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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Delhi under yellow alert as IMD warns of heavy rain in several states
Delhi to witness light to moderate rain and gusty winds; IMD issues red alerts in Himachal and Maharashtra, orange in Haryana, amid fears of floods and disruptions Vrinda Goel New Delhi The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Delhi on Sunday, forecasting generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms. These may be accompanied by lightning and gusty winds between 30 and 40 kmph, occasionally touching 50 kmph during intense spells. According to the IMD, a yellow alert indicates the possibility of moderate rainfall. While not severe, it could lead to localised waterlogging and may disrupt outdoor plans. The showers are likely to bring relief from the heat, with maximum temperatures expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius. The minimum may hover around 28 degrees Celsius. 'Feels-like' temperature touched 49 degrees Humidity levels fluctuated between 59 and 89 per cent, fuelling discomfort as the monsoon advanced. The wet-bulb temperature, a key indicator of heat stress, climbed to 29.57 degrees Celsius by 5.30 pm. Experts warn that once wet-bulb readings cross 32 degrees Celsius, the human body struggles to cool itself. Readings beyond 35 degrees Celsius can pose life-threatening risks. Air quality stays in 'satisfactory' range Delhi's air quality remained in the 'satisfactory' category on Sunday morning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 86 at 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI score between 51 and 100 is classified as satisfactory. Levels above 100 begin to indicate moderate to severe pollution concerns. No major weather alerts for Delhi this week While the IMD has not issued any major warnings for the capital this week, the yellow alert remains valid for Sunday. Light rainfall and cooler-than-normal daytime temperatures are expected to continue, with no heatwave conditions predicted. Red, orange alerts in multiple states Meanwhile, the IMD has sounded red and orange alerts across several states due to anticipated very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. A red alert denotes rainfall exceeding 204.5 mm in 24 hours and signifies serious risks of flash floods, traffic disruption, and potential evacuation. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and follow official advisories. An orange alert, indicating 115.6–204.4 mm of rainfall, also points to possible waterlogging and localised flooding, warranting caution. North and west brace for impact Himachal Pradesh is under a red alert for Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts on Sunday. Flash flood warnings have been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur. Punjab too faces a red alert, while Haryana and Chandigarh are under orange alert, with intense rainfall predicted over the next 48 hours. Bengaluru to see light rain, gusty winds Further south, Bengaluru is expected to remain cloudy on Sunday, with light rain and thunderstorms. Winds may range between 40 and 50 kmph.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Delhi to stay humid, cloudy today; heavy rain likely in Himachal Pradesh
Delhi to stay cloudy with light rain, no heatwave likely; IMD issues rain alerts across Himachal as landslides, floods cause major disruption in Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur and Spiti districts Vrinda Goel New Delhi Delhi is likely to see a humid Wednesday with patchy light rain in the forecast. For Delhi-NCR, no weather warning has been issued so far. The skies are expected to remain generally cloudy, with very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 34-36 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature could be between 27 degrees Celsius. No heat wave conditions will prevail. Rain also contributed to improved air quality in Delhi. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 85 at 10 am on July 2, placing it in the 'satisfactory' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Weekly weather forecast for Delhi The IMD forecasts no alerts for the national capital until July 6, with daily light to very light rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. No heatwave conditions are anticipated, and both maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain below the seasonal average. Himachal battered by rain-induced destruction Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under heavy rainfall, triggering landslides, flooding and widespread damage across multiple districts. The IMD has issued a rain alert for several places across the state. The relentless rain has damaged 614 power transformers and 130 water supply schemes, and blocked 259 roads across the state, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA). Mandi is the worst-hit, with 139 road closures and over 300 transformer failures. Significant water disruptions have been reported in Sirmaur and Kullu, while Spiti saw 139 transformers go offline. Monsoon warnings for central and northern states The IMD has warned that above-normal monsoon rainfall is likely in central India, Uttarakhand, and Haryana for July, which could trigger localised flooding. July typically accounts for 34.5 per cent of India's total four-month monsoon rainfall. In contrast, below-normal rainfall is forecast for the northeast, eastern India including Bihar, and parts of the southern peninsula. The IMD said any disruptions in July or August could affect standing kharif crops,In contrast, below-normal rainfall is forecast for the northeast, eastern India including Bihar, and parts of the southern peninsula. The IMD said any disruptions in July or August could affect standing kharif crops, which depend on seasonal rain.
