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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Ecostani: Dying, melting glaciers have served a warning. Do we care?
A glacial collapse buried part of a village in Birch, Switzerland, on May 28. Many miles away, in Nepal, Yala glacier was declared dead on May 12. A new study by an international team of researchers, published on May 30, warned that if global warming targets under the Paris climate deal exceed, the non-polar glacial mass would diminish significantly — by almost half. The Himalayas, which is termed as the third Polar glacial mass on the planet, is no less affected. According to studies by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the majority of glaciers in the Himalayan range are melting at a faster rate than it was prior to 2010. A study in April 2025 by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said that annual winter snow in Himalaya in the past four years has been lowest in decades and in May it declared Yala glacier to be dead, the first for Nepal, and a rare glacial event. To add to this, a new study by Climate Trends released on May 31 showed that concentration of black carbon (BC) emissions in the mountain range, especially Eastern and Central Himalayas, was increasing, which could have implications for water supply for 2 billion people in South Asia. According to the report, the average snow surface temperatures in the Himalayan snow peaks have increased by more than 4°C over the last two decades, from an average of -11.27°C (2000–2009) to -7.13°C (2020–2023). Over the 23-year period, the overall mean temperature increase was -8.57°C, meaning faster melting of snow. Black carbon, whose deposits have increased, acts like a heat lamp on snow, it darkens the surface, accelerates melting, and triggers a dangerous feedback loop. The latest World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) report has warned that there is an 80% chance that a year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the record-breaking 2024 and an 86% likelihood that another year will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the threshold beyond which climate change will make human life more difficult. The WMO said the 1.5°C (and 2°C) level specified in the Paris Agreement refers to the long-term level of warming inferred from global temperatures, typically over 20 years. Temporary exceedances of such levels are expected to occur with increasing frequency as the underlying rise in global temperature approaches the level. The report concluded that any additional 'fraction of a degree of warming' drives more harmful heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, intense droughts, melting of ice sheets and glaciers, and heating of the ocean. In South Asia, it would mean more water in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra, for some decades, which might eventually turn dry. Around 40% of India's Gross Domestic Product is dependent on people and industry in these river basin regions. The landslide that buried most of a Swiss village this week is just one of the several examples across the world how global warming was causing glacier collapses. Officials said that in Switzerland, the mountainside gave way on May 28, 2025, near the village of Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, because the rock face above the Birch Glacier had become unstable after mountain permafrost melted, causing debris to fall and cover the glacier in recent years. No one was injured. In 2016, a glacier in Tibet's, Aru mountain range suddenly collapsed, killing nine people and their livestock, followed a few months later by the collapse of another glacier. There also have been collapses in Peru, including one in 2006 that caused a mini tsunami; most recently, a glacial lagoon overflowed in April, triggering a landslide that killed two. The Glacial Lake OutBurst FLow (GLOF) caused by faster melting of glaciers caused massive flooding in Rishi Ganga and Dhauli rivers in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in February 2021, killing 80 people. Two hydro power projects were badly damaged due to the heavy flow of debris. The study by ETH Zurich told us what could happen to glaciers with the present pace of global warming with 54% of the non-polar glaciers likely to 'diminish significantly'. However, if warming is limited to 1.5°C, at least 54 per cent could be preserved—more than twice as much ice as in a 2.7°C scenario. The findings, published in the prestigious journal Science, said even if global temperatures were stabilised at today's level of 1.2°C, an estimated 39% of global glacier mass would still be lost compared to 2020 levels — contributing over 10 centimetres to global sea-level rise. The study is the work of an international team of 21 scientists from 10 countries using eight glacier models to calculate the potential ice loss from more than 200,000 glaciers outside Greenland and Antarctica. The team evaluated a wide range of global temperature scenarios, assuming that temperatures would remain constant for thousands of years in each scenario. In all scenarios, glaciers lose mass rapidly over decades and then continue to melt at a slower pace for centuries — even without additional warming. This long-term response means glaciers will continue to feel the effects of today's heat far into the future, gradually retreating to higher altitudes before reaching a new equilibrium. Glaciers are good indicators of climate change because their retreat allows scientists to measure impact of climate change. But, since they adjust over longer timescales, their current size vastly understates the magnitude of climate change that has already happened. 