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NDTV
05-08-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
Uttarakhand Floods Expose Gaps In Warning Systems, Expert Bats For AI Model
New Delhi: As the devastating flash floods in Uttarkashi claim lives and livelihoods yet again, experts flagged the failure to implement an integrated early warning system for the Himalayan region. The plan has been discussed for long and the experts warned that blaming climate change for such tragedies masks systemic governance failures. This, they say, is worsening the inherent vulnerabilities in areas like Uttarkashi and high-altitude villages such as Dharali. Calling for urgent action, they demand independent assessments to uncover the root causes of such tragedies and insist on accountability. Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr Rajeevan reflected on past efforts to address such vulnerabilities. "When I was the Secretary, we discussed an integrated early warning system for the whole Himalayan region. It was recorded in a high level meeting but it was not implemented," he said. "We need such a resilient system for the Himalayan region. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has recently launched the Mausam Mission. They should attempt to develop such early warning systems under that mission. The government has provided adequate funds to them. I understand the MoES will be taking up such initiatives. Yes, it should be implemented urgently. Otherwise, more damages can happen." Strengthening Early Warning Systems To improve Uttarakhand's Early Warning Systems for cloudburst-induced flash floods, experts advocate a multi-pronged approach leveraging advanced technology and community engagement. Dr Rajeevan emphasised upgrading observational infrastructure, including a dense network of X-band radars in upstream river catchments, more automatic weather stations, rain gauges, and river and stream gauging stations. "We need very high-resolution weather prediction models, about 1-3 km resolution," he said, acknowledging their limitations. "The accuracy of such physical models is not that good. Therefore, Artificial Intelligence-based algorithms should be considered," he added. He proposed developing AI-driven nowcasting systems that integrate satellite imagery, lightning data, and radar inputs to predict cloudburst events with a 1-3 hour lead time, coupled with mobile alert systems for rapid dissemination. Additionally, localized flash flood guidance systems using terrain-specific hydrological models and community-centric warning systems at the panchayat level were highlighted as critical. "Mobile and app-based alerts, along with terrain-specific hazard zoning and land-use policies, are essential to minimize risks," Dr Rajeevan added. Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People, echoed the need for technological advancements but stressed the importance of effective disaster management systems to act on early warnings. "This will be a combination of Doppler radars, satellite monitoring, river-based ground monitoring, and more intense monitoring in identified vulnerable locations," he said. "More importantly, we need a disaster management system that can use such advance information to remove people in time from vulnerable locations. We have a long way to go on this," he added. Mr Thakkar also called for robust governance mechanisms, including "honest, credible environment and social impact assessments of all major interventions, independent appraisals, confidence-inspiring monitoring, and compliance systems" to ensure accountability. "We are pretty poor in all these aspects," he noted. Unplanned Development Amplifies Disaster Impact The flash floods in Uttarkashi, particularly in areas like Dharali, were exacerbated by unplanned development, including the proliferation of hotels and homestays encroaching on river paths. Mr Thakkar highlighted the absence of policies to regulate such constructions. "We have no system to ensure that hotels, homestays, and other civil constructions are not encroaching on the path of rivers and streams. There is no system to remove such encroachments, and no assessment of the amount of space a river needs considering the current rainfall pattern and catchment health," he said. He pointed out that major projects like dams, hydropower plants, highways, railways, and urban centers contribute to environmental degradation by dumping muck into rivers, while schemes like riverfront developments and floodplain encroachments further constrict waterways. "The health of our catchments is degrading, which means rainfall is quickly converting into flow. That, combined with intensification of rainfall, means rivers need greater waterway, not smaller," Mr Thakkar explained. Dr Rajeevan also stressed the need for regulatory reforms, urging stricter controls on construction and tourism. "They are really spoiling the environment and river flow," he said, advocating terrain-specific hazard zoning and