunday Addressing a press conference on Saturday he stated that tube wells have become nonoperational crops are drying up and farmers are facing huge financial losses due to the disruption of electricity supply Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported He stated that authorities had promised funds for solarisation to farmers However the approved funds have not been released so farElectricity connections were disconnected and the supply was shifted from threephase to twophase before the payments were made He stated that tube wells had become nonoperational and no water was flowing in the Rabi Canal while agriculture livestock and local communities were suffering badly due to the disruption of the electricity supplyThe KIP Chairman said that crops were destroyed due to the unavailability of irrigation water and there was even a shortage of drinking water After the Balochistan Irrigation Ministers assurances the farmers had sown crops however the seeds were destroyed due to water shortageBathh said No developmental initiatives such as skill development centres agricultural workshops or projects for women farmerswho work alongside men in the fieldshave been launched for their capacity buildingHe requested the government to announce a solar energy programme for farmers in the Rabi Canal Nari and Bolan areas who currently depend on diesel generators for irrigationIn February the Green Kissan Ittehad GKI rejected the 35 per cent tax on agricultural production in Balochistan and across the country implemented under International Monetary Fund IMF directive terming it a cruel and antifarmer measureWhile addressing a press conference GKI President Agha Lal Jan Ahmadzai called for providing compensation to farmers impacted by the construction of the QuettaKarachi Highway in Khuzdar Kalat Mangochar Mastung Surrab and other regions Dawn reportedHe mentioned that 75 per cent of people in Pakistan work in the agriculture sector which provides fruits vegetables and other agricultural products to Pakistan and contributes millions of rupees in taxes He noted that despite this the agriculture sector of Balochistan was on the verge of collapse IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/pakistan-farmers-in-balochistan-criticise-govt-for-not-providing-funds-for-solarisation-632373.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/madhya-pradesh-weather-alert-very-heavy-rain-thunderstorms-likely-in-several-districts-632386.html Bhopal Aug 17 The weather centre of Bhopal of India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a sweeping alert for Madhya Pradesh warning of very heavy rainfall thunderstorms and lightning across more several districts over the next 48 hours A red alert has been declared for Barwani and Burhanpur where rainfall may exceed 8 inches by Monday morning Districts including Harda Khandwa Khargone and parts of the Narmadapuram and Indore divisions are under orange and yellow alerts with heavy to very heavy rain expected The IMD has also flagged the risk of gusty winds lightning strikes and waterlogging in lowlying areas urging residents to avoid travel and take shelter indoors during storm activity The weather disturbance is being driven by a complex system of upper air cyclonic circulations and lowpressure areas A fresh lowpressure zone has formed over the Bay of Bengal near north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts which is expected to intensify into a depression and move westnorthwestward crossing the coast by August 19 Simultaneously a remnant cyclonic circulation from Vidarbha is drifting toward Gujarat while a monsoon trough continues to stretch across central India enhancing rainfall activity In the western belt including Bhopal Ujjain Dewas and Sehore light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is forecast Bhopal recorded 8 mm of rainfall on Saturday with temperatures hovering around 31 degrees Celsius during the day and 24 degrees Celsius at night Eastern districts such as Jabalpur Shahdol Rewa and Sagar have already received 30 per cent more rainfall than average while the western divisions are 20 per cent above normal Overall the state has received 84 per cent of its seasonal quota with 25 per cent excess rainfall so far In districts like Singrauli Sidhi Satna and Mandla scattered thunderstorms and lightning are expected to continue through the week with wind speeds reaching up to 50 kmh in some areas The weather center has advised farmers to avoid working in open fields unplug electrical appliances and refrain from sheltering under trees or electric poles during storm conditions Travelers are urged to plan ahead as visibility may be severely reduced and roads may become impassable due to flooding Authorities have recommended avoiding bridges and elevated roads during peak storm hours With the monsoon trough active and multiple weather systems converging the next 72 hours are critical for central India Residents are advised to stay tuned to official advisories and take all necessary precautions to ensure safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/madhya-pradesh-weather-alert-very-heavy-rain-thunderstorms-likely-in-several-districts-632386.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-area-likely-over-bay-of-bengal-heavy-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-632313.html Chennai Aug 17 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has predicted that a lowpressure area is likely to form over the northwestern Bay of Bengal and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal by August 18 This development is expected to influence weather conditions across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal in the coming daysAccording to the weather office several parts of northern and southern Tamil Nadu including Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms on SundayOne or two places may witness strong surface winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km per hour the statement notedThe department has also warned of heavy rain in select hilly areasIn the Nilgiris district and mountainous regions of Coimbatore one or two locations are likely to receive heavy downpour officials saidMeanwhile rough weather conditions have been forecast for the Arabian Sea as wellStrong squally winds clocking speeds of 45 to 55 kmph are likely to lash the westcentral and adjoining southwest Arabian Sea the KonkanGoa coast and areas adjoining the eastcentral and northeast Arabian SeaSimilar conditions are expected along the Karnataka and Kerala coasts the adjoining central and southeast Arabian Sea and around the Lakshadweep islandsHere wind speed may reach 40 to 50 kmph occasionally gusting up to 65 kmph Fishermen in these regions have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period due to the risk of rough conditions and squallsMeteorologists noted that monsoon activity is expected to intensify further once the lowpressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal This may bring widespread rainfall across several districts of Tamil Nadu later this week providing muchneeded relief to parched regions while also raising concerns of waterlogging and flooding in vulnerable areasAuthorities have urged residents in hilly and coastal regions to remain alert and follow safety advisoriesLocal administrations have been asked to prepare for possible disruptions due to heavy rain strong winds and rising water levels in rivers and reservoirs With the formation of the lowpressure system closely monitored the weather department said it would issue updated alerts and warnings to ensure timely preparedness across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-area-likely-over-bay-of-bengal-heavy-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-632313.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-monsoon-rainfall-exceeds-seasonal-average-by-mid-august-632279.html Jaipur Aug 16 The monsoon has made a powerful impact in Rajasthan this year Between June 1 and August 14 the state recorded 4367 mm of rainfall surpassing the seasonal average of 4356 mm which is a milestone typically expected by September 30 This means that Rajasthan achieved its full monsoon quota over one and a half months ahead of schedule The India Meteorological Department IMD forecasts continued favorable conditions with good rainfall expected in the final two weeks of AugustThe monsoon arrived in Rajasthan about a week earlier than expected and its impact was felt immediately From the onset through the first week of August the state experienced continuous and heavy rainfall June and July alone witnessed nearly twice the average rainfall for the periodAlthough the monsoon weakened in early August with a noticeable break in the second week rainfall by then had already surpassed the seasonal averageAugust alone recorded 264 mm of rain in just 14 days pushing the seasons tally past the yearly target The most remarkable aspect of this years monsoon was the exceptional rainfall in July Rajasthan recorded 285 mm of rain during the month breaking a 69yearold record The previous record was set in 1956 with 308 mm of rainfallAs of August 14 19 out of 33 districts in the state had met or exceeded their average monsoon quota which included Ajmer Baran Bhilwara Bundi Dausa Dholpur Jaipur Jhunjhunu Karauli Kota Sawai Madhopur Sikar Tonk Churu Hanumangarh Jodhpur Nagaur Pali and Sri GanganagarIn Ajmer Division all districts including Ajmer Nagaur Tonk and Bhilwara recorded aboveaverage rainfall Jaipur Division has Jaipur and Dausa which have seen good rainfall while Alwar remains slightly below averageIn Kota Division Kota and Baran witnessed heavy rainfall but Jhalawar is still lagging In Bharatpur Division Bharatpur is below average whereas Dholpur has received more than normal rainfallIn the Bikaner Division all districts except Bikaner have received aboveaverage rainfall Jodhpur and Udaipur Divisions have seen weaker monsoon activity Five out of six districts have recorded 22 per cent to 40 per cent belowaverage rainfall Only Rajsamand is near the seasonal normHowever the IMD predicts improvement by the end of the monsoon season According to Radheshyam Sharma Director of the Meteorological Centre Jaipur Monsoon activity is expected to remain strong across Rajasthan until August 28 From August 1618 light to moderate and in some areas heavy rainfall is expected From August 1921 rainfall is likely in both western and eastern Rajasthan and from August 2228 the monsoon will stay active with abovenormal rainfall anticipatedMeanwhile on Friday 1 to 25 inches of rainfall was recorded in Dungarpur Udaipur Chittorgarh Jhalawar and BharatpurSimilarly on Saturday a yellow alert has been issued for 24 districts including JaipurFurther looking at recent trends met officials said that Rajasthan has witnessed an exceptional monsoon this year with early onset recordbreaking July rainfall and the seasonal quota achieved well ahead of timeWith more rain predicted this could turn out to be one of the most significant monsoon seasons in recent history for the state said officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-monsoon-rainfall-exceeds-seasonal-average-by-mid-august-632279.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-nitish-kumar-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-affected-areas-of-bihar-631904.html Patna Aug 14 IANS Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday conducted an aerial survey of floodhit regions in Bihar and instructed officials to intensify relief and rescue operations as water levels in major rivers including the Ganga and Kosi crossed danger marksnbspnbspThe CM accompanied by Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary and senior officials flew over the worstaffected districts including Bhagalpur Bhojpur Begusarai and KhagarianbspThe survey came a day later than planned after bad weather grounded his helicopter on August 13According to the Water Resources Department over 17 lakh people have been affected across 24 districts where Yellow and Orange alerts are in forcenbspTen rivers including the Ganga are in spate flooding lowlying areas and displacing thousandsnbspNitish Kumar has been holding regular meetings with officials at his residence to monitor the situation seeking prompt action to ensure timely evacuation relief distribution and medical assistancenbspThe government is making every effort to minimise public hardship he assuredThe India Meteorological Department has warned of more rainfall in the coming days raising fears of worsening conditionsnbspThe Meteorological Centre Patna has forecast light to heavy rain with thunder and lightning over the next three to four days across Bihar as rivers including the Ganga Kosi and Bagmati approach danger levels in several locationsnbspKhagaria district was the worst hit in the past 24 hours recording 206 mm of rainfall Mansi in Khagaria saw 1886 mm Parsa in Saran 1574 mm Taibpur in Kishanganj 1352 mm and Raniganj in Araria 1224 mm Purnea Rohtas and Begusarai received 7698 mm further swelling river levelsPatna experienced intermittent showers throughout Wednesday with 291 mm recordednbspWaterlogging was reported in Kankarbagh Patna Junction Danapur and Patna CitynbspThe city can expect light to moderate rain with thundershowers in the next 24 hoursnbspThe Met Department has issued a heavy to very heavy rain alert for northern districts including Kishanganj Araria and Supaul alongside warnings of 3040 kmh winds for Patna Gaya Bhagalpur and other southern districts Kishanganj also reported wind speeds of 33 kmh https://dailyworld.in/environment/cm-nitish-kumar-conducts-aerial-survey-of-flood-affected-areas-of-bihar-631904.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/massive-cloudburst-hits-jks-kishtwar-district-several-casualties-feared-631906.html Jammu Aug 14 IANS A massive cloudburst hit JampampKs Kishtwar district on Thursday with casualties feared even as officials said a rescue operation has been started in the affected areanbspThe cloudburst hit Chositi village in the Paddar subdivision of KishtwarnbspWhile reports claimed 10 people have died in this cloudburst there was no official word on the casualtiesnbspUnion Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the cloudburst had hit the Chositi area of the Paddar subdivision and a rescue operation has already been startednbspHe said rescue teams have already been dispatched to the site to carry out damage assessment and provide necessary rescue and medical assistanceDr Singh assured that his office is receiving regular updates and all possible support will be extended to the affected areanbspJampampK LG Manoj Sinha said on X Anguished by cloudburst in Chositi Kishtwar Condolences to bereaved families ampamp prayers for quick recovery of injurednbspDirected Civil Police Army NDRF ampamp SDRF officials to strengthen the rescue ampamp relief operations and ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affectednbspLeader of the Opposition in the Assembly Sunil Sharma of the BJP the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP of Kishtwar have left for the affected village to lead rescue effortsSharma stated that the incident occurred at the last point where fourwheelers are parked and several temporary shops are set up for the Shri Machail YatranbspHe said that NDRF and other agencies will carry out largescale relief and rescue worknbspAccording to ADC Kishtwar the Shri Machail Yatra has been suspended until further notice He urged the public not to panic assuring that all available resources including the SDRF Red Cross and other government machinery are engaged in rescue operationsThe area falls under a shadow zone making communication difficultnbspReports indicate significant damage to structures as well though official confirmation is awaitednbspYes we have reports of a cloudburst We have sent rescue teams to the village SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh saidnbspLocals report that the regions remoteness heavy rains and poor connectivity are hampering access and updates Further details are awaited https://dailyworld.in/environment/massive-cloudburst-hits-jks-kishtwar-district-several-casualties-feared-631906.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-wakes-up-to-light-showers-imd-issues-red-alert-631916.html New Delhi Aug 14 Light rainfall was recorded in parts of DelhiNCR on Thursday morning as the India Meteorological Department IMD elevated the yellow alert to a red warning for the day Visuals from early morning showed steady rain drenching areas of the National Capital Noida and GurugramThese fresh spells come just days after heavy downpours across Delhi Noida Ghaziabad and other parts of the National Capital Region earlier this week which had led to several flight delays and cancellations on TuesdayAccording to the IMD light to moderate rain is likely at most locations along with moderate to heavy showers at isolated places in Delhi and NCR over the next two to three hoursUpdated nowcast map showing spell of moderate to intense rainfall mainly over Haryana Chandigarh Delhi Punjab Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand North Madhya Pradesh West Uttar Pradesh during the next three hours the department said in its bulletin at 555 am on ThursdayFor Uttar Pradesh the weather department has issued an orange alert for several northern districts warning of heavy showers in Bareilly Lakhimpur Pilibhit Shahjahanpur Bahraich Sitapur Shravasti Balrampur Siddharthnagar Gonda and MaharajganjRain or thundershowers are expected at most locations in western Uttar Pradesh and a few places in the eastern region on Thursday with rainfall intensity predicted to ease from August 15The IMD also noted that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are possible at isolated spotsAcross the country monsoon activity has intensified prompting the IMD to issue alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several statesExtremely heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Uttarakhand while heavy to very heavy showers are expected in Himachal PradeshHeavy rainfall is also predicted at some locations in Jammu amp Kashmir and HaryanaThe department further warned of thunderstorms or lightning at isolated places in Jammu amp Kashmir Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh along with gusty winds reaching speeds of 3040 kmph in Jammu amp Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/delhi-ncr-wakes-up-to-light-showers-imd-issues-red-alert-631916.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-floats-tender-for-9-ev-charging-stations-in-chennai-amid-tariff-concerns-631921.html Chennai Aug 14 The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited TNGECL has called for bids to develop public electric vehicle EV charging stations at nine locations within Greater Chennai Corporation GCC limits under the Build Own and Operate BOO model According to the proposal the project will follow a publicprivate partnership format with the selected charge point operator handling design engineering supply installation commissioning and the longterm operation and maintenance of the facilitiesEach location must have at least three chargers one dedicated to light EVs such as two and threewheelers and two 22kW AC chargers for fourwheelers in line with Ministry of Power guidelinesOperators can install up to five chargers per site The proposed charging points will be set up in parking spaces at Ashtalakshmi Temple Besant Nagar Beach Mangal Lake Park Ambattur Corporation Playground T Nagar Somasundaram Ground T Nagar Semmozhi Poonga Cathedral Road Marina Beach Bougainvillea Park Anna Nagar and Nageswar Rao Park MylaporeGCC will provide the land and the winning bidder will pay TNGECL a fixed amount for every unit of electricity sold with the highest quoted rate securing the contract for a 10year termHowever the tender comes amid industry concerns over recent electricity tariff hikes which operators say have made highcapacity public charging stations financially unviable at current utilisation levelsIn its latest tariff order the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission TNERC increased fixed monthly charges for EV charging stations in the LTVII category 50112 kW from Rs 79kW to Rs 165kW For stations above 112 kW under the HTV category monthly demand charges have been raised from Rs 145kVA to Rs 304kVAOperators note that Tamil Nadu now has the highest fixed charges in the country for EV charging stations In Kerala Delhi and Maharashtra fixed charges are zero while Karnataka and other states have much lower rates one operator saidThey also point out that TN charges Rs 975 per unit for LT connections compared to Rs 450 in Delhi and Rs 4 per unit for HT connections Industry stakeholders are urging the state to reduce tariffs and scrap fixed charges arguing that such measures are essential to encourage investment in public EV infrastructure and accelerate adoption in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tn-floats-tender-for-9-ev-charging-stations-in-chennai-amid-tariff-concerns-631921.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-corporations-motion-sensor-streetlight-pilot-project-to-save-energy-631922.html Chennai Aug 14 To reduce electricity consumption and promote ecofriendly urban lighting the Coimbatore City Corporation has begun installing motion sensor streetlights powered entirely by solar energy These lights equipped with solar panels aim to cut dependence on the electricity board while lowering carbon emissions and eliminating greenhouse gas outputUnder a pilot project 122 motion sensor streetlights have been set up at five locations with plans underway to identify sites for an additional 100 unitsOfficials believe that scaling up this initiative could significantly reduce the need for new electricity connections which involve costly deposits line charges and monthly billsA senior corporation official explained that installing regular streetlights is often a cumbersome and expensive process while solarpowered motion sensor models require only a onetime investmentThe corporation has chosen autodimming technology where lights operate at 50 per cent brightness and switch to full brightness when motion is detected within four metres of the pole Other models available in the market include total blackout variants or those activated solely by movementThe system features an automatic onoff function using either motion or dusktodawn sensors The dimming capability not only conserves energy but also extends battery life Each unit comes with a twoyear warranty and is designed for durability though officials note that the solar panels require cleaning every two months and batteries must be replaced every three to five years depending on usageCorporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran acknowledged that dust accumulation on the panels remains a challenge but stressed that daily cleaning is not necessaryCurrently there is no centralised monitoring system for these lights Future plans include installing motion sensor streetlights at 42 overhead water tank locations across newly added municipal areas where obtaining new power connections would otherwise be requiredAn executive from a Keralabased manufacturer said their models can detect motion up to 10 metres away even from animals making them suitable for a range of environments He noted that commercial establishments apartment complexes and educational institutions are increasingly adopting sensorbased street lighting for cost and energy efficiencyIf the pilot proves successful the corporation expects the technology to become a key part of the citys public lighting strategy contributing to both environmental sustainability and operational savings IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-corporations-motion-sensor-streetlight-pilot-project-to-save-energy-631922.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-pounds-parts-of-telangana-hits-road-transport-631932.html Hyderabad Aug 14 Heavy rain continued to pound parts of Telangana under the impact of a lowpressure area paralysing normal life and affecting road connectivity to some villages Rivulets lakes and ponds were overflowing due to incessant rain inundating lowlying areas The lowpressure system has impacted south Telangana with heavy to very heavy rain at a few places officials saidUnited Mahabubnagar Nalgonda Adilabad Khammam and Rangareddy districts received heavy rains since last nightMaddukur in Bhadradri Kothagudem district received the highest rainfall of 127 cm followed by 126 cm in Jadcherla in Mahabubnagar district and 124 cm in Pargi in Vikarabad districtLowlying colonies in Kodad town in Suryapet district were inundated while agricultural fields turned into lakesIn Mahabubnagar the road leading to the IT Park was damaged due to an overflowing stream nearbyIn Jadcherla an overflowing tank inundated part of the HyderabadBangalore national highway disrupting the traffic Flood water from a stream was flowing over a bridge at Kosgi in Narayanpet district This brought the traffic between Kosgi and Daultabad to a haltMeanwhile huge inflows from upstream raised the water level in the Nagarjuna Sagar dam across the Krishna River Authorities have lifted 26 crest gates to release the water The inflows in the dam on Thursday morning were 252840 cusecs while the outflow was 292826 cusecsThe water level in the dam was 58840 feet against the full reservoir level of 590 feet The water storage was 30728 TMC against the dams full capacity of 31204 TMCThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a red alert for Medak Sangareddy Vikarabad Medchal Malkajgiri Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Bhadradri Kothagudem Bhupalapally and Mulugu districtsAuthorities have declared a holiday for schools in these districtsAn orange alert has been issued for Hyderabad Hanumakonda Adilabad Jangaon Kamareddy Kumuram Bheem Asifabad Mahabubabad Mancherial Nalgonda Rangareddy Siddipet and Warangal districtsPart of Hyderabad received light to moderate rain overnight For the second day on Thursday all schools will have a halfday holidayLight rain is expected till afternoon in Hyderabad Moderate rainfall is likely during evening hours Rainfall of around 3060 mm is expected over the next 24 hoursAuthorities have advised ITITES companies to enable work from home wherever possible IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-pounds-parts-of-telangana-hits-road-transport-631932.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-releases-funds-for-relief-operations-in-rain-hit-districts-631964.html Hyderabad Aug 14 With heavy rain triggering a floodlike situation in parts of Telangana the state government on Thursday released Rs 1 crore each to the districts for relief operations Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced this during a video conference with District Collectors to review the situationHe directed the Collectors to be alert and take measures to prevent loss of life and property They were directed to have special focus on lowlying and floodprone areasThe minister asked the Collectors to cancel leaves of all officials and call back those who were already on leaveIn view of the heavy rain alert for the next three days he asked them to take all necessary measures to ensure that people do not face any problemsThe minister and Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao enquired about the situation in the districtsIn Greater Hyderabad they wanted the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC Hyderabad Metro Water Supply amp Sewerage Board HMWSSB and Traffic Department to work in coordinationHeavy rain continues to pound parts of Telangana under the impact of a lowpressure area paralysing normal life and affecting road connectivity to some villagesRivulets lakes and ponds were overflowing due to incessant rain inundating lowlying areasThe lowpressure system has impacted South Telangana with heavy to very heavy rain at a few placesUnited Mahabubnagar Nalgonda Adilabad Khammam and Rangareddy districts received heavy rains since last nightMaddukur in Bhadradri Kothagudem district received the highest rainfall of 127 cm followed by 126 cm in Jadcherla in Mahabubnagar district and 124 cm in Pargi in Vikarabad districtLowlying colonies in Kodad town in Suryapet district were inundated while agricultural fields turned into lakesA temple submerged in the floodwaters of the Kagna rivulet in Bashirabad mandal of Vikarabad district Mahadeva Lingeshwaraswami Temple in Jivangi village was submergedA school bus was also caught in the floodwater Children and the bus driver managed to come out safely with the help of local people IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/telangana-releases-funds-for-relief-operations-in-rain-hit-districts-631964.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/schools-shut-in-five-telangana-districts-in-view-of-heavy-rain-alert-631843.html Hyderabad Aug 13 The Telangana government has ordered the closure of all schools in five districts for two days in view of the red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department IMD and declared halfday schools in Hyderabad while IT companies have been advised to enable work from home With very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall likely in Hanumakonda Jangaon Mahabubabad Warangal and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts on August 13 and 14 the school education department has declared holidays for two days to all government and private schools in these districtsThe department has also declared a halfday holiday on both days to all government and private schools in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC area The director of school education stated in an order that the schools shall function only in the morning shiftThe Information Technology Electronics and Communications Department has advised ITITES companies in Hyderabad and adjoining areas to enable work from home for their employees on August 13 in view of the predicted heavy rainsSanjay Kumar Special Chief Secretary IT Electronics and Communications Department issued the advisory The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Hyderabad and surrounding areasHe advised ITITES companies to facilitate work from home for employees wherever possible They have also been asked to issue internal advisories to staff regarding safe travel and emergency contact proceduresThe Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA has advised residents in lowlying areas to move to safe locations and stay alertHYDRAA said extremely heavy rains are forecasted from August 13 to August 15 Northern Hyderabad Medchal Malkajgiri district Cyberabad area are likely to be most affected Rainfall of 1015 centimetres is expected and some places may receive up to 20 cmHYDRA Commissioner A V Ranganath has said that HYDRA and GHMC teams are on standby to respondThe IMD has forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in some districts on August 13 and 14 Red alert has been issued to Hanumakonda Jangaon Mahabubabad Warangal Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Medak Sangareddy and Vikarabad districtsOrange alert has been issued to other districts including Hyderabad and adjoining Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri districtsChief Minister Revanth Reddy held a video conference with senior officials of all departments and district Collectors from the Command Control Centre on Tuesday eveningHe directed officials to take all necessary safety measures to avoid the loss of life during heavy rains and also ensure no vehicle movement on the flooding bridges canals streams and causeways brimming with heavy flows in the lowlying areasIrrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has asked all irrigation department officials to be stationed only at the place of their duty and be fully vigilant against any mishapdanger due to excessive rain Leave of all irrigation officials is cancelled for the next four daysA careful watch is to be kept on all irrigation projects reservoirs canals tanks etc At the first sign of any likely breach or damage due to heavy rains please inform your district Collector your district Chief engineer and the Engineer in Chief irrigation The Principal Secretary irrigation and Engineer in Chief irrigation are requested to closely monitor the situation in all irrigation projects reservoirs canals tanks etc in all districts the minister said in a statement on WednesdayI may also be directly intimated immediately mobile number 7036836869 by any irrigation official in the state if any alarming situation is developing in any irrigation department assets water bodies anywhere in the state he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/schools-shut-in-five-telangana-districts-in-view-of-heavy-rain-alert-631843.