Latest news with #RizwanAhmed
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
IFFCO Group 'Proud to be Recertified' as a Great Place to Work in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
DUBAI, UAE: The IFFCO Group has announced that the organisation has been recertified as a Great Place To Work® in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, a reflection of the company's dedication to building and maintaining an excellent workplace environment, based on the fundamental principle of offering dynamic and innovative opportunities to every member of staff, wherever they work around the world, and focusing on their qualities. Rizwan Ahmed, Executive Director at IFFCO Group, expressed his delight at the announcement, saying: 'We are a multinational organisation, and it is a core value that we remain 100% committed to the welfare and prospects of the so many diverse people and cultures who work with us and across our complete supply chain: we are honoured by the faith and trust that they in turn have demonstrated to us through supporting IFFCO's recertification by the 'Great Place to Work' initiative. 'In addition, as advocates of a DEI-centered recruitment philosophy, we put an emphasis on attracting a diverse pool of candidates, for example: by using inclusive language in job descriptions, partnering with diverse recruit ment platforms and ensuring that our interview panels include individuals from a range of backgrounds, we safeguard the process of conducting fair and unbiased assessments – then make sure that we put the right candidates in the right place, at the right time. 'More to the point is the fact that at IFFCO Group, we actively pursue a policy of 'whole-career' duty of care to all employees, offering a multitude of training and up-skilling opportunities while promoting a healthy work-life balance, enabling us to attract and retain the very best people.' Mohammed AlShair, Executive Chairman of Great Place to Work® Middle East, said: 'Congratulations to IFFCO Group for being certified by Great Place to Work® Middle East for the second time! This repeated recognition is a testament to your commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment and we applaud your dedication to your employees.' Great Place To Work® is a worldwide supporter of creating a positive workplace culture by identifying employers who contribute to the empowerment of the workforce. The Great Place to Work® certification is determined through direct confidential feedback gathered from an organisation's employees through anonymous surveys, the results of which reaffirm the sense of belonging that employees feel in their work within an organisation, showing trust in a company through engagement and the creation of a positive workplace experience. About IFFCO Group: Established in 1975, IFFCO is a leading multinational FMCG group headquartered in the UAE. Its leading FMCG brands, including London Dairy, Tiffany, Noor, Rahma, Al Baker, Hayat and Savannah, and a portfolio of industry solutions and services enrich the lives of millions of consumers and customers globally. The company has 95 operations in 50 Countries, supported by around 15,000 employees, and its 80+ brands are available in over 100 countries.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Climate change impacting cyclones, Maha agri: Study
Nagpur: Rising sea surface temperatures are spurring severe to super cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea over the last two decades, finds a study, which also flagged increased adverse weather events in the latter part of North Indian Ocean because of climate change. The joint study by Dr Rizwan Ahmed, IMD scientist at RMC Nagpur, Shahenaz Mulla, a meteorologist at Climate Research Services, IMD Pune, and Prof Sudhir Kumar Singh from K Banerjee Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Studies, University of Allahabad, revealed the escalating impact of climate change on tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean and their devastating effects on Maharashtra's agriculture. "We found a troubling shift in cyclone patterns over the Arabian Sea driven by climate change. Cyclones are growing in intensity, lasting longer over land, and penetrating deeper inland, far beyond traditional coastal zones. This transformation is wreaking havoc on Maharashtra's agricultural sector, causing prolonged flooding, increased soil salinity, root stress, and widespread crop failure," said Dr Ahmed. Titled "Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Land-Falling Tropical Cyclones over the North Indian Ocean and Their Effects on Coastal Agriculture in Maharashtra", the research was recently published in the Scopus-indexed journal Tropical Cyclone Research and Review, recognised by the World Meteorological Organization and ESCAP's typhoon committee. According to the study, a total of 44 severe or super cyclones occurred between 2001 and 2012 of the study period. Data analysis revealed that 35 (80%) tropical cyclones were eye pattern, which usually take a severe form. "Case studies of Cyclone Nisarga (2020) and Cyclone Tauktae (2021) highlight the scale of destruction, with Nisarga alone inflicting over Rs1,000 crore in damages, impacting 1.4 lakh homes, and ruining nearly 20,000 hectares of farmland in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts," Dr Ahmed said. The research also shows a shift in the overland duration of tropical cyclones. The Arabian Sea experienced 170 hours (7 days) of cyclones from 1982-2000, which increased to 367 hours (15.2 days) from 2001-21. Correspondingly, the cyclones reduced in the Bay of Bengal from 1295 to 1062, respectively, for the same periods. "This study demonstrates that climate change is modifying the behaviour of tropical cyclones. Their increasing strength and inland reach directly threaten coastal agricultural livelihoods in states like Maharashtra. There is an urgent need to strengthen early warning systems, adopt salt-tolerant crop varieties, and develop comprehensive coastal land-use management policies," Dr Ahmed said. Mulla added, "Vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI) quantified evidence of sharp declines in vegetation health following cyclone