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KOLKATA — Kolkata is struggling to drain floodwaters after a record downpour, with city officials citing high river levels as a major obstacle to relief efforts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has dismissed claims of a cloudburst, attributing the unprecedented rainfall to a "cloud shift." Drainage Overwhelmed by Torrential Rains Mayor Firhad Hakim stated that despite extensive efforts, water was being drained out slowly. Tarak Singh, who heads the drainage department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), explained that the high volume of water in the river during low tide prevented effective drainage. "Hardly any water could be drained out in the morning, although we used around 900 pumps," Singh said. As a result, only about six inches of accumulated water recede...

NEW DELHI — A new study by Indian researchers has revealed that the Ganga basin is enduring its most severe drying phase in at least 1,300 years. The research, conducted by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, and the University of Arizona, reconstructed the river's historical streamflow from the years 700 to 2012 CE. The findings indicate that the current drying trend is 76% more severe than a major drought in the 16th century, which was previously the next worst period on record. The study identified 15 drought years between 1991 and 2020, with the period from 2004 to 2010 being the most severe drought of the past 1,300 years. The researchers note that this extreme drying trend cannot be explained by natural climate variability alone. This finding challe...

A new study has revealed that ocean warming poses a significant threat to Prochlorococcus a tiny marine microbe responsible for producing nearly a third of the Earth's oxygen. Contrary to previous assumptions that this heat-loving organism would thrive in warming oceans, the research shows that rising temperatures are causing its growth to slow, with potentially dire consequences for the planet's food webs and atmosphere. A Critical Microbe Under Threat Prochlorococcus is a microscopic cyanobacterium and is considered the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth. It inhabits over 75% of the sunlit surface waters, particularly in the tropics, where it forms the foundational base of many marine food webs. However research led by oceanographer François Ribalet of the University...

DENVER — A new study from a collaboration of researchers in Colorado, Utah, and California is shedding light on a hidden danger of Western wildfires: the creation of harmful ozone, even far from the flames. The research, published in the journal Atmospheric Environment, reveals that smoke from large blazes not only directly impacts air quality but also triggers a chemical reaction that can harm human health and contribute to climate change. As wildfires become more frequent and larger in scale across the West, a team of researchers is delving into how the smoke from these fires affects the air and our well-being. The study's findings demonstrate that significant wildfires, like those that have ravaged parts of Colorado, Oregon, and California in recent years, release large amounts of oz...

DENVER, CO — A new long-term study has revealed a concerning collapse in insect populations in a remote Colorado meadow, linking the decline directly to rising summer temperatures. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that flying insect abundance plummeted by over 72% in just two decades, signaling that even environments far removed from direct human activity are not immune to the impacts of climate change. Two-Decade Decline in a Remote Meadow The research, led by Associate Professor Keith Sockman, monitored insect populations in a high-altitude meadow shielded from urban expansion, pollution, and farming. With 38 years of weather data, the site provided a rare opportunity to study long-term trends in a minimally disturbed ecosystem. The analysis...

NEW DELHI — A silent and growing mental health crisis, driven by the escalating effects of climate change, is threatening communities worldwide. Experts are highlighting a range of psychological impacts, from direct trauma and eco-anxiety to increased aggression and inequality, all of which demand urgent policy action. Disasters and Disproportionate Impacts Climate-induced disasters are a primary source of this psychological toll. The recent Sikkim Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, which displaced over 7,000 people, is a stark example. Survivors have reported symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and panic attacks. However, a major issue is that disaster management plans often lack crucial provisions for counseling and psychiatric support. A survey following the 2...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A decade after the landmark Paris Agreement, governments worldwide are collectively planning to produce more than twice the volume of fossil fuels needed to keep global warming within safe limits, according to a new report released on September 22, 2025. The flagship Production Gap duction Gap The assessment, backed by the UN and authored by leading research institutes, finds that planned fossil fuel production in 2030 will exceed the level consistent with a 1.5°C warming limit by more than 120%. It also surpasses the 2°C benchmark by 77%. The report notes this gap has widened since the last analysis in 2023. • Coal remains the most misaligned fossil fuel. Global coal output in 2030 is projected to be 500% higher than the median 1.5°C-aligned pathway. • Gas prod...

COIMBATORE, INDIA — Medical waste, including a large heap of used medicine bottles, has been found dumped in the Kannampalayam grasslands, a unique habitat near Coimbatore that supports a variety of rare and lesser-known species. The discovery was made by two local nature enthusiasts who were birding in the area on Sunday, September 21, 2025. A Repeated Threat to a Sensitive Habitat According to nature enthusiast V. Chithran, the waste appeared to have been dumped recently. He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further dumping in these vital grassland areas. The Kannampalayam grasslands are a popular spot for birders and photographers, as they are home to birds like the Indian courser, larks, sandgrouse, and francolin. The ecosystem also supports species such as the ...

A new study by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) has found that Earth's "atmospheric rivers" narrow bands of moisture in the air are no longer traveling along their historical paths. The report, published in the journal Science Advances, shows these sky rivers are unexpectedly shifting toward both the North and South poles, causing major disruptions to local weather and water supplies. An Unexpected Shift in Global Weather Patterns Zhe Li, who recently completed his doctorate in atmospheric circulation at USCB, worked with advisor Qinghua Ding to track the movement of these atmospheric rivers over the past 40 years. Using data from satellites, weather balloons, and ground stations, their analysis revealed a notable shift of several degrees of latitude t...