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-system-over-bay-of-bengal-to-bring-heavy-rain-to-kolkata-631881.html Kolkata Aug 13 The Met office has forecast heavy rainfall in Kolkata and adjoining areas from Wednesday following the formation of a lowpressure area over the central Bay of Bengal The system is drawing in moisture from the sea and is expected to intensify over the next 48 hours before moving towards the Bengal coastUnder its influence heavy to very heavy rain is likely in several south Bengal districts particularly South 24 Parganas North 24 Parganas Howrah and Hooghly The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said the monsoon trough currently extends from Jalpaiguri in north Bengal through Haflong in Assam to ManipurThe lowpressure area will strengthen in the next 24 hours and bring heavy rain to both south and north Bengal a Met department official saidThe sea will remain rough along the Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts from Wednesday to Saturday and fishermen have been advised against venturing into deep watersLight to moderate rain with thundershowers in Kolkata Howrah North and South 24 Parganas East and West Midnapore and Jhargram is forecast for WednesdayOn Thursday increased rainfall in coastal districts and thunderstorms are likely across south BengalA yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued for North 24 Parganas West Midnapore Purulia Birbhum Murshidabad and NadiaIn north Bengal rainfall will persist through the week Very heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong and Alipurduar on Wednesday with heavy showers continuing in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on ThursdayWhile no thunderstorm warning is in place for Friday and Saturday fresh heavy rain is expected from Sunday particularly in Jalpaiguri Alipurduar Cooch Behar and later in Kalimpong from MondayIn Kolkata the minimum temperature on Wednesday was 284 degrees Celsius 16 degrees Celsius above normal while Tuesdays maximum was 342 degrees Celsius 18 degrees Celsius above normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/low-pressure-system-over-bay-of-bengal-to-bring-heavy-rain-to-kolkata-631881.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/raj-govt-to-organise-artificial-rain-via-drones-at-jaipurs-ramgarh-dam-today-631617.html Jaipur Aug 12 The Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will create artificial rain using drones in the Ramgarh Dam area of Jaipur on Tuesday This is reportedly the first instance in the country where artificial rain is being produced in such a small area using dronesAgriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena will launch the project at 2 pm said officialsThe experiment was initially scheduled for July 31 but was postponed due to heavy rain warningsA team of scientists has been stationed in Jaipur for several days carrying out dronebased artificial rain testsA public event has been organised to mark the launch with locals invited to witness the demonstration Traditionally cloud seeding in India has been done using aircraft over large areasThis is the first experiment in the country to use drones for precisionbased cloud seeding in a confined location officials said adding that the inauguration of our Ramgarh Mission DroneBased Cloud Seeding Demo is a landmark in climate innovation and water sustainabilityThe project aims at rejuvenating Ramgarh Lake through cuttingedge drone and AI technologyOfficials said that the process will use the companys patented AIcontrolled technology This will enable pinpoint targeting of clouds with all parameters such as weather data cloud humidity and target location monitored and managed by artificial intelligenceFrom spraying chemicals to initiating rainfall every step will be AIdriven ensuring control and accuracy All necessary approvals for the project have been obtained from the Central and State Government departments including the Agriculture Department Meteorological Department District Administration and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCAThe trials will be conducted by US and Bengalurubased technology company GenX AI in collaboration with the Agriculture Department as part of a pilot project A total of 60 cloudseeding test drives will be carried out at Ramgarh Dam IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/raj-govt-to-organise-artificial-rain-via-drones-at-jaipurs-ramgarh-dam-today-631617.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/vigorous-southwest-monsoon-to-bring-heavy-rainfall-over-north-tn-till-wednesday-631620.html Chennai Aug 12 The Southwest monsoon which has become vigorous over Tamil Nadu is set to bring widespread scattered rainfall in many parts of the state until Wednesday The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC Chennai has warned of heavy rainfall in some northern districts over the next two daysAccording to the RMC an upperair cyclonic circulation over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana is likely to intensify the rain activity in northern parts of Tamil NaduThe system is expected to trigger light to moderate showers in a few places in north Tamil Nadu on Tuesday while districts such as Tiruvallur and Ranipet may experience heavy spellsOn Wednesday the weather pattern is forecast to extend to more districts including Vellore and Tirupattur which may also see heavy downpoursOfficials noted that with the monsoon gaining strength in neighbouring Kerala Nilgiris district is also likely to witness heavy rainfall until WednesdayThe wet spell is expected to persist across several parts of the State until the weekendThe prevailing cloudy and rainy conditions kept most districts cooler than usual on Monday with the maximum temperature in Chennais Nungambakkam station recording 353 degrees Celsius the highest in the stateSeveral places including Vellore Mayiladuthurai Coimbatore Tiruvallur Ranipet and Salem received rainfall until 6 pm on MondayB Amudha Head Additional incharge of the RMC said a lowpressure area is likely to form over the northwest and westcentral Bay of Bengal around Wednesday This developing system could bring significant rainfall to Andhra Pradesh and adjoining statesSome districts in Tamil Nadu may receive heavy rain due to possible cloud banding around the system We will have a clearer picture of the rainfall pattern once the lowpressure area consolidates she addedFor Chennai the RMC has forecast chances of evening showers triggered by thunderstorm activity Light to moderate rainfall is expected in some areas of the city on TuesdayThe recent spell of rain has boosted Tamil Nadus seasonal rainfall to a 20 per cent surplus since the onset of the southwest monsoon on June 1 offering a positive sign for water availability in the coming months IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/vigorous-southwest-monsoon-to-bring-heavy-rainfall-over-north-tn-till-wednesday-631620.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-parts-of-gujarat-highest-recorded-in-vadodaras-sinor-631629.html Ahmedabad Aug 12 Gujarat experienced widespread rainfall with 50 talukas reporting precipitation as clouds moved steadily towards the central and northern parts of the state According to data from the State Emergency Operation Centre SEOC in Gandhinagar the heaviest rainfall in the past 24 hours was recorded in Sinor Vadodara at 091 inchesWhile Sinor led the state in rainfall most other talukas received less than half an inch Excluding Sinor and Mangrol in Surat the remaining 48 talukas saw only light showers often just 1 to 2 millimetres of rainThis shows that while the rain is widespread its intensity varies across the state Meteorologists say the rain driven by prevailing weather systems is gradually progressing inward bringing relief to areas that have seen little precipitation recently Citizens in central and northern Gujarat are advised to stay updated as the weather system developsThis year Gujarat experienced uneven rainfall during the monsoon season with the state overall receiving slightly abovenormal precipitationWhile districts like Kutch Banaskantha and Bhavnagar saw excess rainfall some as much as 50135 per cent above average others such as Gir Somnath and Amreli faced deficits South Gujarat and parts of central Gujarat got more rain compared to Saurashtra and north Gujarat which remained relatively drierAfter a strong June and hopeful forecasts for July monsoon activity weakened in early August but is expected to revive midmonth potentially balancing the rainfall distribution across the state This monsoon season in Gujarat Devbhoomi Dwarka district received the maximum rainfall recording about 2079 mm which is around 135 per cent more than its decade average This made it the wettest district in the state followed by Porbandar and districts like Vadodara Bharuch and Tapi which also saw significant aboveaverage rainfallThis season authorities managed water release from major dams like Sardar Sarovar and Ukai to prevent flooding downstream while also ensuring adequate water supply for farming and urban needs Road connectivity and urban drainage in some floodprone areas were strained temporarily prompting quick repair efforts and increased disaster preparedness IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-parts-of-gujarat-highest-recorded-in-vadodaras-sinor-631629.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-to-hold-zero-waste-festival-in-keylong-631723.html Shimla Aug 12 LahaulSpiti Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana said on Tuesday that a unique and Himachal Pradeshs zerowaste tribal festival the states first will be held from August 14 to 16 in district headquarters Keylong The event will not only celebrate the vibrant tribal heritage of the region but also set a new benchmark for environmentally responsible festivities in the state She said the zero waste vision of the tribal festival will be brought to life through various initiatives including complete ban on plastic bottles and disposable cutlery drinking water availability at multiple stations with regular water quality checks for safe and sustainable hydration use of pattal leaf plates and biodegradable cutlery to ensure ecofriendly servings She added that even banners will be made of sustainable materials like cloth bags and clothbased banners replacing plasticThere will also be clearly marked bins for waste segregation at multiple points she said She added the LahaulSpiti district administration has partnered with NGOs the Healing Himalayas and Saahas for waste management sustainability awareness and handson education on ecofriendly practices During the festival a special attraction will be the Heritage Echoes Pavilion a creatively designed space dedicated to the art craft and living traditions of tribal communities In collaboration with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India artisans will be provided a prominent platform to showcase and sell their handcrafted products handlooms and traditional cuisines ensuring both cultural preservation and livelihood promotion The cultural segment supported by the North Zone Cultural Centre will feature performing troupes from Ladakh Jammu and Kashmir Gujarat and Uttarakhand These will be complemented by captivating performances from LahaulSpiti Pangi and other parts of Himachal Pradesh making the festival a rich blend of local and national tribal artistryThe Food Fiesta will offer a culinary journey that combines authentic tribal delicacies with global flavours giving visitors a taste of cultures Deputy Commissioner Bhadana said the festival is not just a cultural celebration but is also a statement of our commitment to sustainability and heritage preservation IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-to-hold-zero-waste-festival-in-keylong-631723.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/emergency-response-activated-in-chinas-guangdong-as-typhoon-podul-approaches-631728.html Guangzhou Aug 12 South Chinas Guangdong Province on Tuesday activated a LevelIV emergency response to Typhoon Podul as it moves closer according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters Podul the 11th typhoon of this year was located over the northwest Pacific Ocean at 8 am Tuesday about 730 kilometres southeast of Taitung in the Taiwan region according to Guangdongs meteorological observatoryThe maximum wind speed near Poduls centre was 30 metres per second accompanied by a central minimum pressure of 980 hectopascalsThe typhoon is expected to make landfall on Taiwans southeast coast around midday on WednesdayIt is likely to pass through the island and enter the Taiwan Strait at a reduced intensity and to make a second landfall along the coast from the southern part of east Chinas Fujian Province to the eastern part of Guangdong between Wednesday night and early Thursday morningFrom Wednesday night to Thursday Podul is forecast to bring rainstorms to many areas of Guangdong Xinhua news agency reportedChina has a fourtier emergency response system with Level I being the most severeEarlier on July 30 CoMay the eighth typhoon of this year made landfall for the second time in east Chinas Shanghai Municipality after it made landfall in Zhejiang Province according to the Shanghai Central Meteorological ObservatoryThe centre of Typhoon CoMay tropical storm level made its second landfall on the coast of Fengxian District Shanghai At the time of landfall the maximum wind speed near the centre was 23 metres per second accompanied by a central minimum pressure of 978 hectopascalsTo defend against the typhoon Fengxian District had made early preparations to identify potential risks and carry out the relocation and resettlement of people in dangerous areasTyphoon Wipha also made landfall in ChinaChinas susceptibility to typhoons stems from its location along the western Pacific Ocean a breeding ground for these storms The countrys extensive coastline mountainous terrain and the impact of climate change further exacerbate the issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/emergency-response-activated-in-chinas-guangdong-as-typhoon-podul-approaches-631728.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/huge-increase-in-whale-strandings-along-indias-southwest-coast-cmfri-631743.html Kochi Aug 12 Whale strandings along Indias southwest coast have surged tenfold in the past decade according to a study by the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI raising urgent calls for regionspecific conservation strategies in the face of climate change The analysis covering data from 2004 to 2023 found that annual whale strandings jumped from just 03 per cent between 2003 and 2013 to three per cent during 20142023The increase is attributed to a combination of changing ocean ecosystems human activities and improved reporting through social media and citizen networks Kerala Karnataka and Goa emerged as key hotspots collectively accounting for the majority of casesFactors such as high vessel traffic intensive fishing noise pollution ship strikes habitat degradation and shallow coastal shelves were identified as major contributorsBrydes whales were found to be the most commonly stranded species with occasional blue whale cases also recorded The study also revealed genetic diversity within Brydes whale populations confirming two distinct forms in Indian watersThe trend reached a peak in 2023 when nine strandings the highest in recent years were documented mainly between August and NovemberThe study linked strandings to environmental indicators finding a positive correlation between chlorophylla concentrations and whale strandings during the southwest monsoonThis nutrient upwelling attracts whales closer to shore for feeding increasing the risk of strandingRising sea surface temperatures and converging currents were also found to play a role sometimes pushing weakened or dead whales onto beachesThe researchers stressed the need for predictive models using satellite data on chlorophyll levels wind patterns and sea surface temperatures to anticipate highrisk periodsRegionspecific conservation strategies are required to address this marine biodiversity threat in one of the countrys richest oceanic zones said Dr R Ratheesh Kumar lead author of the study published in Regional Studies in Marine ScienceDr Ratheesh Kumar is also the principal investigator of the national project on Marine Mammal Stock Assessments in IndiaRecommendations include realtime alert systems strengthening marine megafauna conservation networks training fishers and officials and expanding citizen science platforms for better data collectionThe findings the CMFRI warns highlight the urgency of building robust marine mammal conservation infrastructure to safeguard the fragile ecosystems of Indias southwest coast IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/huge-increase-in-whale-strandings-along-indias-southwest-coast-cmfri-631743.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 22:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/nagaland-varsity-led-global-team-identifies-lanthanide-salts-to-help-industries-prevent-corrosion-631756.html Kohima Aug 12 An international team of researchers led by the Nagaland University have identified lanthanide salts a class of rareearth compounds that can serve as nextgeneration environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors varsity officials said on Tuesday University officials said that this cuttingedge research published in one of the highestranked international journals charts a path for industrial applications in sectors such as oil and gas marine engineering automotive manufacturing and renewable energy infrastructureCorrosion inhibitors are chemicals that slow down or prevent the corrosion gradual degradation of metals when exposed to air water chemicals or other environmental factorsWith global industries under increasing pressure to replace hazardous materials with sustainable alternatives this research arrives at a crucial moment It offers both a blueprint for future research and a strategic guide for industries aiming to adopt ecofriendly corrosion protection technologies the Central varsity said in a statementIt said that the research suggests that the corrosion inhibition potential of inorganic salts remains unexplored despite their association with many benefits and opportunities such as low toxicity compatibility longterm stability and ability to protect corrosion in solution and coating phases among other benefitsThe potential of lanthanide salts in green corrosion inhibitors is also examined emphasising the possibilities for sophisticated characterisation methods AI prediction and computational designMany sectors including the oil and gas sector face significant challenges from electrochemical degradation or the corrosion of metallic materials due to material deterioration and loss of mechanical qualities This could result in safety hazards environmental effects and significant financial losses the statement saidInorganic salts show promise as sustainable substitutes for conventional harmful corrosion inhibitors like chromates molybdates and nitrites among others for modern applicationsThis research looks at employing inorganic salts for nextgeneration sustainable corrosion protection These ecofriendly salts provide excellent corrosion protection by inhibiting the anodic and cathodic reactions by forming surface oxides and hydroxides and blocking the diffusion of corrosive species to the metal surfaceThis research which is a significant leap for sustainable materials science in India was taken up by eight PhD scholars from the Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Group CERG Department of Chemistry Nagaland University under the mentorship of Prof Ambrish SinghCongratulating the Research Team Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said With global industries facing mounting pressure to transition from toxic substances to sustainable technologies this discovery provides a strategic pathway for adopting safe effective and environmentally responsible corrosion protection methods The findings not only address urgent industrial needs but also underscore Nagaland Universitys commitment to impactful research with global relevanceThe University extends its appreciation to all collaborating scientists partner institutions and funding bodies whose dedication has made this achievement possible We look forward to working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that this innovation benefits both the environment and the economy he saidElaborating on the research Prof Ambrish Singh said Our research integrates comprehensive research on the chemistry mechanistic pathways and protective properties of lanthanide salts alongside critical evaluations of their performance limitations and prospects Unlike traditional toxic corrosion inhibitors based on chromates or heavy metals lanthanide salts offer low toxicity strong adhesion to metal surfaces and enhanced stability in aggressive environmentsqualities essential for green and sustainable engineering IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/nagaland-varsity-led-global-team-identifies-lanthanide-salts-to-help-industries-prevent-corrosion-631756.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/varanasi-kashi-vishwanath-temple-bans-plastic-move-welcomed-by-devotees-local-shopkeepers-631560.html Varanasi Aug 11 The use of plastic was completely prohibited in Varanasis iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday The temple administration had been running a 10day awareness campaign ahead of the ban using digital electronic and print media to inform devotees and vendors at key points in the temple area including Godaulia and Maidagin In preparation the administration distributed bamboo baskets and metal pots to prasad shops encouraging ecofriendly alternatives The move has been warmly welcomed by both devotees and local shopkeepers who believe it will help preserve the sanctity and cleanliness of the sacred siteTalking to IANS Vishwa Bhushan Mishra Chief Executive Officer of Kashi Vishwanath Temple said We announced this decision in 2024 People were made aware of using bamboo baskets and other ecofriendly materials From today the ban is in effect and no one will be allowed to enter with plasticRajkumar Seth a shopkeeper praised the initiative Its a good step by the temple administration I thank them for this effort It will definitely help the environment We will now use steel and paper instead of plasticPradeep Singh a devotee echoed this sentiment It is good that plastic has been banned I request everyone to use paperAnother devotee Aditya added This is a wonderful initiative It will help the environment and I thank the temple administration for itBamboo baskets and steel pots were distributed as part of the launch marking a significant milestone in the Plastic Free Dham campaign This public awareness drive which began on July 12 aims to protect the environment and maintain cleanliness in and around the templeThe decision first announced in December 2024 targets pollution reduction and encourages sustainable practices among both devotees and vendors Under the ban plastic in all forms including wrappers carry bags and packaging for fruits flowers and puja offerings is strictly prohibited Even thin plastic films and polythene sheets commonly used in religious packaging will not be allowedThe initiative is part of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trusts broader environmental commitment aligned with the Uttar Pradesh governments push for sustainable practices at major pilgrimage sitesTo enforce the rules temple authorities have joined hands with local municipal bodies to set up checkpoints and deploy volunteers who will guide devotees Vendors are also being sensitised and provided with alternatives to plastic packagingThe Kashi Vishwanath Temple one of Hinduisms most revered shrines welcomes thousands of devotees each day The ban is expected to significantly cut the temples plastic waste and serve as a model for other religious institutions across India IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/varanasi-kashi-vishwanath-temple-bans-plastic-move-welcomed-by-devotees-local-shopkeepers-631560.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tnpcb-issues-eco-friendly-guidelines-for-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-631346.html Chennai Aug 11 With Ganesh Chaturthi set to be celebrated across Tamil Nadu on August 27 the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB has issued a set of guidelines urging devotees to opt for ecofriendly idols and to ensure that immersion activities do not pollute waterbodies In an official release the TNPCB emphasised that idols should be made entirely from natural biodegradable and ecofriendly raw materials avoiding any toxic or inorganic substancesThe use of traditional clay and mud has been recommended while materials such as Plaster of Paris PoP plastic and thermocol polystyrene have been strictly prohibitedThe board stated that only such ecofriendly idols will be permitted for safe immersion in designated waterbodiesTo maintain environmental integrity it has also specified that ornaments for the idols should be crafted using dried flower components and strawFor enhancing the idols appearance only natural tree resins may be used as a shining material The use of singleuse plastic and thermocol in any form shall not be permitted the statement read highlighting the importance of reducing nonbiodegradable waste during the festivalIn addition the TNPCB has banned the application of toxic and nonbiodegradable chemical dyes and oil paints on idols It advised against the use of enamel and synthetic dyebased paints instead encouraging artisans to adopt ecofriendly alternatives such as waterbased biodegradable and nontoxic natural dyes To further prevent pollution the board has instructed that idol immersion should be carried out only at locations specifically notified for each district by the respective district administrations These directions align with the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB which aim to protect aquatic ecosystems from contamination during mass idol immersions Vinayaka Chaturthi one of Tamil Nadus most widely celebrated festivals often sees largescale installation and immersion of idols However in recent years environmentalists and civic authorities have raised concerns over the impact of nonbiodegradable materials and toxic paints on lakes rivers and coastal waters The TNPCBs move is expected to promote more sustainable celebrations while preserving traditional practices The board has appealed to the public idol makers and organisers of community celebrations to strictly follow the guidelines and contribute towards a cleaner and greener festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tnpcb-issues-eco-friendly-guidelines-for-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-631346.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/namami-gange-workshop-in-himachal-promotes-coarse-grains-womens-self-reliance-631313.html Sirmaur Himachal Pradesh Aug 10 As part of the Central governments Namami Gange Project the Wildlife Institute of India organised a workshop in Nahan of Himachal Pradeshs Sirmaur district aimed at making women from selfhelp groups aware of various food products made from coarse grains The Namami Gange programme launched in 2014 as an Integrated Conservation Mission with a budget outlay of Rs 20000 crore seeks to rejuvenate the Ganga and its tributaries including the Yamuna which flows through Himachal PradeshThe flagship initiative of the Modi government focuses on pollution abatement conservation and the revival of the river systemDuring the session experts educated rural women on the nutritional and environmental benefits of coarse grains and trained them to prepare different food items from these grainsTalking to IANS Project Coordinator Anupama said The Namami Gange Project has been started by the Wildlife Institute of India under which Ganga Praharis are being created to keep the Yamuna and Ganga clean They are also being made aware of the consumption and uses of coarse grains through a programme called JalajIn this series women from selfhelp groups in Rampur ghat have been taught to make a variety of food items using coarse grains These women can not only use them for their own households but also become selfreliant by selling these products she explainedThe project coordinator mentioned that the coarse grains are good for the earth and beneficial for a healthy lifeAfter learning about these food items the women were very excited and said they found the initiative extremely useful While we should adopt coarse grains in our diet we must also take the step to grow them through natural farming she addedAccording to her incorporating coarse grains into daily diets can help improve health while empowering women economically through entrepreneurshipThis is a commendable initiative that links environmental sustainability with womens selfreliance she saidThe women attending the workshop also lauded the initiative as a step towards leading a healthy lifestyleA woman attending the programme told IANS We are extremely happy that these people are making us aware of so many things We can lead a healthy lifestyleWe learned a lot here today We also hope that these initiatives continue and we keep learning about new things another added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/namami-gange-workshop-in-himachal-promotes-coarse-grains-womens-self-reliance-631313.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-thunderstorms-likely-again-in-hyderabad-today-631229.html Hyderabad Aug 10 A day after several colonies in and around Hyderabad were inundated after heavy rain intense thunderstorms are likely on Sunday Water entered houses in few colonies in Meerpet in Rangareddy district on the outskirts following heavy downpour overnightRoads in parts of the city resembled lakes as heavy rain lashed the city for the second time in three daysWater pooling threw the normal traffic out of gear with commuters caught in jams for several hoursMithila Nagar Balaji Nagar and Sathya Sai Nagar colonies in the Meerpet area were inundated Residents complained that rainwater mixed with the water from overflowing manholes entered their houses With streets also flooded the locals were confined to their housesA similar situation was witnessed in the colonies in other lowlying areas in Vanasthalipuram Dilsukh Nagar and Hayat Nagar on the outskirtsThe Nampally area in the heart of the city received very heavy rainfall of 1175 cm Several areas in Charminar Khairatabad Hayath Nagar Musheerabad Himayat Nagar Amberpet and Bahadurpura received heavy rainfall between 648 cm and 1063 cmAccording to weather enthusiast T Balaji who provides weather updates on his social media handle Telangana Weatherman this was the third time this month that Hyderabad received 10 cm rainfallMeanwhile Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC has said that intense thunderstorms are likely again on Sunday afternoon and evening It advised citizens to remain alertAccording to GHMC moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely in some parts of the city between 1 pm and 9 pm on Sunday Some areas may see 3050 mm rainfallRain also continued to lash parts of the state A main canal of the Kalwakurthy lift irrigation scheme breached near Veldanda in Nagarkurnool district inundating adjoining areasWith heavy inflow from upstream the two gates of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam across the Krishna River were lifted to release the water The water level in the dam on Sunday morning almost touched the Full Reservoir Level of 590 feetMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast heavy rains in parts of the state on SundayHeavy rain is likely at isolated places in 13 out of 33 districts The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the 13 districtsAccording to the IMD bulletin heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Nirmal Nizamabad Jagtial Rajanna Sirisilla Mulugu Bhadradri Kothagudem Khammam Siddipet Vikarabad Sangareddy Medak Kamareddy and Nagarkurnool districts of Telangana Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds 3040 kmph are very likely to occur at isolated places in all districts of TelanganaLight to moderate rain or thundershowers are very likely to occur at most places over Telangana in the next 24 hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/intense-thunderstorms-likely-again-in-hyderabad-today-631229.