events. Our findings have significant policy implications for agricultural planning and the restructuring of crop insurance schemes in cyclone-prone regions." The research utilised advanced tools like INSAT-3D/3DR satellite data, Doppler weather radar, and forecasting models to track cyclone paths and intensities. Vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI) quantified post-cyclone crop and soil damage. Study Highlights - A marked increase in cyclone intensity, duration over land, and inland penetration, which now regularly extends far beyond traditional coastal impact zones - These changes in cyclone behaviour are having cascading effects on agriculture, including prolonged flooding, increased soil salinity, root stress, and crop failure in regions that were previously less exposed - Case studies of Cyclone Nisarga (2020) and Cyclone Tauktae (2021) illustrate how these systems are no longer limited to coastal disruptions but are severely affecting interior districts - Cyclone Nisarga alone caused over Rs1,000 crore in damages, affected more than 1.4 lakh homes, and damaged nearly 20,000 hectare farmland in Maharashtra's Raigad and Ratnagiri districts
Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Vidarbha gets over 450% morerainfall than normal this May
1 2 Nagpur: Pre-monsoon rain left Vidarbha districts with a surplus of 452% more rainfall than normal for the month of May. With the early arrival of monsoon in some parts of Gadchiroli and continued thunderstorm activity from the month's beginning, Vidarbha received 144.5mm rainfall against its normal 26.2mm from March to May. However, March and April were relatively dry, and nearly all the rainfall was recorded in May. While the rain broke a 132-year record in Akola, districts like Buldhana, Gondia, and Wardha also received their highest rainfall in decades. Nagpur received 114.7mm of rainfall as of May 28, standing close to crossing the all-time high of 164.6mm recorded 99 years ago at the month's end. Other districts, though they received higher rainfall in May earlier, had departures that were too high. Gadchiroli received the highest rainfall of 225.1mm (a departure of 507%). Records for previous May rainfall for Gadchiroli are not available with the regional meteorological centre (RMC). Buldhana received 208.5mm rainfall, which is 1,541 times more than its normal for May. These two districts are followed by Wardha (168.1mm), Chandrapur (165.1mm), Akola (150mm), Gondia (140.1mm), Washim (118.4mm), Amravati (104mm), Yavatmal (73.7mm), and Bhandara (72.2mm). The normal rainfall for all these districts in summer is between 16.5mm and 37.9mm. IMD scientist Dr Rizwan Ahmed, posted at RMC, said favourable conditions for thunderstorms and low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea ensured continuous rainfall in May across Maharashtra. "The moisture incursion from these low-pressure systems was up to Madhya Pradesh. Unprecedented thunderstorm activities were recorded throughout May. The low-pressure system pushes moisture towards land and plays a big role in triggering thunderstorms," he said. Dr Ahmed said vigorous thunderstorm activity gave a feel of early monsoon, with the maximum temperature rarely crossing 40 degrees Celsius in May. "Normally, 45 degrees Celsius temperatures are recorded in May, which were not seen in Vidarbha as well as other parts of the state," he said, adding that four more days of thunderstorms are expected.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Heat and hail: Temp rises in Nagpur, Akola, other parts of Vid brace for thunderstorms
1 2 Nagpur: The maximum temperature once again shot up to 43.2 degrees Celsius in Nagpur on Tuesday before a thunderstorm and gusty winds brought much needed respite towards the evening. Earlier in the day, hailstorms lashed Gadchiroli keeping its maximum temperature at 40 degrees Celsius. Hail measuring the size of chickpea were reported from some parts of Gadchiroli. The district also recorded 15.4mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. A yellow alert has been issued for Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Amravati for the next three days as more thunderstorms and lightning are like to occur. Chandrapur has been put on orange alert for another day with similar weather conditions, but with higher intensity. Akola was the hottest in the region on Tuesday at 44.6 degrees Celsius followed by Nagpur. Amravati, Wardha, Brahmapuri, Chandrapur and Washim too recorded over 42 degree Celsius. Gondia recorded the lowest maximum temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius and rainfall of 6.2mm. The regional meteorological center (RMC) issued a hail and thunderstorm warning for Bhandara, Gondia and Gadchiroli with some parts under orange alert in the evening. Lightning and moderate thunderstorm warning was issued for Nagpur, where squalls hit several parts of the district towards the evening. Meanwhile, the aerodrome 'nowcast' accurately picked up a thunderstorm near the airport. Thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds occurring near Nagpur Airport at around 4pm on Tuesday was accurately picked up by the aerodrome nowcast service of regional meteorological centre. The thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and very light rainfall occurred near the airport, driven by gusty winds reaching speeds of approximately 40 knots. The weather event was associated with the approach of cumulonimbus (CB) clouds, aerodrome meteorological office (AMO) director Rizwan Ahmed said. "In response, an aerodrome warning was issued at 1040 UTC (4pm IST) by the duty officer of AMO Nagpur, valid for four hours. Such warnings are critical for alerting aircrews and airport personnel to potentially hazardous meteorological conditions — such as CB clouds — that could impact ground operations, including aircraft handling, maintenance activities, and the safety of parked helicopters," he said. The satellite and radar imagery effectively captured the development of this weather system, aiding in the timely issuance of the warning, he said. Of late, the RMC has been accurately predicting weather developments, which have helped various authorities to respond with full preparedness.
