Environment Archives - Page 7 of 48

May292025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Flash Floods Shock Drought-Prone Latur Amid Monsoon Onset, IMD Forecasts Under Scrutiny

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The drought-hit city of Latur in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region has been left reeling after a sudden bout of extreme rainfall led to flash floods on May 27, 2025. Independent reports, including from All India Radio and the Press Trust of India, point to cloudburst-like conditions that caught residents and authorities off guard. This severe weather event comes despite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) not issuing specific warnings for heavy rain in Latur or surrounding Marathwada districts in its regular regional bulletins. While the IMD’s Mumbai centre had predicted thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds for May 27, it did not flag extreme rainfall for Latur. The only relevant mention was a general note in the national press release that said “isolated heavy rainfall likely...

May292025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global temperatures likely to stay near record highs till 2029: WMO warns of 1.5°C breach risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Arctic warming at over three times the global rate; chances of surpassing Paris Agreement threshold reach 86% Global temperatures are expected to hover near record highs over the next five years, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) latest Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, released May 28, 2025. The findings raise serious alarms about the planet approaching irreversible climate thresholds, particularly with the Arctic heating up at more than three times the global average. Near-term warming trends Between 2025 and 2029, the global average near-surface temperature is projected to range between 1.2°C and 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900 baseline). Critically, the WMO report notes an 86% probability that at least one year in this period will b...

May292025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dust Storm Blankets Sydney, Triggered by Drought in South Australia

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A thick layer of dust unexpectedly settled over Sydney on Tuesday morning, following a week of heavy rainfall. The sudden haze was the result of a powerful dust storm that began in South Australia's Mid-North region on Monday, highlighting how climate and land conditions in one part of the country can impact regions hundreds of kilometers away. The dust storm formed east of Spencer Gulf around 11am and traveled across western Victoria into New South Wales, reaching Sydney approximately 18 hours later. The event was sparked by a strong cold front passing through drought-stricken areas of South Australia, where dry, exposed soils provided ideal conditions for dust to be picked up and carried long distances. While dust storms are more typical in late spring or early summer, this autumn ...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mangrove Forests Over 500 Metres Wide Proven to Cut Wave Energy by 75%, Prompting Policy Rethink

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

A global study based on more than 216,000 simulations has found that mangrove forests wider than 500 metres offer far more effective coastal protection than previously assumed. The research, led by the Deltares institute, shows that these broad mangrove belts reduce incoming wave heights by at least 70% regardless of wave intensity, water levels, or local conditions. Using the SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) model, researchers analyzed 15,773 coastal locations worldwide with mangrove cover. From this dataset, 1,000 representative situations were selected to simulate wave reduction performance under a variety of environmental conditions. The results produced tens of millions of data points and highlighted a clear trend: wider mangroves are consistently more effective at weakening wave ...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Trees in Niger’s Schoolyards Offer Shade, Food, and Climate Education

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

In the scorching cities of Niamey and Maradi, Niger's two largest urban centers, schoolyards are becoming unexpected green sanctuaries. A recent study of 60 schools has revealed that trees in school compounds are not only cooling overheated classrooms but also serving as tools for education, sources of nutrition, and symbols of resilience in the face of climate change. With rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves across the Sahel region, where temperatures often exceed 45°C, the importance of urban forestry is gaining new recognition. Trees in schoolyards play a critical role in reducing heat stress, creating shaded outdoor learning environments, and improving air quality. In overcrowded or under-resourced schools, these shaded spaces often double as open-air classrooms, offering a c...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Bliss: Early Rains Boost India’s Agricultural Prospects Amid Heavy Downpours

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Kerala experienced an unusually early arrival of the southwest monsoon on May 24, eight days ahead of the usual schedule, marking the earliest onset in 16 years. This early arrival offers a promising start to the agricultural season and relief from recent heatwaves that have affected much of the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the monsoon has already begun advancing into Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast. This early onset allows farmers to start sowing summer crops sooner, with increased soil moisture supporting better crop growth and potentially higher yields. However along with the early arrival, heavy monsoon rains are expected across several regions, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. While these rains are crucial for ag...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Marches On: Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms, and Heatwave Alerts Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The southwest monsoon continues its steady advance across India, reaching more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, and the entire northeastern region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed in its latest update. As monsoon winds sweep in, several regions are bracing for intense rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Here’s a region-wise summary of what to expect in the coming days: West and Central India: Extremely heavy rain is forecast over the Konkan coast, including Mumbai, and ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on May 26 and 27. Gujarat will see thundersqualls with wind speeds of 50–60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph. Marathwada and parts of Gujarat are likely to receive isolated heavy rain between May 26 and 29. Isolated heavy showers...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Andhra Pradesh Welcomes Early Monsoon After Six-Year Wait

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a rare and promising turn for agriculture, the southwest monsoon has swept into Andhra Pradesh nine days ahead of schedule, marking the earliest onset in the past six years. The seasonal rains, typically expected around June 4, reached Kavali this week and are set to cover the entire state within the next three days, offering a much-needed boost for the upcoming kharif cropping season. Meteorological officials confirmed that weather conditions remain favorable for the swift progression of the monsoon across both coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema region, where the monsoon traditionally makes its initial landfall in the state. The early arrival of the rains is an auspicious sign for our farmers and the rural economy. It raises hopes for a strong agricultural yield and stable ground...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Anti-Environmentalism Is Surging — But Built on Contradictions It Can’t Escape

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Though gaining political clout in the West, the movement’s internal paradoxes and global shifts are weakening its foundation. Across much of the Western world a wave of anti-environmentalism is rising challenging climate targets, attacking conservation measures, and reshaping politics in the US, UK, and Europe. Yet, behind the slogans and campaign rhetoric lies a movement riddled with contradictions. At its core anti-environmentalism is a rejection of environmental policies and climate activism. But its messages are often inconsistent, even self-defeating. In one breath, leaders denounce climate science and defund environmental protections. In the next, they proclaim themselves lovers of “clean air” and “beautiful nature.” Take Donald Trump. During his presidency, he rolled back k...

May262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Early Monsoon Hits Kerala, Triggers Torrential Rains and Heatwaves Across India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The Southwest Monsoon arrived early over Kerala on May 24, unsettling India’s seasonal weather balance with simultaneous floods and heatwaves across various regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that this early onset nearly a week ahead of the typical June 1 schedule will usher in prolonged rainfall along the western coast while much of northern India remains trapped in oppressive heat. Torrential Rain Forecast Along the Western Coast With the monsoon now active, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to drench Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra, and Goa over the coming week. The IMD has warned of extremely heavy downpours in isolated areas, especially during the weekends. This surge in rainfall is attributed to a depression currently brewing over the Eas...