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/humid-weather-to-persist-in-kolkata-till-monday-rain-likely-in-parts-of-bengal-631237.html Kolkata Aug 10 The Meteorological MeT office has forecast more rain over South Bengal districts later this week as there is a possibility of another depression forming in the Bay of Bengal The weather over Kolkata has been clear since Sunday morning There is a possibility of light rain over the city and its adjoining areas later in the day and on Monday However heavy rain is expected to continue in the North Bengal districtsThe weather over Kolkata has cleared and there is little possibility of rain till Monday There is a rise in the discomfort level due to high humidity Despite the maximum temperature remaining within range discomfort will be felt throughout the day A lowpressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a depression later this week and there is a possibility that on Wednesday it will bring heavy rain over South Bengal said a MeT department officialMeanwhile heavy rain is likely to occur at several places in the North Bengal district of Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Cooch Behar on Sunday Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in the remaining districtsOn Monday heavy to very heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts Heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur districts as wellHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at one or two places in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on Tuesday Heavy rain is likely to occur at some places in Darjeeling Kalimpong and Cooch Behar districts on that dayAccording to the weather department heavy rain is likely at some places in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Wednesday and Thursday Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in most parts of the remaining districtsMeanwhile light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in some places of South Bengal on Sunday and MondayLight to moderate rains with thundershowers have been forecast in most of the southern districts on Tuesday and WednesdayOn Saturday the maximum temperature in Kolkata was 327 degrees Celsius 03 degrees above normal The minimum temperature was 271 degrees Celsius 03 degrees above normal The relative humidity was 95 per cent and 66 per cent respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/humid-weather-to-persist-in-kolkata-till-monday-rain-likely-in-parts-of-bengal-631237.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/in-geneva-hopes-fading-in-final-talks-on-plastic-treaty-631256.html New Delhi Aug 10 At the halfway point of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee INC52 in Geneva to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution including in the marine environment delegates have sought fasttrack efforts to provide a treaty truly capable of ending plastic pollution Also the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Plastics IIPFP has called on governments to uphold their rights in all aspects of the treaty as affirmed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIPAt the stocktaking plenary on Saturday delegates considered an assembled text and discussed the negotiation process for the remaining four daysIn Geneva negotiators from 184 nations including a strong delegation of Pacific Small Island Developing States PSIDS which continue to lead calls for a high ambition treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics are trying to hammer out the firstever legally binding treaty on plastic pollutionThe urgency of the talks was necessitated by a new study published in The Lancet that calls plastics a grave growing and underrecognised danger to human and planetary healthIn 2023 global plastic production reached 436 million metric tons while trade in plastics surpassed 11 trillion accounting for five per cent of global merchandise trade However 75 per cent of all plastic ever produced has become waste much of which leaks into oceans and ecosystems says the UN Trade and DevelopmentIt says this growing imbalance threatens public health food systems ecosystems and longterm development especially in smallisland and coastal nationsThe average Most Favoured Nation MFN tariffs on plastic and rubber products have decreased from 34 to 72 per cent over the past three decades making fossil fuelbased plastics artificially inexpensive In contrast natural alternatives such as paper bamboo natural fibers and seaweed face average MFN tariffs of 144 per centAccording to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin during the discussion delegations were united on one thing the negotiations are moving too slowly On this they made several suggestions with Colombia calling for full days of informal negotiations and the EU and China urging the INC Chair to engage in shuttle diplomacy to move the text forwardMany others were concerned about the unchecked expansion of the text with Fiji calling for a timebound process to streamline the text Several delegations called for a dedicated discussion on scopeDespite Indigenous Peoples record attendance an analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law CIEL reveals the disproportionate influence of polluting industries on these negotiations At least 234 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists a new high compared to the 221 identified by CIEL at INC5 have registered to participate in the fifth and final scheduled session of the INC52 of the plastics treaty negotiationsIt says the strong presence of lobbyists at this stage of the negotiations raises concerns about corporate influence at a pivotal moment when negotiators are expected to finalise the treaty text and lay the groundwork for its adoptionIn a written statement submitted to the plenary the Alliance of Small Island States AOSIS representing the interests of the 39 small island and lowlying coastal developing states made a firm call for a treaty rooted in accountability ambition and actionThe underway negotiations follow INC5 which took place in NovemberDecember 2024 in Busan in Korea That meeting was preceded by four previous sessions INC1 which took place in Punta del Este in November 2022 INC2 which was held in Paris in June 2023 INC3 which happened in Nairobi in November 2023 and INC4 held in Ottawa in April 2024Plastic pollution is already in nature in our oceans and even in our bodies If we continue on this trajectory the whole world will be drowning in plastic pollution with massive consequences for our planetary economic and human health said Inger Andersen Executive Director of UNEPBut this does not have to be our future Together we can solve this challenge Agreeing on a treaty text is the first step to beating plastic pollution for everyone everywhere Andersen saidSince Busan in the runup to INC52 a series of informal ministerial meetings regional consultations and heads of delegations meetings have taken placeWe are here today to fulfil an international mandate This is a unique and historic opportunity for the international community to bridge differences and find common ground It is not just a test of our diplomacy it is a test of our collective responsibility to protect the environment safeguard human health enable sustainable economies and stand in solidarity with those most affected by this plastic pollution crisis said Luis Vayas Valdivieso Chair of the INCAs of the opening day on August 4 more than 3700 participants had registered to participate in INC52 representing 184 countries and over 619 observer organisationsVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/in-geneva-hopes-fading-in-final-talks-on-plastic-treaty-631256.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/china-activates-level-iv-emergency-response-for-flood-control-in-sichuan-province-631274.html Beijing Aug 10 Chinas State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a LevelIV flood control emergency response for Sichuan Province on Sunday The move follows forecasts from meteorological authorities predicting moderate to heavy rainfall with some areas receiving heavy to torrential rains across the Sichuan Basin from Sunday till TuesdayChinas national observatory renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms on Sunday saying that heavy rain and torrential downpours are anticipated from 8 am on Sunday to 8 am on Monday across broad regions including parts of Jiangsu Shanghai Anhui Henan Hubei Hunan Guizhou Yunnan Sichuan Chongqing Shaanxi Inner Mongolia and HeilongjiangChina has a fourtier colourcoded weather warning system with red representing the most severe followed by orange yellow and blue The emergency response system has four tiers with Level I being the most severeOn Saturday the National Meteorological Centre said that from 8 am on Sunday to 8 am on Monday heavy rain and rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Jiangsu Shanghai Anhui Henan Hubei Hunan Guizhou Yunnan Sichuan Chongqing Shaanxi Inner Mongolia and HeilongjiangParts of Jiangsu Anhui Hubei Sichuan Guizhou and Yunnan are expected to experience torrential rain with precipitation of up to 230 mm the centre addedSome of these regions were expected to see brief but heavy rainfall with maximum hourly precipitation exceeding 80 mm in some areas accompanied by thunderstorms and gales Xinhua news agency reportedThe centre has advised local authorities to take precautions for heavy rainstorms and recommended implementing drainage measures in urban areas and across farmlandsFurther Chinas Ministry of Water Resources activated a Level IV floodcontrol emergency response for five provinciallevel regions as heavy to torrential rains were predicted to sweep across vast parts of the country in the coming daysFrom August 9 to 11 intense rainfall was expected to batter Henan Hubei Chongqing Sichuan Shaanxi Anhui and Gansu where the alert was already in place with some areas facing extreme downpoursThe downpours may cause sharp water level rises in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers while some small and mediumsized rivers in highrisk areas could exceed warning levelsThe ministry has urged local authorities to step up realtime monitoring of rainfall and river conditions issue timely public alerts and enhance urban waterloggingprevention measuresSpecial emphasis should be placed on mitigating risks in smaller rivers and ensuring early evacuations of residents in dangerous areas according to the ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/china-activates-level-iv-emergency-response-for-flood-control-in-sichuan-province-631274.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-100-flights-delayed-due-to-heavy-rain-in-delhi-631068.html New Delhi Aug 9 The national Capital woke up to torrential rain on Saturday causing widespread waterlogging traffic snarls and flight disruptions marring the festive mood of Raksha Bandhan According to Flightradar data at least 105 flights were delayed due to the inclement weather Of the delayed flights 13 were inbound to Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport IGIA and 92 were outbound throwing travel schedules into chaosThough there were no mass cancellations airlines and airport authorities issued advisories to caution flyers amid traffic congestion and rainrelated delaysIndiGo and SpiceJet both posted alerts on X urging passengers to leave early for the airport and keep track of their flight statusMeanwhile Delhi Airport issued a statement clarifying that operations were largely stable despite the weatherAs per the Indian Meteorological Departments forecast Delhi is experiencing inclement weather conditions However all flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently normal Our onground teams are working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure your journey remains hasslefree it posted on XRain battered several key areas of the city including Panchkuian Marg Connaught Place and Mathura Road leading to serious waterlogging and gridlocked roads Commuters faced long delays as several underpasses and arterial roads were inundatedThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a Red Alert for the entire Delhi region forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall with the possibility of intense thunderstorms particularly over East and Central Delhi throughout the dayWhile the rain brought a temporary relief from heat and improved air quality the disruption to daily life and holiday plans was widespread with many residents taking to social media to share visuals of submerged streets and delayed journeys IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-100-flights-delayed-due-to-heavy-rain-in-delhi-631068.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 10:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-rain-alert-for-delhi-as-heavy-downpour-disrupts-flights-traffic-631107.html New Delhi Aug 9 The India Meteorological Department IMD on Saturday issued a rain alert for Delhi warning of moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds across the national Capital The department also issued key safety guidelines for citizens amid deteriorating weather conditions Today the skies turn moody moderate rain thunderstorms and lightning are expected accompanied by gusty winds 3040 kmph across parts of the city This isnt just a forecast its a gentle reminder to care for one another Drive cautiously roads may be slippery Secure loose items on balconies and rooftops Avoid sheltering under trees during lightning Stay tuned to IMD official weather updates the IMD posted on XThe overnight and morning downpour severely disrupted normal life across DelhiNCR Waterlogging was reported in several areas including Panchkuian Marg Mathura Road and Connaught Place resulting in heavy traffic congestion and delays on major roadsThe rain not only caused chaos on the ground but also in the skies According to Flightradar data more than 130 flights to and from Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed on Saturday morningIn response to the weatherinduced disruption airlines issued travel advisories IndiGo and SpiceJet took to X to warn passengers about the heavy rain and urged them to allow extra travel time and check flight statuses before heading to the airportAir India also issued a cautionary message on X Rain may impact flight operations to and from Delhi today It advised travellers to plan ahead due to anticipated traffic congestion in the cityWhile Delhi Airport stated that operations remain normal it acknowledged that several flights reported delays and that teams are working to ensure a hasslefree journey for passengersThe IMD has issued a red alert for the day with more spells of moderate to heavy rain expected throughout the weekend IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-issues-rain-alert-for-delhi-as-heavy-downpour-disrupts-flights-traffic-631107.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-navy-saves-woman-from-drowning-in-hooghly-river-near-kolkata-631028.html Kolkata Aug 8 A patrol boat of the Indian Navy saved a woman from drowning in the Hooghly river near Kolkata on Friday She was rescued and handed over to the River Traffic Police who got in touch with her family It was after midnight and the Sagar Prahari Bal crew on the Fast Interceptor Craft FIC under the Naval OfficerinCharge NOIC Kolkata were maintaining a sharp lookout all around At around 1245 am on Friday their sharp eyes spotted a figure struggling against the strong current that was dragging her further from the river bank the Ministry of Defence spokesperson in Kolkata saidAn Indian Navy official said that the crew carefully steered the FIC towards the struggling figure in absolute darknessThis was not an easy task The tide was strong and the speed of the boat had to be controlled so as not to cause any harm to the person in the water Finally the FIC got sufficiently close to the person and the rescue operation was conducted It turned out to be a sariclad woman The team got to her just in time She was totally exhausted and may not have survived much longer the official saidThe woman was in a state of panic after her ordeal and had to be calmed down after being taken on board the naval vessel The crew ensured that she had recovered sufficiently before handing her over to the policeAccording to the MoD spokesperson the rescue took place close to Budge Budge about five km south of the main yard of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers LtdINS Netaji Subhas the Navy office in Kolkata operates two FICs to patrol the entire stretch of the River Hooghly The primary task of these armed highspeed platforms is to maintain a watch on the large number of vessels including cargo ships barges and fishing boats that ply the river The crew are on the lookout for unregistered vessels or any suspicious activityAll agencies are on a state of high alert ahead of Independence Day and patrolling has been increased accordingly the official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indian-navy-saves-woman-from-drowning-in-hooghly-river-near-kolkata-631028.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/armys-op-dharali-over-350-rescued-100-civilians-yet-to-be-traced-630858.html New Delhi Aug 8 In the flash flood and landslideravaged areas of Dharali and Harsil in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi District on Friday over 357 civilians have been rescued so far through air and ground missions in the state Out these 119 have been airlifted to Dehradun and as many as 13 Army personnel have also been safely evacuatedHowever eight soldiers of 14 RAJ RIF remain missing and approximately 100 civilians are yet to be traced as per the civil administration and tragically two civilian deaths have been reportedThe Indian Army in a coordinated multiagency effort continues to spearhead largescale rescue and relief operations in Dharali and Harsil under Operation DharaliDespite treacherous terrain and damaged infrastructure the Army in partnership with the Indian Air Force NDRF SDRF ITBP BRO and civil administration is carrying out the rescue and relief operations on a war footingAccording to the Army Dharali remains cut off due to extensive landslides though road clearance has reached LimchigadConstruction of a Bailey Bridge is underway and expected to be completed by this eveningAs many as 68 helicopter sorties were flown on August 7 including 6 by the IAF 7 by the Army and 55 by civil operatorsHelibridging efforts continue between Dehradun Harsil Matli and Dharasu ALG using C295 aircraft to move supplies and evacuate civiliansThe Army has deployed specialist rescue teams medical personnel and SAR dogs while the NDRF and SDRF have joined with 105 personnel and 10 trained dogsThe ITBP has stationed teams and medical officers at both Harsil and Dharali Medical teams including doctors combat medics and nursing assistants are attending to evacuees onsite and in transit areasA Communication Control Room with satellite connectivity and operational WiFi has been set up in Harsil while BSNL and Airtel work to restore public networksSenior Army officials including the GOC Uttar Bharat Area and the Commander 9 I Mountain Brigade are present on ground to supervise and coordinate the ongoing relief effortsThe Army officials said on Friday they have a plan for the completion of the Bailey Bridge at LimchigadThe Army continued aerial induction of relief supplies and rescue equipment search operations in Harsil and surrounding villages and further evacuations of stranded civilians from Harsil to Matli and DehradunThe Indian Army reiterated its resolve to continue operations round the clock stating that it remains fully committed to the safety and welfare of affected citizens working in close synergy with all responding agencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/armys-op-dharali-over-350-rescued-100-civilians-yet-to-be-traced-630858.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/few-areas-in-hyderabad-remain-flooded-following-heavy-rain-630869.html Hyderabad Aug 8 A few lowlying areas in Hyderabad remained flooded on Friday following heavy rain on Thursday night Residents in Yellareddyguda in the Ameerpet area and Picket colony in Secunderabad spent a sleepless night as the flood water entered their housesSome roads in Kukatpally Madhapur Gachibowli and Raidurgam in information technology corridors remained submergedTeams of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC were making efforts to pump out water from affected areas Sanitation workers were also engaged in the removal of debris and siltGreater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi visited Ambedkar Nagar in Banjara Hills where a retaining wall of an open drain collapsed She directed officials to install cautionary boards till the reconstruction of the wall is completedThe compound wall of a temple also collapsed in the Puppalaguda area in Manikonda following heavy rain A couple of adjoining buildings were partially damaged in the incident However there were no casualtiesWater also entered many houses in OU Colony in Shaikhpet People complained that they were facing the problem in every rainy season and demanded that authorities find a permanent solutionSeveral areas in the city and the outskirts recorded heavy rainfall on Thursday night The highest rainfall of 1338 centimetres was recorded at Khajaguda Sports Complex in Gachibowli followed by 1203 centimetres in Saroor Nagar and Srinagar Colony 1188 cm in Khairatabad and 1160 cm in YusufgudaMeanwhile Cyberabad Police have advised people to avoid nonessential travel The IT companies have also been advised to consider work from home wherever possible It also recommended early logoutsLast nights cloudburst brought over 100 mm of intense rainfall to several parts of the city potentially causing road damage and waterlogging in some areas Moderate to heavy showers are likely to continue during the day and intensify by evening and night Cyberabad Police said in a social media postMeanwhile the citys twin reservoirs Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar across the Musi River received heavy inflows due to continuing rain upstreamAuthorities lifted four gates of Himayat Sagar to release about 2500 cusecs of water downstream People residing along the river were alertedThe water level in Himayat Sagar on Friday morning was 176310 feet against the Full Reservoir Level of 176350 feet while the water level in Osman Sagar stood at 178310 feet against the Full Reservoir Level of 1790 feetHeavy rain lashed some districts of Telangana on Thursday The highest rainfall of 1540 cm was recorded in Atmakur in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district Shaligouraram in Nalgonda district recorded 1415 cm rainfall followed by 1338 cm in Serilingampally in Rangareddy district and 1313 cm in Addagudur in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districtA car was submerged in a stream near Nelapatla in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district The incident occurred when the car driver tried to cross the stream which was in spate following heavy rain in the areaSix people travelling in the car managed to come out safely The car was washed away for some distanceMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast heavy rain in south Telangana districts for the next four daysA yellow alert has been issued to Nalgonda Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Nagarkurnool Wanaparthy Mahabubnagar Narayanpet and Gadwal districtsThe Met Office has forecast light to moderate rain in Hyderabad on Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/few-areas-in-hyderabad-remain-flooded-following-heavy-rain-630869.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana-transforms-farmers-lives-in-dang-630980.html Dang Aug 8 The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana PMKSY is proving to be a gamechanger for farmers in Gujarats Dang turning once raindependent agriculture into a yearround livelihood Nareshbhai a resident of Umbarpada in Kasadbari village shared how the scheme changed his familys farming prospectsTalking to IANS Nareshbhai said There are five members in our family and this scheme was sanctioned in my mother Bharjuben Kakadiyabhais name Earlier farming was entirely dependent on rainfall Water scarcity often made it impossible to sow crops But with this scheme we now have assured irrigation and can cultivate throughout the yearNareshbhai recalled that it was during a government survey that officials informed them about the PMKSY Soon after they received the benefitsIf this scheme hadnt reached us we would have continued to face extreme difficulties Farming without water is almost impossible here Now thanks to the Prime Ministers initiative we can farm and improve our livelihood he addedExpressing heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Nareshbhai said I thank the Prime Minister from the bottom of my heart for launching such a scheme for farmers It has made our lives easier and more secureLaunched in 201516 the PMKSY aims to ensure physical access to water for every farm expand cultivable areas under assured irrigation improve wateruse efficiency and promote sustainable water conservation practices It serves as an umbrella scheme with two major components implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme AIBP and the Har Khet Ko Pani HKKPThe HKKP component has four subsegments Command Area Development amp Water Management CADampWM Surface Minor Irrigation SMI Repair Renovation and Restoration RRR of Water Bodies and Ground Water Development Additionally the PMKSY includes a Watershed Development WD component under the Department of Land ResourcesBetween 2015 and 2022 the Per Drop More Crop PDMC component aimed at improving wateruse efficiency at the farm level was also part of the PMKSY and implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare DoAampFW From 2021 onwards PDMC has been implemented as a separate schemeIn December 2021 the Centre approved the continuation of PMKSY for 202122 to 202526 The Ground Water component under PMKSYHKKP was provisionally approved for 202122 and later extended until ongoing works and liabilities were completedApart from the PMKSY the Ministry also provides financial assistance for creating and stabilising irrigation potential under the National Project Scheme and through special projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/gujarat-pradhan-mantri-krishi-sinchayee-yojana-transforms-farmers-lives-in-dang-630980.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 19:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-delhis-new-method-to-cut-textile-waste-recycle-discarded-denims-to-good-quality-garments-630989.html New Delhi Aug 8 A team of researchers from IIT Delhi has developed a new method to recycle denim waste to knitted garments without compromising quality The findings will also help reduce textile waste the discarded textiles and clothing after their use which end up in landfillsIndia accumulates around 39 million tonnes of domestic postconsumer textile waste annually of which only 4 per cent is recycledThose recycled lose fibre strength and face variability in colour and qualityHowever with the novel method the IIT researchers found that up to 50 per cent of recycled yarns can be used in knitted clothing without deteriorating the feel of the productTo reduce the roughness of recycled yarns a softening treatment was applied to the fabric which ensured that the tactile feel of the final product is the same as that of virgin products said Prof Abhijit Majumdar Dept of Textiles and Fibre Engineering IIT DelhiWe have demonstrated our work with denim waste and it can be extended with any other textile waste he addedIn the study detailed in the Journal of Cleaner Production the team recycled waste denim into yarns ensuring minimum damage to the fibre properties by optimising the process conditionsRecycled yarns were then blended into knitted fabric using the seamless whole garment technology Knitted garments were produced varying the recycled yarn content from 25 per cent to 75 per centAnother key aspect of this research was to quantify the environmental benefits through life cycle assessment LCA in the Indian contextAnalysis by the IIT Delhi team showed that around 3040 per cent of environmental impacts can be mitigated in terms of greenhouse gas emission acid rain and fossil fuel depletion whereas for ozone layer depletion it is around 60 per centAs the use of recycled fibres could reduce the use of virgin cotton the pesticides fertilisers and water used for cultivation can also be savedAmong the processes involved the cotton cultivation stage itself contributes 24 per cent to global warming making the virgin yarns less environmentfriendlyThe research team is now exploring the possibility of recycling textile waste materials multiple times added Prof BS Butola Dept of Textile and Fibre Engineering IIT Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/iit-delhis-new-method-to-cut-textile-waste-recycle-discarded-denims-to-good-quality-garments-630989.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/need-collective-action-to-put-rural-women-at-centre-of-climate-health-agendas-prataprao-jadhav-631022.html New Delhi Aug 8 Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav on Friday called for collective action to put rural women at the centre of climate and health agendas His statement came as he launched a white paper by Transform Rural India TRI and the Development Intelligence Unit DiU at the fifth edition of the India Rural Colloquy in the national capitalThe white paper explores the impact of climate change on rural womens health and wellbeingWe must foster the growth of neighbourhoods of care and villages where panchayats ASHA workers and other frontline workers take the lead in building community health ecosystems Jadhav saidLet us work collectively to ensure that the government citizens society health institutions and the community place rural women at the heart of water air energy and health initiatives Only then can the vision of a Viksit Bharat be fulfilled for every woman in every village he addedWomen comprise 73 per cent of the rural agricultural workforce but own less than 14 per cent of land holdings limiting access to credit and enabling supportThe white paper showed that the burden of noncommunicable diseases NCDs is also rising among rural womenOnly one in four women with hypertension receive care In addition crop failure and male migration have been linked to elevated levels of anxiety and depressionRural women are disproportionately affected by food shortages Over half of rural women are anaemic and underweight and the growing challenges of the climate crisis and its impact on the food production system will pose more challengesWe have attempted to weave together evidence field realities and policy reflections to bring visibility to the silent crises faced by millions of women navigating changing climates fragile health systems and structural inequalities TRI Associate Director Shyamal Santra saidThe white paper also suggested strengthening rural health infrastructure to ensure it remains operational during climate shocks training frontline health workers in climatesensitive care and leveraging communityled initiativesIt also called for redirecting Corporate Social Responsibility CSR and existing government programs and funds toward climatehealth investments focused on rural women with a comprehensive intersectional approach to address the emerging challenges and health issuesBuilding a Neighbourhood of Care approach wherein localised participatory ecosystems integrating health nutrition water access and mental wellbeing are embedded within the local institutions and forums leveraging family kinship and social networks was also emphasised IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/need-collective-action-to-put-rural-women-at-centre-of-climate-health-agendas-prataprao-jadhav-631022.