Month: September 2026

A spell of intense rainfall in September has helped reduce India’s overall monsoon rainfall deficit, with the shortfall narrowing to 12% from 14% at the end of August, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). September rainfall has so far remained 5% below normal at 152.6 mm. However, unusually heavy rain on September 26, when the country recorded 162% above normal rainfall for the day significantly improved the season’s overall rainfall position. Four meteorological subdivisions recorded more than 1,500% excess rainfall on September 26. West Uttar Pradesh received 3,003% above normal rainfall, followed by east Madhya Pradesh at 1,580%, Chhattisgarh at 1,537% and east Uttar Pradesh at 1,518%. The heavy spell, however, caused severe damage in parts of Uttar Pradesh. ...

  Rising temperatures in the Arctic are causing frozen ground to thaw, creating growing risks for roads, buildings, pipelines and coastal communities built on permafrost. Researchers are now using drones geophysical surveys and digital twin technology to detect these changes and predict future damage. In places such as Wainwright and Utqiaġvik in Alaska, permafrost contains large amounts of ground ice. When that ice melts the soil can lose stability, causing land to sink and infrastructure to tilt, crack or become damaged. Coastal thaw can also accelerate erosion, bringing shorelines closer to homes and roads. Researchers are using drone mounted electromagnetic sensors to examine underground conditions without extensive drilling. The technique can help identify areas where fr...

  New Delhi: Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, 2.3 degrees below normal, marking the lowest September minimum temperature in the capital since 2008, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The lowest September minimum temperature since 2001 was 20.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on September 6, 2008. On September 19, 2024, the minimum temperature was 21.1 degrees Celsius. Among other weather stations, Palam recorded 19.7 degrees Celsius, while Lodi Road recorded 20.4 degrees Celsius. The Ridge recorded 16.9 degrees Celsius, which was 6 degrees below normal. The IMD forecast the maximum temperature in Delhi to remain around 32 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with partly cloudy conditions. Delhi Air Quality Index stood ...

Delhi has stepped up its industrial pollution control measures ahead of the 2026-27 winter season, targeting 2,354 industries with stricter emission standards.continuous online monitoring and tighter enforcement. Under the Winter Action Plan industries identified as major pollution sources are required to install and connect Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). Of the targeted units, 2,197 have reportedly installed the monitoring systems, while 57 industries that failed to comply have been closed. The government is also enforcing a tighter particulate matter emission limit. From October 1, the applicable standard for the targeted industries will be reduced from 80 to 50 milligrams per normal cubic metre. Industries unable to meet the new limit will have to instal...

  New Delhi, September 30: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi NCR ahead of the winter pollution season, strengthening measures related to construction, dust control and vehicle restrictions. The revised plan issued on September 28, includes changes to several existing provisions and expands the citizen’s charter with additional measures aimed at controlling pollution during the winter months. Under the updated schedule restrictions concerning diesel generator sets and inter city buses operating in Delhi have been moved from Stage II to Stage I, allowing these measures to be introduced at an earlier stage of worsening air quality. Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles under Stage II...

Srinagar: Asia’s oldest Chinar tree believed to be nearly 650 years old continues to stand tall and green in Chattergam area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district despite centuries of changing seasons. The heritage tree has lost some of its older and dried branches, but much of its remaining structure is still green. The government has initiated measures to protect and preserve the tree, including installing iron fencing around its critical root zone to prevent soil compaction and protect the roots. Residents of Chattergam have called for better maintenance of the site and urged authorities to develop it as a heritage tourism destination. Locally known as “Boueen”, the Chinar is a distinctive part of Kashmir’s landscape. The tree, believed to have been introduced to Kashmir from ...

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted its first declaration specifically addressing the growing threat of sea level rise, affirming that island countries do not automatically lose their statehood even if rising seas submerge parts of their territory. The four page declaration, adopted on September 24, 2026, also supports maintaining established maritime zones despite changes to coastlines caused by rising seas. The move is particularly significant for small island nations such as Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, which face increasing risks from coastal flooding and land loss. The declaration calls for stronger climate adaptation measures including early warning systems, coastal protection and greater financial and technical support for vulnerable developing countries. Ac...

Chinese scientists have created the first systematic “acoustic profile” of the spectacular Qiantang River tidal bore in Zhejiang Province, recording the powerful natural phenomenon in high-fidelity sound. Researchers collected more than 10 audio samples of typical one-line tidal bores during the 2025-26 high tide season at a monitoring station in Haining Jiaxing. The loudest bore recorded reached 78.04 decibels, roughly comparable to the noise level of a busy urban road. The study aims to improve understanding of the tidal bore’s dynamics while supporting tidal safety, ecological conservation, cultural tourism and public education. Scientists also identified a new visual formation at the Jianshan section where three streams of tidal water reportedly crossed to form a triangular pa...

  Alaska, September 29: Rivers and streams in Alaska’s remote Brooks Range are turning orange as thawing permafrost alters how water moves through the landscape and exposes mineral rich rocks to increased weathering, according to a new study published in AGU Advances. Scientists first drew attention to the unusual orange colour in 2018, when previously clear waterways began developing rust coloured sections. The colour is produced when iron released from rocks oxidises and forms orange deposits. Researchers say, however that the visible change is only one part of a larger shift in water chemistry. The study examined six watersheds between 2022 and 2024, collecting samples from rivers, tributaries and hillside seeps. Some of the acidic seeps had a median pH of 3.2, compared wi...

New Delhi, September 29: The Delhi government has said it has achieved its target of planting 70 lakh saplings under its ‘Mission Green Delhi campaign which was launched on July 7. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the campaign brought together government departments, local bodies, educational institutions, resident welfare associations, NGOs and citizens as part of efforts to expand the capital green cover and strengthen its ecosystem. Special plantation drives were conducted across the Central Ridge, DDA Ridge and South Ridge where 24,94,505 saplings were planted according to the Chief Minister’s Office. Public participation was also facilitated through a slot booking system. The initiative received 1,89,116 bookings, with 1,47,095 citizens taking part and planting 3,56,986 saplin...