Category: Environment

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-Top News Environment World News

G20 must step up for climate action, says Guterres

“Climate change is here,” he said as the message was brought home to the UN headquarters by New York declaring an extreme heat advisory for the city…reports Arul Louis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed to G20 leaders who will meet at a summit in New Delhi to act urgently on climate change because its outcome will impact further efforts.

Calling the September summit headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “critical opportunity”, he said: “Particularly G20 countries — responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions – must step up for climate action and climate justice.”

The success of the UN climate change meeting known as the Conference of Parties (COP) in December in Dubai will depend on the outcome of the G20 meeting, he said while speaking to reporters.

“The G20’s success is a basic precondition for the success of the COP, because nobody else can compensate if those members of the G20 do not seriously engage in a dramatic reduction of that emissions,” he said.

While smaller developing countries like the small island countries are trying to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, “They are not the problem; the problem are developed countries and the emerging economies that meet in the G20”, he said.

“Climate change is here,” he said as the message was brought home to the UN headquarters by New York declaring an extreme heat advisory for the city.

“Extreme weather is becoming the new normal,” he warned.

“All countries must respond and protect their people from the searing heat, fatal floods, storms, droughts, and raging fires that result,” he said.

“We must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition” to fight climate change.

India suffered through an extreme heat wave in the past three months with parts of the country hitting 47 degrees Celsius.

While he attributed 80 per cent of the greenhouse emissions collectively to the G20 nations, Guterres also spoke of the differences among countries, which would apply to countries in the group.

“Those countries on the frontlines — who have done the least to cause the crisis and have the least resources to deal with it — must have the support they need to do so,” he said.

“It is time for a global surge in adaptation investment to save millions of lives from climate carnage,” he added. He said that the developed countries should stand by their commitments to give $100 billion a year to help developing countries deal with climate change and noted that only Germany and Canada have contributed their share.

Guterres, who has launched a war on fossil fuels, called for ending financing of projects using them and said investments should be directed to renewable energy projects. “Many banks, investors and other financial actors continue to reward polluters and incentivise wrecking the planet,” he said.

ALSO READ-UNFCCC, COP28 urge G20 to take lead in climate change mitigation

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-Top News Environment World News

UNFCCC, COP28 urge G20 to take lead in climate change mitigation

They also called on the G20 to show that it can deliver for the most climate vulnerable, including the least developed countries and small island developing states…reports Asian Lite News

COP28 President-designate Sultan Al Jaber and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary Simon Stiell on Thursday called upon G20 nations to take a greater leadership role in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

With only 125 days to go, the leaders issued a joint statement on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Chennai, calling on G20 nations to “lead the way” on delivering a positive outcome on mitigation at the COP28 climate conference this year.

“The science demands a strong mitigation outcome at COP28 that drives a significant reduction in emissions and builds on the progress of previous COPs, and we call on the G20 to lead the way on the basis of both science and equity and lay the path to a strong and credible outcome that provides developing countries with the basis to undertake a just transition,” the leaders said in the statement.

“Together, we must take necessary steps to accelerate the inevitable phase-down of all fossil fuels in a responsible manner, in order to have an energy system free of unabated fossil fuels by the middle of this century while enabling access for all and promoting sustainable development,” they said in the statement, which reiterated the importance of tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements across sectors by 2030.

While the discussions at the G20 Energy Ministerial considered energy transition and aligning current pathways with the Paris Goals, the outcome did not provide a sufficiently clear signal for transforming global energy systems, scaling up renewable and clean energy sources and responsibly phasing down fossil fuels.

“It is our hope that any progress achieved by the G20 drives decisively a strong outcome at COP28 under the Global Stocktake and capitalizes on the Just Transition Work Programme established at COP27 to ensure that this transition is fair, leaves no one behind and supports the broad development challenges faced by developing countries in launching this transition,” the statement added.

The leaders also urged G20 nations to raise the importance of defining a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and operationalizing the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements “to an equal level, to ensure that the human face of the climate change is at the center of all our decisions.” Adaptation finance must be doubled urgently, the leaders said.

“The G20 must affirm its commitment to achieve the operationalization of the fund and funding arrangements. Those at the frontline of climate change need our support now, not in 5 years’ time. This is the benchmark for ambition,” they said in the statement.

They also called on the G20 to show that it can deliver for the most climate vulnerable, including the least developed countries and small island developing states.