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/from-food-security-focus-must-shift-towards-nutritional-security-pm-modi-630623.html New Delhi Aug 7 From the current food security scientists must now shift focus towards building nutritional security said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday He was speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at ICAR PUSA to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr MS Swaminathan the pioneer of Indias Green RevolutionDrawing inspiration from Dr M S Swaminathan the Prime Minister stated that Indias scientists now have another opportunity to create historyBuilding on the legacy of food security the next frontier for our agricultural scientists is ensuring nutritional security for all PM Modi saidThe previous generation of scientists ensured food security stressing that the current focus must shift towards nutritional security he addedThe Prime Minister also called for the largescale promotion of biofortified and nutritionrich crops to improve public healthHe also advocated for reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture and urged for greater promotion of natural farming stating that more urgency and proactive efforts are required in this direction21st century India is fully committed to becoming a developed nation and this goal will be achieved through the contribution of every section of society and every profession emphasised PM ModiFurther sharing the forevision of Dr Swaminathan PM Modi noted that the eminent scientist worked on millets at a time when they were largely overlookedDr M S Swaminathan believed the solutions to climate change and nutritional challenges lie in the very crops that have been forgotten said the Prime Minister while also highlighting Professor Swaminathans focus on drought tolerance and salt tolerance in agriculturePM Modi recalled that years ago Professor Swaminathan had suggested transferring the genetic qualities of mangroves into rice which would help make crops more climateresilientToday as climate adaptation becomes a global priority it is evident how farsighted Professor Swaminathans thinking truly was the PM saidPM also Modi underlined the sanctity of food asserting that food is life itself and must never be disrespected or neglectedWarning that any crisis of food inevitably leads to a crisis of life and when the lives of millions are endangered global unrest becomes inevitable the Prime Minister said while underscoring the importance of the M S Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace in todays worldThe Prime Minister stated that this international award will be conferred upon individuals from developing countries who have made significant contributions in the field of food security IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/from-food-security-focus-must-shift-towards-nutritional-security-pm-modi-630623.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/uttarakhand-cloudburst-over-50-people-airlifted-to-safety-army-intensifies-relief-operations--630644.html Dehradun Aug 7 IANS Two days after the cloudburststriggered flashfloods wreaked havoc in Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand the relief operations are in full swing and people are being airlifted to higher locations while those having sustained injuries are being attended to swiftlynbspTill today morning more than 50 individuals were airlifted to safety and evacuated from the Dharali the flashfloodshit zone to upper reaches in Matli by helicopter From there the people were being transported to their respective destinationsnbspThe officials also released a list of 55 stranded individuals along with their phone numbers who were airlifted to safety on Thursday two days after raging waters swallowed villages in Dharali During the day many more are expected to be lifted out via helicoptersThe rescue work is being spearheaded by teams of the Indian Army ITBP NDRF SDRF in coordination with Uttarakhand police and the local administrationnbspMeanwhile the Indian Army has also intensified its relief operations in the cloudbursthit region of Dharali near Harsil Over 225 troops including specialised engineer and medical teams are on the ground conducting rescue and relief tasks Drones have also been deployed for aerial reconnaissance and locating stranded individuals in inaccessible areasnbspWith multiple road breaches reported at Bartwari Linchigad Gangrani and near Dharali Chinook and Mi17 helicopters are positioned at Dehradun for airlift operations while an adhoc aviation base is being established at Matli HelipadRecco radar teams searchandrescue dogs and five civil helicopters have been pressed into service to augment relief and rescue effortsnbspLt Gen Sengupta Army Commander Central Command and GOC UB Area present at Dharali and seamless coordination underway with HQ Central Air Command every possible effort is being made to ensure the safe evacuation and care of all affected The Indian Army stands firm with the people of Uttarakhand in this hour of need it said in a statement this morningMeanwhile the Met Department has issued a Red Alert for multiple areas of the hilly state including Pauri Garhwal Tehri Uttarkashi Dehradun Champawat Udham Singh Nagar Bageshwar and Nainital till August 12nbspSchools and educational institutions have been shut as part of precautionary measure and people are advised to stay indoors https://dailyworld.in/environment/uttarakhand-cloudburst-over-50-people-airlifted-to-safety-army-intensifies-relief-operations--630644.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/311-stretches-on-279-rivers-identified-as-polluted-govt-630706.html New Delhi Aug 7 As many as 311 polluted river stretches PRS have been identified on 279 rivers by Central Pollution Control Board CPCB the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday The stretches were identified based on monitoring results in terms of BioChemical Oxygen Demand BOD as an indicator of organic pollutionMinister of Jal Shakti CR Paatil in a written reply said the number of PRSs has decreased from 351 identified in the year 2018 to 311 in the year 2022 across 30 StatesUnion TerritoriesAs many as 106 PRSs have been delisted and improvement in water quality of 74 polluted river stretches has been observed in 2022 as compared to the report published in 2018 the Minister said in response to questions by Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure and Bharti PardhiMinister Paatil added that the CPCB initiated the exercise of identifying PRSs in 2009 based on the river water quality monitored during the past years on a periodic basisSo far CPCB has published four such periodic reports in 2009 2015 2018 and 2022 said the MinisterAsked about the extent to which the existing water quality monitoring mechanisms including realtime monitoring stations and manual sampling have proved effective the Minister said The existing water quality monitoring mechanisms comprising both manual sampling under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme NWMP and RealTime Water Quality Monitoring Stations RTWQMS have played a significant role in tracking and managing river water pollution across the countryThe CPCB at present monitors water quality of aquatic resources at 4736 locations across the country which includes 2155 locations on 645 rivers he saidHe said that as per the CPCB water quality data is obtained from the manual water quality monitoring carried out under NWMP and it is utilised for the identification of PRSThese stations help in assessing the polluted river stretches and preparation of action plans for these stretches he saidHighlighting the steps to strengthen the surveillance network and ensure accuracy and transparency of data the Minister said Water samples are analysed for Surface water and groundwater parameters as per Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeWater samples are tested in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories NABL accredited labs to ensure accuracy and auditing of monitoring locations under NWMP is annually carried out by CPCB through its Regional Directorates he saidState Board laboratories participate in the Analytical Quality Control AQC carried out by CPCB for proficiency testing followed by posting of water quality data on the CPCB website he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/311-stretches-on-279-rivers-identified-as-polluted-govt-630706.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-relief-efforts-intensify-as-lao-communities-authorities-unite-630729.html Vientiane Aug 7 Lao authorities and local communities are working side by side to aid thousands affected by widespread flooding and landslides across the country as relief efforts are underway to distribute emergency supplies and restore damaged infrastructure The Central Disaster Management Committee has issued a notice calling for public support to aid flood victims following severe storms that brought heavy rainfall and widespread damage across Laos The committee is urging all sectors of society to contribute financial assistance essential goods and supplies to help affected communitiesAccording to the notice issued on July 30 flooding has impacted 527 villages across 14 provinces affecting more than 26000 families At least 2709 houses have been damaged 19 people have died and four remain missing The floods have also destroyed over 24000 hectares of farmland along with 14 schools 111 roads and 30 bridges Xinhua news agency reportedAuthorities nationwide are now focused on delivering emergency relief repairing damaged infrastructure to restore daily operations and conducting a full assessment of the disasters impactMany Lao youths are stepping up calling for unity and encouraging those around them to contribute believing that even small acts of kindness can make a difference for families in floodaffected areasSengphasouk a resident of the southern Lao province of Savannakhet is one of them He has taken the lead in rallying support from friends and his wider networkMotivated by compassion he has been collecting donations and essential items such as food and clothing to hand over to local authorities for distribution to those in need He believes that even small help mattersIf my donations can help someone have just one better day its worth it Sengphasouk told XinhuaThe photos and videos of the flooding hit me deeply I think we need to support the authorities and relief teams Local officials are doing a tough and sometimes dangerous job reaching affected areas Even small donations can make a big difference to someone in need he saidHe expressed strong support for the governments relief efforts and called on others to join inIf we stand together we can help our people get through this and return to normal life sooner he addedMeanwhile several businesses and organisations have opened donation channels to support disaster victims Citizens are also actively sharing information online encouraging others to join the relief effortIve seen online that some businesses are setting up donation boxes or launching campaigns to support those affected I believe even small contributions when combined can make a big difference said Thavone an office worker in the Lao capital VientianeThavone also highlighted the severe challenges in reaching certain areas where landslides and flooding have cut off access making boats or even aircraft necessary to deliver aidI want to express my deepest respect for all the frontline officials the rescue teams soldiers and volunteers risking their lives to reach isolated areas No matter how small our contribution is we all need to work together and support the governments relief efforts he addedSoutha a student in Vientiane stresses that beyond donations educating flood victims on how to stay safe during floods is essential She emphasises that such knowledge helps protect lives and strengthens relief efforts Southa urges relevant sectors to support both aid and awareness campaigns to help communities cope with the current situation and better prepare for future crisesVictims and even people living near affected areas need accurate and reliable information It is crucial that they know how to protect themselves from worsening dangers Floodwaters may result in serious infections she addedIn addition some highlevel leaders have personally visited floodaffected areas to assess the situation deliver essential supplies and financial assistance to impacted villages and help ease the suffering of local residents They also instructed relevant authorities to strengthen coordination and continue working together to repair the damage and restore normal life as quickly as possible IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/flood-relief-efforts-intensify-as-lao-communities-authorities-unite-630729.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/six-month-air-quality-report-card-reveals-alarming-pollution-levels-across-west-bengal-study-630778.html Kolkata Aug 7 The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air CREA said on Thursday that an air quality report card has revealed alarming pollution levels in West Bengal in the last six months The halfyearly report card of air quality a copy of which is available with IANS which is based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB has revealed sustained and hazardous levels of air pollution in all cities in West Bengal with Asansol being the most polluted cityThe data which has been analysed by CREA covering January 2025 to June 2025 shows that all cities in the state except Haldia for their PM 25 values breached the PM25 and PM10 limitsIt may be noted that PM10 are coarse particles up to 10 micrometres in diameter about oneseventh the width of a human hairOnce inhaled it could cause respiratory irritation and cardiovascular issuesPM25 even finer at just 25 micrometres or less is more toxic as it can enter the bloodstream and damage internal organsPrimarily produced by combustion sources PM25 is linked to heart attacks strokes asthma and lung diseases posing severe risks to children the elderly and those with existing health conditionsManoj Kumar an analyst from CREA said The longterm exposure was especially concerning because the cumulative inhalation of PM25 even at low concentrations could lead to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress which drove the progression of cardiovascular and respiratory diseasesAccording to Kumar longterm exposure to PM25 levels was associated with significantly increased risks of heart and lung disease particularly among vulnerable populations such as children the elderly and individuals with preexisting health conditionsAccording to the report card Asansol was the most polluted city in West Bengal with an average concentration of 60 μgm3 which is 15 times higher than National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQSExcept Haldia 38 μgm3 all other cities viz Barrackpore 52 μgm3 Howrah 52 μgm3 Durgapur 50 μgm3 Siliguri 49 μgm3 and Kolkata 44 μgm3 exceeded the NAAQSKolkata recorded 88 µgm³ average PM10 46 per cent higher than the safe limit and 44 µgm³ of PM25 slightly over the national standard of 40 µgm³ IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/six-month-air-quality-report-card-reveals-alarming-pollution-levels-across-west-bengal-study-630778.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-extremely-heavy-rainfall-in-kerala-today-630321.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 6 The India Meteorological Department IMD has predicted extremely high rainfall in Kerala on Wednesday Kerala is expected to see generally cloudy conditions on Wednesday morning with rain advancing by early afternoon and continuing into the evening and nightThe current temperature is around 24degrees Celsius expected to rise to a high of about 29degrees Celsius before cooling through the eveningA red alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod districts while an orange alert is in place for Malappuram Wayanad and KozhikodeLikewise a yellow alert has been issued for Ernakulam Idukki Thrissur and Palakkad districtsAll educational institutions in Kasaragod Kannur and Thrissur districts have been closed for the dayThe IMD has also predicted strong winds reaching up to 60 kmh along the Kerala coastExtremely heavy rainfall refers to rainfall exceeding 2044 mm in a single day Such intense rainfall can lead to dangerous situationsAccording to the State Disaster Management Authority there is a trend of intense rain over a short period which can cause flash floods and lightningrelated floodsHeavy rain on Tuesday caused flooding and waterlogged roads in urban areas especially in Ernakulam Thrissur and PalakkadConsequent to the rain in the past few days rivers and dams particularly in Idukki and Wayanad are approaching or at critical alert levelsOn Tuesday public ire was on display in Thrissur as the road with potholes was being resurfaced during rain When the locals raised an alarm over the insensitive manner in which road resurfacing was going on the Thrissur Corporation Mayor MK Varghese arrived at the spot and said that no work was undertakenThe fishing community in the state is also eagerly waiting to resume fishing operations after the trawling ban which ended on July 31 but after that the sea was rough and in certain areas the fishing ban continues IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/imd-forecasts-extremely-heavy-rainfall-in-kerala-today-630321.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/will-work-for-safe-dignified-return-of-elephant-madhuri-after-courts-approval-vantara-630393.html New Delhi Aug 6 After weeks of public outcry and political interventions over the 36yearold elephant Mahadevi also known as Madhuri the Vantara wildlife rehabilitation facility on Wednesday stated that it will ensure her safe and dignified return following legal approval Mahadevi a female elephant was a resident of Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Math a Jain mutt at Nandani village in Karvir in Kolhapur district for over three decadesBut following a Supreme Court order she was in July relocated to Vantara an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre run by Anant Ambani son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani and supported by Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation in Gujarats JamnagarSubject to the Courts approval Vantara will provide complete technical and veterinary assistance for her safe and dignified return according to an official statement from VantaraThis comes after thousands of people in Kolhapur protested against this and demanded her return to the shrineThe protestors also boycotted Reliance Groups Jio mobile service and marched for 45 km from the shrine to Kolhapur city on Sunday even as politicians from across the spectrum announced their supportOn Tuesday Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a meeting comprising representatives of all political parties and officials on the matter He said that the state government will soon file a review petition in the Supreme Court to bring back the 36yearold elephant to Kolhapur DistrictWhile acknowledging the deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Matha and the people of Kolhapur Vantara noted that it was acting strictly in accordance with the binding directions issued by the Honble Supreme Court and the Bombay High CourtThe decision to relocate Madhuri was taken under judicial authority and Vantaras role was to provide care veterinary support and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centreAt no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment the official statement saidVantara also proposed to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur in close coordination with the Jain Matha and the State GovernmentThe centre will include a specialised hydrotherapy pond for joint and muscular relief a second larger water body for swimming and natural movement a laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation among other facilities for better health of elephantsVantara also expressed Michhami Dukkadam sincere regret if the matter despite being carried out solely under court directions has caused any distress to the Jain community or the peopleof Kolhapur IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/will-work-for-safe-dignified-return-of-elephant-madhuri-after-courts-approval-vantara-630393.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-likely-in-uttarkashi-light-showers-expected-in-delhi-ncr-imd-630418.html New Delhi Aug 6 The India Meteorological Department IMD on Wednesday issued a red alert for Uttarkashi and several other Uttarakhand districts warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall there The department also predicted light to very light showers in DelhiNCR over the coming weekMeanwhile an orange alert has been issued for parts of western Uttar Pradesh where heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected at several placesSpeaking to IANS IMD scientist Akhil Srivastava said During the next 24 hours heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at several locations In particular Uttarkashi district may experience intense rainfall activity today Given the consistent heavy rainfall over the past few days a red alert has been issued for multiple districts in UttarakhandHe added that rainfall activity has been significant across the regionIn the last 24 hours extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in Haridwar where 22 centimetres of rainfall was measured on Wednesday morningHe further said that Delhi and the surrounding areas are likely to see mild weather disturbancesFor DelhiNCR we expect light to very light rainfall over the next week mostly isolated These showers may occasionally be accompanied by thunderstorms However at present there is a low probability of any intense rainfall events We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary Srivastava told IANSHe also stressed the importance of adhering to safety protocols during this period of active monsoon conditionsIn such weather it is essential to follow all guidelines issued by disaster management authorities People should avoid waterlogged and flooded areas stay away from landslideprone zones and keep a safe distance from mountainous regions Above all the public should stay updated and follow instructions from local authorities he addedThe IMD scientist also detailed the rainfall forecast for other parts of the countryIn Uttar Pradesh an orange alert has been issued due to the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall Similarly in south India parts of Karnataka Tamil Nadu and Kerala are likely to receive significant rainfall he saidHeavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for areas in eastern Uttar Pradesh Bihar and across eastern north India Additionally some regions in Punjab and Haryana are expected to see intense showers Central India may experience thunderstorms for which alerts have also been issued IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-likely-in-uttarkashi-light-showers-expected-in-delhi-ncr-imd-630418.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tripura-to-set-up-six-eco-parks-to-boost-tourism-protect-forests-minister-630468.html Agartala Aug 6 In a bid to boost tourism and protect forests the Tripura Forest Department has decided to set up six ecoparks in the state state Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma said on Wednesday The Minister said the proposed ecoparks would not only promote tourism and conservation but also help generate livelihood opportunities for local communitiesThe proposed six ecoparks would be developed in six of the states eight districts except Dhalai and South Tripura districts Around Rs 10 crore would be spent for this purpose Debbarma told IANS He said that the Joint Forest Management Group JFMG would govern these proposed ecoparksAccording to the Minister the Forest Departments main target is to create assets and aim to make the best use of its resources while making any plan that involves the forestsMinister Debbarma also said that the forest department would establish roadside small market zones and forest producers outlets to facilitate people to sell forest and agricultural products on roadsidesThe Forest and Environment Minister earlier said that the state government has been implementing three externally aided projects to protect the forests and also provide livelihood to forest dwellers Of the three externally aided projects one was funded by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA as a soft loan The other was a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW and the third one is a World Bankfunded Rs 176494 crore projectThe World Bank is funding a Rs 176494 crore project called the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management ELEMENT Project in Tripura This project focuses on forest management community development and enhancing livelihoods in the state The project also aims to create jobs for the youth and women in particular by promoting forestbased entrepreneurship in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tripura-to-set-up-six-eco-parks-to-boost-tourism-protect-forests-minister-630468.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-madurai-corporation-steps-up-target-for-daily-processing-of-wet-waste-630094.html Chennai Aug 5 In a renewed push to improve its waste management system the Madurai Corporation has stepped up efforts to enhance the functioning of its 30 operational microcomposting centres MCCs aiming to significantly increase daily wet waste processing capacity from the current 4050 tonnes to nearly 90 tonnes Madurai generates an estimated 850 to 900 tonnes of waste daily over 60 per cent of which is wet wasteWhile a portion of this organic waste is treated at MCCs the rest is transported to the Vellakkal dumping yard Of the 38 MCCs established in the city only 30 are currently operational with the remaining eight lying dormant due to issues like power supply disruptions and technical faultsEach MCC has the capacity to process up to five tonnes of wet waste per day offering a combined potential of 150 tonnes across the 30 functioning units However until recently most of the centres were underperforming handling less than a tonne of waste dailyCorporation officials said that steps have now been taken to improve output including deploying additional workers at the MCCsAt present all functional centres are processing more than one tonne of wet waste per day Centres located near highwaste generating areas such as busy markets are handling between three to five tonnes daily a senior official saidHe noted that the civic body is committed to scaling up operations further to utilise the existing infrastructure more effectively Despite the recent improvements several highwaste zones remain a concern particularly the Mattuthavani Central Market one of the citys largest wholesale markets for fruits and vegetablesN Chinnamayan president of the Mattuthavani Central Market All Traders Association expressed dissatisfaction with the Corporations handling of waste at the market There is a composting unit inside the market but it is not being used properly Waste is left unattended for days which attracts stray animals and poses serious sanitation risks he said urging prompt intervention from the authoritiesThe Corporation has assured that steps are being taken to address such issues and ensure all MCCs operate at full potential reinforcing Madurais move toward sustainable and decentralised waste management IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tns-madurai-corporation-steps-up-target-for-daily-processing-of-wet-waste-630094.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/hong-kong-issues-top-rainstorm-warning-630101.html Hong Kong Aug 5 The Hong Kong Observatory on Tuesday morning issued the black rainstorm warning signal the fourth time within eight days This is the highest level in the observatorys threetier heavy rain alert system This indicates that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong exceeding 70 mm in an hour and is likely to continueDue to seriously flooded roads and inclement weather conditions people are advised to take shelter in a safe place An emergency coordination centre of the Home Affairs Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region HKSAR government is in operation The department has opened temporary shelters for needy peopleIn light of the severe rainstorm some public services and activities in the HKSAR have been suspended Classes in all schools are suspended reports Xinhua news agencyPublic general outpatient clinics and specialist outpatient clinics are closed All court and tribunal hearings will be adjourned this morningEarlier on Saturday the Hong Kong Observatory had issued the black rainstorm warning signal the second time last weekThis means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour and is likely to continueAn emergency coordination centre of the Home Affairs Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region HKSAR government was in operation The department opened temporary shelters for needy peopleDue to the rainstorm some public services and activities in the HKSAR were also suspended last weekPublic general outpatient clinics and specialist outpatient clinics were closed and classes in all schools were suspended on Saturday Hong Kong Wetland Park was also closedMeanwhile the people are urged to avoid visiting country parks IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/hong-kong-issues-top-rainstorm-warning-630101.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/forecast-for-widespread-rain-across-west-bengal-for-next-six-days-630133.html Kolkata Aug 5 Even as districts in North Bengal are reeling under a prolonged spell of heavy showers the Met office on Tuesday forecast heavy rains for several South Bengal districts as well for the next few days According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore heavy rain will occur in South Bengal districts of North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore Bankura and Murshidabad on Wednesday and ThursdayFor the next six days heavy to very heavy rain will continue in all districts of North Bengal At the same time heavy rain will occur in several South Bengal districts as well said a Met department officialAs a result several areas in West Midnapore East Midnapore Howrah and Hooghly districts will have the risk of witnessing a floodlike situation due to overflowing rivers The situation worsened after Damodar Valley Corporation DVC released water in West Bengal following heavy rains in Jharkhand As per the Met official lowlying areas in these districts will be most affectedIncessant rain over the last few weeks damaged agricultural land and destroyed crops This led to a hike in vegetable prices across the state The release of water from DVCoperated dams also destroyed several roads and further damaged crops With more rain on the radar there is little possibility for the situation to improve during the current weekMeanwhile a heavy rain warning has been issued for the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling Kalimpong Alipurduar Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar on Tuesday and Wednesday A very heavy rain warning is in place for Darjeeling Kalimpong Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Thursday There is a heavy rain warning for Cooch Behar Malda North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur for Friday and SaturdayMeanwhile Kolkata will continue to experience light to moderate rainfall with thundershowers till the weekendOn Monday the maximum temperature in Kolkata was 312 degrees Celsius which is 08 degrees below normal The relative humidity in the air was a maximum of 97 per cent and a minimum of 81 per cent On Tuesday the sky will be cloudy over Kolkata most of the day with light to moderate rain and the possibility of thunderstorms IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/forecast-for-widespread-rain-across-west-bengal-for-next-six-days-630133.