disasters in india Archives

May72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why India Is Reviving Civil-Defence Drills: Strategic Readiness in a Tense Era

According to Dhillon P., working on disaster risk reduction, and experience in military and government sectors Featured in LinkedIn Article that In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, which killed 26 tourists, India has swiftly pivoted to a civil-preparedness footing. Blaming Pakistan for the incident and facing retaliatory missile tests from Islamabad the Union Home Ministry has ordered simultaneous civil-defence drills in 244 districts categorized as “A & B” on 7 May 2025. This marks India’s largest civil-defence exercise since 1971, signalling that civilian readiness is now seen as central to national security. What Will Happen on 7 May? The drill will include a series of coordinated emergency actions, designed to simulate real attack scenarios and te...

Mar12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Shockingly Avalanche Strikes Near Badrinath chamoli 55 Workers Still Trapped

Breaking News, Disasters

A massive avalanche hit Badrinath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday morning, trapping 57 workers engaged in snow-clearing operations to facilitate army movement. So far, 32 workers have been rescued, while 25 remain stranded near a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp in Mana village. Rescue Operations Underway The avalanche struck between Mana and Mana Pass, burying a BRO camp where the workers, employed by a private contractor, were stationed for road construction. Despite continuous snowfall and rain, rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and BRO are working tirelessly to locate and extract the stranded workers. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured that...

Mar12025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rescue Operations Underway After Avalanche Traps 57 Near Badrinath

Breaking News, Disasters

A massive avalanche struck near Mana village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Friday, trapping 57 workers at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site. So far, 33 people have been rescued and shifted to an ITBP camp in Mana for treatment, while rescue teams continue efforts to save the remaining workers. Mana, located 55 km from the India-China border, is a well-known tourist destination once referred to as "the last village of India" but now recognized as "the first Indian village" before the border. Every year, residents migrate to lower altitudes between November and April to escape extreme winter temperatures, which often plunge below -17°C. At the time of the avalanche, the village was deserted, with its residents staying in Gopeshwar, the district headquarters, about 1...

Jan162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclone Floods Drive India’s Catastrophe Losses to $12 Billion in 2023

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

In 2023, natural disasters caused unprecedented economic losses of $12 billion (₹1 lakh crore) in India, according to a Swiss Re report. The year saw devastating floods and tropical cyclones (TCs) Biparjoy and Michaung, far surpassing the decade’s annual average of $8 billion in losses. Cyclone Biparjoy, a Category 3 storm, made landfall in Gujarat’s Kutch region on June 16, 2023, causing widespread destruction. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges shut down major ports, including Kandla and Mundra, while neighboring Maharashtra and Rajasthan also suffered damages. Chennai Battered by Cyclone Michaung Cyclone Michaung struck Chennai on December 5, 2023, bringing torrential rains that inflicted heavy economic losses on Tamil Nadu. Between July 10-15, 2023, northern Ind...

Aug252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Advancing Climate Predictions: Researchers Enhance Models to Understand Global Warming

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Researchers worldwide are refining climate models to improve predictions of climate change impacts. These models simulate potential climate scenarios by incorporating data on Earth's chemical, physical, and biological processes. A significant international collaboration, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), allows scientists to compare and merge various models under standardized frameworks, thereby enhancing climate predictions. The latest phase, CMIP6, includes the Detection and Attribution Model Intercomparison Project (DAMIP), which focuses on identifying the specific contributions of factors like greenhouse gases, aerosols, and volcanic activity to climate change. In a recent study, Jones et al. detailed the contributions of the UK's Met Office Hadley Centre, specifi...

Aug52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

High Level Committee Approves Major Disaster Mitigation and Capacity Building Projects Across India

Breaking News, Disasters

In a significant move towards strengthening disaster resilience across the country, a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has approved numerous disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects for various states. The meeting, held in New Delhi today, also included Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog as members. The HLC reviewed and approved nine proposals for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). These projects aim to combat urban flooding in six cities, mitigate Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in four hill states, and enhance fire services in three states. Additionally, the committee endorsed the implementation of t...

Jul92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Afghan Communities Strengthen Resilience Against Climate Change Induced Disasters

Breaking News, Environment

Afghan people continue to face increasingly severe impacts from climate change-induced disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts. Afghanistan ranks as the world's seventh most vulnerable country to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Flash floods, in particular, have wreaked havoc, causing loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to infrastructure in Jalalabad, Nangarhar. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable and durable solutions, UNDP, with funding from the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA)'s joint regional program, has implemented several projects aimed at increasing the resilience of local communities, particularly those with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees. These i...

May162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Expected to Arrive in Kerala on May 31, Predicts IMD

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted the onset of the southwest monsoon in mainland India for May 31, a day ahead of the usual schedule. This announcement holds significant implications for the country's agricultural sector, food inflation, and rural economy. The forecast suggests that this year's monsoon is likely to be "above normal" at 106% of the long-period average (LPA). The monsoon's arrival is crucial for sustaining nearly 70% of the country's rainfall between June and September. IMD's operational forecasts have been historically accurate, with last year being an exception. Experts attribute this year's forecast to the possibility of the La Nina phenomenon, which typically leads to above-average monsoon rains in India. With 51% of India's farmed area and 4...

Jan232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Xinjiang in China, Triggers Tremors in Delhi-NCR

Breaking News, Disasters

January 23, 2024 Location: Southern Xinjiang, China: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck China's Southern Xinjiang region on Monday night, sending strong tremors across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The earthquake occurred at 23:39 IST, with its epicenter located at a latitude of 40.96 and longitude 78.30, at a depth of 80 kilometers, as reported by the National Center for Seismology. In the aftermath of the seismic activity, numerous injuries were reported, and some houses collapsed along the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border. The Xinjiang railway department promptly suspended operations, affecting 27 trains following the quake. Chinese authorities activated emergency response services to coordinate relief efforts. As many as 14 aftershocks, measuring...

Jan212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

How Climate Change is shaping the geographies: A Looming Challenge for India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks

India, a land of vibrant diversity and ancient wisdom, stands today at a crossroads. While it races towards economic progress and global prominence, it also grapples with a formidable foe – climate change. This essay delves into the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change to India, exploring its impact on various sectors and the urgent need for action. The Scorching Grip of Changes in various dimensions: India's climate, characterized by monsoons and diverse ecosystems, is already witnessing a worrying shift. Rising temperatures, with some regions recording spikes of 5°C above normal, are disrupting weather patterns. Erratic rainfall, with intense bursts followed by prolonged dry spells, threatens agricultural productivity and water security. The melting glaciers of the Himalayas...