Delivering on the 2030 agenda will depend on making climate finance more available, affordable and accessible to developing countries, the leaders state. “Climate finance arrangements will need to be transformed to deliver at the necessary scale, to work better as a system and to support private finance mobilization at unprecedented levels.”

The leaders also called on G20 nations “to urgently prioritize your revised commitments, whether NDCs, NAPs or on climate finance, including contributions to the ambitious replenishment of the GCF to align with the Paris Goals.”

“We must leave Chennai on the right path and with a clear signal that the political will to tackle the climate crisis and launch a new era of development is within our grasp, because it is only a short path to COP28. Every meeting counts, every outcome must bring us closer. The world needs its leaders to unite, act and deliver; and that must start with the G20,” the statement concluded.

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-Top News Environment World

UN body on climate science elects Skea as new Chair

Skea was elected by 90 votes to 69 in a run-off with Thelma Krug, the IPCC said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News

Jim Skea of the UK is the newly elected Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body assessing climate change science.

With nearly 40 years of climate science experience and expertise, Skea will lead the IPCC through its seventh assessment cycle.

Skea was elected by 90 votes to 69 in a run-off with Thelma Krug, the IPCC said in a statement.

“Climate change is an existential threat to our planet. My ambition is to lead an IPCC that is truly representative and inclusive, an IPCC looking to the future while exploiting the opportunities that we have in the present. An IPCC where everyone feels valued and heard,” said Skea in his address to the delegates attending the IPCC elections.

“In this, I will pursue three priorities — improving inclusiveness and diversity, shielding scientific integrity and policy relevance of IPCC assessment reports, and making the effective use of the best available science on climate change. My actions as the Chair of the IPCC will ensure that these ambitions are realised,” he added.

The election took place at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Kenya, where the IPCC is holding its 59th session.

Elections for other positions in the IPCC Bureau, including the Co-Chairs of the IPCC Working Groups, will take place from July 26-28.

Four candidates ran for the Chair of the IPCC. These were the first elections in the history of the IPCC with women candidates running for this position.

Skea, 69, is Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College in London. During the IPCC’s just completed sixth assessment cycle, Skea was the Co-Chair of Working Group III, assessing the mitigation of climate change.

Most of his career, spreading over decades, has been dedicated to ensuring that the challenges of climate change are understood, and actions to avert them are taken.

Responding to the election of the new IPCC Chair, Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International, told IANS: “As the world grapples with life-threatening heatwaves, devastating floods, and catastrophic wildfires intensified by global warming, the newly appointed IPCC chair, Jim Skea, assumes a critical role. His mission extends beyond merely placing science at the heart of climate action; it involves infusing a deep sense of urgency within the global community about the imperative to act quickly and decisively.”

“The role of scientists in this global crisis now surpasses the conventional confines of research and analysis. They are being called upon to serve as forceful advocates for practical solutions, actively championing measures based on equity and justice that will effectively tackle the escalating climate change crisis,” she added.

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-Top News Environment India News

Ministers from 35 countries to meet for G20 meet in Chennai  

During the fourth ECSWG, further discussion on the outcome documents is scheduled to take place in parallel, under the two broad tracks of Environment and Climate, they said…reports Asian Lite News

Chennai will play host to the fourth Environment & Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting, which commences here on July 26, in which nearly 35 ministers from different countries will participate.

Speaking about the three-day event being held under India’s G20 Presidency, Richa Sharma, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, here said on Tuesday that Union Environment Bhupender Yadav who holds the portfolio will address the ministerial meeting.

About 300 delegates from the G20 member countries, invitees and representatives of several international organisations will be taking part in meeting.

The previous meetings were held in Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, and Mumbai.

“We have brought in new thematic priorities for discussions, such as land degradation due to forest fires or owing to abandoned mines. Different working groups will conclude their work and finally meet in Delhi,” Sharma told reporters here.

“We are working towards developing G20 high-level principles on a sustainable ocean-based economy,” she added. A detailed report on handling marine plastic litter will be prepared. Tomorrow’s event attracts the largest number of participants, indicating the Presidency’s success for the thematic priorities,” she said.

Bivash Ranjan, Additional Director General of Forests, MoEF & CC; Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary, MoEF & CC; and Richa Sharma, the theme Chairs for land restoration, circular economy, and blue economy, who jointly addressed media persons, said the deliberations of the 4th ECSWG meeting will conclude with the G20 Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting on Day 3, wherein the outcome and the Presidency documents will be released.