'The situation for glaciers is actually far worse than visible in the mountains today,' said the study's co-lead author Lilian Schuster from the University of Innsbruck. Beyond contributing to sea-level rise, glacier loss has far-reaching consequences. It threatens freshwater availability, increases the risk of glacier-related hazards such as floods and landslides, and jeopardises glacier-fed tourism economies. These cascading impacts will be felt across regions and generations. A high-level meeting on glacial melt was held this week in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to discuss the impact of global warming on glaciers, which have already melt around 40% since the last ice age and most of it has happened in the past 400 and 700 years. At the meeting, which is a welcome step, there was a discussion on an action plan to reduce glacial melt. Whether it would fructify remains a big future question like several other environmental agreements. Although there has been a lot of science and research of glacial melt, negligible policy action has been seen from the global community to protect mountain biodiversity and forests. There is no incentive for hill communities to protect the mountains, no additional prohibitive taxes are being imposed on pollution vehicles entering ecologically fragile mountainous regions and heavy use of pesticides have already polluted ground water in several mountain regions of the world. Unlike people's movements against air pollution, there is no collective voice to protect glaciers and mountains that provide water and life to billions. Civil society bodies and so-called climate champions have failed glaciers the most. Saving glaciers needs a new trans-continental approach with active people participation on preserving local ecology and controlling emissions. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Landslide fears: Walkeshwar bldg razing on post wall crash
Mumbai: After a portion of a retaining wall adjoining a cessed building, Ruby Hill 47, along the main Walkeshwar Road came crashing down Monday night following the intense downpour in south Mumbai, Mhada officials began demolishing it Tuesday. The BMC has relocated the building tenants to a transit camp in Mazgaon while a neighbouring structure has been asked to conduct a structural audit. Residents say the wall collapse is part of a larger, looming threat of landslides. "At least four high-rises are under construction on this hillside," said a long-time resident, Pervin Sanghvi. "Urban planning must respect the area's natural contours, water flow paths, and geological risks— but that's clearly not happening." They are now demanding that the BMC conduct detailed geological studies and assess the hill's load-bearing capacity before permitting further construction. As rubble from the structure being demolished fell on the VIP road which houses the official residence of the Maharashtra governor and is the regular route taken by the chief minister and other ministers residing in Malabar Hill, traffic police along with the contractor's staffers appointed to raze the building were seen halting vehicles at intervals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 月 **,***원대 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 실속있게"… 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가격 받기 Undo A large tree whose roots had grown inside the partially crashed retaining wall was also in the process of being cut Tuesday. Sanjay Shirke, whose family lived in the building, said, "This is at least a 100-year-old building and its retaining wall was not strengthened. As tenants we have been left out, not knowing what the future holds for us amid the demolition of the structure." Hema Shirke, his sister-in-law, alleged they had been following up with authorities about the structure but were made to go around in circles. "We have rent-paid receipts since the 1950s," she said. Assistant municipal commissioner Manish Walunju of D Ward said the building was vacated as soon as the mud slide was noticed. "The building is located on the hill and Mhada decided to demolish it," he said. Santosh Daundkar, a Right to Information (RTI) activist, said, "In 2022, after a landslide incident behind Cadbury House on Pedder Road, I had alerted municipal authorities that Malabar Hill was gradually sliding. On the first day of the current monsoon, this fresh incident occurred. Constructing new buildings on this hill land by demolishing old structures is not advisable due to the high geological risk involved. Unfortunately, before such constructions, no recommendations or studies from IIT, VJTI, or the Geological Survey of India have been considered." Mhada officials said Ruby Hill 47 had both commercial and residential homes but as per their policy only residential tenants are given alternate accommodation.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meitei protesters lock up CEO, GSI offices in Imphal