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Business Standard
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Why did Rajnath Singh refuse to sign SCO bloc communique in China?
At the SCO summit in China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism must be held accountable, even as he chose not to sign a document by the bloc Vrinda Goel New Delhi Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday declined to sign the joint document at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting, held in Qingdao, China. The joint document reportedly failed to mention the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 dead, but included references to unrest in Balochistan. No mention of Pahalgam terror attack India's refusal to sign the SCO joint document was primarily driven by its dissatisfaction over the omission of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The attack was not acknowledged in the draft document, according to news agency PTI. Reference to militant activities in Balochistan The joint statement, however, included references to militant activities in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. The document reiterates Pakistan's baseless claims, which accuse India of supporting the Balochistan Freedom Movement. New Delhi has repeatedly rejected these allegations. Rajnath Singh slams 'double standards' on terrorism Rajnath Singh urged SCO member states to adopt a united and uncompromising stance against terrorism, warning against 'double standards' and indirect support for extremist forces. 'There should be no place for double standards in dealing with terrorism. Member nations must not hesitate to criticise those who indulge in or support such activities,' Singh said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan. 'Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism. Decisive and collective action is required to address these challenges.' Call to expose state-backed terrorism Rajnath Singh further mentioned that regional peace is threatened by growing radicalisation, extremism and a deepening trust deficit. 'The root cause of many regional problems lies in terrorism. Those who sponsor, shelter, and use terrorism as a tool for narrow political gains must be held accountable,' he said. Without naming Pakistan directly, Singh said some countries continue to use cross-border terrorism as a "state policy" and provide safe havens to terrorists. 'The SCO should not shy away from calling out such behaviour,' he said. (With agency inputs)
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Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Delhi sees pleasant weather as IMD warns of rain, storms across India
IMD issues yellow alert for Delhi and heavy rain warnings for several states, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning expected across much of the country over the next seven days Vrinda Goel New Delhi Delhi residents woke up to pleasant weather on Wednesday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Delhi, warning of thunderstorms with lightning and moderate to heavy rainfall, a few days earlier than usual. Generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain with thunderstorms are likely, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, occasionally reaching up to 50 kmph during storms, the IMD said. The showers are expected to bring drown the maximum temperature, keeping it between 33-35 degrees Celsius, with the minimum likely to hover around 28 degrees Celsius. Delhi weather: Weekly forecast Delhi is likely to experience mostly cloudy skies over the next seven days, with the IMD issuing a 'yellow alert' for thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall until June 25. Gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, occasionally reaching up to 50 kmph during evening or night storms, are also expected. While rainfall intensity may vary, no heatwave conditions are forecast for the week. Air quality turns 'moderate' Delhi's air quality deteriorated on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the 'moderate' category after remaining 'satisfactory' for several days. The air quality was recorded 'moderate' at 8 am on June 25, with an AQI reading of 116. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51–100 'satisfactory', 101–200 'moderate', 201–300 'poor', 301–400 'very poor' and 401–500 'severe'. IMD issues heavy rain alert for several states The IMD has issued a widespread weather alert forecasting heavy rainfall across several regions, including western, central, eastern, and southern India in the coming days. In Gujarat, continuous downpours led to severe waterlogging in Surat, prompting local authorities to shut schools. Streets were submerged, and several low-lying areas faced significant disruption to daily life, reported ANI. Maharashtra was also hit by heavy rain, causing the Godavari river to overflow and flood parts of Nashik. Locals waded through knee-deep water as emergency services remained on standby. In southern India, Kerala experienced intense showers, with officials closely monitoring for potential rain-related emergencies. Alongside the rainfall alert, the IMD also warned of heatwave conditions in the Jammu division, highlighting varied and extreme weather conditions across the country. Rainfall to intensify in Northwest India from 25 June Rainfall activity is expected to intensify over Northwest India from 25 June, with heavy to very heavy showers forecast at several locations. Central, East, and Northeast India are also likely to experience continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next seven days. Rainfall is set to intensify over Northwest India from 25 June, with heavy to very heavy showers expected in some areas. Similar conditions are likely to persist across Central, East, and Northeast India over the next week.