In the previous three meetings, as well as virtual sessions in May, June and July, collaborative and inclusive discussions took place and the discussions centered on identifying the root cause and global solutions that could help tackle the multidimensional challenge of climate and environmental degradation.

During the fourth ECSWG, further discussion on the outcome documents is scheduled to take place in parallel, under the two broad tracks of Environment and Climate, they said.

“Coastal and marine spatial planning is also an important issue and how this should be used in a comprehensive and incubated manner, and the kind of planning approach to be undertaken would be taken into account. This is underway for Puducherry and Lakshadweep. A draft document has been prepared for the entire coastline of India and the islands,” Sharma said.

Govt to release 2 commemorative coins to mark G20 presidency

The government will release two commemorative coins of ₹ 100 and ₹ 75 to mark India’s G20 presidency. According to a gazette notification issued on July 24, the commemorative ₹ 100 coin will bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar in the centre with the legend Satyamev Jayate in Devnagari on its obverse side.

It will also be flanked on the left periphery with the word ‘Bharat’ in Devnagari script and on the right periphery with the word ‘India’ in English.

The reverse side of the coin will have the design of the logo of India’s G20 Presidency in the centre and Vasudhev Kutumbkam will be written in Devnagari script on the upper periphery of the coin and the inscription ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ in English will be written on lower periphery of the coin, as per the notification.

The standard weight of both coins would be 35 grams each and they will be of 44 millimetres in diameter.

India’s presidency of the G20 is from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. The G20 is an inter-governmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.

Under India’s presidency, the leaders’ summit is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10.

Commemorative coins are typically issued by the government to mark a special occasion.

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-Top News Afghanistan Environment

Afghan farmers hit hard by severe drought and harsh winter

The organization added that FAO requires USD 252.4 million to assist eight million people in Afghanistan in 2023, according to TOLO News…reports Asian Lite News

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report that severe and widespread drought and a bitterly cold winter have impacted farmers in Afghanistan, reported TOLO News.

“Severe and widespread drought, in addition to an extremely harsh winter, have impacted farmers…,” reported the Food and Agriculture Organization. Referring to Afghanistan, the FAO added that 80 percent of Afghan families are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

“With 80 percent of families dependent on agriculture for their food and income, humanitarian livelihood support is critical,” FAO added.

The FAO mentioned in a report published in 2022, “Every USD $1 spent to protect rural livelihoods saved around USD $7 in additional humanitarian assistance, generated further income for Afghan families and supplied food in local markets.”

Moreover, the organization added that FAO requires USD 252.4 million to assist eight million people in Afghanistan in 2023, according to TOLO News.

Abdul Baseer Taraki, an economist, said that since the Taliban is not recognized, there is less assistance.

“Currently, our country is not recognized, the banking system is problematic, the business is down and we are forced to accept less than 30 to 40 percent of assistance,” he said.

However, Abdul Latif Nazari, the Deputy Minister of Economy, said that the main reasons for poverty are the imposed sanctions on Afghanistan and the suspension of international assistance for infrastructural projects, reported TOLO News.

“The sanctions and freezing of Afghan assets will undoubtedly have their effects on the livelihood of the people of Afghanistan,” said Nazari.

Furthermore, in June, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report said that the estimated number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan has surged to 28.8 million from 28.3 million which was recorded at the beginning of 2023, according to TOLO News.

Livestock farmers hit by drought

Livestock farmers said that due to drought in Bamyan province of Afghanistan, animal fodder has decreased which has made agriculture, especially feeding livestock, very challenging, TOLOnews reported.

Lamenting over the challenges faced by Livestock farmers on a daily basis in the province, they said that the lack of fodder is not the only problem but the occurrence of various animal diseases has also had a bad effect on livestock farming and has reduced their income, TOLOnews said. One of the Bamiyan livestock farmers is Mohammad Kazem. He claimed that while he once kept close to 60 sheep, he is now only able to feed10 sheep.

“The drought affected me so much that I was keeping fifty or sixty sheep at that time and that was easy for me. Now that I keep ten sheep, we are in trouble. Now our children are shepherding them. I give them water from the well,” Mohammad Kazem said, according to TOLOnews.

