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Heavy rainfall lashes parts of Mumbai, 2 killed

The BMC Disaster Control reported 22 instances of tree crashes, including two with fatalities (as above), 4 complaints of short-circuits, and six minor house-crashes in the city…reports Asian Lite News

At least two persons were killed in rain-related incidents as Mumbai and surrounding districts were clobbered with torrential rains since Tuesday night, even as the road, rail and air traffic were largely unaffected, officials said on Wednesday.

According to Mumbai Police, a 38-year-old man Kaushal Doshi was killed when a massive tree crashed on him at Mamledarwadi in Malad west.

Another tree collapse was reported at Mithanagar in Goregaon west and 30-year-old Premlal Nirmal was killed, it said.

In a shocker, a landslide occurred on a portion of the road near the Mumbai Metro Magathane station, near Borivali, causing minor damage but there were no casualties.

The Western Railway, Central Railway and the Harbour Lines functioned normally despite heavy rains and reported no water logging on the train tracks on the entire suburban sections, officials said.

According to the IMD, Mumbai city and suburbs notched a total of 77 mm rains each till 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The BMC’s weather stations have recorded 32 mm in the city, 84 mm in eastern suburbs and 83 mm in the western suburbs till 6 p.m.

The incessant downpour resulted in waterlogging in many low-lying areas of the city and suburbs, ranging from ankle-deep to knee deep water, leading to massive traffic snarls reported across Mumbai.

The BMC Disaster Control reported 22 instances of tree crashes, including two with fatalities (as above), 4 complaints of short-circuits, and six minor house-crashes in the city.

A 17-year-old youth Rehan Shaikh was injured in a house wall collapse in Govandi and has been admitted to the Shatabdi Hospital. In Vikhroli, the BMC and police evacuated over two dozen slumdwellers after a landslide and mudslide due to the downpour and they shifted to their relatives’ homes though a private school was kept ready to house them.

Facing flak from various quarters, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) teams swung into action to clear the water but their efforts were hampered by the high tide in the Arabian Sea this evening at 7 p.m. with waves reaching 3.48 metres that pushed back the drainage water.

Sporting an orange raincoat, BMC Commissioner Dr. I.S. Chahal and his team of officials stepped into the field for a spot assessment of the rainfall situation in several areas, including a portion of the Mithi River, the pumping station at Hindmata and underground water storage tanks.

The downpour notwithstanding, the BMC has announced a 10 per cent water cut in the city from July 1, while Navi Mumbai will be slapped with a 15 per cent water cuts, said officials.

A compound wall crash in an NRI complex in Navi Mumbai flattened around a dozen vehicles parked besides, including some high-end cars, and the rescue officials were deployed for the clearing operations.

Large areas of Thane city – the hometown of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Badlapur, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Dombivali and other towns – witnessed heavy rains with flooding in low-lying areas. The police, fire brigade, disaster teams and home guards were kept in readiness for quick deployment in any emergency as rains continue to pound Mumbai and surrounding districts.

The IMD has sounded rainfall alerts of varying degrees for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg in the coastal Konkan region over the next three days.

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Monsoon covers entire country, alerts issued

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult…reports Asian Lite News

India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said that Monsoon has almost impacted the entire country and issued Orange, Yellow alerts for various parts of the country.

While speaking to ANI, IMD scientist Soma Sen said,” The monsoon is active currently with its rapid advancement in the last 4-5 days. Leaving some parts of northwest India, the monsoon has impacted almost the entire country. Entire Gujarat and south-east Rajasthan have been covered by the monsoon. In the next two days, it is expected that south Punjab, Haryana and the remaining parts of Rajasthan will be covered.” The incessant rains have led to a flood-like situation in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh which has disrupted the normal life of people.

Earlier today, there is a possibility of rains for the next five days in Himachal Pradesh, and some places may receive heavy rains, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“There is a possibility of rain for the next 5 days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state,” said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, IMD scientist, Shimla.