land-use policies to balance tourism with ecological safety. Integrated Flood Management for Resilience With cloudbursts becoming more frequent in Uttarakhand, potentially linked to climate change, experts underscore the need for integrated flood management strategies to enhance resilience, especially in high-altitude villages like Dharali. Mr Thakkar emphasized a combination of early warning systems, policies ensuring sufficient river waterways based on current and projected rainfall patterns, and robust monitoring and disaster management systems. "Most importantly, we need independent assessments that will provide information for accountability mechanisms," he said, advocating for post-disaster independent reviews to learn lessons and fix accountability. While acknowledging the role of climate change, Thakkar cautioned against using it as an excuse for poor governance. "The science of attribution is still being developed and today is not good enough to provide direct attribution. But climate change science tells us that in every such event of intensification of rainfall, there is a footprint of climate change," he said. "However, climate change should not be used as a carpet under which we can push all kinds of accountability and misgovernance. We know these events are increasingly likely, and we better be prepared for them rather than blaming it on climate change." Dr Rajeevan similarly called for proactive measures under the Mausam Mission, urging the Ministry of Earth Sciences to prioritise early warning systems. "The government has provided adequate funds. It should be implemented urgently," he reiterated.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
India develops personnel sphere, completes welding on submersible after 700 trials
MATSYA-6000 NEW DELHI: In a landmark achievement for India's Deep Ocean Mission, Isro has successfully developed the personnel sphere for the submersible vessel MATSYA-6000, designed to carry humans up to 6,000 metres (6km) below the ocean surface, by completing a critical welding process after 700 weld trials. 'Samudrayaan', a project under the Deep Ocean Mission of the ministry of earth sciences (MoES), aims to strengthen India's capabilities in deep-sea exploration. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), under MoES, collaborated with Isro's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to design and fabricate the spherical crew compartment. The Deep Ocean mission will allow scientists to explore unexplored deep-sea areas, assess mineral resources like nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements, and study marine biodiversity. The mission is expected to be realised by 2026. Central to the Samudrayaan effort is the creation of a human occupied vehicle (HOV) that can withstand extreme pressure and temperature conditions on the seafloor. 'At the heart of the HOV is a titanium personnel sphere, a 2,260mm diameter enclosure with 80mm thick walls, made from a high-strength alloy. Designed by VSSC, the sphere is built to endure pressure up to 600 bar and temperatures as low as -3°C,' Isro said Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dolly Parton, 79, Removes Her Makeup and Stuns Everyone The Noodle Box Undo One of the biggest challenges scientists faced in creating this weld lay in the properties of titanium as a metal. While titanium is known for its strength, it can be difficult to weld. The technical challenge was developing a reliable electron beam welding process capable of fusing thick (80-102 mm) titanium plates. Isro's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Bengaluru, took charge of augmenting its welding facility from a 15kW to a 40kW EBW capacity. LPSC developed the process and infrastructure for the welding process and non-destructive evaluation (NDE). While LPSC had the expertise to carry out welding up to 20mm thickness, it augmented the EBW machine from a 15kW rating to 40kW, while also making alterations to the chemical cleaning and handling equipment to accommodate the increased size and mass. Over 700 weld trials were conducted to optimise the process parameters, ensuring high quality and structural integrity. For quality assurance, Isro enhanced its X-ray radiography capability, one of the highest energy levels used in India, allowing detailed non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of the welded joints. The breakthrough came with the successful completion of the first high-penetration weld on the actual sphere hardware. This involved 80mm thick welds over a 7,100mm length, achieved in a continuous 32-minute operation, 'a national first in scale and precision' as per Isro. The milestone marks a significant leap for India's underwater exploration ambitions and brings Matsya-6000 closer to sea trials. Once complete, the vehicle will be among the very few human submersibles in the world capable of reaching such depths, opening new frontiers for deep sea science, resource exploration and technology development.
