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Time of India
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Haryana's July monsoon rain ends in excess, but south-north gap remains
Gurgaon: Haryana recorded 173.8mm of average rainfall this July, 15% above the long-term average, but an erratic monsoon pattern divided the state into flooded southern districts and parched northern districts. Three south Haryana districts recorded the largest excesses. Mahendergarh, at a staggering 401mm, received over two times the area's normal rainfall. Nuh logged 329.2mm, a surplus of 117%, while Charkhi Dadri recorded 313.7mm, 124% above average, according to the India Meteorological Department 's regional centre in Chandigarh. Rewari, Palwal and Jhajjar also reported healthy surpluses ranging from 68% to 95%. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Gurgaon ended July with 228.9mm, 31% above its normal of 175.4mm, and Rohtak (274.8mm) and Hisar (141.9mm) reported strong surpluses. Faridabad narrowly missed the mark with 181.2mm, falling 4% short of average. But data for northern districts was starkly different. Panchkula recorded the steepest deficit at 63% below average, having received 109.9mm of rain in July. Ambala managed 126.4mm of rainfall, 57% below normal, and Karnal (101.5mm) and Yamunanagar (208.6mm) posted shortfalls too. "Monsoon has been erratic. While south and west Haryana received consistent showers, the northern belt remained mostly dry. This will affect cropping patterns and groundwater recharge unevenly," a senior IMD official said on Thursday. The uneven distribution mirrors the pattern in June, when Gurgaon recorded a 68% surplus and Ambala faced a 67% deficit as southwest monsoon arrived over central and southern Haryana first. Dr Manish Kumar, a research scientist at the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), attributed this rainfall disparity to topographical differences. "Southern parts of Haryana, including Gurgaon, have uneven terrain where moisture-laden monsoon winds are more likely to cause rainfall than in relatively flatter northern districts such as Ambala," he explained. Excess rainfall this July also deviates from 2024, when the state ended with a 44% deficit (87.8mm) for the month. It is also higher than average rainfall over the last decade, but well below the record set in 2003, when Haryana received an average rainfall of 306.4 mm in July, the highest in 26 years. Other drought years, such as 2002 (-85%) and 2004 (-87.7%), saw rainfall collapse across the state. In contrast, the post-2020 period has generally seen stronger monsoons, with peaks in 2021 (252.9 mm) and 2023 (238.1 mm). "This shift is partly linked to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Post-2020 years were dominated by La Nina conditions, which usually boost monsoon intensity over northwest India. On the other hand, El Nino phases like 2002 and 2004 tend to suppress rainfall," the IMD official said. Experts say this growing intra-state variability in rainfall levels needs closer scrutiny. "Variability in rainfall over a geographical area can be influenced by topography and vegetation cover. Further, monsoon tends to fluctuate within the months due to variability in broad-scale atmospheric patterns, and one can hope for recovery over the remaining monsoon period in the shortfall districts," Dr Kumar, who works in the climate, environment and sustainability sector at CSTEP, said. IMD had forecast above-normal monsoon rainfall this year.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From Free Power to EVs: Punjab's power demand set to soar to 1.26 LMU by 2036.
With box attached in CCI Chandigarh: Electricity demand in Punjab is projected to soar to 1,26,347 million units (MU) by financial year 2036, driven by industrial expansion, increased household consumption, and a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. A new study urges the state to undergo a major energy transition — cutting dependence on fossil fuels, ramping up renewables, and upgrading infrastructure — to avoid power shortages and environmental setbacks. State's industrial ambition are still tied to old-school energy. The report, 'Punjab Roadmap 2036: Clean Energy Transition', published by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), projects a 68% increase from the state's current demand of 75,316 MU in FY 2025. Peak power demand is expected to rise from 16,058 MW in 2025 to 27,040 MW by 2036. Punjab has already experienced power deficits in FY 2022 and 2023 — 404 MU and 330 MU respectively — following a post-Covid industrial revival and the rollout of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's 300-unit free power scheme for households. Despite having an installed generation capacity of 14,861 MW, the state heavily depends on thermal power, which accounts for 56% of its energy mix. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Solar and wind make up just 18%, while hydro contributes 23%. Nuclear and other non-conventional sources remain marginal. The study calls for capacity additions of 26,372 MW by the 2036 fiscal, including 7,451 MW of energy storage through pumped hydro and battery systems to handle the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Electric vehicles are expected to further reshape Punjab's energy landscape. From just 75 EVs registered in 2017, the number rose to 25,492 in 2023, and is projected to reach 51 lakh by 2036. EV adoption is forecast to push electricity demand up by 9,087 MU. By 2030, EVs are expected to account for 30% of all new vehicle registrations, rising to 60% by FY 2036. The roadmap calls for grid infrastructure upgrades to accommodate this shift, along with public and private EV charging networks. Renewable shift, nuclear support To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the report recommends a 67% renewable energy share by 2036 under a 'clean energy scenario', up from 46% in the 'business-as-usual' model. This