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Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Climate
- Gulf Today
Shifting monsoons: adapting challenges
India is facing a new climate challenge — its shifting monsoon patterns. Highlighting this, a recent study, 'Weathering the Storm: Managing Monsoons in a Warming Climate', points out the alarming impact of climate change on India's monsoon patterns and extreme weather events. Major findings, as per the IPE Global — Esri India study, indicate that by 2030, eight out of ten districts in India will face increased occurrences of erratic rainfall, correlated with a significant rise in extreme heat incidents. Another DD News report states that the Indian monsoon, long considered a stable feature of the subcontinent's climate, is undergoing major changes due to climate change. While overall annual rainfall has not shown a consistent trend at the national level, significant regional shifts and rising extremes are now evident. States like Kerala, parts of Northeast India, and East Central India are experiencing declining seasonal rainfall, while areas such as North Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are witnessing an increase. More alarmingly, extreme rainfall events — those exceeding 150 mm in a day — have increased by 75% in central India between 1950 and 2015. Alongside this, dry spells are also becoming more frequent and prolonged. Between 1981 and 2011, dry spells during the summer monsoon season increased by 27% compared to the period from 1951 to 1980. The number of years with deficient rainfall and the extent of drought-prone areas are also on the rise. These shifts pose serious risks for Indian agriculture. The rainfall is increasingly concentrated in short, intense bursts — nearly half of the seasonal total now falls within just 20 to 30 hours — leaving long dry gaps that affect soil moisture, crop growth, and water availability. The IPE Global — Esri India study warns that India is on track to become not just hotter — but significantly wetter — by 2030. It forecasts a 43% rise in the intensity of extreme rainfall events, alongside a 2.5-fold increase in the number of heatwave days. Released at the International Global-South Climate Risk Symposium, it presents a first-of-its-kind district-level hazard mapping of combined heat and rainfall extremes and underlines an urgent call to climate-proof urban infrastructure, agriculture, and public health systems. Major urban centres such as Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Surat, Thane, Hyderabad, Patna, and Bhubaneswar are projected to witness twice as many heatwave days by 2030. Prolonged summer-like conditions are expected to trigger frequent, erratic rainfall events, with 80% of Indian districts likely to be impacted by multiple extremes in the next five years. The analysis reveals that India has already experienced a 15-fold rise in extreme heatwave days in the summer (March — September) period since 1993. Alarmingly, the last decade alone accounted for a 19-fold increase, signalling a steep acceleration in climate anomalies. Coastal districts — both east and west — are showing signs of overlapping heat and rainfall extremes. By 2040, nearly 8 out of 10 coastal districts are expected to face extended summer discomfort, even during the traditional monsoon months. The study warns of 63% land-use and land-cover change in hotspot districts under business-as-usual scenarios. It attributes local climate disruptions to rapid urbanisation, deforestation, encroachments on wetlands and mangroves, and unregulated construction. To counter the compounding risks, the study proposes a climate risk observatory for real-time and predictive climate assessments using earth observation data and high-resolution models. It also recommends the creation of district-level 'heat-risk champions' within disaster management agencies to coordinate early response strategies and build localised heat resilience. The DD News report also points out that the traditional rhythm of the monsoon is changing. July, once the peak rainfall month, is showing a decline, while September is wetter. The onset and withdrawal of the monsoon are also shifting across regions, further complicating farming calendars and water management. Natural climate drivers like the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, El Niño, and La Niña remain key influences. Out of 16 El Niño years since 1950, seven have caused below-normal rainfall in India. Despite these disruptions, recent years have seen some positive trends. In 2024, India recorded 108% of its Long Period Average rainfall during the June–September southwest monsoon season. That year, 78% of districts received normal to excess rainfall — the highest in over a decade. However, East and Northeast India continued to face deficits.
