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Gujarat is reeling under a severe flood crisis as heavy rains lashed several coastal districts, forcing mass evacuations and disrupting daily life. Mendarda taluka in Junagadh was the worst hit, recording a staggering 331 mm of rain within just 12 hours, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Other regions, including Keshod taluka, Porbandar, Navsari, and Valsad, also witnessed intense downpours, raising the flood threat further. Forecast Warns of More Rain The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more showers in the coming days, sparking fears of worsening conditions. Rivers and reservoirs have already overflowed, inundating villages and cutting off road access in several parts. Rescue and Relief Measures Emergency services have swung into action with multiple tea...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Wednesday visited flood-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where relentless monsoon rains since mid-August have claimed at least 380 lives. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, the nationwide death toll has reached 750 since the last week of June. In just the past 24 hours, 43 more deaths were reported, underscoring the scale of the disaster and the urgency of relief measures. Relief Efforts Underway Districts such as Swat, Buner, and Shangla remain among the hardest hit, with communities facing washed-out roads, damaged infrastructure, and widespread displacement. The Prime Minister, accompanied by federal ministers, assured residents of immediate assistance, saying that no fam...

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced the creation of a joint committee involving senior officials from the Central Water Commission and the governments of Haryana and Delhi to take forward the long-standing goal of cleaning and rejuvenating the Yamuna river. The move draws inspiration from the successful restoration model of the Ganga. Joint Action for Cleaner Yamuna The committee will not only focus on removing waste but also address wider issues impacting the Yamuna’s health. The decision came during a meeting on inter-state water rejuvenation chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. Saini highlighted the progress made under Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s leadership, noting fast-paced improvements in sewage treatment and ongoing garbage clearance. ...

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove delta and home to 4.5 million people, faces a grave threat as rising seas and frequent cyclones erode its land, culture, and future. Researchers warn that without urgent action, vast parts of this fragile ecosystem could disappear, forcing millions into climate-driven displacement. Women Left Behind in a Shrinking World As men migrate to cities in search of work, women remain at the frontlines of survival. For many, including 32-year-old Amina, collecting prawn seeds in saline water is the only livelihood left. The work exposes them to skin diseases and reproductive health issues. A study by SaciWATERs found that nearly 77 per cent of women in the region suffer from water-related health problems, yet stigma keeps many silent. The crisis...

Conservationists in Indonesia may be on the verge of a breakthrough after trained dogs discovered signs of Sumatran rhinos in Way Kambas National Park a place where the species was long thought extinct. The findings if confirmed could reshape conservation efforts for one of the world rarest animals. Hope Rekindled After Years of Silence For years, experts believed no rhinos remained in Way Kambas, despite extensive searches using drones, camera traps, and ranger patrols. But recently, two dogs named Yagi and Quinn from the NGO Working Dogs for Conservation detected several samples of what is believed to be rhino dung. One initial test has linked the scat to the critically endangered Sumatran rhino, with two more tests pending before the Indonesian government can officially confirm th...

A new study suggests that solar trees vertical, tree-like structures with panels branching upward could deliver the same amount of power as conventional solar farms without destroying forests. Researchers say this design could protect biodiversity while meeting renewable energy goals. Why Trees Beat Flat Panels Conventional solar farms demand cleared land, often leading to deforestation. In South Korea, forest loss linked to solar projects surged from 529 hectares in 2016 to 2,443 hectares in 2018. Researcher Dan-Bi Um of the Korea Maritime Institute found that solar trees could change that. Unlike flat-panel farms that strip entire landscapes, solar trees are installed vertically, letting sunlight filter through to plants below. In simulations using satellite imagery, the team sh...

A growing number of lakes, ponds and urban water tanks in India are turning red, raising alarm among scientists and residents alike. These striking red algal blooms, caused by euglenophytes, are not just unusual sights but indicators of ecological stress. Experts warn that they thrive in polluted, nutrient-rich waters and can severely harm aquatic ecosystems and communities dependent on them. Why Waters Are Turning Red Unlike the more familiar green algal mats, these blooms get their crimson colour from a pigment called astaxanthin, produced by certain euglenoids. Organisms like Euglena, Phacus and Trachelomonas flourish in oxygen-poor, stagnant waters enriched by sewage discharge, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents. Their adaptability being able to photosynthesise like pla...

  Hyderabad fast-paced urbanisation is leaving a mark on its natural environment and the city birds are among the clearest indicators of this change. A handful of species Red-vented Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Spotted Dove, Purple Sunbird and Rock Pigeon are thriving amid concrete neighbourhoods, but overall bird diversity has fallen sharply in the city’s core areas. Hyderabad Bird Atlas survey tracks urban biodiversity These insights come from the ongoing Hyderabad Bird Atlas 2025, jointly developed by Hyderabad Birding Pals, Deccan Birders and WWF-India. Findings from the second phase of the survey were presented on Sunday. So far, 218 species have been recorded across the city using 1,440 eBird checklists submitted by more than 400 volunteers. The surveys, conducted in Februar...

  On a chilly morning in Kulgam South Kashmir, Mohammad Aamir Khan stood beside a heap of rotting garbage. Plastic, food scraps and polythene bags piled up in the open a sight all too common in the region. For Aamir, it was more than just an eyesore; it became the spark that pushed him to tackle waste head-on. At just 30, this Kashmiri engineer has built a decentralised waste management model that now serves over 4,000 households across Kulgam and Anantnag districts. His venture has not only cut down on waste but also generated employment, created eco-friendly products, and earned revenue of Rs 80 lakh in the past year. From UPSC Aspirant to Sustainability Champion Aamir, who hails from Agroo Devsar in Kulgam, graduated in engineering from Bangalore in 2017 and prepared fo...

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has set a bold target to reduce its toxicology backlog by half before the close of the 2025/26 financial year. The move aims to address long delays that have undermined forensic investigations and justice delivery across the country. The backlog currently stands at more than 40,000 cases, some dating back over 17 years. Many of these were inherited when the NHLS absorbed the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs). The delay has had a direct impact on court cases, forensic pathology work, and closure for affected families. Strategy to Clear Delays The NHLS has adopted a multi-pronged plan focusing on infrastructure upgrades, new technology, expanded staffing, and reorganised workflows. State-of-the-art analytical machines have been p...