“It has been raining heavily and we are stuck inside the hotel rooms. Due to the rain, we could not go anywhere outside,” said Rahul, a tourist from Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an orange alert for heavy rains in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Pune and Satara.

Also, heavy rains lashed parts of Delhi on Tuesday.

The downpour brought respite to common people from the sweltering heat. Heavy rain was witnessed at New Delhi’s ITO and other areas.

The weather department had issued a yellow alert for Tuesday.

Due to incessant rainfalls Tomato prices have recently shot up in the markets across the country from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg.

Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory said, “This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year. However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat.”

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult.

The price of tomatoes touched Rs 100 per kg in a market in Bengaluru and traders said that due to heavy rain, the crops have been damaged.

Tomato, sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UP’s Kanpur market is now being sold at Rs 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at Rs 80 per Kg.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, the acute shortage of essential vegetables is burning holes in common people’s pockets. The wholesale prices range from Rs 80-90 per kg, and the retail shops are selling tomatoes for Rs 100 per kg.

According to vegetable vendors of a market in Kanpur, Karnataka, a major tomato supplier, saw heavy rains that destroyed the crops. The prices soared in just 10 days and are likely to increase further, the vendors added.

According to the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, per kilo tomato on average rose from Rs 25 to Rs 41 in retail markets. Maximum prices of tomatoes in retail markets were in the range between Rs 80-113.

The rates of staple vegetables were in tune with the rise in their prices in wholesale markets, which jumped about 60-70 per cent on average in June. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Monsoon arrives in Northern, Western parts; heavy rainfall likely

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Environment India News

Monsoon arrives in Northern, Western parts; heavy rainfall likely

New Delhi, Jan 05 (ANI): People walk holding umbrellas amid light rain on a foggy winter morning, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during the next 2 days…reports Asian Lite News

As the monsoon reached the Northern and Western parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in most parts of the country.

“Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over East-central, Northwest and West India over the next 4-5 days and the Southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the remaining parts of the Western Himalayan Region today, June 26,” the IMD said. In a press release, the agency stated further, ‘The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian Sea, some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, remaining parts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, today, the 26th June’.

Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during the next 2 days, IMD added.

“For East and adjoining Northeast India, Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorms and lightning is very likely to continue over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy falls are very likely over Odisha on 26th; over Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh on the 29th and 30th of June. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over parts of East India during the next 2 days and over northeast India during the next 5 days,” the Met agency said in a release.

“For Northwest India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is very likely over Western Himalayan Region and over the plains of northwest India during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall with Extremely Heavy Falls is very likely over East Rajasthan on 29th June, and heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 26, 27 & 28. Isolated heavy/heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh on 26th & 27th; over West Uttar Pradesh on June 26,” it added in the release.

“For Central India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy/very heavy falls, thunderstorm & lightning over the region (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Vidarbha) during next 3-4 days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Chhattisgarh on 26th; East Madhya Pradesh on 26th & 27th; West Madhya Pradesh on 27th and 28th and over Vidarbha on June 27,” it added.

“For South India, Light/moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall during the next 5 days and isolated thunderstorms and lightning are very likely over the region during next 2 days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala & Mahe on the 27th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over Telangana on 26th; Coastal Karnataka during 26th to 30th; South Interior Karnataka on 29th & 30th June,” it stated.

“For West India, light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is very likely over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to very Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan and Goa, Gujarat State and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on June 26 to 30,” it added.

IMD also issued Agromet advisories for rainfall, thunderstorms/gusty winds and heatwave over several parts of the country.

The release further stated, “Make arrangements for draining out excess water from crop fields to avoid water stagnation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Telangana and North Eastern States and provide staking to vegetables.”

“Impact and Action Suggested due to extremely heavy/very heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh East Rajasthan during 26th-29th; Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand on 26th and 27th; West Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on 26th; Gujarat Region on 27th; Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during 26th-28th June,” the IMD stated in its press release.