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/lakshadweep-ecosystem-under-threat-scientists-630226.html Kochi Aug 5 Marine scientists on Tuesday emphasised that climate change has drastically altered the Lakshadweep ecosystem significantly reshaping the marine ecosystems and fisheries in the country Scientists said this while taking part in a national seminar in Kochi citing alarming changes in species biology geographic distribution and environmental conditionsThe twoday seminar titled Mitigating Climate Change Impact on Marine Ecosystems jointly organised by the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI and the Institute of Social Sciences New Delhi was sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research ICSSRInaugurating the seminar KR Sreenath Director of the Fishery Survey of India warned of the visible impacts of climate change in Indias marine regions including coral bleaching in Lakshadweep posing serious risks to biodiversity and natural coastal defencesHe called for communitybased approaches to be central in policy making to ensure local support and longterm sustainability in conservation and adaptation measuresIn addition to ecological threats reciprocal US tariffs on seafood exports have economically strained Indian fishing communities he addedHe also underscored the urgent need for advanced and accurate models to predict extreme weather and species migration tools critical for sustainable fisheries management and disaster preparednessK Mohammed Koya Fisheries Development Commissioner emphasised that climate change has drastically altered the Lakshadweep ecosystemDamage to sea grass beds has been extensive and proposed seaweed farming in lagoons as a potential solution that not only attracts rare species but also supports local livelihoods said KoyaKoya further pointed out that the central governments emerging carbon market system could offer incentives for fishers and aquaculture farmers to adopt restorative practices thus aligning ecological and economic goalsCMFRI Director Grinson George highlighted a critical shift in fish phenology the timing of biological events with commercially important species now maturing at smaller sizesSilver pomfret for instance now matures at 280 grams down from 410 grams Similar declines in size and fecundity are being observed in coastal prawns sardines and mackerels This threatens reproductive success and future stock recruitment said GeorgeGeorge also pointed to the northward migration of species like the Indian oil sardine which is expected to continue under future climate scenarios driven by changes in food availability oceanic upwelling rainfall patterns and oxygen levelsFishermen are also losing increasing numbers of fishing days each year due to cyclone alerts and extreme weather conditions he saidVinod Sharma Climate Change Advisor to the Government of Sikkim observed that Indias coastal shorelines have been changing more rapidly since 2000 due to climate eventsThe Arabian Sea has seen a noticeable rise in cyclone frequency causing increased saltwater intrusion in vulnerable coastal areas and this has serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of local communities said Sharma IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/lakshadweep-ecosystem-under-threat-scientists-630226.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-cm-sharma-conducts-aerial-survey-of-rain-hit-areas-assures-immediate-relief-630019.html Jaipur Aug 4 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by heavy rains and waterlogging in Sawai Madhopur Karauli and Dholpur districts taking stock of the damage and ongoing relief efforts Speaking to locals he emphasised that the administration is continuously monitoring the rainrelated crisis with regular coordination meetings held with collectors and local representativesCM Sharma also instructed officials to prioritise repair work for schools Anganwadis hospitals and roadsHe also said that crop damage assessment should be completed at the earliest and stressed the need to restore basic amenities like electricity roads and communication promptlyCM Sharma further added that longterm flood prevention infrastructure is being planned especially for vulnerable villages along the Chambal RiverCurrently Civil Defence and Disaster Relief teams are actively working in affected areasIn Dholpur two SDRF teams have been deployed in Rajakheda and one each in Dholpur and SarmathuraAn NDRF team is stationed at the district HQ and an Army team has also been deployed for rescue operationsOver 2700 people have been evacuated from floodprone villagesState ministers including Kirori Lal Meena Gautam Kumar Dak Jawahar Singh Bedham and MLAs Jitendra Gothwal Darshan Singh Gurjar Hansraj Meena and Jaswant Singh Gurjar accompanied the CM during the visitThe Rajasthan Chief Minister interacted with residents in Chakchainpura Sawai Madhopur Mandrayal Karauli and Bishnoda Dholpur and directed officials to provide immediate assistanceDuring the aerial survey the Chief Minister reviewed the situation in severely affected villages including Chakeri Jadawata Ajanoti Mainpura Dhanoli Surwal and Khandar Sawai Madhopur Kased Kemch Todi Malhapura Ranchauli Rahughat and Mandrayal Karauli and Kathumra Mahmadpura Buxpura Cheelpura Garhi Jafar and Basai Ghiyaram Dholpurs Rajakheda subdivision including Nibhi Ka Tal and Urmila Sagar Dam BariSharma assured affected residents that the state government stands firmly with them promising all possible help IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-cm-sharma-conducts-aerial-survey-of-rain-hit-areas-assures-immediate-relief-630019.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-marine-fish-landings-drop-two-per-cent-keralas-by-four-in-2024-cmfri-630034.html Kochi Aug 4 Indias marine fish landings logged a total of 347 million tonnes in 2024 with a slight decline of two per cent compared to the catch in 2023 according to ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI Gujarat retained its top position in overall fish landings with 754 lakh tonnes followed by Tamil Nadu 679 lakh tonnes and Kerala 610 lakh tonnesThe CMFRIs annual marine fish landing estimates showed that Indian mackerel remained the most landed resource in the country at 263 lakh tonnes followed by oil sardine at 241 lakh tonnesAll over India species such as Indian mackerel threadfin breams oil sardine ribbonfishes nonpenaeid shrimps and cephalopods recorded a decline in 2024 compared to the previous year while landings of lesser sardines penaeid shrimps anchovies and tunnies increasedWhen the west coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings the east coast showed an increasing trend with Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh the exceptions Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47 per cent compared to the previous yearWest Bengal Tamil Nadu and Odisha also saw notable increases of 35 20 and 18 per cent respectivelyHowever states and UTs like Karnataka Goa and Daman amp Diu experienced significant declines in landingsIn total about 25 lakh fishing trips were monitored offering an indepth view into nationwide effort and productivity The CMFRI report pointed out that cyclonic storms such as Dana Fengal Remal and Asna significantly impacted fishing activities contributing to the overall declineIncreased heat wave days in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala further disrupted fishing operationsKerala recorded a marginal decrease of 4 per cent in the marine fish catch in 2024 compared to the previous year totalling a landing of 610 lakh tonnesIndian oil sardine topped the list of most caught species in the state with 149 lakh tonnes registering a slight increase of 76 per centIndian mackerel 61490 t penaeid shrimp 44630 t anchovies 44440 t and threadfin breams 33890 t were the other major contributors to Keralas total marine catchIndian mackerel saw a decline of 16 per cent in landingsThe year witnessed very low landings and higher landings of oil sardine in different quartersIt also saw an unusual fluctuation in oil sardine landings in the stateA severe scarcity in the first quarter led to prices escalating to Rs 350400 per kgHowever from September onwards as landings surged exceeding one lakh tonne in the last quarter prices dropped sharply to Rs 2030 per kgThe Fishery Resources Assessment Economics and Extension Division of the CMFRI estimated the annual marine fish landings of the country through its online data collection system IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-marine-fish-landings-drop-two-per-cent-keralas-by-four-in-2024-cmfri-630034.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-top-7-cities-record-65-pc-jump-in-green-office-space-since-2019-report-629904.html Mumbai Aug 4 There has been a significant 65 per cent jump in overall Grade A greencertified office stock across Indias top seven cities since 2019 with global occupiers seeking green certifications in new buildings according to an Anarock research report released on Monday Grade A office developers are increasingly constructing LEED IGBC or GRIHAcertified stock to stay in sync with the demand Approximately 530 Mn sq ft of Grade A office stock in the top 7 cities out of the total Grade A office stock of 865 Mn sq ft is green certified as of the first half of H1 2025 across cities Back in 2019 approximately 322 Mn sq ft had such certification the report statesAt approx 163 Mn sq ft Bengaluru has the maximum stock of greencertified office stock among these cities in H1 2025 a 31 per cent share of the total greencertified inventory in the top 7 citiesNCR comes in a distant second with approximately 97 Mn sq ft or 18 per cent overall greencertified share followed by Hyderabads 16 per cent share Kolkata has the least greencertified office stock with a 3 per cent shareWith the highest greencertified office stock among all cities Bengaluru also has the highest percentage share 73 per cent of green stock out of its total Grade A stock approx 223 Mn sq ftAnarock Group chairman Anuj Puri said The push towards sustainability comes partly from the governments own initiatives and commitments and partly from the demand for such solutionsThere is increasing awareness about the need for sustainability across all real estate segments However the demand for sustainable office buildings outstrips that for green housing A vast number of occupiers especially MNCs and GCCs now insist on sustainability features only available in greencertified Grade A office buildings Puri explainedIn contrast there has still not been such an imperativedriven shift in the Indian housing segment and this is visible in the relative scarcity of green residential stock in the country Commercial real estate is proving to be Indias sustainability vanguard he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-top-7-cities-record-65-pc-jump-in-green-office-space-since-2019-report-629904.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/103-indian-cities-reduced-pm10-concentration-in-2024-25-govt-629944.html New Delhi Aug 4 A total of 103 Indian cities as part of the National Clean Air Programme NCAP have shown a reduction in particulate matter PM10 concentration in 202425 the government informed the Parliament on Monday Launched in 2019 to tackle air pollution across India NCAP focusses on 131 nonattainment cities and Million Plus Cities in 24 states The programme aimed to reduce PM10 concentrations by 2030 per cent by 2024Of the 103 64 cities showed reduction in PM10 levels by more than 20 per cent and 25 of these cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40 per cent said Kirti Vardhan Singh Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in a written reply in the Lok SabhaA total of 22 Cities also met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards NAAQS and have PM10 concentrations less than 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air he addedTo address air pollution in urban areas Singh stated that a performancelinked grant of Rs 1303652 crore has been provided to 130 cities during 201920 till date as a critical gap funding to implement air quality improvement measuresFurther the programme leverages the mobilisation of resources through the convergence of various schemes of the central government such as Swachh Bharat Mission Urban AMRUT Smart City Mission PM eBus Sewa Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation SATAT and Nagar Van Yojana as well as the resources of state governmentsUnder NCAP an amount of Rs 5318 crore has been provided to eight StatesUTs that are part of the IndoGangetic plain to implement the city action plan of 41 targeted cities Singh saidCityspecific clean air action plans are prepared by all cities to implement air quality improvement measures in their respective cities These plans target air pollution sources such as soil and road dust vehicular emissions waste burning construction and demolition activities and industrial pollutionNotably ambient air quality monitoring is carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards SPCBFor this 1612 monitoring stations have been set up in 572 cities and four rural areas across the country the MoS said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/103-indian-cities-reduced-pm10-concentration-in-2024-25-govt-629944.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/1-985-tonnes-of-banned-single-use-plastic-items-seized-rs-1982-cr-fine-levied-minister-629965.html New Delhi Aug 4 A total of 1985 tonnes of banned singleuse plastic items have been seized and Rs 1982 crore has been levied in fine said Kirti Vardhan Singh Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in the Parliament on Monday In a written reply in the Lok Sabha Singh noted that regular enforcement drives have been undertaken to enforce the ban on identified singleuse plastic itemsThe Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change notified Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2021 on August 12 2021 prohibiting identified Single Use Plastic SUP items which have low utility and high littering potential were prohibited with effect from July 1 2022 Singh saidA total of 861740 inspections have been conducted since 2022 he addedSingh stated that the ban on identified singleuse plastic items has triggered the development of innovative ecoalternatives As a result the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change and the Central Pollution Control Board have prepared a Compendium of manufacturers sellers of ecoalternatives to banned single use plastic items which launched on World Environment Day 2025The compendium provides details of nearly 1000 units spread across the country In keeping with the development of ecoalternatives the Bureau of Indian Standards had earlier notified Indian Standard IS 18267 for food serving utensil made from agri byproducts Singh saidAs per the Centralised EPR portal on plastic packaging 51838 producers importers and brand owners and 2948 plastic waste processors are registered on the portalSince the notification of Extended Producer Responsibility EPR Guidelines on plastic packaging on February 16 2022 nearly 157 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste have been recycled the MoS saidMeanwhile this years World Environment Day was celebrated across the country with the slogan One Nation One Mission End Plastic PollutionThe National Plastic Pollution Reduction Campaign NPPRC has also launched a series of activities for the period June 5 to October 31The Campaign includes activities to reduce plastic pollution in tiger reserves and urban and rural areas reducing the use of avoidable singleuse plastics in government offices among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/1-985-tonnes-of-banned-single-use-plastic-items-seized-rs-1982-cr-fine-levied-minister-629965.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-flood-crisis-deepens-ganga-tributaries-overflow-submerging-villages-evacuations-begin-629978.html Patna Aug 4 A dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding across Bihar as relentless torrential rains continue to batter the state causing the Ganga River and its tributaries to overflow and flood vast stretches of land putting human lives at risk and evacuation efforts have been initiated From Buxar to Bhagalpur including Patna Banka Kahalgaon and Navgachhiya the situation is deteriorating rapidly with rivers breaching danger levels and thousands of residents facing displacement and lossIn the state capital Patna the Ganga River has breached the danger mark at both Digha and Gandhi GhatsDisturbing visuals from Danapur show cattle herders risking their lives and those of their animals by crossing the flooded river holding onto cattle tails or riding them in search of fodderAccording to local estimates nearly 250 cattle are being moved this way dailyThe Diara regions of Patna are already witnessing water intrusion and migration to safer zones has begunDespite the flood threat devotees thronged the Ganga Ghats on the last Monday of SawanAuthorities deployed SDRF teams and imposed strict security measures but people were still seen venturing into the surging watersIn Buxar the sacred Ramrekha Ghat is completely submerged and floodwaters have entered homes along the Tadka NallahThe floodwaters are rising fast Every minute counts We urge everyone to avoid risk and move to safer places We are doing everything we can said Avinash Kumar SDM BuxarThe Ganga is now rising at 1 centimetre per hour and its tributaries including the Kosi and Chandan Rivers are also swellingThe Budhanath temple in Bhagalpur is surrounded by floodwaters while the Mashani Kali temple is already submergedIn Bhagalpur the situation turned tragic as two children drowned in the Sanokhar police station area on MondayOne of them 15yearold Mohammad Shamim was swept away while bathing Authorities have sent the bodies for postmortem and urged parents to keep children away from floodprone areasThe SabourJamsi road has been shut after being inundated by the Katariya River cutting off access to Bhitti and Sardo villagesWith agricultural fields and now homes under water the destruction is escalatingGanga is flowing 57 cms above the warning level in IsmailpurBind Toli while the Kosi River near Madrauni is nearing danger levelsIn Kahalgaon the Ganga is flowing 39 cm above the danger mark Tributary rivers like the Kua Ghogha Gerua and Bhayana have flooded villages including Pakadtalla Amapur Chhoti and Tofil AnthavanLocals now rely on tin boats as roads have completely disappeared under the waterInfrastructure is beginning to fail Spur number 9 has collapsed and heavy pressure is mounting on Spur number 8Contractors have been put on a 24x7 emergency alert to carry out floodfighting measuresAccording to the Central Water Commission water levels in the Ganga will continue to rise in the coming days With no letup in rainfall predicted by the Meteorological Department the danger of further flooding looms largeEnvironmental and disaster experts warn that the worst may still be aheadThe administrative response is active but nature is far more powerful than human effort said a senior disaster management officialDistrict officials in all affected regions have issued emergency contact numbers 08183223333 and initiated evacuation and relief efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bihar-flood-crisis-deepens-ganga-tributaries-overflow-submerging-villages-evacuations-begin-629978.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/met-office-forecasts-more-rains-in-north-bengal-even-as-hill-areas-hit-by-landslides-630007.html Kolkata Aug 4 Districts in northern West Bengal which are reeling under incessant rains coupled with landslides in the hill areas of the region will continue to receive heavy rainfall for the next few days weather officials said on Monday The Met Office said that the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling Kalimpong Cooch Behar Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall till Saturday An orange alert has been issued in these five districtsA Met department official said that in addition there was a possibility of heavy rainfall in other north Bengal districts like North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda till Wednesday Heavy rains will continue in the five districts of north Bengal from Tuesday to Saturday This will result in overflowing of several rivers and increase the possibility of further landslides in the north Bengal hills he addedDue to continuous rainfall for the last few days landslides have been reported in several places in the hills of this region since Sunday morning The most affected was the West BengalSikkim lifeline of National Highway10Landslides occurred in several places including Mamkhola Rishikhola and Tarkhola Immediately after the landslides a huge crack appeared on the road in Rishikhola Several other roads were damaged As a result vehicular traffic movement between West Bengal and Sikkim was halted temporarilyMeanwhile light to moderate rain with thunderstorms will continue in Kolkata for the next few days Gusty winds might blow at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour The same forecast has been issued by the Met Office for other districts in south Bengal namely Howrah Hooghly East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia and Bankura districtsIn addition to this a warning of rain with thunderstorms has been issued for south Bengal districts like North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East Burdwan West Burdwan Birbhum Murshidabad and Nadia on Monday as well as TuesdayThe minimum temperature in Kolkata on Monday morning was 261 degrees Celsius 04 degrees below normal The maximum temperature in the city on Sunday was 316 degrees Celsius 09 degrees below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/met-office-forecasts-more-rains-in-north-bengal-even-as-hill-areas-hit-by-landslides-630007.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-in-north-bengal-met-office-issues-red-alert-629765.html Kolkata Aug 3 The Meteorological MeT office on Sunday issued a red alert warning for rain in several North Bengal districts with scattered thunderstorms likely to continue in South Bengal districts for the next few days As the weather office has not predicted rainfall in South Bengal humidityrelated discomfort will be felt in Kolkata and other adjoining districts As a result the discomfort level will rise despite the temperature remaining within the normal rangeAccording to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore heavy to very heavy rain will continue in North Bengal districts till Tuesday A red alert has been issued for Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Kalimpong districts where heavy rainfall is likely to occur in the next 24 hours The rain will continue till Tuesday An orange alert has been issued for Darjeeling and Cooch Behar districts said a MeT department officialThe cyclonic circulation which caused heavy rain in the South Bengal districts last week has already moved away from the areas adjacent to Bihar and North Bengal The monsoon axis extends southeast through Lucknow Gorakhpur Patna Purnia Berhampur and extends to the northeast Bay of Bengal Due to its influence a warning of very heavy rain has been issued in north BengalA heavy rain warning is in effect in North Dinajpur Malda and South Dinajpur districts Heavy rains will result in the rise of the water level in several rivers such as Teesta Torsa and Jaldhaka Flooding is likely in lowlying areas especially at the foothills of the North Bengal hills Landslides are likely in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong said the MeT department officialHowever there is no possibility of heavy rain in South Bengal districts till Wednesday Scattered rains might occur in Birbhum Murshidabad Nadia East Burdwan West Burdwan North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districtsAlong with this humidityrelated discomfort will continue Heavy rain will occur again from Thursday onwards said the MeT officeMeanwhile the minimum temperature in Kolkata on Sunday morning was 284 degrees Celsius The maximum temperature on Saturday was 322 degrees Celsius IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-in-north-bengal-met-office-issues-red-alert-629765.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/fight-against-pollution-delhi-cm-takes-credit-for-aqi-dipping-to-74-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade-629792.html New Delhi Aug 3 IANS Citing the latest Air Quality Index of 74 Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday highlighted the governments ongoing efforts to reduce the citys pollution and claimed that for the first time in a decade the index has come down to such a satisfactory levelnbspInaugurating a Jan Seva Kendra in the Greater Kailash Assembly constituency the Chief Minister said Apart from cleaning the air we are also committed to cleaning the Yamuna and ending the mountains of garbagenbspShe said her government after taking note of the public concerns over the proposed ban on endoflife EOL vehicles approached the court and got a stay on the ban till November 1Going forward bringing the publics voice to every platform addressing their needs and demands is our responsibility As this is not the same government that only made hollow promises Todays government is genuinely working to reduce Delhis pollution she saidnbspCM Gupta said she aspires to make the city so beautiful and habitable that people are not forced to shift out of herenbspCalling her governments decision to allow commercial establishments to operate 24x7 historic the CM said The licensing process is also going to be simplified and replaced with a singlewindow systemnbspThe CM slammed the earlier AAP government and legislators saying Earlier MLAs remained confined to their offices and homes But each MLA of the BJP is now working tirelessly for the publicnbspAt an earlier event she said the government is aiming to ensure that the bed per 1000 patient ratio should improve to 5 from the current level of around 27nbspCM Gupta also announced her governments plans to introduce a PPP model for purchasing medical equipment in hospitals and complete the development of the 24 hospitals whose construction was suspended midway by the previous governmentLater taking to the social media platform X the CM said Today the Jan Seva Kendra was inaugurated in the Greater Kailash Assembly constituency and dedicated to public servicenbspThis centre will serve as an effective medium for resolving the problems of the common people providing information about the schemes of the Central and State Governments and delivering prompt assistance to those in need in line with the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to service and good governance she wrotenbspThe BJPs doubleengine government is committed to ensuring that development service and rights reach the last person in line in a timebound manner she wrote https://dailyworld.in/environment/fight-against-pollution-delhi-cm-takes-credit-for-aqi-dipping-to-74-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade-629792.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/south-korea-heat-related-death-toll-rises-to-19-amid-extreme-heat-wave-629831.html Seoul Aug 3 A total of 19 people have died from heatrelated illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country endured severe heat waves health authorities said on Sunday More than 3100 patients had visited emergency rooms for heatrelated conditions as of Wednesday since midMay when authorities launched the heatrelated illness surveillance system and 19 have died Yonhap News Agency reported citing the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency KDCAThe number of patients and deaths has more than doubled compared with the same period last year it addedAmong the patients reported this year heat exhaustion commonly known as sunstroke accounted for 613 per cent followed by heat stroke at 162 per cent and heat cramps at 128 per centBy age group those aged 65 and older accounted for 319 per cent of the total patients the KDCA saidSouth Koreas average daily maximum power demand hit a record high last month as the country endured one of the most severe summer heat waves on record data showed on Sunday The countrys peak power demand in July averaged 85 gigawatts up 56 per cent from a year earlier according to the Korea Power ExchangeThe reading marked the highest level for any July since 1993 when the government began compiling relevant data The monthly high was recorded in August 2024 when the figure came to 878 GW The record in July was driven by increased electricity consumption for air conditioning as the heat wave persisted throughout the monthAccording to the state weather agency the number of days with daily high temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius or higher totalled 15 days last month more than four times the July average of 34 days over the past 53 years since recordkeeping began in 1973Tropical nights where nighttime temperatures stayed above 25 degrees Celsius persisted for a total of 23 days in July the longest stretch since 1973 The government expects peak electricity demand this summer to reach up to 978 GW in the second week of August and is maintaining a power reserve of around 10 GW IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/south-korea-heat-related-death-toll-rises-to-19-amid-extreme-heat-wave-629831.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 20:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-likely-in-mps-chhatarpur-tikamgarh-and-chambal-region-629846.html Bhopal Aug 3 After two days of relative recess the skies over Madhya Pradesh are once again stirring with monsoon energy On Friday the state saw only a drizzle but by Saturday scattered showers returned to several districts including Tikamgarh Guna Narmadapuram Naugaon in Chhatarpur Rewa Sagar Satna Sidhi and Umaria Tikamgarh alone recorded more than half an inch of rainfall signalling the reactivation of weather systems across the regionSenior meteorologists at the Bhopal Meteorological Centre confirmed that a cyclonic circulation and a trough are currently positioned over the state Their influence is expected to intensify in the northern districts within the next 24 hoursAccording to updated forecasts a fresh spell of heavy rain is likely to begin on August 3 and continue through August 4 particularly affecting Gwalior Chambal and Sagar divisionsThe meteorological outlook suggests very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Chhatarpur and Tikamgarh while districts such as Shivpuri Gwalior Datia Bhind Morena Sheopur Satna Panna and Niwari may also experience significant downpours A broader belt stretching from Bhopal and Indore to Jabalpur Shahdol and Rewa is expected to see intermittent thunderstorms and lightning activityThe recent lull followed a week of intense monsoon activity that brought floodlike conditions to several eastern districts Jabalpur Rewa Shahdol and Sagar divisions bore the brunt of the rainfall with rivers swelling beyond their banks In Raisen the Betwa River took a destructive turn submerging farmland temples and bridges Though the rain paused briefly the Narmada River remains in spate and dam gates have been opened to manage the overflowSince the monsoons arrival on June 16 Madhya Pradesh has received an average of 28 inches of rainfall well above the expected 176 inches for this period This surplus of 105 inches reflects the intensity of the season so farDistricts such as Gwalior Rajgarh Shivpuri Guna Ashoknagar Chhatarpur Tikamgarh Niwari Morena and Sheopur have already exceeded their seasonal quotas by more than 50 per cent Tikamgarh and Niwari lead in rainfall accumulation while Indore has recorded the least Ujjain division also remains raindeficient with Bhopal and Jabalpur receiving only half of their expected seasonal rainfallAs the state braces for another round of heavy showers residents are advised to remain cautious especially in lowlying and floodprone areas The saturated ground and overflowing rivers could exacerbate risks and authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigilance With the monsoon far from over the coming days may once again test the resilience of communities across Madhya Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-likely-in-mps-chhatarpur-tikamgarh-and-chambal-region-629846.