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Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Delhi to launch ₹3.21 crore artificial rain project: How it will be done
Backed by IIT-Kanpur and IMD, the ₹3.21 crore project aims to trigger artificial rain over Delhi using cloud seeding technology to reduce PM levels and build evidence for future urban use Vrinda Goel New Delhi The Delhi government is set to launch its first pilot project for artificial rain through cloud seeding, or artificial rain, to tackle the city's pollution. Cloud-seeding operations will begin as soon as favourable weather conditions, particularly the presence of moisture-laden clouds, are observed. The ₹3.21 crore initiative will be implemented in partnership with IIT-Kanpur and the Delhi government's Department of Environment. IIT-Kanpur will handle the scientific, technical, and operational aspects of the project. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also extended formal support, confirming the feasibility of the project across the NCR. It will provide critical real-time data, including cloud type, altitude, wind patterns, and dew point to assist in operational planning, reports NDTV. What is artificial rain? Artificial rain is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds. These act as nuclei, encouraging moisture to condense into larger droplets, which can trigger rainfall or snowfall from clouds that may not naturally produce it. Why Delhi needs artificial rain According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board and SAFAR, concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 frequently exceed prescribed limits, pushing the Air Quality Index into the 'severe' category and posing serious public health risks. Artificial rain, created through cloud seeding, helps by washing out pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 from the atmosphere, leading to cleaner air and better visibility. Delhi's artificial rain project: How it will be done As part of its artificial rain project, IIT-Kanpur will fly small aircraft over Delhi skies to try and make it rain. The aircraft will carry special flares that release a mixture of chemicals into the clouds, encouraging them to produce rain. The aircraft, a modified Cessna, will carry flares filled with a unique mix developed by IIT-Kanpur. This mix includes tiny particles of silver iodide (a compound that helps form ice), powdered rock salt, iodised salt, and a chemical to keep the mix free-flowing. This blend works in two ways: it helps water droplets form more easily and also triggers the formation of ice crystals, both of which increase the chances of rain. The trial will include up to five flights, each lasting at least 90 minutes and covering around 100 square kilometres. These flights will avoid sensitive or restricted airspace and will only take place after getting final clearances. They will focus on areas in northwest and outer Delhi. The flights will target nimbostratus clouds—thick, grey clouds found between 500 and 6,000 metres above ground level and with a moisture level of over 50 per cent, which makes them suitable for seeding. The exact amount and type of the seeding mix used will depend on the weather and how much moisture is present in the clouds. To track the effect of the artificial rain on pollution, IIT-Kanpur will monitor air quality in real time using Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in and around the area. These stations measure PM2.5 and PM10—tiny harmful particles in the air that affect health. IIT-Kanpur had earlier run seven successful cloud seeding trials between April and July in drought-hit regions, using the same type of aircraft and flare-based systems. The Delhi project builds on those efforts, with a new focus on fighting air pollution. It is expected to provide data that may help use this method in other polluted urban areas in future. A step towards Delhi's 'right to clean air' Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the pilot project a national-first, rooted in science and executed with precision. 'This is not just a fight against pollution, it's a blueprint for the future. The experiment is being carried out with military-grade accuracy and real-time evaluation,' he said.
