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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Climate action initiative launched in Odisha
1 2 Kolkata: In a significant step towards building climate-resilient, inclusive, and low-emission development in Odisha, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM), recently launched the CGIAR Climate Action Program . The initiative was formally inaugurated by Anu Garg, additional chief secretary, department of water resources and development commissioner, Odisha. The event also witnessed the presence of Kamal Lochan Mishra, executive director, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and A K Nayak, deputy director general (natural resource management), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The launch event saw a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from state departments, academic and research institutions, development agencies, and civil society organisations. Discussions centred on strengthening climate risk management , promoting digital climate services, and fostering community-led adaptation and innovation. Recognised as one of India's most climate-vulnerable states, Odisha faces frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods and droughts, which threaten agriculture, water security and rural livelihoods. The CGIAR Climate Action Program aims to support Odisha's climate response by delivering science-based, technology-driven solutions and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration. Key focus areas include strategic foresight and early warning systems, development of low-emission food systems, climate finance mobilisation, and alignment with Odisha's state action plan on climate change. The initiative also envisions identification of priority geographies and sectors for early implementation, capacity-building initiatives involving govt, academia and civil society, establishment of an advisory group to steer implementation and scaling, and the creation of long-term partnerships and funding frameworks to ensure sustained impact.
Observer
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Prayers held for rain in wilayats
Muscat: The Istisqa prayer, a collective prayer where people gather to supplicate for rain, was performed during the weekend in different wilayats of Oman including Nizwa, Nakhal, Ibri and Dima W'attayeen. This prayer is also known as the drought prayer. On Saturday morning, men, women and children gathered outdoors for the prayer next to the Sa'al Dam in the Wilayat of Nizwa. Another prayer is scheduled to be held on April 25. Khalsa al Abry, from the Wilayat of Al Hamra, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, explained that this winter has not seen any rain. 'We depend on well water and not desalination. This is why rain is extremely important for us.' Not everyone has a well, so others have to rely on the water supply provided by the well owners. Oman is known for its irrigated agriculture, which has historically been a central feature of the nation's economy. According to a report by the UN Water, irrigation is a fundamental component of the country's agricultural activity, with over 80 per cent of cultivated land being irrigated using groundwater. This highlights the importance of rain. Rainfall must take into account the evaporation rate, rainwater runoff to the sea, and direct infiltration to groundwater. The International Water Management Institute reported that the northern parts of Oman receive the rainy season between December and April, which accounts for 58 to 83 per cent of the annual rainfall, with a focus on March and April.
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
UK-funded tower to boost climate data monitoring
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has inaugurated an Eddy Covariance Flux Tower at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in Chakwal, Punjab. The tower, built under the UK-government-funded "Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan" (WRAP) programme, aims to enhance Pakistan's ability to measure crucial environmental parameters, such as temperature, rainfall, and agricultural data, essential for adapting to climate change's impacts. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Anna Balance, Senior Climate Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Global Director of Water, Food, and Ecosystems at IWMI; and Nimra Zaheer, Group Head at the Balance emphasized the importance of cutting-edge technology in driving progress in the agricultural sector. "The FCDO is committed to increasing knowledge dissemination to ensure maximum awareness and drive meaningful change across communities in Pakistan," she stated. Dr Mohsin Hafeez highlighted the benefits of the flux tower, which will provide reliable and precise information to farmers, researchers, and local irrigation officers.