Photo/Agencies IMPHAL: Protesters locked up two central government offices in Imphal Tuesday amid an escalating standoff over forced concealment of the word "Manipur" on a government bus headed to a hill festival last week. The restive state has been under President's rule since February. Activists of COCOMI, an umbrella body of Meitei groups, stormed the chief electoral officer's office at Lamphelpat and asked the staff to leave before locking the main gate. They then shut down an office of the Geological Survey of India, located a few kilometres away, raising slogans like "apologise or leave Manipur" against governor AK Bhalla. The activists outnumbered security personnel. The protests began when a Manipur State Transport bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district was allegedly stopped at the Gwaltabi checkpoint on May 20 and ordered to hide 'Manipur' on the windshield. COCOMI had on Monday adopted a resolution vowing to close central offices, sparing only essential services like healthcare, education, sports and banking. On Tuesday, some organisations organised a human chain demanding an apology from the governor. Similar protests were held in Bishnupur district. Various civil society organisations and student groups have declared support for the movement, viewing it as crucial for safeguarding Manipur's integrity and identity.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bus row: 2 central govt offices locked in Manipur
Imphal: Two central govt offices were locked in Imphal on Tuesday as activists of COCOMI, an umbrella body of Meitei groups, protested the concealing of the state's name from a govt bus in Gwaltabi last week. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Outnumbering the security personnel, COCOMI activists stormed into the chief electoral officer's office at Lamphelpat and asked the staff to leave the building, before locking up the main gate. The activists also locked up the office of the Geological Survey of India, located a few kilometre away, raising slogans, such as 'apologise or leave Manipur', against the governor. Following a resolution adopted on Monday evening, COCOMI initiated the closure of central govt offices from Tuesday, while maintaining essential services like healthcare, education, sports and banking to prevent disruption of crucial services. The demonstration, which began on Sunday, gained substantial support as women, students and activists gathered in large numbers to protest the removal of Manipur's name from a govt bus that transported journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20 at Gwaltabi. On Tuesday, organisations such as All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Manipur Students' Federation (MSF), Committee on Human Rights (CoHR), and Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi organised a human chain stretching from Singjamei to Lilong on Moreh road, demanding an official apology from the governor regarding the bus incident. Similar protests were also held in Nambol and Bishnupur town in Bishnupur district. Various civil society organisations and student groups have declared their backing for the movement, viewing it as crucial for safeguarding Manipur's integrity and identity. The COCOMI-directed protests are set to persist with additional organised activities unless the governor issues an apology. Local authorities continue to observe the developing situation as tensions remain elevated. (With inputs from PTI)
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Manipur Bus Name Row: Protesters Lock Govt Offices, Deface Signboards As State Boils Again
Last Updated: The protest was part of a statewide agitation triggered by the covering of the state's name on a government bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. Tensions in Manipur flared on Tuesday after student activists from the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) locked central government offices and defaced signboards in the valley districts. The protest was part of a statewide agitation triggered by the covering of the state's name on a government bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. Protesters sealed the offices of the Geological Survey of India and the Chief Electoral Officer at Lamphelpat in Imphal West. Signboards bearing 'Government of India" were defaced with mud—a symbolic act of protest against the Centre. The outrage stems from a May 20 incident in Gwaltabi, where the name 'Manipur" was reportedly concealed on a government bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival. The move sparked widespread anger, interpreted by protesters as an affront to the state's identity. Large-scale demonstrations—mostly led by women—swept through the valley districts, including Imphal East and West. In Khurai, women protesters marched to the Deputy Commissioner's office, disrupting operations and demanding an official apology from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. In Imphal West, demonstrators formed human chains and carried placards reading 'Self-determination is our birthright." Protesters are also calling for the resignation of the Chief Secretary and the Security Advisor, accusing them of negligence and exacerbating the ongoing unrest. The agitation is being spearheaded by a coalition of civil society organisations, including the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), AMAWOVA (All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association), Poreileimaril, the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), and the Committee on Human Rights (COHR). Amid rising tensions, Governor Bhalla arrived in Imphal from New Delhi on Monday and was airlifted to Kangla Fort via Army helicopter, as protesters gathered near Kwakeithel on Tiddim Road with plans to march to the Raj Bhavan. The planned march, covering a distance of three kilometres, was met with heavy security. In Kwakeithel, protesters attempted to burn an effigy of the Governor, prompting clashes with security personnel. Central forces, including the Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force, have since been deployed across Imphal to maintain order. First Published: May 27, 2025, 21:23 IST