Earlier today, due to the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, urges tourists to prioritize their safety when planning a visit to the state.

RS Bali, Cabinet Minister Rank and Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Coorporation appealed to the tourists to go through the State Disaster Management Authority website before planning a visit.

“The past 24 hours have witnessed substantial rainfall in HP, resulting in landslides on multiple routes leading to tourist destinations. As a result, tourists are advised to check the website of the State Disaster Management

He further advised tourists to strictly follow guided trek routes as traffic congestion may eventually clear, the primary concern lies with tourists venturing onto unguided trek routes.

The HPTDC Chief added, “Furthermore, tourists already in the state are cautioned against approaching rivers and hilly areas. Tourists should also gather information regarding road conditions before visiting their desired tourist spots”.

Additionally, Bali emphasized that the tourists must ensure that the GPS function on their mobile phones is enabled at all times, allowing their location to be tracked throughout their journey.

He advised them to avoid driving in conditions of mist, rain, and fog and make the most of their stay and travel experiences in the hills while also showing respect for the mountains’ sacredness.

Meanwhile, due to the bad weather, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami issued instructions in view of rain and snowfall during the Char Dham Yatra and directed officials to be extra vigilant.

“The government has stopped the Char Dham Yatra due to bad weather conditions en route. snowfall, rains and landslides have occurred at various places and traffic has been disrupted because of the same. We appeal to the travellers coming for Char Dham Yatra to continue their journey once the weather clears up,” said Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The forecast by the Met Centre stated, “Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand in next 24 hours. Thunderstorms and lightning will accompany the rains”.

CM Dhami obtained information from the Disaster Control Room about the present weather condition, rain situation, water-logging and damages caused due to rain in the state. Haridwar received 78 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by Dehradun (33.2) and Uttarkashi (27.7), as per the India Meteorological Department.

Instructing the officers, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the districts under the state where heavy rains are continuing and there is a possibility of heavy rains further.

Moreover, the bad weather has also affected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that PM Modi’s visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district has been postponed due to the possibility of heavy rains on Tuesday (June 27).

Speaking to ANI, CM Chouhan on Monday said, “Due to the possibility of heavy rains tomorrow (June 27), PM Modi’s program scheduled in Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district has been postponed. The program has not been cancelled, soon the new date of his visit will be decided according to the weather conditions. The arrangements for the program will also continue in Lalpur. PM Modi’s programs in Bhopal will remain the same.”

According to the schedule, PM Modi is to visit the state on Tuesday to launch five Vande Bharat trains.

Meanwhile, the approach road of a bridge connecting Meerut’s Hastinapur and Bijnor has washed away in the Ganges owing to the strong flow of water caused due to heavy rains. As a result, traffic in several villages has come to a standstill.

Earlier today, six people have died and around 10 people have been injured in heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh that triggered landslides and flash floods in several places in the State, according to official estimates.

Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Himachal Pradesh today said, “Six people have died till now and around 10 people are injured. A total of 303 animals have died. The complete report is still awaited.”

“The loss due to rain is expected to be Rs 3 crore. Meanwhile, 124 roads have been damaged which includes two national highways,” the senior Disaster Management official said.

Long queues of vehicles were seen on the Chandigarh-Manali highway at 7 Mile in Mandi. Aerial shots showed vehicles moving at a snail’s pace or at standstill further ahead.

Owing to severe weather conditions with incessant rain on Sunday, the Mandi-Kullu National Highway (NH) was blocked by the Mandi police. The alternative route of the Mandi-Joginder Nagar Highway was also blocked on Sunday by the local police.

Meanwhile, District administration Ramban of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered for closure of all schools, upto class 10 for the day amid ongoing heavy rains across the district.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban, Mussarat Islam ordered the closure of the schools up to class 10.

“In view of heavy rains and the warning of flash floods, all schools up to the secondary level (Class 10) shall remain closed in Ramban district today (June 26). Teachers will attend to their duties,” Mussarat Islam said.