India Today
23-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
Samudrayaan: Isro working on development of personnel sphere for deep-sea mission
In a major milestone for India's Deep Ocean Mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has completed the first welding of the two rings of the personnel sphere for the submersible vessel MATSYA-6000, designed to carry humans up to 6,000 meters below the ocean human-occupied vehicle (HOV) is part of the 'Samudrayaan' project overseen by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and aims to strengthen India's capabilities in deep-sea National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), under MoES, collaborated with Isro's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to design and fabricate the spherical crew compartment. Matsya-6000 is the submersible that is being developed as a manned vehicle to send three humans to a depth of over 5,000 meters below sea level. (Photo: NIOT) The personnel sphere measures 2.26 metre in diameter and features an 80 millimeter-thick wall made from a titanium alloy, known for its superior strength and corrosion resistance. Engineered to withstand extreme pressures up to 600 bar at temperatures as low as -3C, this pressure hull can safely accommodate a three-member crew at great ocean of the biggest technical challenges was developing a reliable Electron Beam Welding (EBW) process capable of fusing thick (80-102 mm) titanium Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) Bengaluru took charge of augmenting its welding facility from a 15kW to a 40kW EBW capacity. Over 700 weld trials were conducted to optimise the process parameters, ensuring high quality and structural quality assurance, Isro enhanced its X-ray radiography capability, one of the highest energy levels used in India, allowing detailed non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of the welded joints. Techniques such as Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) were employed to detect microscopic defects, guaranteeing safety and reliability. Approval from third-party certification agencies for the welding procedures and product safety is successful welding and rigorous testing of a full-scale 7100 mm-long personnel sphere, welded over 32 minutes, marks a national first. This achievement positions India among a select few nations with the technological prowess to build deep-sea human this critical component getting ready, the Samudrayaan mission moves closer to launching manned explorations of the deep Indian Ocean, promising advancements in marine research, resource utilisation, and underwater technology development.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
IITM's WiFEX-II to expand fog prediction to North and Northeast India
PUNE: After a decade of successful operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) on Tuesday launched the second phase of the Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX-II). The expanded project will offer localized, runway-specific fog forecasts to several more airports in North and Northeast India, including the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, Hisar Airport in Haryana, and Guwahati Airport in Assam. IITM's WiFEX-II to expand fog prediction to North and Northeast India The WiFEX initiative was launched in the winter of 2015 by IITM under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). It is among the world's few long-term field experiments focused exclusively on fog—an often unpredictable hazard that frequently disrupts air, rail, and road traffic across the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Over the past ten years, WiFEX scientists have used advanced instruments such as micrometeorology towers, ceilometers, and high-frequency sensors to gather granular data on temperature gradients, humidity, wind speed, turbulence, soil heat, and aerosols. This extensive dataset has enabled the development of a high-resolution (3 km) probabilistic fog forecast model, capable of predicting fog onset, intensity, duration, and dissipation with over 85% accuracy for very dense fog (visibility below 200 meters). 'This has not only improved flight safety but also significantly reduced diversions and delays, saving time and money while minimizing inconvenience to passengers,' said M Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, who launched WiFEX-II in Pune on Tuesday. Beyond forecasting, WiFEX has also deepened scientific understanding of fog formation, revealing the influence of urban heat islands, land-use changes, pollution levels, and airborne particles on fog density and persistence. 'The findings are already informing air quality policies and improving early warning systems,' said Dr. Sachin Ghude, senior scientist at IITM and project lead for WiFEX. Under WiFEX-II, dedicated sensors will be installed at additional airport sites. These sensors will feed real-time data into forecasting systems, enabling airport authorities to make timely operational decisions during fog episodes. The WiFEX-II launch event was attended by IITM Director Dr. Suryachandra Rao, Dr. Ghude, and other senior scientists. On the same occasion, a new State-of-the-Art Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory was also inaugurated at IITM by Dr. Ravichandran. BOX: Coming Soon: Pune and Mumbai to Get Decision Support System for air quality The Decision Support System (DSS), developed by IITM as an advanced layer of its Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), is soon set to be launched in Mumbai and Pune. Currently operational only in Delhi, DSS provides 120-hour air quality forecasts at a 10 km resolution and helps policymakers identify the precise sources of pollution during critical air-quality episodes. 