Wednesday, March 12News That Matters

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Green signal given to PRITHvi VIgyan scheme to fight Natural Disasters

Green signal given to PRITHvi VIgyan scheme to fight Natural Disasters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments
The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” of Ministry of Earth Sciences, for implementation during the period from 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crore. The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes namely “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)”, “Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)”, “Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)”, “Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)” and “Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)”. The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are: Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid e...
Groundbreaking Effort: IIT Delhi Researchers Develop India’s First High Resolution Landslide Risk Map

Groundbreaking Effort: IIT Delhi Researchers Develop India’s First High Resolution Landslide Risk Map

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
In a pioneering effort, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have successfully developed the first-of-its-kind national landslide risk map. The lack of a comprehensive map has been a significant challenge, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. The map, which is set to be published in the February 2024 issue of the journal Catena, aims to revolutionize disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies across the country. Unique Challenge: Landslides in India Landslides pose a unique and deadly challenge in India, affecting localized areas and making them harder to track and study with traditional methods such as satellite imaging. Unlike floods, landslides occur in approximately 1-2% of the country, making data collection more challenging due to thei...
Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 hits Lunglei in Mizoram no casualties reported

Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 hits Lunglei in Mizoram no casualties reported

Breaking News, Disasters
A 3.5 magnitude earthquake has struck Lunglei, Mizoram. There have been no reported casualties. Mizoram experienced an earthquake on January 5 with a magnitude of 3.5 on the Richter Scale at 7:18 am in Lunglei, according to the National Center for Seismology. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake's epicenter was pinpointed at latitude 22.86 and longitude 92.63, with the National Center for Seismology closely monitoring the situation. One day before, on January 4, 2024, another earthquake occurred in J&K, with a magnitude of 3.9, shaken Jammu & Kashmir at 00:38:15 IST. This earlier quake had a shallower depth of 5 kilometers, with its epicenter located at latitude 33.34 and longitude 76.67.
Satellite Technology Emerges as a Lifesaver for Utilities and Disasters Impacts Assessments

Satellite Technology Emerges as a Lifesaver for Utilities and Disasters Impacts Assessments

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Space, Thoughts & Talks
Amidst these challenges, satellite technology has emerged as a beacon of hope for utilities. Leveraging high-resolution, multispectral imaging techniques, satellites contribute significantly to disaster management, offering real-time data, continuous monitoring, and risk assessment. The advantages of satellite technology for utilities in disaster management are manifold. Accuracy and Availability of Near Real-Time Data: In times of storms and disasters, rapid response is crucial for saving lives and minimizing risks. Satellites provide accurate, continuous, and near real-time data, transcending geographical, weather, and terrain limitations. With thousands of earth observation satellites capturing data through optical, LiDAR, radar, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, utilitie...
Germany Achieves Lowest CO2 Emissions Since 1950s to sustaining decline requires the major Policy Shifts

Germany Achieves Lowest CO2 Emissions Since 1950s to sustaining decline requires the major Policy Shifts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations
Germany witnessed a significant drop in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2023, reaching levels not seen since the 1950s, attributed to reduced coal-fired power usage and decreased output by energy-intensive industries. However, a recent study by the Berlin-based Agora Energiewende think tank highlights that this decline is unsustainable without crucial changes in climate policies. Germany has set ambitious climate goals, aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 compared to 1990, with a broader target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. According to the study, CO2 emissions in Germany for the year 2023 reached 673 million tonnes, the lowest since the 1950s, representing a 46% decrease from 1990 levels. This surpassed the government's 2023 climate goal of 722 m...
Japan Earthquake Updates: Death Toll rises to 62 as Rescuers Race Against Time

Japan Earthquake Updates: Death Toll rises to 62 as Rescuers Race Against Time

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
The Japan Earthquake death toll rising day by day from a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan, including a magnitude 7.5 quake, it has risen to 62, according to NHK World, citing officials from the hard-hit Ishikawa prefecture. Most fatalities have been confirmed in Wajima and Suzu on the Noto Peninsula. Over 20 people are reported to be seriously injured, with rescuers facing the challenge of confirming the number of people still missing. Many individuals are feared trapped under collapsed houses. The earthquakes struck the Noto Peninsula in the central Ishikawa prefecture on Monday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering tsunami warnings as far away as eastern Russia. According to the country's meteorological office, a total of 155 earthquakes were reported on that day ...
Solutions for Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene:  A strategic blueprint for environmental resilience and empowerment

Solutions for Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene: A strategic blueprint for environmental resilience and empowerment

Breaking News, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
Circular economy is an economic model designed to minimize waste and make the most of resources by promoting sustainability and longevity in product life cycles. In a traditional linear economy, goods are produced, used, and then discarded as waste. In contrast, a circular economy aims to close the loop, emphasizing the continual use, refurbishment, and recycling of products to extend their lifespan and reduce environmental impact. This approach encourages the design of products with recyclability in mind, efficient waste management, and the development of sustainable business practices. By shifting from the linear "take, make, dispose" model to a circular one, the goal is to create a more resilient and regenerative system that fosters environmental stewardship and economic prosperity. ...
Two earthquakes of 4.4 and 4.8 magnitude in Afghanistan, fear of small explosions on this American island

Two earthquakes of 4.4 and 4.8 magnitude in Afghanistan, fear of small explosions on this American island

Breaking News, Disasters
These days, the incidence of earthquakes is increasing all over the world, as it was said in the World Risk Index Report 2022 that the frequency of disasters is going to increase, now it is becoming visible, the result of this is that by 2024, there will be earthquakes all over the world. Earthquakes are coming, first Japan and now Afghanistan and America. Late night on January 2, one earthquake after another shook Afghanistan. According to the Geology Agency, there was a gap of about 24 minutes between the two earthquakes. The National Seismology Center said that the first earthquake occurred at 12.28 am, whose intensity was measured at 4.4 on the Richter scale. The 4.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in an area 126 km east of Faizabad district, with a depth of 80 km. At the same time, t...
Climate Mitigation through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Climate Mitigation through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Climate change has profound and far-reaching effects on the environment, impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural processes. One of the most pronounced consequences is the rise in global temperatures, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. This warming contributes to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, causing rising sea levels and threatening coastal ecosystems and low-lying communities. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns also disrupt ecosystems and alter the distribution of plant and animal species, often leading to shifts in migration patterns and the emergence of new ecological challenges. Moreover, climate change intensifies extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events have devastating effects on both...
Japan Earthquake Tsunami Updates: All Warnings for Tsunami has been Lifted

Japan Earthquake Tsunami Updates: All Warnings for Tsunami has been Lifted

Breaking News, Disasters
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Live updates: Japan meteorological official said that the small changes to tidal levels are still possible. So, the country lifted all tsunami warnings and advisories put in place after a major quake on New Year's Day. A day after Japan was struck by a powerful earthquake of 7.6 magnitude, in the middle of the afternoon on Monday. The country lifted all tsunami warnings and advisories put in place after a major quake on New Year's Day, a meteorological agency official told. The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck in the middle of the afternoon on Monday, prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground as tsunami waves about 1 metre (3.3 ft) hit Japan's western seaboard. Japan meteorological official said that the small c...