A Meteorological Department (MeT) official said that from June 25 to 28, generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thunderstorms was expected in many places.

Updating on the Monsoon in several states of India, IMD on Sunday informed that Southwest Monsoon has covered several states of India.

Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD said that the monsoon would move forward in the next two days.

“Southwest monsoon is active now. It has covered the whole of Maharashtra including Mumbai. Monsoon has also arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and parts of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. It will move forward in the next 2 days and will cover other parts also,” Mohapatra said.

“Southwest monsoon is active now. It has covered the whole of Maharashtra including Mumbai. Monsoon has also arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and parts of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. It will move forward in the next 2 days and will cover other parts also,” Mohapatra said.

Earlier in the day, Monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh and an alert for heavy rains has been issued in some parts of the state.

“Monsoon has arrived in Madhya Pradesh. There is a possibility of heavy rains in Bhopal, Katni, Raisen, Vidisha, Narmadapuram, Jabalpur, Shahdol, Seoni, Sagar, Sehore, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Betul on Monday,” said Pramendra Kumar, Meteorologist, IMD Bhopal.

According to the met office, Betul recorded the highest rainfall of 120.6 mm while Gwalior recorded the minimum rainfall which is 0.1mm in the last 24 hours.

Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways. Due to incessant heavy rainfall in Gujarat’s Nadiad, it has also affected normal life. (ANI)

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SMEs key to climate goals: COP28 Prez

Al Jaber highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating technologies…reports Asian Lite News

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating technologies that create lasting positive change in vulnerable and remote communities, while helping to meet our climate ambitions and keep 1.5°C within reach.

This was during a visit to M-KOPA, one of Africa’s fastest growing fintech platforms. M-KOPA is one of 106 past winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award that recognises groundbreaking contributions across the fields of health, food, energy, water and climate action.

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also met with former winner in the Prize’s Global High Schools category and current CEO of Mazi Mobility, Jesse Forrester, who updated the COP28 President-Designate on his e-mobility company, which operates a fleet of electric motorbikes and tuk-tuks.

Dr. Al Jaber said, “The Global High Schools category was launched to inspire youth to realise their potential and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of sustainability. To see this come to fruition through one of our previous winners speaks volumes on the transformative impact of the Prize. Seeing first-hand what Jesse has built is truly inspiring and should serve as a model for other young entrepreneurs who want to change the world.”

“Climate change poses a challenge across health, food, energy, and water, amongst other issues, and only by adopting an ‘all of the above’ approach can we hope to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind. SMEs represent 80% of global GDP but the vast majority have not even started their net-zero journeys.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is determined to empower those who strive to create value in the energy transition and demonstrate that climate action can lead to sustainable development. As we approach COP28, I am determined to empower the voices and perspectives of young entrepreneurs, like Jesse, and to ensure that we deliver practical solutions that can change the lives of millions more like him.”

David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA, said, “It was a privilege to receive Dr. Sultan Al Jaber today and showcasing the remarkable impact we have made through our sustainable solutions.”

“Receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, marked a pivotal moment in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the recognition,” he added.

In its 15th year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has transformed the lives of over 378 million people around the world by empowering 106 past winners to make a difference. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receives US$600,000 to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solutions. Six winners in the Global High Schools category each receive up to US$100,000. By empowering entrepreneurs to build their solutions, the Prize has to date awarded US$3.6 million.

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UACA welcomes new members at Road to COP28 event

The addition of new members strengthens the alliance and advances its mission of increasing momentum towards the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), the flagship non-state actor programme for UAE, continues to gain crucial momentum for decarbonisation in the lead up to COP28 and beyond. The alliance recently welcomed onboard new members from the private sector and academia: Sodexo, Majid Al Futtaim, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Al Naboodah, Khalifa University, Arla Foods, Advanced Media Trading and Enviroserve, bringing its total membership to 27.