Livestock farmers claimed that in the past, their livelihoods were supported by raising livestock, but that this is no longer possible for them.

According to livestock farmer Mohammad Alim, “Drought and persistent pests have presented people with challenges, which has reduced the number of people’s livestock year by year.”

“Eighty per cent of the people have sold their livestock because of both disease and drought,” said Mohammad Baqir, another livestock farmer, as the situation remains grim in the province.

Given that the majority of Afghans live in great poverty, it is the humanitarian organisations that have navigated the way for Afghan families to get basic amenities and have provided essential relief and services to the people.

With time, the situation of people in Afghanistan has become miserable. People continue to face food shortages, and the basic amenities to live have become a far cry for all. Moreover, the situation of women in the country has only got worse. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Dozens dead as devastating floods hit Afghanistan

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-Top News Environment USA

40 million Americans under heat alerts

Temperatures are forecast to reach or exceed 43.3 degrees Celsius in states including California and Arizona…reports Asian Lite News

Amid a scorching heat wave, the US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued heat alerts for 40 million Americans across at least a dozen states, from Montana to Texas and Florida.

Scorching temperatures will linger in the US Southwest while intensifying in the Midwest this week, NWS update issued on Monday said. A heat dome that has been stationary over the Southwest is expected to stretch into the Midwest , it added.

Temperatures are forecast to reach or exceed 43.3 degrees Celsius in states including California and Arizona. Arizona’s capital city of Phoenix has now witnessed a record-breaking 24 consecutive days of temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius, well past the previous record of 18 days set in 1974.

Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms are forecasted for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Thunderstorms will continue to increase in coverage and intensity throughout the day as daytime heating destabilises the atmosphere, according to the NWS Storm Prediction Center.

The strongest storms will pose a risk of locally damaging wind gusts. Meanwhile, at least 18 heat-related deaths have occurred in Arizona’s Maricopa County since April, with 69 more fatalities under investigation.

The National Park Service has also reported at least four deaths among visitors. Two female hikers were found dead in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada on Sunday, amid temperatures as high as 45 degrees.

The world has just sweltered through the hottest June in the 174-year global climate record. The average global surface temperature in June was 1.05 degrees Celsius above average, ranking June 2023 as Earth’s warmest June on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

June 2023 was 0.13 of a degree warmer than the previous record set in June 2020. June 2023 also marked the 47th consecutive June and the 532nd consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th century average, according to NOAA.

Additionally, Earth’s ocean surface temperature anomaly — which indicates how much warmer or cooler temperatures are from the long-term average — were the highest ever recorded, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Climate change and strong El Nino events are behind the unprecedented weather conditions, scientists said.

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-Top News Environment UAE News

COP28 prioritises food systems in climate action

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, called on governments to demonstrate leadership by signing the first-ever Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action during the Food Systems Summit in Rome. (Photo: WAM)

The COP28 Presidency urged action to scale up food and agriculture innovation to drive both development and climate action, leveraging national and international mechanisms….reports Asian Lite News

The COP28 UAE Presidency launched its Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda. This forms part of its continued work to define the COP28 Action Agenda leading into this year’s climate conference.

The COP28 Presidency, represented by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment and COP28 Food Systems Lead, called on governments to demonstrate leadership by signing the first-ever Leaders Declaration on Food Systems, Agriculture and Climate Action during the Food Systems Summit in Rome.

The Declaration invites national governments to align their national food systems and agriculture strategies, with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). It will also celebrate countries who are leading the way by putting food systems and agriculture at the heart of the climate process.

In addition, the COP28 Presidency is calling on a diverse group of stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector to accelerate existing initiatives across food systems, agriculture, and climate action.

The COP28 Presidency will bring together businesses, farmer and producer organisations, and other non-state actors to drive progress across production, consumption, food loss and waste. This partnership will work with over 15 leading CEOs and involve actors across every stage of the agriculture supply chain, from production to consumption and finance.

As part of this collaboration, a flagship initiative was also launched to promote the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture in large food landscapes underpinned by procurement and investment commitments. This initiative will be co-chaired with the UN Climate Change High Level Champions, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

In a joint session on Food Systems and Climate Action at the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment, co-chaired by Almheiri and Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Almheiri highlighted the need to urgently increase the resilience of climate-vulnerable farmers and reduce food system-related emissions. She emphasised that the recalibration will also contribute to realising both the Paris Agreement and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

“The COP28 Presidency’s commitment to prioritising food systems demonstrates a dedication to address pressing global challenges. By mobilising national leadership, engaging non-state actors, scaling innovation, and securing financing, COP28 aims to drive transformative change to secure a sustainable future for all,” the COP28 Food Systems Lead said.