Scroll.in
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Willing to cooperate with Bangladesh for repair of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home, says India
India on Tuesday said that it is willing to cooperate with the Bangladeshi government in repairing and reconstructing the ancestral home of filmmaker Satyajit Ray after reports emerged that the property was being demolished. Earlier in the day, Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported that the ancestral home of littérateur Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was being demolished to make way for a 'new semi-concrete structure'. Chowdhury is the father of poet Sukumar Ray and grandfather of Satyajit Ray. #Bangladesh | Satyajit Ray's ancestral home being demolished in Mymensingh In Bangladesh, the ancestral home of eminent filmmaker #SatyajitRay in #Mymensingh city, formerly used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy, is being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure.… — DD News (@DDNewslive) July 15, 2025 The newspaper reported that the home had been 'abandoned for ten years' and was being used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy. The property was being demolished to build a semi-concrete structure with several rooms to start academy activities, the newspaper quoted an official as saying. The official claimed that the old structure, located on Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road in Mymensingh, posed 'safety risks' for the children gathering in the compound. In light of the reports on the demolition, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday sought the intervention of both New Delhi and Dhaka in the matter. 'News reports reveal that in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city, the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, the renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, steeped in his memories, is reportedly being demolished,' she said on X. 'It is said that the demolition work had already begun.' Describing the reports as 'extremely distressing', the Trinamool Congress chief said that the 'Ray family is one of the foremost bearers and carriers of Bengali culture'. Banerjee added that the home was 'intricately tied' to the cultural history of Bengal. 'I appeal to the Bangladesh government and all the conscientious people of that country to take steps to preserve this heritage-laden house,' she said. 'The Indian government should pay attention to this matter.' Later on Tuesday, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that it noted with 'profound regret' the demolition of the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray and his grandfather. 'The property, presently owned by the Government of Bangladesh, is in a state of disrepair,' the ministry said in a statement. 'Given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh,' it added. The statement said that the Indian government would be willing to extend cooperation for this purpose. The ancestral home, located about 120 km north of Dhaka, was built over a century ago by Chowdhury, The Indian Express reported, quoting Bangladesh' Department of Archaeology.
India Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
PM gets Namibia's highest civilian award, his 27th global honour since 2014
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday conferred with Namibia's highest civilian award, 'Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis'.The award was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.#WATCH | Windhoek: PM Narendra Modi conferred with the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, the highest civilian award of Namibia. President of Namibia, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presented the award to him.(Video: ANI/DD News) ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025advertisementModi is in Namibia on the last leg of his five-nation is the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Namibia and the third-ever prime ministerial visit from India to the is the 27th international honour bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi by a foreign government since he assumed office in May in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Nandi-Ndaitwah held bilateral talks, following which the two countries signed four agreements to bolster bilateral cooperation in several areas, including energy and healthcare.- EndsMust Watch
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First Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
PM Modi conferred with Namibia's highest civilian honour — Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Namibia's highest civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. read more The honour was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during a formal ceremony on Wednesday. ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Namibia's highest civilian award, the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. #WATCH | Windhoek: PM Narendra Modi conferred with the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, the highest civilian award of Namibia. President of Namibia, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presented the award to him. (Video: ANI/DD News) — ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The honour was presented by Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during a formal ceremony, marking a significant milestone in India–Namibia diplomatic ties. This prestigious award underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, spanning areas such as trade, energy, wildlife conservation, and capacity building. Before receiving the award, PM Modi held talks with President Nandi-Ndaitwah and discussed ways to bolster bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals. During the delegation-level talks, the two leaders reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations. President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and I reviewed the full range of India-Namibia relations during our talks today. Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2025 'Cooperation in areas such as digital technology, defence, security, agriculture, healthcare, education and critical minerals figured prominently in our discussions,' PM Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We also discussed how to boost linkages in trade, energy and petrochemicals. Expressed gratitude for the assistance from Namibia in Project Cheetah,' he added. After the talks at the State House, the two sides signed four agreements, including on cooperation in the field of health and medicine, setting up an entrepreneurship development centre in Namibia, CDRI Framework and Global Biofuels Alliance Framework. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at State House. He also received a 21-gun salute. PM Modi is visiting Namibia on a state visit at the invitation of Namibian President Nandi-Ndaitwah. PM Modi arrived in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, on Wednesday morning (local time). This visit is his first to the country and only the third time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Namibia. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Trump Reveals 'SURPRISE' For Putin; Loses Cool Over Ukraine Killings
'Bharat Mata Ki Jay' Chants To Samba Beats: Grand Traditional Welcome For PM Modi In Brasilia Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing, emotional welcome upon arriving in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, on the next leg of his five-nation tour. In a video released by DD News, enthusiastic chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modi-Modi' echoed at the airport as members of the Indian diaspora gave him a traditional reception filled with joy and pride. PM Modi met and interacted with members of the Indian community, who were dressed in cultural attire and waved the tricolour. The event had a festive vibe, and the Batala Mundo Band added a unique Brazilian-African rhythm by performing Samba-Reggae tunes at the airport, blending cultures in harmony.#pmmodi #narendramodi #modiinbrazil #bharatmatakijay #sambareggae #indiancommunity #batalamundo #modiwelcome #indiabrazilrelations #afrobrazilianmusic #modiinternational #pmmodibrazilvisit #brics2025 #desienergyabroad #indiandiasporaglobal #culturaldiplomacy #modiglobalreach #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 138 views | 15 hours ago
