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CHANDIGARH – The water level at the Bhakra Dam has risen by nearly three feet in just 24 hours, reaching 1676.72 feet, just 3.28 feet shy of its 1680-foot danger mark. This alarming rise, fueled by heavy rains in its catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, has prompted authorities to issue flood alerts for downstream districts along the Sutlej river, including Ropar, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is currently managing the dam's outflow, with 56,000 cusecs of water being released downstream through its turbines and spillway gates, while inflows stood at 1.07 lakh cusecs. An official from the BBMB, who requested anonymity, noted that while the dam can safely hold water 10 feet above the danger level, the rapid influx is a c...

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has partnered with World Resources Institute (WRI) India to survey and identify major waste burning hotspots in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This initiative aims to pinpoint the specific locations where municipal solid waste (MSW) is being burned, which is a significant contributor to the region's severe air pollution. The Invisible Problem According to CAQM scientist Vikas Singh, while the overall impact of MSW burning on PM2.5 emissions is known, the exact locations of these burning sites, aside from landfill dumps, remain a mystery. The survey aims to fill this data gap, which will enable authorities to develop a targeted mitigation plan. The long-term strategy involves improving door-to-door waste collection and imp...

A new study has found that climate change could cause venomous snakes to migrate and expand their habitats into northern and northeastern India, regions not traditionally known for these species. This shift could significantly increase the risk of snakebites, which are already a major public health issue in the country. The "Big Four" on the Move Researchers from Dibru-Saikhowa Conservation Society, Assam Agricultural University, and Pukyong National University in South Korea focused their study on the "Big Four" venomous snakes: common krait, Russell's viper, echis carinatus, and Indian cobra. These four species are responsible for the majority of human snakebite cases in India. The study projects that rising temperatures and humidity could make states like Haryana, Rajasthan, an...

BARCELONA – In a surprising discovery, researchers from the University of Barcelona have found that fibrous balls of dried seagrass, known as "Neptune balls," are naturally trapping and removing large amounts of plastic waste from the Mediterranean Sea. These bundles, formed by the seagrass species Posidonia oceanica, are acting as an unexpected ally in the fight against ocean pollution. Nature's Accidental Filters The study, published in Scientific Reports, found that these Neptune balls can contain up to 1,500 plastic fragments per kilogram. The balls are formed when the seagrass sheds its leaves, and ocean currents roll the fibers into dense spheres. This rolling process captures and physically locks in tiny plastic fragments, microplastics, and other debris that would otherwise r...

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...