Month: January 2026

India’s infrastructure spending has crossed three per cent of gross domestic product, but rising climate risks are increasingly threatening the insurability of critical assets such as highways, ports, hydropower projects and urban infrastructure, according to a new report by Climate Trends. The analysis warns that as climate impacts become more frequent and predictable, some regions of the country could move dangerously close to the threshold of uninsurability, raising serious fiscal and financial concerns for governments, insurers and investors. Titled Climate Risks and Insurance for India’s Infrastructure, the report finds that floods, cyclones, landslides and extreme heat are inflicting growing damage on capital-intensive infrastructure, pushing insurance premiums higher and exposing...

    People walking through fresh snowfall in Srinagar captured the harsh winter conditions gripping large parts of northern India as the India Meteorological Department issued a warning for another spell of rain and snowfall. According to the IMD’s forecast released on Wednesday, a western disturbance is set to bring widespread precipitation to regions that are already experiencing an intense cold wave. The weather department has predicted rain or snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh over the next two days, while Uttarakhand is likely to receive precipitation on January 27 and 28. The IMD said that a fresh wet spell with fairly widespread to widespread rainfall or snowfall is expected, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reachi...

    At a time when Punjab’s agriculture is struggling with falling incomes, rising input costs and heavy dependence on the wheat–paddy cycle, a young farmer from Bathinda has shown how technology-driven farming can dramatically change fortunes. Thirty-year-old Ramandeep Singh from Maur Khurd village has achieved a turnover of over Rs 1 crore in his very first year of aeroponic potato seed production, a method that grows plants without soil. Using advanced aeroponic technology, Singh cultivates potato seeds with their roots suspended in the air, allowing precise control over water, nutrients, temperature and disease. His success highlights a growing shift among a small but determined group of farmers towards high-tech, high-value agriculture. From Wheat and Paddy to Hi...

    An ancient ocean that disappeared millions of years ago may have played a crucial role in shaping the mountains of Central Asia, according to new research by geologists from the University of Adelaide. The study suggests that the rise and fall of mountain ranges in the region were influenced not only by local tectonic forces, but by plate movements linked to the distant Tethys Ocean during the age of dinosaurs. The findings challenge long-held explanations that attribute Central Asia’s rugged landscape mainly to climate change or deep mantle processes. Instead, researchers argue that tectonic shifts triggered by the slow closure of the Tethys Ocean sent geological ripples across Eurasia, reshaping terrain thousands of kilometres away. How a Distant Ocean Influence...

    Antarctic penguins are breeding significantly earlier than before as rising temperatures rapidly alter local conditions, according to a new scientific study. Researchers warn that the unprecedented shift could intensify competition for food and nesting space, threatening the stability of fragile Antarctic ecosystems. A study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology found that penguin colonies across parts of Antarctica are experiencing local warming at nearly four times the continental average. Camera-mounted temperature loggers revealed that colony sites are warming by around 0.3 degrees Celsius per year, compared with the Antarctic-wide average of 0.07 degrees Celsius. Colonies Advancing Breeding by Up to 24 Days Per Decade Scientists observed that penguins...

    After water hyacinth, another invasive species is emerging as a serious ecological concern in Coimbatore’s tanks and wetlands. Red-eared slider turtles, native to the United States and widely spread across the world through the exotic pet trade, are now being detected in local water bodies, alarming conservationists and forest officials. The concern resurfaced after fishermen recently caught two red-eared slider turtles from a tank within the city limits. The reptiles were later handed over to the Forest Department, prompting renewed scrutiny of the growing problem of exotic pets being released into natural ecosystems. Abandoned Exotic Pets Fuel the Spread of Invasive Turtles Experts say red-eared sliders enter India through exotic pet imports and are commonly ...

A fresh and intense Western Disturbance is set to affect large parts of north and northwest India on January 26, bringing snowfall in the hills, rain and thunderstorms in several regions, and cold wave conditions across the plains, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned. The weather system will move across northwest India, triggering a fresh wet spell that could disrupt travel and daily life in multiple states on Republic Day. Snowfall and Strong Winds Expected in Western Himalayan Region According to the IMD, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh are likely to witness fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and snowfall. These areas may also experience lightning and squally winds, with wind speeds ranging between 40 and 60 kilometres per hour and gusts rea...

    India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with a grand parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, highlighting the country’s growing military capability, technological self-reliance and constitutional values. The celebrations witnessed an impressive display of advanced weapon systems, aerial formations and cultural tableaux from across the nation. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was honoured with the Ashok Chakra ahead of the parade. He made history last year by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for India’s space and defence journey. Advanced Missile Systems and Fighter Jets Dominate the Republic Day Parade The parade showcased key defence assets developed by the Defence Research and...

    Mangrove forests, long valued for protecting coastlines and supporting marine life, are increasingly turning into long-term traps for plastic and coastal waste, according to new research from Colombia. Scientists warn that while mangroves naturally slow water movement and capture sediment, the same characteristics now make them hotspots for accumulating human-generated debris, posing serious risks to ecosystems and nearby communities. Mangroves grow where rivers meet the sea, forming dense root systems that shelter fish, crabs and birds while supporting coastal livelihoods. Recent findings show these roots also trap plastic bottles, bags, food containers and other waste, allowing debris to persist for decades within mangrove soils. Colombian Study Reveals How Mang...