Month: September 2025

China and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have pledged to deepen their cooperation on meteorology and climate services, with a focus on strengthening global climate resilience and supporting developing nations. This commitment was made during a meeting on August 27, 2025, between Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong and WMO President Abdulla Al Mandous in Beijing. Key Pillars of Collaboration • Early Warning Systems: Vice Premier Liu affirmed China’s support for the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to protect everyone from extreme weather and climate-related hazards by 2027. China will use its advanced meteorological infrastructure, including satellite observation systems and digital forecasting models, to contribute to this global effort, particularly in d...

BENGALURU – In a significant crackdown on the use of single-use plastic (SUP), officials from the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) have seized a total of 9,567 kg of plastic and collected fines amounting to ₹7,38,700 across 158 cases. The operation targeted major markets and commercial areas where the ban on SUP is being violated. According to BSWML chief executive officer Karee Gowda, the raids were conducted to enforce the ban and prevent environmental and health pollution. The largest seizures were made in key areas of the city: • KR Market: Officials seized a combined total of 6,339 kg of SUP from different blocks, booking 25 cases and collecting fines of ₹33,500. A godown in the market was also sealed. • Avenue Road: A fine of ₹40,000 was collected across 17 c...

GURUGRAM – Over 1,200 families in the Signature Global Solera housing society in Sector 107 were left without electricity for a staggering 51 hours following a severe power outage. The blackout began around 3 p.m. on Monday, just hours after heavy rainfall caused widespread waterlogging across the city. Residents reported being cut off from essential services and unable to work or attend online classes for over two days. A fault in a feeder line, which tripped a transformer at the Sector 107 substation during the heavy rain, was identified as the cause of the outage by the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN). The situation was compounded by severe waterlogging on the roads surrounding the society, which stood at around three feet deep and prevented residents from leaving to purch...

TOKYO – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a team of scientists in Japan from September 2 to 12, 2025, to conduct extensive marine sampling near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). This mission is a crucial part of the agency's long-term, multi-year safety review of the controversial release of ALPS-treated water into the Pacific Ocean, which began in August 2023. Verifying Safety Standards The IAEA team, joined by experts from France, Korea, and Switzerland, is observing the collection of samples including seawater, marine sediment, fish, and seaweed. These samples will be sent to a network of independent international laboratories for analysis to verify that the discharges are not harming the marine environment. The results will be compared to data f...

BERLIN – A highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu outbreak has been confirmed at a farm in Schenefeld, a town in northern Germany. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported the incident, noting that 2,800 laying hens were affected, with 100 birds dying from the virus. The outbreak is part of a seasonal surge of avian influenza across Europe, raising concerns among governments and the poultry industry. The spread of the virus has significant economic implications, including disruptions to the poultry supply chain and rising food prices. It also poses a potential risk to human health, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and strict preventive measures. Delhi Zoo Takes Precautionary Measures as Bird Deaths Halt The Delhi National Zoological Park has reported no new b...

CHANDIGARH – A series of rain-related incidents in Haryana have claimed the lives of at least six people, including three young girls, as heavy downpours led to roof collapses and widespread flooding. The state government has activated emergency protocols, deploying disaster response teams and mobilizing resources to manage the crisis. Tragic Casualties and Infrastructure Damage The fatalities occurred in multiple incidents across the state. In Bhiwani, the roof of a rented house collapsed, killing three sisters aged seven to fifteen. Two more people were killed and three were seriously injured in a similar incident in Shahbad Markanda. Another casualty was reported in Yamunanagar, underscoring the severe impact of the rains on vulnerable infrastructure. In response, Haryana's Pub...

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a nationwide rain alert, forecasting heavy to extreme rainfall for multiple states. The forecast is driven by a new low-pressure area forming over the northwest Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify into a depression. This weather system will bring widespread rain and presents potential risks of landslides, flooding, and waterlogging. State-by-State Breakdown • Red Alert: A red alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, where intense rainfall of over 20 cm in a 24-hour period is possible. In the Western Himalayan Region, this poses a high risk of landslides and travel disruptions. Travelers are advised to avoid these areas for now. • Orange Alert: An orange...

PANAMA CITY – For the first time in over 40 years of record-keeping, a critical oceanographic process known as upwelling failed to occur in the Gulf of Panama in 2025. This unprecedented event, documented by scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), is likely to have significant consequences for the region's fisheries and coral reefs, which depend on this natural phenomenon for their survival. A Vital Climate Process Upwelling is a seasonal process driven by northern trade winds that brings cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface. It is a vital part of the marine ecosystem, as the nutrients fuel the growth of phytoplankton and other marine life, creating highly productive fisheries. The cooler water also provides a thermal refuge for cor...

In a new study, researchers found a temporary decrease in meltwater on the Devon Ice Cap, one of the largest ice caps in the Canadian Arctic. This was caused by a cooler-than-average summer in 2021. The findings highlight the complex, non-linear way glaciers respond to climate change, where a single cooler season can temporarily slow melt, but does not reverse the overall trend of glacial loss. The Role of Firn The study focused on firn, a layer of dense, porous snow that sits atop glaciers. This layer acts like a sponge, absorbing and refreezing meltwater. This process is crucial because it temporarily prevents meltwater from running off into the ocean and contributing to sea-level rise. The ability of firn to store meltwater is influenced by temperature, firn grain size, and the pr...

KABUL – The death toll from a recent magnitude 6.0 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has tragically surpassed 1,000, with thousands more injured. The high number of casualties is a direct result of several critical factors, primarily the region's vulnerable building practices. While the magnitude of the quake was relatively low, its shallow epicenter—just 8 km underground produced intense shaking on the surface. Buildings, Not Earthquakes, Kill People The proverb "earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do" has proven devastatingly true in this tragedy. Homes in the affected, remote rural communities are typically constructed using local materials like mud bricks, raw lumber, and stone masonry in a method known as monolithic construction. These structures lack the engineered design,...