The announcement of the COP28 Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda comes on the first day of the UN Food Systems Summit Stock Take Moment (STM) taking place in Rome this week, and underscores the essential elements required to both upgrade food systems and achieve climate objectives.

The announcement follows the UAE Government’s recent commitments to accelerate action to reduce nationwide emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared to business-as-usual scenario in its Third Update of its Second NDC. Ahead of the G20 Environment and Climate Ministerial, the COP28 Presidency calls on all Parties to consider raising their ambition through revised NDCs, by meeting historic commitments, such as the US$100 billion of climate finance, and delivering what is needed at COP28, including the funding and arrangements for loss and damage.

Food systems are not only vital for meeting societal needs and enabling adaptation to climate impacts but are also responsible for significant global greenhouse gas emissions – representing up to 33 percent of total emissions according to the latest data. Current practices also contribute to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, consumption of 70 percent of freshwater, and can, in some cases, be associated with negative health impacts.

The COP28 Presidency urged action to scale up food and agriculture innovation to drive both development and climate action, leveraging national and international mechanisms – including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), the CGIAR and the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture. Working with partners, the Presidency will identify investment in a limited number of high-impact innovations, with a focus on smallholder and climate-vulnerable communities and producers.

Advancements in traditional agricultural practices play a major role responding to the realities of climate change and upgrading food systems. Scaling up promising and appropriate technologies, techniques and innovations can help all actors in the global food system mitigate as well as adapt to growing threats from rising temperatures and climate shocks.

To promote the Food Systems and Agriculture Agenda, the COP28 Presidency will work with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and a diverse set of partners, to build upon significant momentum and activities already underway at global, regional, and country level, adding to COP26, COP27, and the UN Food Systems processes.

Urgently upgrading food systems to respond to climate impacts and keep 1.5°C within reach is a cornerstone of the COP28 agenda and its focus on sustainable growth, livelihoods and well-being.

The COP28 Presidency also emphasised the importance of food systems and agriculture within the Global Goal on Adaptation, also mandated for adoption at COP28.

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-Top News Environment India News

G20 nations discuss disaster risk reduction

Member NDMA Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting was aimed at fulfilling the criteria that were envisioned by the Sendai Framework…reports Asian Lite News

Amid rising frequency of natural calamities, the G20 nations under India’s presidency discussed disaster risk reduction.

Top officials said that after completing the initial meetings in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the G20 Working Group commenced its third meeting in Chennai.

India, under its Presidency of the Group of 20 nations, has constituted a first-of-its-kind Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group keeping in view the increasing frequency and severity of disasters that are wreaking havoc around the world,

Speaking at the inaugural session, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi P K Mishra while highlighting the effects of climate change and related disasters listed out the forest fires in Canada, the resultant haze in North America, major cyclonic activity on India’s East and West Coast, unprecedented flooding in New Delhi (worst in 45 years), among others.

“Climate change-related disasters are already here. These are enormous, interconnected, and affect everyone across the world. The ambition of this group should match the scale of the problem. We need a transformation of local, national, and global disaster risk reduction systems,” he said.

According to Member Secretary of India’s National Disaster Management Authority, Kamal Kishore, the key focus areas of this group were ensuring early warning for all, investing in climate and disaster resilient infrastructure, improving financing framework for disaster risk reduction, improving systems for better post-disaster recovery, and ecosystem-based approaches to disaster risk reduction.

“Preparing for and working towards reducing the risk of disasters is the primary objective of India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and this activity is now being taken to the global stage and the exchange of ideas is being carried out with foreign counterparts,” he said.

About the increased international cooperation in sharing sensor data and warnings on Tsunami, earthquakes, and cyclones, Kishore said that the observation data from various sensors were global public goods and such data was fed to global models and was useful to all nations.

He also highlighted the need to improve the density of such networks, provide access to warnings and timely dissemination and the capability to act on the warnings.

Member NDMA Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting was aimed at fulfilling the criteria that were envisioned by the Sendai Framework.