shift could cut carbon emissions by 41%, reduce power purchase costs by 7.7%, and eliminate the need for about 7% of new power plants. The state is also advised to procure 2,637 MW of nuclear power to ensure consistent supply, during peak demand periods or low renewable output particularly. Land, rooftop solar, & farming Punjab's reliance on agriculture and its limited availability of non-fertile land pose challenges for large-scale renewable projects. To address this, the report urges the identification of barren or unused land for solar and wind farms. As of April 2025, the state had only 454 MW of installed rooftop solar capacity — far below potential. The roadmap suggests accelerating rooftop solar programmes, deploying smart meters, and enforcing Energy Conservation Building Codes. In the agriculture sector, the study recommends replacing 22% of inefficient irrigation pump sets with energy-efficient, star-rated alternatives by 2036, supported by a buy-back and subsidy scheme. Solarisation of pump sets is also highlighted as a key strategy to reduce the state's energy burden. Officials say the clean energy path requires higher initial investment but promises long-term economic, environmental, and energy security benefits. Punjab's energy transformation, experts say, will depend not only on technology and investment — but on political will and public participation to power the shift toward a cleaner, more resilient grid. For in the end, it's not just wires and will, but politics, people, and the power bill. box Two Pathways, One Decision The study outlines two scenarios for Punjab's energy future:- >> Business-as-Usual | 46% renewables, 54% fossil fuels, with demand reaching 1,26,347 MU and emissions at 41 MtCO2 >> Clean Energy Scenario | 67% renewables, 33% fossil fuels, with demand moderated to 1,22,271 MU and emissions cut to 30 MtCO2 — a 4% annual decline box Key Recommendations >> Identify non-fertile land for solar/wind projects >> Invest in 7,451 MW of energy storage (pumped hydro + battery) >> Procure 2,637 MW of nuclear energy >> Scale rooftop solar, smart metering, and green building codes >> Introduce green finance, buy-back of inefficient farm pumps MSID:: 122251659 413 |
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Business Standard
22-04-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Nature-based solutions key to climate resilience in coastal cities: Report
Report urges shift in planning, calls nature-based solutions key for climate resilience in Indian coastal cities, as per "Urban Greenprints" by Bengaluru-based think tank Press Trust of India New Delhi The uptake of permeable pavements could enhance stormwater drainage capacity, reducing surface runoff and mitigate flood risks, according to a new report by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). The report titled "Urban Greenprints: A Nature-based Solutions Feasibility Framework for Urban Coastal Regions" by the Bengaluru-based think-tank has called for a paradigm shift in how India's coastal cities approach urban planning and climate resilience. Focusing on Chennai and Mangaluru in Karnataka, the report makes a compelling case for integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban planning to address the escalating challenges of flooding, environmental degradation, and climate-induced vulnerabilities. "Both cities have witnessed a sharp decline in green cover and increased encroachments on natural water bodies. These changes, compounded by extreme weather events, have exposed the limitations of conventional grey infrastructure such as stormwater drains and concrete embankments. "There is urgent need to embrace NbS such as wetland restoration, rooftop greening and permeable pavements -- as part of a more sustainable and resilient urban strategy," the report said. Drawing on in-depth assessments of 23 wards in Chennai and four wards in Mangaluru, the study evaluated the feasibility and impact of NbS interventions. Among the main findings is the significant potential for rooftop greening, which could expand NbS-covered areas by 76 per cent in Chennai and 80 per cent in Mangaluru within the selected study regions. "In both cities, the uptake of permeable pavements could enhance stormwater drainage capacity by 5 per cent, reducing surface runoff and mitigating flood risks. Optimising the existing waterbodies for flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity emerged as a particularly critical strategy," it said. The report also featured several NbS case studies in the study regions that highlighted the ecological and functional importance of natural systems. "However, encroachment and degradation of these ecosystems have diminished their climate adaptation potential, worsening urban vulnerability. Revitalising such natural assets is essential not only for climate resilience but also for promoting co-benefits, such as eco-tourism, sustainable fishing and other livelihood opportunities," it said. Lakshmi Menon, senior analyst in the adaptation and risk analysis group at CSTEP, noted that in cities like Chennai and Mangaluru, even modest ward-level investments in green infrastructure can yield substantial long-term savings and ecological benefits. "As climate risks intensify, integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning is not just desirable -- it is essential for building resilient, adaptive and sustainable cities," Menon said. The report recommended that policymakers in the study regions embed NbS within their core climate resilience strategies. "This includes updating urban planning regulations to accommodate nature-based infrastructure, directing public funds toward NbS projects, and prioritising interventions in areas that are most vulnerable to climate stress. "It also urges local governments to take the lead in piloting scalable NbS initiatives, leveraging data and technology for better decision-making, and fostering collaborations across sectors and stakeholders," the report said.