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/red-alert-in-bengals-jalpaiguri-alipurduar-till-tomorrow-629620.html Kolkata Aug 2 The weather office has issued a red alert for West Bengals Jalpaiguri Alipurduar till Sunday According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore Heavy rain is likely in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Saturday and Sunday and a red alert has been issuedOrange alerts for rain are in effect in North Bengal districts like Darjeeling Kalimpong and Cooch Behar till Monday Heavy rain will continue in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Kalimpong districts from Tuesday to Friday it saidThe cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal which had brought heavy rain to South Bengal districts for the last few days has moved away providing respite from incessant rain on SaturdayThe weather office has forecast isolated thunderstorms in South Bengal districts and KolkataScattered rain accompanied by thundershowers may occur in the southern districts and Kolkata throughout the week However heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur in north Bengal districts which could result in overflowing of rivers said a Met officialThere is a possibility of heavy rain again in Cooch Behar North Dinajpur South Dinajpur and Malda districts from Thursday Heavy rain is likely in North Dinajpur on Saturday and Sunday and in Malda on Sunday said the officialMeanwhile scattered rain with thundershowers will continue in Kolkata Howrah Hooghly East Midnapore West Midnapore Jhargram and Bankura districts on SundayThere is a possibility of heavy rain again in Murshidabad Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts by the end of next weekLight to moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely in all south Bengal districts next weekMeanwhile the minimum temperature in Kolkata on Saturday was 268 degrees Celsius 02 degrees above normal Besides the maximum temperature in the city on Friday was 308 degrees Celsius 17 degrees below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/red-alert-in-bengals-jalpaiguri-alipurduar-till-tomorrow-629620.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/groundwater-dominates-gangas-flow-in-plains-not-glacier-melt-iit-roorkee-study-629353.html New Delhi Aug 1 The river Ganga is primarily sustained by groundwater discharge not glacial melt as widely believed according to a study led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Roorkee The study showed that natural underground contribution boosts the rivers volume by nearly 120 per cent along the middle stretchMeanwhile more than 58 per cent of the rivers water is lost to evaporation during summer an alarming yet overlooked component of the rivers water budgetPublished in the journal Hydrological Processes the study reveals the negligible role of glacial melt in maintaining the Gangas flow in the IndoGangetic plains during summerThe study quantifies that beyond the Himalayan foothills the glacierfed input is virtually absent and does not influence the summer discharge up to Patna PostPatna tributaries like Ghaghara and Gandak become the dominant contributorsThis research redefines how we can understand the Gangas summer flow It should prove a sustainable future river rejuvenation strategy not just for the Ganga but for all major Indian rivers said Prof KK Pant Director of IIT RoorkeeContrary to prior satellitebased studies warning of severe groundwater depletion across North India the new findings based on a fullscale isotopic analysis of the Ganga River from its Himalayan origin to its deltaic end including its major tributaries indicate largely stable groundwater levels across the central Ganga PlainIn fact consistent flows from shallow hand pumps across decades reinforce the evidence of a resilient aquifer system that continues to feed the Ganga during nonmonsoon periodsOur analysis shows that the Ganga is not drying because groundwater is depleting but due to overextraction excessive diversion and neglect of tributaries Groundwater is still the hidden lifeline of the Ganga said lead author Prof Abhayanand Singh Maurya faculty at the Department of Earth Sciences IIT RoorkeeThe findings strongly support reviving tributaries increasing environmental flow releases from barrages and protecting local water bodies to recharge aquifers IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/groundwater-dominates-gangas-flow-in-plains-not-glacier-melt-iit-roorkee-study-629353.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 11:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-in-rajasthan-mini-truck-swept-away-629390.html Jaipur Aug 1 Heavy rains in Rajasthan have brought disaster with them In Dholpur a driver and cleaner along with a minitruck were swept away on Friday morning The vehicle sank into the Parvati river on the Ranoli culvert of Maniyan police station area The driver and cleaner also drowned with it The lives of the labourer and the contractor travelling in the vehicle were saved in the nick of time while a search is on for the bodies of the driver and cleaner till the time of filing of this report The police is busy searching for both said officialsIn Jasnagar of Nagaur district the administration has had to close National Highway458 for the third time in the last 12 days as the water of the Luni river is flowing 6 inches above the Jasnagar culvertTherefore in order to prevent any mishaps the administration has had to close the National Highway once again Due to this Nagaur has lost connectivity with Pali and Beawar districtsIncessant rains in the state this year have smashed all records in Rajasthan The rainfall in the month of July this year has been the highest recorded rainfall in 69 yearsLast month a total of 285MM rainfall was recorded Earlier in 1956 the highest rainfall of 308MM was recorded in JulyThe Meteorological Center Jaipur has issued a Yellow Alert for moderate to heavy rain in 6 districts on FridaySchools were closed in 16 districts on Friday amid the warning of heavy rainHoliday has been announced in schools in Jhalawar Tonk Kota Bharatpur Deeg Ajmer Jaisalmer Bikaner Nagaur Sikar Churu and others The Meteorological Center has also predicted more than normal rainfall in August Jaipur Ajmer Kota Bharatpur BikanerAccording to weather experts the monsoon trough line is currently passing through Sri Ganganagar Rohtak A cyclonic circulation is formed at the upper level of SouthWest Rajasthan Due to the effect of this system rain is expected in Bikaner division on August 2 while the weather may remain dry in the rest of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-in-rajasthan-mini-truck-swept-away-629390.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-bihar-imd-issues-orange-alert-for-19-districts-629396.html Patna Aug 1 Incessant rainfall lashed parts of Bihar on Friday leading to waterlogging in several areas and disrupting normal life With the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a heavy rain and thunderstorm alert for large parts of the state residents have been advised to step out only if necessaryThe IMD has issued an orange alert in 19 districts including Patna Gaya Jamui Aurangabad Khagaria Banka Vaishali Samastipur and Nawada for the next 48 hoursThe situation has already begun to deteriorate in several areas with waterlogging reported in lowlying parts of Patna and other districts since early morningAccording to the IMD strong winds of 3040 kmh and thunderstorms with lightning are likely to accompany the rainIn some parts of Bhagalpur Saran Bhojpur Buxar Nalanda Sheikhpura and Arwal rainfall may range between 65 mm to 1155 mm which could lead to further floodlike conditions and rising water levels in riversIn Bhagalpur soil erosion is taking place in several villages located on the banks of the Ganga RiverThe district administrations have issued public safety advisories urging people especially those living in lowlying and floodprone areas to remain indoors and monitor weather updatesWe are taking all necessary precautions and mobilising disaster response teams Citizens should avoid unnecessary travel said a disaster management official in PatnaDespite the disruption the ongoing spell of rain has come as a muchneeded relief for farmers as the state had been battling a 39 per cent rainfall deficit so far this monsoonBihar has received only 3049 mm of rain as compared to the normal 5038 mm expected by this time of the seasonPatna itself had recorded around 20 per cent less rainfall though the recent showers are expected to help sowing and crop healthDue to a lowpressure area over the region the rain is likely to continue for the next few days the weather office said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-bihar-imd-issues-orange-alert-for-19-districts-629396.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-hc-intervenes-in-proposed-ropeway-at-sabarimala-temple-629403.html Kochi Aug 1 The Kerala High Court on Friday asked the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC to clarify its stand regarding the proposed ropeway at the famed Sabarimala temple Located in the Western Ghats within Keralas Pathanamthitta district Sabarimala is one of Indias most sacred and frequently visited pilgrimage destinations drawing millions of devotees each yearSabarimala perched at an elevation of 3000 feet traditionally requires pilgrims to undergo a 41day penance followed by a barefoot ascent from the banks of the Pampa RiverThe Division Bench of Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition regarding the construction of the said ropeway based on the reports submitted by the Advocate CommissionerThe Ms Eighteeth Step Damodar Cable Company Ltd was proposing the ropeway which would pass through the Periyar Tiger ReserveOn Friday the Court orally remarked Why would someone do this You dont even have the capacity to provide toilets to all these people Why do you want all these people to go there How is it possible I dont knowThe Bench also noted From the sketches provided it doesnt appear from where to where this path is being cut What is the length absolutely nothing What is stated is that a 12metrewide forest and trees will be cut and removed and they will install 6 or 7 pillars and then take it upThe Court expressed its scepticism regarding the permit being given for the projectIt was submitted before the bench that 10 acres of compensatory forestation would be done in ThenmalaThis forest is different from Thenmala If it is a tourist destination you can take a ropeway or whatever Here you look at the facilities thereWhen the Court was told about the example of cable cars in Palani the Court orally stated Sabarimala is different No tree was cut in PalaniThen the Court told the Deputy Solicitor General of India to get instructions from the MoEFCC which was arrayed as the 6th respondent to get instructions with regard to the feasibility of putting up a ropeway through the tiger reserveThe Court then posted the case after 10 days IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/kerala-hc-intervenes-in-proposed-ropeway-at-sabarimala-temple-629403.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-29-277-ev-charging-stations-karnataka-leads-minister-629423.html New Delhi Aug 1 There are now a total of 29277 electric vehicle EV charging stations across the country the Parliament was informed on Friday Karnataka leads with 6097 EV charging stations followed by Maharashtra at 4155 and Uttar Pradesh at 2326 Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma told the Lok Sabha in a written replyThe Power Ministry issued the Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure2024 in September last year and the Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Battery Swapping and Charging Stations in January this year which lay down standards and protocols for developing a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure battery charging and battery swapping stationsAn allocation of Rs 2000 crore has been made under the PM EDRIVE Scheme to support the setting up of adequate public charging infrastructure for various categories of electric vehicles on a panIndia basis in consultation with ministries states and other stakeholders informed the ministerThe PM EDRIVE scheme was launched in October 2024 to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles EVs through demand incentives and expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide The Centre has allocated Rs 10900 crore for subsidies to EVs under this schemeWhen it comes to Tier2 cities there are as many as 4625 EV charging stations operational in the country as on April 1 2025Meanwhile the government has supported a total of 1884905 electric vehicles EVs under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India FAME India scheme till June 30 this yearUnder the FAMEII scheme the government supported 1629600 vehicles The FAMEII scheme sanctioned a total of Rs 91250 crore for the installation of 9332 EV PCS out of which 8885 EVPCS have been installed as on June 30 said VarmaThe FAME schemes were applicable all across the country including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities The FAMEI Scheme duration was 20152019 and the duration of the FAMEII scheme was 20192024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-has-29-277-ev-charging-stations-karnataka-leads-minister-629423.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-clears-way-for-landfill-in-mumbais-kanjurmarg-stays-bombay-hc-order-629430.html New Delhi August 1 The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Bombay High Court decision which had restored nearly 120 hectares of land in Mumbais Kanjurmarg area as a protected forest The interim relief granted by a bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran comes as a temporary reprieve to the Brihannumbai Municipal Corporation allowing the civic body to continue developing the site as a landfill for garbage disposalAppearing before the apex court Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the land in question had historically been used as a landfill and was mistakenly notified as a protected forest He added that the notification of the disputed land as a protected forest was inadvertent prompting the Maharashtra government to issue a denotification to allow its continued use for waste managementAfter hearing the submissions the apex court remarked We will stay the orderIn its judgement passed on May 2 the Bombay High Court quashed the state governments notification denotifying 11991 hectares of protected forest land at Kanjurmarg which had originally been classified as protected forest under a 2008 notificationA Bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Somasekhar Sundaresan had rejected the state governments contention that the original notification was issued in error and a 2003 Supreme Court order permitted the usage of the site as a landfillThe Justice Kulkarniled Bench observed that the original classification notifying the land in question as a protected forest was based on satellite imaging groundtruthing and earlier judicial orders related to mangrove protectionQuashing the subsequent notification it ruled that the denotification violated Section 21 of the Forest Conservation Act FCA which mandates prior approval from the Union government before diverting forest land for nonforest useThe subject land ie 11991 hectares is consequently restored to the status of being a protected forest Any proposal to denotify the same would need to be compliant with the due process stipulated in Section 21 of the FCA the Bombay High Court had said granting the civic body three months to comply with its judgment IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/sc-clears-way-for-landfill-in-mumbais-kanjurmarg-stays-bombay-hc-order-629430.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/south-korea-seoul-sets-record-23-tropical-nights-for-july-629494.html Seoul Aug 1 The number of tropical nights in South Koreas Seoul in July was tallied at a record high of 23 the state weather service said on Friday forecasting the daytime high will surge to 37 degrees Celsius in the capital Seoul and many other cities nationwide including Incheon Cheongju of North Chungcheong Province Gangneung of Gangwon Province and Seogwipo of the southern Jeju Island experienced the tropical nights between Thursday and Friday according to the Korea Meteorological Administration KMAA tropical night refers to a phenomenon when nighttime temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius from 601 pm to 9 am the following daySeouls 23 tropical nights were the most for any July since modern weather observations began 117 years agoIncluding the tropical nights that occurred in June the number of tropical nights in Seoul this year is already 25 the fifth most on record the KMA said forecasting the ranking is expected to rise as heat waves are likely to continue in August Yonhap news agency reportedEarlier on June 30 Seoul experienced its first tropical night of the season as the capitals nighttime low was 256 degrees CelsiusSeouls tropical night was eight days later than last years first tropical night that occurred on June 21 according to the KMASouth Korea experiences tropical nights due to a combination of factors including the presence of highpressure systems warm and humid air masses and the urban heat island effect These factors combine to prevent nighttime temperatures from dropping below 25 degrees Celsius making it difficult for people to sleep and contributing to heatrelated health issuesTropical nights can significantly disrupt sleep patterns and increase the risk of heatrelated illnesses particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly and young childrenThis heat streak described as unprecedented by meteorologists is not just a weather anomaly but a growing sign of climate shifts impacting many regions globally The effects of such prolonged heat dont disappear with the setting sun as nighttime temperatures fail to offer the body a respite from the intense conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/south-korea-seoul-sets-record-23-tropical-nights-for-july-629494.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-made-green-hydrogen-power-plant-starts-operating-at-kandla-port-629310.html Gandhinagar July 31 Union Ports Shipping amp Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated the indigenously made 1 MW Green Hydrogen Power Plant at the Deendayal Port Authority Kandla in Gujarat The plant is capable of producing approximately 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually and is poised to play a crucial role in maritime decarbonisation and sustainable port operationsThe minister praised the establishment of a fully Aatmanirbhar futureready hydrogen ecosystem built entirely by Indian engineers and called it an inspiration for ports across the country to adopt ecofriendly and innovative technologies He also lauded DPAs continuous commitment to green initiatives citing the earlier deployment of Indias first MadeinIndia allelectric green tug for operations at the portRecalling the Prime Ministers laying of the foundation stone for a 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant during his visit to Bhuj on May 26 Sonowal appreciated the swift execution of the project The commissioning of the 1 MW module within just four months as part of the larger 10 MW project reflects a new benchmark for the implementation of Indias green hydrogen ecosystemDeendayal Port Authority DPA has turned that vision into reality a shining example of speed scale and skill under Maritime India Vision 2030 the minister saidThis milestone stands as a powerful symbol of Indias green transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reinforces the nations commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions Sonowal saidCongratulating the leadership of DPA and the engineering excellence of LampT the Minister said I commend the entire team of Deendayal Port Authority led by the Chairman and appreciate the engineers of LampT for delivering this complex project with remarkable speed and precisionUnion Minister of State for MoPSW Shantanu Thakur also praised the landmark achievement stating This is a proud moment not just for Gujarat but for the entire country The commissioning of this Green Hydrogen plant at DPA highlights Indias growing leadership in clean energyAt the inauguration the Union Minister was joined by the Union Minister of State Thakur Ports Shipping and Waterways Secretary TK Ramachandran DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh and senior officials from the ministry the port and LampT IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/india-made-green-hydrogen-power-plant-starts-operating-at-kandla-port-629310.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rain-brings-relief-from-heat-delhi-ncr-breathes-cleanest-july-air-in-decade-629162.html New Delhi July 31 Continuous rainfall in DelhiNCR on Thursday has brought muchneeded respite from the sweltering heat while simultaneously delivering a remarkable improvement in air quality According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB July 2025 has recorded the cleanest air in over a decade with Air Quality Index AQI readings falling below 50 in several parts of the region a level categorised as very goodThis drastic improvement is largely attributed to the frequent rain showers over the past week which have significantly reduced dust and airborne pollutants However while the rains have cleansed the atmosphere they have also led to waterlogging and traffic congestion posing a major challenge for the municipal authorities and daily commutersAs of July 31 many monitoring stations across DelhiNCR reported AQI levels in the 20s and 30s Prominent locations such as Alipur 28 Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium 38 Bawana 36 Narela and Nehru Nagar both 48 Indirapuram in Ghaziabad 31 and Noidas Sector 62 and Sector 1 both 34 registered some of the cleanest air seen in the capital in recent memory often even cleaner than hill stationsAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the region is expected to remain under a cloud cover with light to moderate rainfall continuing until August 5 Heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms are likely between August 1 and 3 potentially bringing further relief from heat and pollutionForecasts for the next few days indicate a maximum temperature hovering between 3335 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 2426 degrees Celsius Humidity levels may peak at around 95 per cent contributing to the discomfortMeanwhile persistent rain since late Wednesday night continued through Thursday morning especially in the Lutyens zone of central Delhi where intermittent showers created a rhythmic pattern of drizzle and pause The IMD has also predicted the possibility of thunderstorms with lightning throughout the dayHowever the citys infrastructure continues to struggle under the weight of monsoon downpours Waterlogging has crippled major roads leading to long traffic jams across DelhiNCR Officegoers and daily commuters faced significant delays as several arterial routes were submerged highlighting the persistent urban planning and drainage challengesStill the rare combination of cool weather and sparkling clean air offered a silver lining giving Delhiites a breath of fresh air quite literally in what has become the citys cleanest July in over 10 years IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rain-brings-relief-from-heat-delhi-ncr-breathes-cleanest-july-air-in-decade-629162.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-respite-in-sight-rains-to-continue-in-west-bengal-till-tuesday-met-office-629221.html Kolkata July 31 The incessant rain which has been battering Kolkata and several South Bengal districts will continue till next week with no immediate respite in sight weather officials said on Thursday According to the Met office Kolkata and seven districts of south Bengal will receive heavy rains on Thursday due to a cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal In the remaining districts thunderstorms with lightning will occur with wind speeds reaching 40 kilometres per hourOn Thursday morning the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore said that the cyclonic circulation positioned over Gangetic West Bengal and adjacent Bangladesh is located between the northwest Bay of Bengal and Odisha coastsIn addition the monsoon axis is currently extending along Bikaner Ranchi and Digha to the northeast Bay of Bengal Due to the influence of these two systems light to moderate rain will continue in the south Bengal districts till next week There is also a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in some districtsDue to the presence of two systems and active monsoon winds West Bengal is witnessing a prolonged spell of rains The situation will not improve as the rains will continue till next week The intensity of rain will vary depending on the changing weather systems said a Met department officialOn Thursday East Burdwan West Burdwan Birbhum Murshidabad North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas and Nadia may experience scattered to heavy rain On Friday light to heavy rains will continue in all these districts Scattered rains will occur in all districts of south Bengal till next TuesdayMeanwhile districts of north Bengal which are already reeling under incessant rains resulting in overflowing rivers will witness heavy to very heavy rains from Friday onwardsA warning of heavy rain has been issued in Darjeeling North Dinajpur and Malda districts on Thursday and Friday Heavy rains are also likely to occur in South Dinajpur Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong districts from Friday The rain will intensify further from Saturday in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Kalimpong and Alipurduar districts and continue till MondayThe water level of the Teesta River has risen inundating large areas of north Bengal including Teesta Bazar Water from the river has entered the National Highway20 resulting in the suspension of vehicular traffic movement between Sikkim and north Bengals Siliguri Landslides have also occurred in several places in the hillsMeanwhile the sky over Kolkata has been cloudy since Thursday morning The minimum temperature in Kolkata on Thursday was 257 degrees Celsius 09 degrees below normal The maximum temperature on Wednesday was 285 degrees Celsius 4 degrees below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/no-respite-in-sight-rains-to-continue-in-west-bengal-till-tuesday-met-office-629221.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-wind-energy-capacity-rises-to-5167-gw-gujarat-tn-amp-karnataka-lead-629024.html New Delhi July 30 The installed wind energy capacity in India has touched the 5167 GW mark as on June 30 this year Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi informed the Parliament on Wednesday The addition of wind energy capacity in the country has been increasing steadily in the last three financial years from 227555 MW added in 202324 to 325339 MW being added in 202425 and 163702 MW of fresh capacity being set up in the AprilJune quarter of 202526 so far according to data tabled by the minister in a written reply in the Lok SabhaThe top three states contributing the highest share in wind power generation capacity are Gujarat with 1381668 MW of installed capacity followed by Tamil Nadu which has 1183036 MW Karnataka is ranked third in the country with an installed wind power capacity of 771474 MWThe minister further stated that the target of 500 GW nonfossil fuelbased power generation by 2030 includes 340 GW of groundmounted solar and wind This comprises 110 GW connected to the IntraState Transmission System InSTS and 230 GW to the InterState Transmission System ISTSHe further stated that the government has issued the National Repowering amp Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects on December 7 2023 providing a facilitative framework for the repowering of old wind turbinesThe minister said that the government has taken several steps to develop offshore wind power projects in the country which include the notification of the Offshore Wind Energy Policy in October 2015 to provide a framework for the development of offshore wind energy in the countryBesides for the initial phase of development potential offshore wind zones off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been identified through mesoscale studies and installation of a LiDAR by the National Institute of Wind Energy NIWE off the coast of Gujarat in November 2017 and collection of two years of wind data has been undertaken The NIWE has also conducted geophysicalgeotechnical studies a rapid EIA study and oceanographic studies wave tide amp current for a site equivalent to 1 GW capacity off the coast of GujaratA geotechnical study at three borehole locations was also carried out off the Tamil Nadu coast and 4 LiDARs off the coast were installed for wind resource measurement The geophysical study for the 500 MW site off the TN coast has also been completedThe Central Transmission Utility CTU has completed the planning for the initial 10 GW offshore transmission capacity of 5 GW each off the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coastsBesides the government through Solar Energy Corporation of India SECI has issued the first tender for Leasing out Seabed for development of 4 GW of Offshore Wind Power Projects under captive modebilateral agreementsopen access modeThe minister further stated that the Union Cabinet has approved the Viability Gap Funding VGF scheme for offshore wind energy projects on June 19 2024 at a total outlay of Rs 7453 crore including an outlay of Rs 6853 crore for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects 500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and grant of Rs 600 crore for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/indias-wind-energy-capacity-rises-to-5167-gw-gujarat-tn-amp-karnataka-lead-629024.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/maha-cm-directs-completion-of-5-000-mw-projects-under-mukhyamantri-saur-krushi-vahini-yojana-20-by-september-629050.html Mumbai July 30 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday directed the administration to complete the development of solar power projects with a capacity of 5000 MW under the ambitious Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 20 by September this year He also said that there should not be a delay in achieving this target and instructed all the implementing agencies in the state to carry out the work of this scheme at a speedy and timebound mannerHe was speaking at the meeting organised here to review the land availability and other related issues during the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 20The state government under the Mukhymantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 20 MSKVY 20 has set an objective of 30 per cent feeder solarisation by 2025 as a Mission 2025 by implementing 7000 MW decentralised solar projects on fasttrack mode wherein decentralised solar projects within the 5 to 10 km radius from agriculture load dominated distribution substation will be installed with the capacity from 05 to 25 MW for giving daytime power to farmersChief Minister Fadnavis said The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 20 scheme is my most ambitious scheme Local agencies should work in coordination for solar projects being developed by private sector and the government undertakings The districtlevel task force should review the current status of the work being done under this scheme from time to time Noobjection certificates should be obtained for the work to be done and the problems faced by the developers should be resolved on priorityHe also added that the districtwise work should be accelerated in such a way that up to 5000 MW of electricity will be available through the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 20 scheme by September 2025Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the District Collector should give priority to the work of granting leases of alternative lands removing crop encroachments removing encroachments of permanent structures relaying roads and timely measurement and demarcation of land as required as well as issuing noobjection certificates to the gram panchayatsHe directed the police to take immediate legal action in case of theft of solar project materialsHe instructed the district administration and the implementing agencies to take proper care while working on the scheme in densely populated areasGuidelines should be followed while cutting trees if the power line passes through the forest area permission should be given by the Forest Department as soon as possibleHe also said that the Forest Department should take action to issue noobjection permits for private and adjacent forest areas within the prescribed time IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/maha-cm-directs-completion-of-5-000-mw-projects-under-mukhyamantri-saur-krushi-vahini-yojana-20-by-september-629050.