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CHENNAI — The Water Resources Department (WRD) has initiated a new plan for flood mitigation and water storage improvement in Chennai with crucial financial and technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This collaboration aims to address the city's dual challenges of perennial flooding and increasing water scarcity. The plan focuses on restoring 28 major tanks within the city, including prominent ones like Porur, Ambattur, Kolathur, and Korattur. According to WRD Superintending Engineer M. Mahesh Nagarajan, the storage capacity of these tanks has drastically diminished due to silt deposits and the inflow of sewage. The project will involve extensive desilting and an inter-departmental effort with the Corporation and Metro Water to prevent future sewage co...

A new study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group reveals that climate change significantly intensified this summer’s massive wildfires in Turkiye, Greece, and Cyprus. The fires, which killed 20 people and burned over 1 million hectares, were found to be 22% more intense due to human-caused climate change, making 2025 Europe’s worst-ever recorded year for wildfires. Drier Conditions and Stronger Winds Fuel the Blazes The research highlights a clear link between climate change and the meteorological conditions that drove the fires. The study found that winter rainfall ahead of the fire season had dropped by about 14% since the pre-industrial era. In addition, climate change has made weeklong periods of dry, hot air 13 times more likely, priming vegetation to burn. The analys...

NEW DELHI – The Yamuna River has once again breached its danger mark in Delhi, rising above the 205.33-meter level at the Old Railway Bridge. This is the second time this monsoon season the river has crossed the danger threshold, primarily due to continuous rainfall in the capital and a high volume of water released from the Hathnikund Barrage. At its highest point, the water level was recorded at 205.39 meters. Delhi on Flood Watch as Water Levels Rise The city's flood control department is closely monitoring the situation, and an official stated that the increased water flow from upstream barrages is the main cause of the rising levels. The evacuation mark for low-lying areas begins at 206 meters, and authorities have already established flood relief camps in areas like Mayur Viha...

CHIPATA, ZAMBIA – Zambia is putting its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the forefront of its green energy transition. The country has launched a new capacity-building program in Chipata aimed at equipping small businesses and institutions with the skills and tools they need to champion renewable energy and contribute to the nation's clean growth agenda. The initiative, part of the United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals (JSDG) Fund Project, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the International Labour Organization (ILO), along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The program focuses on enhancing MSME productivity, encouraging innovation in the green economy, a...

NEW DELHI – A new study from IIT Indore, along with collaborators from the U.S. and Nepal, has found that the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS), a primary source of the Ganga River, has lost 10% of its snowmelt flow over the past four decades due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. The research, which analyzed data from 1980-2020, reveals a critical shift in the glacier's composition. Snowmelt Declines, Rainfall Increases Published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, the study shows that while snowmelt remains the dominant source of water, its relative contribution has decreased from 73% in the 1980s to 63% in 2020. Conversely, the proportion of water from rainfall and base flow is increasing, a trend that scientists directly link to a 0.5°C rise in the a...

BRAZIL — The stage is set for a major confrontation over climate finance at the upcoming 30th Conference of Parties (COP30), to be held in Belém, Brazil. Developing countries, led by India, are poised to demand that wealthy nations honor their financial obligations under the Paris Agreement, a contentious issue that dominated and ultimately stalled negotiations at last year's COP29 summit in Baku. The previous summit, dubbed the "finance COP," ended in disappointment for many. The agreed-upon target to mobilize a minimum of $300 billion annually by 2035 fell far short of the $1.3 trillion developing nations had requested. Even more concerning, the final text from COP29 diluted the legal obligations of developed countries to provide public finance as stipulated by Article 9.1 of the Pari...

Shimla: In a landmark move for environmental sustainability, the Himachal Pradesh government has launched India's first state-supported biochar programme. The initiative, a collaboration between the state's horticulture university, the Forest Department, and ProClime Services Private Limited, will see the establishment of a biochar plant in Hamirpur within the next six months. Eco-Friendly Innovation for a Greener Future The program is a multi-pronged approach to environmental management and economic development. At its core, it focuses on the sustainable utilization of biomass waste, converting it into a valuable product called biochar. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment, a process known as pyrolysis. When added to soil, it he...

BEIJING – As the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) celebrates its 75th anniversary, China has inaugurated the CMA International Cooperation and Training Centre (CMAICTC) in Beijing. This new center is a significant step toward advancing global collaboration in weather, climate, and disaster services, particularly for developing nations. The CMAICTC is a rehosted and expanded version of the former WMO Regional Training Centre. Empowering a Resilient Global Community The CMAICTC, launched on April 28, 2025, aims to strengthen meteorological capabilities, especially in developing countries. By combining international partnerships, technological innovation, and South-South collaboration, the center provides a platform for knowledge-sharing and skill-building. In its first few month...

IMPHAL, MANIPUR – In a significant boost to wildlife conservation efforts, the Manipur Zoological Garden, in collaboration with the India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP), has successfully hatched 28 Asian giant tortoise hatchlings through artificial incubation. This marks the first successful experiment of its kind for this critically endangered species in mainland Asia. This achievement has initiated a dedicated conservation breeding program to increase the species' population and eventually reintroduce them into the wild. The Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei) is the largest tortoise in mainland Asia and is native to five northeastern states of India: Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. A Coordinated Effort for a Rare Reptile The successful incubation ...

Jammu, India – The city of Jammu has been hit by a catastrophic flood situation after a record-breaking 380mm of rainfall in a single day, the highest since the MeT center began recording data in 1974. This unprecedented downpour, nearly a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours (Jammu's average for August is 403.1mm), has triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread devastation across the Jammu and Kashmir region. Tragedy at Vaishno Devi and Doda The incessant rain has led to a series of tragedies, with the death toll rising in multiple incidents. A massive landslide on Tuesday near the Vaishno Devi shrine claimed at least 32 lives, with more than 20 people injured. Authorities had already suspended the pilgrimage on one of the routes due to the dangerous weather conditions...