'We are in discussions with the Pune Municipal Corporation and are in the final stage of approvals. We expect Pune to get the system within a year,' said Dr. Sachin Ghude. The system will empower civic authorities with actionable insights, enabling more effective and targeted air pollution control measures.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Cyclone warning systems more accurate now: MoES
New Delhi: Cyclone warning systems have become substantially more accurate, with improvements of up to 65 per cent in landfall prediction within 48 hours, a senior official on Monday said. Addressing a press conference on 11 years of the Modi government, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Secretary Dr M. Ravichandran said forecasts of other severe weather events such as heavy rainfall, fog, and heatwaves have improved by 40 per cent over the last five years. Monsoon forecasting has also seen a major shift, moving from statistical to physics-based models under the National Monsoon Mission, significantly enhancing the accuracy and spatial resolution of seasonal predictions. 'These improvements are the result of sustained investments in research infrastructure and technology over the past decade,' said Dr Ravichandran, while outlining the ministry's key achievements from 2014 to 2025. Among the major milestones highlighted was the launch of the Bharat Forecast System in May 2025, a high-resolution (6 km) global weather model aimed at strengthening India's capability in weather prediction. In September 2024, the government also rolled out 'Mission Mausam', a nationwide initiative to make India 'weather ready and climate smart'. India's first Earth System Model (IITM-ESM) played a key role in international climate science, contributing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6) and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), he said. In ocean science, the Deep Ocean Mission marked a turning point with successful wet harbour trials of Matsya-6000, India's manned submersible capable of reaching 6,000 metres below sea level. Dr Ravichandran said this will pave the way for deep-sea exploration and sustainable extraction of marine resources. 'We have also discovered two active and two inactive hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean and identified 23 new species in biodiversity surveys --strengthening India's position in ocean science,' he added. The Ministry also released an Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas to assess renewable energy potential, estimated at 9.2 lakh TWh annually, from India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including wave, tidal, wind and ocean thermal energy. Services for the fishing and maritime community have expanded considerably, with over seven lakh fishermen now receiving Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, up from one lakh in 2014. Marine services such as oil spill alerts, coral bleaching forecasts and harmful algal bloom warnings now reach nearly 9.45 lakh stakeholders across India and in six other Indian Ocean countries, the official said. India's tsunami alert capabilities have also advanced, he added. 'Earlier, we were limited to Indian Ocean events, but now we can issue tsunami warnings within 10 minutes for any global ocean earthquake. These alerts are shared with 25 Indian Ocean Rim countries,' said Dr Ravichandran. In polar science, India continues to operate two Antarctic research stations and one in the Arctic, supporting over 100 scientists annually. The passage of the Antarctic Bill in 2022 and the release of the Indian Arctic Policy the same year further strengthened India's scientific and diplomatic presence in polar regions, he said. Domestically, the National Seismological Network now comprises 166 observatories, up from 86 in 2014, enabling the detection of earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 and above, he said. Eight Indian cities have undergone seismic microzonation to improve earthquake-resilient infrastructure, he said. A three-km deep borehole in Maharashtra's Koyna region is being studied to understand reservoir-triggered quakes. The MoES official said the ministry has also implemented thermal desalination in Lakshadweep, improving access to potable water and reducing water-borne illnesses. Coastal restoration projects in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu have reclaimed eroded beaches using innovative engineering solutions. To make scientific services more accessible, the ministry has launched several public-facing mobile apps -- Mausam, Meghdoot, Damini, SAFAR AIR, and Bhookamp -- and digital platforms like the Earth System Science Data Portal and Digital Ocean.