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Environment India News News

Yamuna River surges, exceeds danger mark

The rise in water level yet again sparked concerns about the flood-like situation in the national capital and adjoining regions…reports Asian Lite News

Yamuna River continued to overflow in Delhi with water level recorded at 205.45 meters at 7 am on Tuesday.

The danger mark of the Yamuna River is at 205.33 meters. On Monday the water level in Yamuna was at 206.56 metres.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, announcements were made by the administration to vacate low-lying areas near the floodplains.

The rise in water level yet again sparked concerns about the flood-like situation in the national capital and adjoining regions.

The river water level had been hovering around the danger mark of 205.33 metres for the last few days after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 metres on July 13.

This surge in Yamuna’s water level is primarily due to the discharge of water from the Hathnikund Barrage caused by heavy rainfall in some regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

After July 13, the Yamuna had been receding gradually after reaching an all-time high of 208.66 meters but there have been marginal fluctuations in the water level over the last two-three days. The water level dropped below the danger mark at 8 pm on July 18 after flowing above the threshold for eight days.

Due to the increase in the water level of the river, several places in Delhi grappled with water-logging and flood-like situations.

Meanwhile, Delhi Jal Board Vice-Chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj on Sunday inspected the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and said that the Delhi government has made embankments and reinforcement at vulnerable spots to prevent flood water entering the water treatment plants.

Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday and discussed with him the water level in the Yamuna River in the national capital.

Light to moderate rain predicted

Light to moderate rains were witnessed in parts of the National Capital Region (NCR), including Noida, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Amidst heavy rainfall in parts of the country, the India Meterological Department has issued alerts for Maharashtra, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season has caused flooding and significant property damage and lives in several parts of the country.

The Met Department has said that Delhi can expect light to moderate rain on July 25.

“For Delhi, we don’t have a significant rainfall warning but we can continue to expect high moisture and high temperature. Delhi also may get light to moderate rain. We don’t have any warning for Delhi but some rain will start from the night of July 25th,” said RK Jenamani, IMD Scientist.

In Delhi, the Yamuna River remains in a state of overflow, with the current water level measured at 205.45 metres. (ANI)

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-Top News Asia News Environment

Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declares rain emergency

Pakistan Meteorological Department said several parts of Pakistan are likely to receive rain until July 26….reports Asian Lite News

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in Pakistan on Sunday declared a rain emergency in Lower and Upper Chitral after flash floods and torrential rain, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

Heavy rain with strong winds and thunderstorms lashed parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, resulting in landslides and damaging infrastructure. The rain continued intermittently through the day, causing “large-scale devastation” in the district. The rain also resulted in flash floods in Chitral, which washed away bridges, roads, and livestock, according to Dawn.

Pakistan Meteorological Department said several parts of Pakistan are likely to receive rain until July 26.

Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department in a notification on Sunday said that the deputy commissioners of both districts had requested for an “emergency” to be declared in order to allow them to “launch immediate rescue and relief activities,” according to Dawn.

The provincial government declared a rain emergency in the two districts with immediate effect. The government further said that the emergency will remain in place until August 15 for “provision of relief and restoration of damaged communication network and water supply.”

Earlier on Saturday, Rescue 1122 District Head Hafeezur Rehman said that fresh rain spell caused devastation and killed five people. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in a report on Sunday said that four people had died in rain-related incidents in Mansehra.

According to the report, road clearance activities were being conducted at five places in the Lower Chitral district that had been blocked since Saturday due to flash flooding, as per the Dawn report.

The report said seven houses had been fully damaged during the past 36 hours while 67 houses were partially damaged. It further said that a school building was partially damaged while 47 cattle had perished.

The PDMA said that the “vulnerable communities” have been evacuated to safer places and given food items due to a “very high” flood in Chitral River and the destruction caused in Lower Chitral.

According to the report, non-food items have been dispatched for the impacted in Lower and Upper Chitral. The PDMA further said that eight water supply schemes in different regions of Upper Chitral were damaged.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Interim Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan ordered the relief department and the district administration to remain on “high alert,” according to Dawn. He ordered the authorties to immediately begin relief and rescue activities and to ensure that aid was provided to the impacted people.

As per the Dawn report, Mohammad Azam Khan directed the officials to move impacted people to safer locations. He assured that the provincial government will help them in “every possible way.” (ANI)

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