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/king-cobra-hatchlings-released-in-andhra-forest-under-conservation-initiative-629072.html Amaravati July 30 Thirty King Cobra hatchlings were successfully released into the Eastern Ghats in what is claimed to be the firstofitskind communityled conservation initiative in Andhra Pradesh This reflects the power of collaboration between local communities NGOs and the Forest Department Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said in a post on social media platform X on WednesdayInsitu conservation of King Cobra nesting habitat was taken up by involving local tribal communities in Paderu Forest Division in North Andhra PradeshPawan Kalyan who is also the Forest and Environment Minister stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Andhra Pradesh continues to make bold strides in inclusive sciencebased wildlife conservationHe conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to AK Naik Principal Chief Conservator of Forests PCCF and Head of Forest Force HoFF SS Sridhar Chief Wildlife Warden CWLW dedicated frontline staff and the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society EGWS for this pioneering effortThis success sets the stage for the next big step a proposed 2400hectare King Cobra Sanctuary in the Eastern Ghats Once notified it would be the first of its kind in the world placing AP at the forefront of speciesspecific conservation Let this be a model of what can be achieved when communities and conservation go hand in hand added Pawan KalyanThrough an earlier post the Deputy Chief Minister directed Forest department officials to regularly alert people in areas where elephants are roaming He asked them to form WhatsApp groups with villagers to provide advance informationHe said the Forest department staff should conduct continuous monitoring in those villagesPawan Kalyan gave the direction to officials amid reports of elephants roaming in Chittoor and Tirupati districtsThe Deputy Chief Minister held a teleconference with the forest officials to review the movement of elephant herds destruction of crops and the recent death of a farmer in an attack by elephants in Chittoor district IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/king-cobra-hatchlings-released-in-andhra-forest-under-conservation-initiative-629072.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-cm-visits-rain-affected-areas-in-jaipur-629098.html Jaipur July 30 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma conducted an intensive inspection of various rainaffected areas in Jaipur city on Wednesday evening assessing the situation for over two and a half hours During his visit he stopped at B2 Bypass Road Sanganer Sumer Nagar Surajmal Circle Muhana Mandi and Chauradia Petrol Pump issuing immediate instructions to officials to address waterlogging damaged roads potholes and issues in the drainage systemHe also inspected the Dravyavati River near B2 Bypass Road and directed officials to prune overgrown trees and repair ferro drain covers Interacting with residents including children from nearby slums the Chief Minister instructed the administration to ensure proper drainage in lowlying areas and to arrange for food and drinking water in emergency situationsAt the Sanganer camp office he reviewed the status of waterlogged locations across the city and later visited Muhana Mandi intersection to evaluate the situation giving directives for constructing a traffic circle and urgent road repairs at Maharaja Surajmal Circle and Kesar Nagar intersectionReviewing development work in Sanganer Sharma inquired about the progress of the elevated road project from Sanganer police station to Chauradia Petrol Pump and Malpura Gate emphasising swift completion He also interacted with the general public during his visit and briefly stopped at a local tea stall to have tea Speaking to the media the Chief Minister assured that the government is committed to ensuring the public faces no inconvenience during the rainsSharma directed all officials to stay alert and make necessary arrangements for food water and shelter in affected areas throughout the state He urged people to avoid venturing into waterlogged zones Senior officials from the Jaipur Development Authority Jaipur Municipal Corporation and departments including Energy Public Works and Public Health Engineering were present during the inspection IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rajasthan-cm-visits-rain-affected-areas-in-jaipur-629098.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/new-eco-tourism-bird-watching-site-coming-up-in-tns-pulicat-628902.html Chennai July 30 A new birdwatching destination is set to open by the end of the year at Thonirevu near the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary offering weekend travellers and wildlife enthusiasts an ideal getaway just a short drive from Chennai The site located in Tiruvallur district Tamil Nadu is being developed as an ecotourism hub combining sustainable design with the regions rich birdlife and scenic wetlandsThe Tiruvallur district administration and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department are jointly developing the onehectare site as part of a regulated ecotourism initiative A detailed master plan has been unveiled with a focus on balancing wildlife conservation with sustainable tourismAmenities planned for the first phase include a boat jetty visitors parking boat rides seating facilities food kiosks restrooms and an interpretation centre A second phase will introduce accommodation facilities and curated tours linking other attractions around PulicatIn the absence of a governmentauthorised tourism facility unregulated activities in the past had posed a threat to bird habitats said a senior forest officialSince the area falls under the forest department we can better regulate activities by providing organised rides and facilities he saidThe official highlighted that Thonirevu lies along the Central Asian Flyway making it a seasonal haven for migratory birds Between November and February the site hosts species like the greater flamingo lesser flamingo Eurasian spoonbill river tern barheaded goose painted stork and spotbilled pelican Even during other months nature lovers can expect to see a variety of birdlife albeit in smaller numbers the official addedThe ecotourism model will also focus on community participation EcoDevelopment Committees EDCs from neighbouring villages will be actively involved with locals trained as nature guides and boat operatorsThis will help create jobs build skills and ensure revenuesharing that strengthens the socioeconomic fabric of the region said Tiruvallur Collector M PrathapTourism experts believe Thonirevu could soon become a key stop in the Tiruvallur tourism circuitKMRajesh If a wellplanned circuit is created tourists can visit Pulicat Gudiyam caves Tiruttani temple and Poondi as part of a single itinerary said a campsite operator and member of the district tourism development committeeBut the visitor numbers must be regulated to protect the fragile ecosystem he addedWith the launch of Thonirevu Tamil Nadu hopes to add another ecotourism jewel to its travel map while ensuring that conservation remains at the heart of the initiative said an official IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/new-eco-tourism-bird-watching-site-coming-up-in-tns-pulicat-628902.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/ahmedabad-plants-over-20-lakh-trees-as-cm-patel-champions-mission-for-million-trees-628906.html Ahmedabad July 30 After being ranked Indias top cleanest city Ahmedabad has now crossed a green milestone As part of the Mission for Million Trees 2025 more than 2042 lakh trees have been planted across the city so far achieving 51 per cent of the ambitious target to plant 40 lakh trees this year CM Patel personally participated in a largescale plantation drive held in the Chandlodia area joined by Cabinet Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani area MLAs and senior officials of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC The tree plantation campaign an initiative under Mission for Million Trees 2025 FMT reflects AMCs dual vision to uphold Ahmedabads reputation as a clean city and elevate it into a green cityThe mission is part of broader environmental planning to tackle urban pollution enhance biodiversity and improve the citys livability index In a citizenfriendly move AMC has also launched a special service through the AMC Seva mobile app Registered citizens can request free saplings and a municipal team will visit their homes to carry out the plantation at no costAs per the FSI 2023 report Gujarat now has a tree cover covering 6632sqkm which is 338 per cent of its geographical area a modest recovery from 28 per cent in 2021 When combined with forest areas covering 15016sqkm 765 per cent the states total green cover stands at 1103 per cent up from approximately 1041 per cent in 2021Most notably tree cover outside the officially notified forest areas grew by 24129sqkm the highest such increase among Indian states reflecting Gujarats emphasis on social forestry and plantations across rural and periurban zones However Gujarat has faced a significant longterm decline from about 8034sqkm of tree cover in 201516 to 6632sqkm in 202122 representing a 206 per cent loss over seven years This decline was triggered largely by the diversion of forest land for industrial and infrastructure projectsDespite urban afforestation efforts major cities like Ahmedabad have seen increased green cover numerically but still lag behind national benchmarks In 2023 Ahmedabads green space was approximately 1489sqkm which is 327 per cent of the citys area the second lowest among Indian megacities studied On the urban front Gandhinagar stands out with an impressive 54 per cent green cover and a high tree density over 152 trees per hectare in municipal areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/ahmedabad-plants-over-20-lakh-trees-as-cm-patel-champions-mission-for-million-trees-628906.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-rajasthan-cm-sharma-directs-district-collectors-to-stay-alert-628908.html Jaipur July 30 Heavy rain continued to lash parts of Rajasthan for the second day on Wednesday leading to waterlogging in lowlying areas and causing traffic jams much to the inconvenience of commuters Roads across the city were submerged and many residential colonies reported floodingChief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has directed District Collectors and officials to remain on alert mode in light of the weather situationHe emphasised swift relief measures in floodaffected areas including the supply of drinking water food packets life jackets and the safe evacuation of residents from vulnerable zonesThe India Meteorological Department IMD has attributed this spell of heavy rainfall to an active lowpressure system over RajasthanAn orange alert has been issued for several districts including Tonk Bhilwara Jaipur Rural and Jaipur city warning of heavy rain over the next two to three hoursRain activity is expected to continue in several eastern and southern districts of the state due to the lingering weather systemMany areas including Sawai Madhopur Baran Bharatpur and Alwar recorded rainfall ranging from 1 to 3 inches Persistent rainfall has led to continuous water release from dams while overflowing rivers and streams have cut off contact with small villages and townsThe Met Department officials say the weather system originating from the Bay of Bengal has weakened but remains active as a lowpressure area over southeastern RajasthanThe monsoon trough currently extends across Sri Ganganagar to Delhi increasing the chances of sustained heavy rainfall in many parts of the state for the next two daysMeanwhile in Kota the Parvati River is in spate due to heavy rain cutting off road connectivity between Rajasthan and Madhya PradeshWater is flowing one foot above the newly built bridge on the EtawahKhatoli road leading to the complete closure of State Highway70 KotaGwaliorSheopur routeLong vehicle queues have formed on both sides of the bridge Lowlying settlements in Khatoli town have been inundated and people from over six colonies are being evacuatedPipalda Tehsildar Arun Singh and Khatoli police are monitoring the situation on the ground Two State Disaster Response Force SDRF teams have been deployed and public announcements are being made to alert residentsVillages including Madanpura and Govardhanpura have turned into islandlike zones due to rising water levels IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-lashes-rajasthan-cm-sharma-directs-district-collectors-to-stay-alert-628908.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-pradesh-last-date-for-insurance-of-maize-paddy-crops-in-kangra-extended-to-july-31-628943.html Kangra July 30 Farmers in Kangra Himachal Pradesh now have until July 31 to get their insurance of maize and paddy crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY the central governments flagship crop insurance scheme Originally slated to end on June 30 the deadline was extended due to delayed monsoon and sowing activities The scheme offers protection against natural calamities such as cyclones lightning landslides waterlogging and other weatherrelated damages To spread awareness the Agriculture Department has been conducting villagelevel camps to inform farmers about the benefits and enrollment process under PMFBYSpeaking to IANS Shailesh Paul Sood Subject Matter Specialist at the Agriculture Department in Nurpur said Farmers growing maize and paddy should avail of this opportunity before the July 31 deadline The scheme provides compensation of up to Rs 2400 per kanal a unit of land measurement used in parts of India and Pakistan for a nominal premium of Rs 48 per kanalHe further explained that for farmers who have taken agricultural loans via the Kisan Credit Card KCC crop insurance is automatically enrolled by their bank However such farmers must verify that the insurance premium has indeed been deducted from their accountsFarmers without loans can register for the scheme through Lok Mitra Kendras by submitting a photograph identity proof address proof and Khasra number The designated insurance company under the scheme handles claims and compensation in case of verified crop damageLast year over 4400 farmers in Kangra received a total compensation of Rs 8341 lakh demonstrating the tangible benefits of the scheme during times of crop failure due to adverse weather conditionsMeanwhile on February 18 2025 the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana marked its nineyear anniversary celebrating close to a decade of empowering the farmers of India Launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the scheme offers a comprehensive shield against crop losses caused by unpredictable natural hazards This protection not only stabilises farmers income but also encourages them to adopt innovative practicesCrop insurance is an important risk mitigation tool to protect farmers from natural calamities It aims at providing financial support to farmers suffering crop lossdamage arising out of natural calamities like hailstorm drought floods cyclones heavy and unseasonal rains disease and pests etcWitnessing the success and potential of the scheme the Union Cabinet in January 2025 had approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 202526 with a total budget of Rs 6951571 croreThe PMFBY envisages use of improved technology including satellite imagery drones Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and remote sensing IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/himachal-pradesh-last-date-for-insurance-of-maize-paddy-crops-in-kangra-extended-to-july-31-628943.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-corporation-to-create-urban-forest-at-retrieved-dump-yard-628567.html Chennai July 29 In a move to restore ecological balance and expand green cover the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has invited tenders to plant 1500 native tree saplings on a reclaimed portion of the Kodungaiyur dump yard The project to be executed under two work packages has been allocated Rs 56 lakh and marks a significant step in repurposing former landfill land into green spaces The plantation will take place over three acres of land that have been reclaimed through ongoing biomining efforts at the Kodungaiyur yardOfficials said the aim is to gradually transform the sprawling landfill into a mini urban forest by planting native trees selected by the Parks DepartmentUnlike the dense Miyawaki method which uses tightly packed saplings this project will focus on natural growth patterns suitable for longterm sustainabilityAround 1500 saplings will be planted in the first phase across the reclaimed threeacre site The work will include annual maintenance and will be taken up in two packages by the selected contractor a senior GCC official saidThe idea is to grow a selfsustaining natural forest with native trees that will improve biodiversity and air quality in the area he saidThe GCC officials said the tender process has already been floated and work will begin once the targeted land is fully reclaimed Engineers from the civic body will oversee the plantation and ensure timely maintenanceThe success of this model will determine its replication on other reclaimed portions of the dump yard as biomining progressesOf the estimated 67 lakh tonnes of legacy waste at the Kodungaiyur site the civic body has so far processed about 15 lakh tonnes As more waste is cleared in the coming months additional land will become available for green cover initiativesThe ultimate goal is to increase vegetation on all reclaimed landfill zones This is not a onetime effort as more space is recovered tree planting will continue the official addedThe project reflects GCCs broader commitment to sustainable urban development and environmental restoration especially in areas long impacted by waste dumping IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/chennai-corporation-to-create-urban-forest-at-retrieved-dump-yard-628567.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/two-dead-2-missing-as-torrential-rain-wreaks-havoc-in-himachals-mandi-628568.html Mandhi July 29 Two people died and two others were missing in Mandi on Tuesday due to continuous rainfall overnight which caused extensive flooding and landslides throughout Himachal Pradesh The torrential downpour began around 11 pm on Monday and intensified by 4 am causing severe damage to the infrastructureAmong the worsthit locations was the Zonal Hospital in Mandi where overflowing drains inundated the premises forcing authorities to shut down the main access routeSeveral internal roads across the district were blocked due to landslides isolating numerous localities and placing residents in danger zones at heightened riskThe ChandigarhManali National Highway NH3 was rendered impassable at multiple points between Mandi and Kullu leaving several vehicles stranded in long traffic snarlsAs per data released by the State Disaster Management Authority SDMA and the State Emergency Operations Centre SEOC 200 roads remained obstructed across the state as of the evening of July 28Additionally 62 power transformers were reported to be nonfunctional and 110 water supply schemes were disrupted due to the persistent rainsSince the onset of the monsoon on June 20 the state has recorded a total of 164 deaths as of July 28 Of these 90 fatalities were directly attributed to rainrelated disasters such as landslides flash floods cloudbursts drowning and electrocutionThe remaining 74 deaths were reported in road accidents during this period according to official dataMandi district recorded the highest number of deaths at 32 followed by Kangra with 24 fatalities and Chamba with 17 Himachal Pradesh has also suffered extensive economic losses with damage to homes livestock and public infrastructure estimated to exceed Rs 152311 lakhAccording to the SDMA since June 20 Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 42 flash floods 25 cloudbursts and 32 landslidesIt also mentioned Mandi district has reported the highest number of rainrelated casualties with 18 deaths followed by Kangra 17 deaths Kullu 10 deaths and Chamba eight deathsAdditionally over 251 houses have been destroyed while another 1165 structures have suffered partial damageRescue and relief operations are underway The officials are also searching for the missing peopleResidents have been asked to remain alert IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/two-dead-2-missing-as-torrential-rain-wreaks-havoc-in-himachals-mandi-628568.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-karuppu-kavuni-paddy-sees-price-crash-tn-farmers-seek-govt-support-628571.html Chennai July 29 A surge in offseason cultivation of Karuppu Kavuni a traditional black rice variety has led to a sharp fall in prices leaving farmers and rice mill owners across southern districts of Tamil Nadu such as Madurai Tiruchy and Virudhunagar grappling with losses Typically grown during the samba season SeptemberJanuary Karuppu Kavuni has seen a shift in its cultivation pattern with many farmers opting to grow it during the summer monthsThe move was largely driven by the high market value the variety previously commanded with wholesale prices averaging Rs 50Rs 60 per kg However the sudden oversupply has created a glut in the market pushing prices down to Rs 35 per kg in Madurai on SundayA senior official from the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business speaking on condition of anonymity said that large quantities of paddy from Madurai Virudhunagar and surrounding districts are being sold through the Thirumangalam Regulated Market using digital farmgate platformsCurrently around 1600 bags of old stock and 200 bags of new stock each weighing 66 kg are waiting to be sold the official saidThe lack of buyers has led to a buildup of unsold stock depressing wholesale prices further and leaving hundreds of bags languishing in storage as dead stockMSK Bakkiyanathan a farmers representative has urged the state government to intervene by procuring Karuppu Kavuni under the same system used for conventional paddy varietiesMany farmers are in distress as they are unable to sell their produce in the open market he saidA rice mill owner from Virudhunagar Ram Kumar pointed out that offseason cultivation has affected the distinctive deeppurple colour and grain quality of Karuppu KavuniBecause the rice lacks its iconic attributes millers are hesitant to purchase the stock Even after buying it at a higher price earlier we are now compelled to sell the processed rice at lower rates he explainedHe also appealed to the government to regulate offseason cultivation of the variety to protect its quality and market valueWith prices continuing to fall and demand drying up both farmers and millers are pinning hopes on government action to stabilise the market and ensure the survival of this heritage grain IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/as-karuppu-kavuni-paddy-sees-price-crash-tn-farmers-seek-govt-support-628571.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/jaipur-receives-heaviest-one-day-rainfall-in-a-decade-628585.html Jaipur July 29 Jaipur has witnessed its heaviest oneday rainfall in 10 years said the Meteorological MeT Department officials on Tuesday The city on Monday recorded 111 mm over four inches of rain at JLN Marg Other parts of the city also saw significant rainfall with 55 mm recorded at the Collectorate 74 mm in Sanganer and 12 mm in Amer This is the highest singleday figure since 2014 The record for Jaipur remains 326 mm set in 1981 said the MeT officialsThe intense rain which began Monday evening disrupted daily life especially for officegoers returning home Twowheeler riders were the worst affected as streets quickly became inundated leading to chaos across the cityMondays rainfall brought more trouble than relief In Jaipur the 45 inches of rain fell in just two and a half hours flooding roads and turning streets into virtual rivers Traffic jams were reported from several parts of the city and on Ajmer Road vehicles were seen floating in waterlogged streetsAmid continued heavy rainfall and warnings of further showers schools both government and private will remain closed on July 29 and 30 in Alwar and KhairthalTijara Schools will also be closed in Bundi on TuesdayEarlier the administration had declared a twoday holiday which was Monday and Tuesday in Jhalawar Kota Chittorgarh Tonk Bhilwara Baran Dungarpur Dholpur Salumber Banswara and AjmerIn Ramganj Mandi Kota the highest rainfall in the state was recorded at 242 mm Light to moderate rainfall was also reported in Ajmer Bhilwara Tonk Alwar Jaipur Kota Chittorgarh Fatehpur Dausa Banswara Baran Bundi Jhalawar Sawai Madhopur Rajsamand Sirohi Pali and other areasIn Pipaliya village Jhalawar water from nearby mines and drains entered residential areas late at night Civil Defence teams rescued around 100 peopleTilswa Bhilwara recorded 200 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 5 pm on Monday The overflowing Airu River submerged nearby villages cutting off road connectivityBoats had to be deployed to rescue stranded residents In response to rising water levels in the Chambal River authorities have issued an alert from Kota to Dholpur Water was released from multiple reservoirs to manage the flow Many gates were opened in various dams in the wake of heavy rainMeanwhile in Ramganj Mandi Kota water entered several residential settlementsThe Ujad River crossed the danger mark forcing the closure of the DeoliArnia State HighwayMeanwhile the Bisalpur Dam is receiving heavy inflows due to rainfall in its catchment areas With gauges reaching full capacity six gates were opened to release water into the Banas River IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/jaipur-receives-heaviest-one-day-rainfall-in-a-decade-628585.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-15-206-mw-capacity-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-systems-installed-in-5-years-628615.html New Delhi July 29 A total of 1520668 MW capacity of gridconnected rooftop solar systems has been installed during the last five years across all sectors residential government commercial and industrial institutional social and private establishments the Parliament was informed on Tuesday Saturation of government buildings by the installation of rooftop solar is one of the components of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a questionThe National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education NCPRE IIT Bombay has conducted a study on the performance of solar modules in the country Further the Ministry has put in place a procedure to enlist type and qualitycertified wind turbines titled Revised List of Models amp Manufacturers RLMM the minister saidAs on June 30 24278 GW nonfossil fuelbased electricity generation capacity has been installed in the country The government has taken several steps and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity in the country to realise the target of 500 GW nonfossil fuelbased electricity generation capacity by 2030The minister said that the government is implementing the Production Linked Incentive PLI Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules for achieving domestic manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt GW scale in these modules with an outlay of Rs 24000 croreUnder the Scheme Letters of Award have been issued for the setting up of 48337 MW of fullypartially integrated solar PV module manufacturing units said NaikHe earlier informed the House that a total of 1545 lakh households in the country and 523 lakh households in Gujarat have benefitted from rooftop solar installation including those in rural areas as of July 14 One of the components of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana launched in February 2024 is the development of Model Solar Village in each district of the countryAn amount of Rs 800 crore has been allocated for this component with a provision of central financial assistance of Rs one crore per model village said Naik IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/over-15-206-mw-capacity-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-systems-installed-in-5-years-628615.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/rains-to-continue-in-south-bengal-for-next-two-days-628622.html Kolkata July 29 Due to a cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh Kolkata and several districts in south Bengal might receive scattered rains till Thursday with a heavy spell of showers likely to occur in some places According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore heavy rains are likely to occur in the districts of South 24 Parganas North 24 Parganas Nadia Purulia Bankura East Burdwan and West BurdwanMeanwhile scattered rains are likely to continue throughout the day in the remaining districts of South Bengal The city of Kolkata will experience scattered rains for the next two daysOn Wednesday heavy rain has been forecast over districts of South 24 Parganas Howrah Hooghly East Burdwan West Burdwan Nadia Murshidabad and western districts like Purulia Bankura West Midnapore and JhargramDue to active monsoon winds coupled with a cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh widespread rain will occur in South Bengal districts with heavy spells likely in some places said a Met department officialMeanwhile scattered thunderstorms accompanied by rain will also continue in the remaining districts of South BengalMeanwhile heavy rain is likely to occur in the North Bengal districts of Kalimpong South Dinajpur Malda Darjeeling Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur for the next two daysOn Tuesday rain started in different parts of Kolkata in the morning causing inconvenience to daily commuters There is a possibility of intermittent rain and thunderstorms in the city later in the dayThe maximum temperature in Kolkata on Monday was 30 degrees Celsius 26 degrees below normal The minimum temperature was 253 degrees Celsius 14 degrees below normal The relative humidity was 97 per cent and 81 per cent respectively The rainfall in the last 24 hours over the city was 693 mm IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/rains-to-continue-in-south-bengal-for-next-two-days-628622.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/climate-change-raises-hailstorm-risks-for-australian-major-cities-628639.html Sydney July 29 Australian cities may see more severe and frequent hailstorms as the climate warms new research finds Major urban centres like Sydney Melbourne Canberra and Perth are expected to experience larger hailstones and a greater risk of damaging hail events due to climate change according to a statement released Tuesday by Australias University of New South Wales UNSWThe study which examined simulated weather patterns in a warming climate also shows hailstorms become more frequent in Brisbane Sydney and Canberra Xinhua news agency reportedHailstone sizes are expected to rise in several of these cities and more intense storms in the future could increase the chances of largediameter hail said the studys lead author Tim Raupach from UNSWs Institute for Climate Risk and ResponseThe study finds that in Melbourne 10 cm hailstones previously seen only every 20 years could strike every three years as the climate warmsHail damage has made up over 20 per cent of insured losses in Australia from 1967 to 2023 mainly because stronger storm updrafts produce larger more destructive hailstones said the study detailed in Geophysical Research Letters published by the American Geophysical UnionWhile hail can occur nationwide Australias east coast is especially vulnerable Remote areas like Western Australias goldfields and the Gulf of Carpentaria also see severe hail though data there is limited it saidResearchers noted that Australias growing solar industry is increasingly vulnerable to hail damage but experts say this should encourage stronger infrastructure and resilience not deter investment in renewablesThe authors said current Australian building standards lack hail resilience measures leaving many properties vulnerable adding that although hail warnings and insurance exist physical precautions like covered parking and strong roofing remain crucial for protectionRaupach stressed reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate worsening severe weather and called for further research on how urban design could limit hailstorm risk in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/climate-change-raises-hailstorm-risks-for-australian-major-cities-628639.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/assams-kaziranga-home-to-one-horned-rhino-now-ranks-third-globally-in-tiger-density-survey-628642.html Guwahati July 29 Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR home to Greater onehorned Rhinoceroses now ranks third in the world for highest tiger density with 18 tigers per 100 sq km officials said on Tuesday KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that as per the latest report Status of Tigers in Kaziranga 2024 a total of 148 adult tigers were identified in Kaziranga Tiger Reserves KTR three divisions against 104 in 2022Of the total of 148 tigers 83 are females 55 are males and 10 with undetermined genderThis growth is particularly notable due to the firsttime sampling of the Biswanath Wildlife Division where 27 recorded tigers have contributed to the overall increase In the core Eastern Assam Wildlife Division the population grew from 104 in 2022 to 115 in 2024 while the Nagaon Wildlife Division maintained a stable count of 6 tigers the KNPTR Director saidShe said that methodology for the tiger count included the deployment of remotely triggered camera traps as per the Phase IV Protocol of the National Tiger Conservation Authority NTCA and the Wildlife Institute of IndiaAccording to the senior Indian Forest Service IFS official paired camera traps were systematically placed across 130749 sq km within three divisions of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve between December 2023 and April 2024 using a structured gridbased design to ensure comprehensive spatial coverageTrap sites within each grid cell were selected based on intensive sign surveys to maximize the probability of detecting tigers and copredatorsAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while declaring the results of the tiger census said in the social media posts From Kaziranga to Manas Assam is not only limited to protecting the tiger but it is also playing an important role in restoring the tigers habitat With the thirdhighest tiger density in the world extensive forest cover and bold steps against infiltration the tiger the treasure of Assams forests is walking proudly and bravely todayKNPTR Director Ghosh said that the main drivers of this encouraging rise in tiger population are habitat expansion and protectionAn additional area of 200 sq km including 1282 sq km of encroachmentfree area has been added in recent years under BurhachaporiLaokhowa sanctuaries in Nagaon Wildlife Division bringing more habitats under the protection of the Tiger ReserveThis strategic extension has significantly expanded the landscape available to tigers allowing for increased movement breeding and dispersal opportunities across divisions the official pointed outIn addition the enhanced use of technology has revolutionized wildlife monitoring and protection she claimed and said that along with camera traps drones and infraredbased electronic surveillance systems Electronic Eye are now integral to daily operationsAccording to the KNPTR Director technological advancements have greatly improved antipoaching measures movement tracking and habitat monitoring leading to greater safety and better dataCrucially the integration of advanced technologies with meticulous efforts of the forest frontline staff including 113 trained Van Durgas the female frontline staff of the Tiger Reserve and the active support of civil society organisations and local communities has significantly helped fill historical data gaps she notedIn recent years Kazirangas tiger monitoring has produced genderwise segregation data offering a more accurate and detailed understanding of the reserves tiger demographyNoting that the rise in the tiger population is more than just a statistic Ghosh said that it signifies the health and resilience of the entire ecosystem within Kaziranga which supports a diverse range of flora and faunaThe thriving tiger population is a testament to our successful conservation effortsWhile we celebrate this milestone we also recognise the responsibility it brings It is crucial to continue investing in conservation initiatives strengthen community involvement and promote awareness about the importance of biodiversity the IFS official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/assams-kaziranga-home-to-one-horned-rhino-now-ranks-third-globally-in-tiger-density-survey-628642.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/china-activates-level-iv-emergency-response-for-flood-control-in-multiple-regions-628520.html Beijing July 28 Chinas Ministry of Water Resources on Monday activated a LevelIV emergency flood response in four provinciallevel regions Shanghai Jiangsu Anhui and Jiangxi in response to Typhoon CoMay the eighth typhoon of the year From Monday to Saturday torrential rains are forecast in areas including Zhejiang Shanghai Anhui Jiangsu and Jiangxi Rivers and waterways around Taihu Lake may see sharp water level rises with some small and medium rivers likely to exceed flood warning levelsOn Monday the ministry also launched a LevelIV response in Xinjiang and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps due to snowmeltdriven flooding caused by persistent high temperatures Floods along the Tarim River and its tributaries are expected to continue into midAugustAuthorities have urged close monitoring of weather conditions early warnings and strengthened flood control measures to safeguard lives and propertyChina has a fourtier emergency response system with Level I being the most severe response Xinhua news agency reportedThe typhoon is expected to move northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 km per hour approaching the eastern part of the East China Sea and nearing the coastal areas of Zhejiang while gradually intensifying in strengthTyphoon Wipha the seventh typhoon of the year has also impacted China particularly Hong Kong and Guangdong province with strong winds and heavy rainfall The typhoon caused significant disruptions to air travel public transport and daily life in Hong Kong with hundreds of flights cancelled and transport services suspended The storm also led to flooding in lowlying areas and trapped residents in some regionsWater conservancy authorities on Monday announced Chinas No1 flood of major rivers of 2025 in the Luanhe River located in north Chinas Haihe River BasinDue to recent heavy rainfall the Luanhe River has experienced a rise in water levels At 430 am on Monday the inflow rate at the Panjiakou Reservoir on the main stream of the Luanhe River rose to 2270 cubic metres per second according to the Haihe River Water Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/china-activates-level-iv-emergency-response-for-flood-control-in-multiple-regions-628520.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/naidu-hopes-for-continued-cooperation-with-singapore-for-amaravati-development-628524.html Amaravati July 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday expressed the hope that the cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Singapore will continue for the development of the state capital Amaravati On the second day of his visit to Singapore the Chief Minister noted that the government of Singapore provided the master plan for Amaravati He revealed that the World Bank is now a key development partner in the projectAcknowledging that certain past events had created distance between the governments of Singapore and Andhra Pradesh Naidu said this visit is aimed at restoring that partnershipThe Chief Minister stated that Amaravati the capital of Andhra Pradesh is being built with a vision that blends modern infrastructure with bold futureoriented thinkingHe emphasised that the state is following globally recognised best practices and drawing on international expertise to shape a capital that reflects both innovation and sustainabilityAccording to the Chief Ministers Office Naidu made the remarks during his visit to the Bidadari Housing ProjectSpending over two hours walking through the estate to closely study its innovative and ecofriendly urban housing model he praised the projects thoughtful integration of nature heritage and community living calling it a powerful example for cities across the worldDuring his visit to Bidadari Estate which houses over 10000 families Singaporean officials explained to the Chief Minister the City in a Garden concept This includes design features that preserved mature trees protected natural water bodies and emphasised walkability and connectivityThe Chief Minister held discussions on building quality affordable housing in urban and semiurban areas of Andhra Pradesh He lauded the Housing Development Board HDB for its role in planning and executing Bidadari which spans 250 acres and includes extensive green infrastructure and public amenitiesHe was particularly impressed with how the Urban Redevelopment Authority URA of Singapore transformed a former cremation site into a serene and welcoming urban park showing how even sensitive spaces can be reimagined for the communitys benefitFollowing the estate visit the Chief Minister met with senior officials from the HDB the URA Singapore Corporation Enterprise and the World Bank Discussions focused on potential collaboration in Andhra Pradeshs upcoming urban housing projects particularly in AmaravatiHe invited Singapores HDB to participate as a development partner and shared Andhra Pradeshs urban vision strategic goals and ongoing initiatives He praised the Bidadari model as an inspiring example that Andhra Pradesh could learn from as it works to build liveable inclusive cities for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/naidu-hopes-for-continued-cooperation-with-singapore-for-amaravati-development-628524.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-lashes-jaipur-commuters-stranded-on-roads-due-to-waterlogging-628544.html Jaipur July 28 After a humid start to the day Jaipur witnessed heavy rainfall on Monday evening causing widespread waterlogging and traffic disruptions across the city According to the Meteorological Department the spell of intense rain began at around 630 pm and continued for over an hour followed by intermittent drizzle late into the night The sudden downpour during peak office hours left many commuters stranded especially those traveling from the citys outer colonies As per rainfall data recorded till 8 pm since 830 am the highest precipitation was observed at IDR Sinchai Bhawan JLN Marg which recorded 1115 mm of rainfallJaipur Airport reported 742 mm while the IMD office recorded 668 mm Other parts of the city also received significant rainfall with 74 mm reported in Sanganer 55 mm at the Collectorate 27 mm in Chomu 20 mm in Naraina and 12 mm each in Amer and Fagi The impact of the rain was most visible on Sikar Road where localities like Dhehar Ke Balaji and Jagdamba Colony saw kneedeep water accumulation The BRTS corridor and adjacent roads were submerged severely affecting traffic flowAlthough the Jaipur Development Authority JDA has constructed a drainage system to divert water into the Amanishah drain the intensity of the rainfall overwhelmed the system in some areas With more rain expected in the coming hours the administration has urged residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions The Met Department meanwhile has also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jaipur Bharatpur Udaipur and Ajmer divisionsMany districts of Rajasthan have been experiencing continuous heavy rainfall for the past two days The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for further heavy rains in the coming 48 hours prompting precautionary measures across the state As a result school holidays have been declared in 10 districts A Red Alert was issued for extremely heavy rain in Baran Bharatpur Jhalawar and Karauli on MondayMeanwhile an Orange Alert is in effect for Alwar Banswara Bundi Chittorgarh Dausa Dholpur Dungarpur Kota Pratapgarh and Sawai Madhopur while a Yellow Alert has been issued for Ajmer Bhilwara Jhunjhunu Jaipur Rajsamand Sikar Sirohi Tonk Udaipur Bikaner Churu Hanumangarh Jalore Jodhpur Nagaur Pali and SriganganagarThe heightened alert comes in the wake of a tragic incident last Friday when the wall and roof of a government school in Piplodi village Jhalawar district collapsed due to incessant rain claiming the lives of seven children and injuring 21 othersLocal residents and parents asserted that complaints about the unsafe structure had been repeatedly ignored by officialsMeanwhile in Tonk Dungarpur Chittorgarh Beawar Pratapgarh Dungarpur and Baran schools will remain closed on Monday and TuesdayFurther in Ajmer schools were closed on MondayIn Dholpur schools will remain closed for three days starting from Monday while in Jhalawar all schools will remain shut from July 28 to August 2 due to persistent heavy rainfall and safety concernsAuthorities are on high alert and parents have been advised to stay updated through official channels The situation is being closely monitored and further decisions will be made based on evolving weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rainfall-lashes-jaipur-commuters-stranded-on-roads-due-to-waterlogging-628544.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 23:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-in-rajasthan-schools-closed-in-10-districts-amid-safety-concerns-628341.html Jaipur July 28 Due to a new weather system many districts of Rajasthan have been experiencing continuous heavy rainfall for the past two days The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for further heavy rains in the coming 48 hours prompting precautionary measures across the state As a result school holidays have been declared in 10 districts A Red Alert has been issued for extremely heavy rain in Baran Bharatpur Jhalawar and Karauli on MondayMeanwhile an Orange Alert is in effect for Alwar Banswara Bundi Chittorgarh Dausa Dholpur Dungarpur Kota Pratapgarh and Sawai Madhopur while a Yellow Alert has been issued for Ajmer Bhilwara Jhunjhunu Jaipur Rajsamand Sikar Sirohi Tonk Udaipur Bikaner Churu Hanumangarh Jalore Jodhpur Nagaur Pali and SriganganagarThe heightened alert comes in the wake of a tragic incident on Friday when the wall and roof of a government school in Piplodi village Jhalawar district collapsed due to incessant rain claiming the lives of seven children and injuring 21 othersLocal residents and parents asserted that complaints about the unsafe structure had been repeatedly ignored by officialsFive teachers including headmaster Meena Garg have been suspended by the Education Department pending further investigation A highlevel enquiry has been ordered by the state Education Minister with instructions to provide urgent medical care and reassess school infrastructure across RajasthanDistrict Collector Ajay Singh Rathore confirmed that this school was not previously flagged as dangerous despite broader directives to compile a list of dilapidated buildingsThe incident has sent shockwaves across the state and prompted urgent safety measuresTo avoid any recurrence of such accidents the administration has acted swiftly to close schools in vulnerable areasMeanwhile in Tonk Dungarpur Chittorgarh Beawar Pratapgarh Dungarpur and Baran schools will remain closed on Monday and TuesdayFurther in Ajmer schools were closed on Monday in Dholpur schools will remain closed for three days starting from Monday while in Jhalawar all schools will remain shut from July 28 to August 2 due to persistent heavy rainfall and safety concernsAuthorities are on high alert and parents have been advised to stay updated through official channels The situation is being closely monitored and further decisions will be made based on evolving weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/heavy-rain-alert-in-rajasthan-schools-closed-in-10-districts-amid-safety-concerns-628341.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-city-corporation-to-launch-two-day-special-bulk-waste-collection-drive-from-august-2-628348.html Chennai July 28 In a major step towards tackling the growing menace of largescale domestic waste the Coimbatore city corporation will conduct a special bulk waste collection drive on August 2 and 3 The initiative aims to collect and properly dispose old furniture and other large household items which are often illegally dumped along roadsides and into water bodiesThe civic body has urged residents to bring bulk waste such as old beds sofas mattresses tables chairs and other large domestic items to designated collection points set up at each ward and zonal officeZonal helplines have also been activated to provide assistance and sanitary supervisors will be available for guidanceThe drive was announced shortly after media reports highlighted the growing problem of bulk waste being dumped in public spaces often during early mornings or late at night to evade surveillanceIn a Press statement Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran emphasised the importance of community participation in the effortResidents should bring bulky household waste to their respective ward collection centres Please do not leave items on roadsides footpaths or open grounds he saidThe Commissioner also revealed that several recyclers have already shown interest in the initiativeWe will first gather all the collected waste at a central location Recyclers will be invited to take any reusable items and the rest will be disposed of using scientifically approved methods he explainedBased on public response the civic body is considering making the bulk waste collection a weekly eventPlans are also underway to include electronic waste ewaste in future drivesAny revenue generated from the sale of recyclable materials will be directed towards the welfare of our sanitary workers Prabakaran addedThe corporation hopes the initiative will not only reduce illegal dumping but also promote responsible waste disposal and recycling practices among residents For direct assistance citizens can contact the following helpline numbers North Zone 89259 75980 West Zone 89259 7598 Central Zone 89259 75982 South Zone 90430 66114 and East Zone 89258 40945 IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/coimbatore-city-corporation-to-launch-two-day-special-bulk-waste-collection-drive-from-august-2-628348.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/tamil-nadu-mtc-to-procure-12-new-breakdown-recovery-vehicles-as-15-year-old-fleet-nears-phase-out-628352.html Chennai July 28 The Metropolitan Transport Corporation MTC of Tamil Nadu has proposed the procurement of 12 new breakdown recovery vehicles to replace its ageing fleet of mobile maintenance lorries that have served for over 15 years The move comes in response to a government directive mandating the decommissioning of public service vehicles older than 15 years by September 2025Currently MTC operates 12 mobile breakdown lorries strategically stationed at key points in the city including Anna Salai Kamarajar Salai and Poonamallee High RoadThese vehicles are staffed by trained drivers and technical personnel who provide essential onroad assistance for buses that suffer mechanical failures tyre punctures or accidents during operationWith a fleet of 3233 buses ferrying over 33 lakh passengers daily MTC relies on these breakdown vehicles to ensure uninterrupted service and quick emergency responseUnder the new proposal MTC plans to replace the old vehicles with 10 builtup Light Motor Vehicles LMVs equipped with closed container bodies and two heavyduty recovery vansThe aim is to enhance operational efficiency reduce downtime and ensure prompt roadside support in the event of breakdownsAccording to sources specifications for the new vehicles have been sourced through the Government eMarketplace GeMEach LMV is estimated to cost Rs 135 lakh while each heavy recovery van will cost around Rs 48 lakhThe total cost of the new fleet is projected at Rs 231 crore This figure does not include expenses such as temporary registration road tax freight charges insurance and other incidental costsThe objective is to minimise service disruptions reduce traffic congestion caused by stalled buses and ensure that passengers do not face extended delays a senior MTC official saidThe new vehicles will also improve overall maintenance response timesHowever the official added that if the government grants an extension to continue using the current fleet for another year the procurement process may be postponedThe replacement of the breakdown fleet is part of a broader push by MTC to modernise its infrastructure and improve commuter experienceWith Chennais roads witnessing increasing traffic pressure efficient handling of bus breakdowns has become critical to maintaining traffic flow and commuter confidence in public transport IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/tamil-nadu-mtc-to-procure-12-new-breakdown-recovery-vehicles-as-15-year-old-fleet-nears-phase-out-628352.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/puducherry-to-begin-piped-natural-gas-supply-from-august-15-628353.html Puducherry July 28 Puducherry will begin supplying Piped Natural Gas PNG to industrial consumers from August 15 marking the first step in a phased rollout of the city gas distribution network Supply to domestic and commercial users will follow in the coming months The project is being implemented by East Coast Natural Gas Distribution Pvt Ltd which has completed an 18kilometre pipeline from Sorapet to MettupalayamWe are on track to energise the pipeline by Independence Day said A Magendiran Assistant Vice President of the companyIndian Oil Corporation Ltd IOCL will provide the natural gas and final commissioning is pending approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESOAs soon as we receive the clearance we will begin operations Magendiran added In the first phase PNG will be supplied to a single industrial consumer in Mettupalayam as a trial to assess system stability and pricingMeanwhile work on laying pipelines in urban areas for domestic connections is ongoing However progress in certain stretches has been delayed due to pending administrative approvalsLieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan has directed departments including the Public Works Department PWD to expedite the clearance process to avoid further delaysThe network will expand in phases with an additional 14 kilometres of pipeline expected to be laid before the end of the financial yearThe supply will begin in town centres before reaching peripheral areas The gas distribution network aims to serve 8000 to 10000 consumers within the first year and has the capacity to eventually cover up to 25000 consumers across PuducherryAlthough the project was awarded in March 2024 actual groundwork only began in June due to the general elections and delays in obtaining permissionsOfficials confirmed that the project is now in its final stage of readiness To encourage adoption the Puducherry government has reduced VAT on domestic PNG from 145 per cent to 5 per cent and to 75 per cent for commercial and industrial users effective April 1 2025The company has also approached the central government seeking GST relief on input gas costs PNG for domestic consumers is expected to be priced between Rs 550 and Rs 600 comparable to the cost of a standard LPG cylinder IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/puducherry-to-begin-piped-natural-gas-supply-from-august-15-628353.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/patna-drowns-again-waterlogging-paralyses-city-rivers-rise-across-bihar-after-12-hours-of-rain-628374.html Patna July 28 After 12 hours of continuous rain Patna witnessed massive waterlogging on Monday bringing the city to a virtual standstill From roads to Railways the floodlike conditions exposed once again administrative failures in monsoon preparedness despite repeated promises by civic authoritiesKneedeep water flooded highprofile areas including Dak Bungalow Road Patna Junction Boring Road Rajendra Nagar and Station Road crippling both road and rail connectivityDue to continuous rain schools remained inaccessible as school vans failed to arrive on time Officegoers remained trapped in their homes due to submerged roadsChildren and the elderly found it nearly impossible to step outsideRoads resembled small rivers with vehicles breaking down and pedestrians navigating with extreme caution fearing uncovered drains and potential electric shocksA resident of Rajendra Nagar said We are not afraid of the rain we are afraid of what lies beneath the water drains potholes and live wires This is not natures fury its civic negligenceEvery year the Municipal Corporation claims to clean drains deploy pumps and set up control rooms Yet within just hours of heavy rain those claims are washed away What remains is frustration gridlock and a sense of betrayal said a commuter Sailesh KumarThe monsoon deluge has also pushed up the water levels of several rivers across BiharThe Ganga River has crossed the danger level at both Digha Ghat and Gandhi Ghat in PatnaAt Digha Ghat the Ganga is 13 cm above the danger mark while at Gandhi Ghat it is 53 cm above causing floodwaters to rapidly spread in low lying areas like Diara Maner Danapur Fatuha Bakhtiyarpur and DaniyawanGandak River is nearing the danger level at Dumaria Ghat in GopalganjThe Patna Meteorological Centre has predicted heavy rainfall and winds up to 40 kmph in 19 districts of the state over the next 24 hoursRed alerts for heavy rain have been issued for Supaul Araria and Kishanganj with warnings of lightning and thunderstormsAs rivers swell and rain shows no signs of stopping Bihar stares at a prolonged monsoon emergency IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/patna-drowns-again-waterlogging-paralyses-city-rivers-rise-across-bihar-after-12-hours-of-rain-628374.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/bad-weather-forces-cancellation-of-cm-nitish-kumars-visit-to-katihar-628378.html Patna July 28 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars scheduled visit to Sameli block in Katihar District was cancelled on Monday due to adverse weather conditions in Patna The Chief Minister was expected to unveil a statue of renowned litterateur Anuppal Mandal and address a public gathering apart from laying the foundation stone of projects of more than Rs 500 crore but persistent heavy rain in Patna grounded his flightThis is the second postponement of the same programme the first being on July 26 this year also due to weather disruptionsSpeaking on the cancellation Katihar District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena said Due to heavy rains in Patna and bad weather conditions the Chief Ministers helicopter could not take off The event at Sameli had to be cancelled despite all arrangements being in placeBarari MLA Vijay Singh echoed the disappointment due to cancellation of the chief ministers programThe Chief Minister was coming to unveil the statue of great litterateur Anuppal Mandal and to address the public But once again the weather has let us down The ATC has not allowed his chopper to take off from PatnaThe district and block administration had made comprehensive preparations for the CMs arrival including arrangements for security stage setup crowd control and public address logisticsThousands of people especially from nearby rural areas had started gathering at the venue only to return disappointed once the cancellation was announcedAccording to administrative sources efforts are already underway to reschedule the visit at the earliest suitable dateThe Chief Minister is keen to connect with the people of Katihar especially to highlight development initiatives and promote education and literature in the regionThe legacy of Anuppal Mandal whose statue was to be unveiled holds cultural significance in the regionLocals hope the postponed programme will be executed soon bringing both recognition to the late litterateur and a muchanticipated public address by the Chief Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/bad-weather-forces-cancellation-of-cm-nitish-kumars-visit-to-katihar-628378.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/environment/east-china-province-prepares-for-typhoon-co-mays-comeback-628467.html Hangzhou July 28 Typhoon CoMay the eighth typhoon of the year affecting China reintensified into a typhoon after weakening into a lowpressure system as it approached east Chinas Zhejiang Province the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said Monday The province initiated a Level IV emergency response to the approaching typhoon which was located about 700 km southeast of Zhoushan city on Monday morning packing winds of up to 18 metres per secondThe typhoon is expected to move northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 km per hour approaching the eastern part of the East China Sea and nearing the coastal areas of Zhejiang while gradually intensifying in strengthIt is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the coastal and northern regions of Zhejiang over the next three days with the heaviest rainfall anticipated from Monday night to WednesdayMeteorological experts warned that CoMays effect may overlap with previously rainaffected regions in northern Zhejiang posing a high risk of disasters such as landslides flash floods in small river basins and urban and rural waterlogging Xinhua news agency reportedTyphoon Wipha the seventh typhoon of the year has also impacted China particularly Hong Kong and Guangdong province with strong winds and heavy rainfall The typhoon caused significant disruptions to air travel public transport and daily life in Hong Kong with hundreds of flights cancelled and transport services suspended The storm also led to flooding in lowlying areas and trapped residents in some regionsWater conservancy authorities on Monday announced Chinas No1 flood of major rivers of 2025 in the Luanhe River located in north Chinas Haihe River BasinDue to recent heavy rainfall the Luanhe River has experienced a rise in water levels At 430 am on Monday the inflow rate at the Panjiakou Reservoir on the main stream of the Luanhe River rose to 2270 cubic metres per second according to the Haihe River Water Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water ResourcesBased on relevant standards this marks the occurrence of the first flood of 2025 for the Luanhe River also the first for all major rivers in the country in 2025A maximum inflow rate of about 4000 cubic metres per second is expected at the Panjiakou Reservoir on Monday nightBeijing also located in the Haihe River Basin has been experiencing heavy rainfall over the past few days Torrential rains notably have resulted in the evacuation of more than 3000 residents in Beijings suburban district of Miyun IANS https://dailyworld.in/environment/east-china-province-prepares-for-typhoon-co-mays-comeback-628467.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:04:00 +0530