The newest additions join a rapidly expanding group of prominent non-state actors which include ALDAR, Alserkal Group, American University of Sharjah, Apparel Group, Aramex, Bureau Veritas Group Middle East, Chalhoub Group, Danone, Farnek Services LLC, Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa, HSBC, PepsiCo Positive (pep+) Middle East, Nestlé, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Department, Serco, SirajPower, Sobha Realty, Talabat and Unilever.

The addition of new members strengthens the alliance and advances its mission of increasing momentum towards the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, in line with science and the Paris Agreement. UACA members were invited to join the Road to COP28 event in Dubai, which was organised by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, to understand the vital role non-state actors play in supporting and actively contributing to climate and nature goals.

UACA supports members at every stage of their decarbonisation journey, by providing tools, visibility and capacity building to set science-based targets and enable further ambition. In 2023, the alliance organised multiple workshops and webinars to enhance understanding around Science Based Targets (SBTi), Scope 3 Emissions, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Change Management, and the High-Level Champions’ campaign Race to Zero.

Endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and convened by environmental non-profit organisation Emirates Nature-WWF, UACA facilitates greater collaboration on enhancing the policy environment through one unified voice.

UACA is also an accelerator to the Race to Zero, the global campaign led by the High-Level Champions which rallies leadership and support from non-state actors to build momentum around decarbonisation and commits members to halving emissions by 2030. The alliance was featured at the Road to COP28 event, demonstrating the importance of non-state actors in the UAE coming together to raise their ambition towards short-term and long-term net-zero targets that are aligned to the Paris Agreement and Science-Based Targets.

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the COP28 Presidency, noted that a whole of society approach is imperative if we are to successfully ramp up climate action and succeed in limiting global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement. She highlighted the important role that local alliances like UACA play in bringing together non-state actors to help build capacity and foster collaboration which are both critical to accelerating climate action.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature-WWF, commended local efforts to support decarbonisation. She said “We are excited by the growing interest for climate action shown by local non-state actors and warmly welcome our newest members to the UAE Alliance for Climate Action. A bottom-up approach has the power to accelerate the collective momentum needed to deliver UAE’s vision for a net zero future. We are grateful to the High-Level Champions for creating pathways through which all of society can get involved, and look forward to achieving positive outcomes at COP28 and beyond.”

With funding from HSBC MENAT, UACA was created in collaboration with the global Alliance for Climate Action (ACA) network, coordinated by WWF International, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Technical partners include the Clean Energy Business Council and the Boston Consulting Group.

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Powering 270k homes, cutting emissions

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park…reports Asian Lite News

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the 900 megawatt (MW) fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030.

The fifth phase of the project will provide clean energy to around 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Featuring a total investment of AED50 billion, based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, the Solar Park is expected to reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when fully completed.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said: “The UAE is at the forefront of global efforts to create a more sustainable future for all of humanity by taking concrete action to transition to renewable energies and combat climate change. In 2023, the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, and the year in which we are hosting COP28, we continue to place sustainability at the heart of our development plans and make new strides in shaping a truly environmentally friendly economy. The completion of the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park takes us another major step closer to realising our vision for an economy fully powered by clean energy.

“Aligned with the UAE’s vision, Dubai has developed a clear strategy and pathway to achieve its targets of generating 25 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050. Dubai is resolute in its commitment to becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world, with diverse initiatives.”

“The rapid progress of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project is yet another example of our strong ethos of public-private partnerships. Such partnerships play a key role in driving sustainable economic development, building a world-class renewable energy infrastructure and creating a diverse environment-friendly energy mix in the emirate. Apart from benefiting the environment, our sustainability initiatives also contribute to our plans to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top urban economies and enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of our citizens and residents.”

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Al Tayer about the fifth phase. DEWA has implemented this phase using the latest solar photovoltaic bifacial technologies with Single Axis Tracking to increase energy production and the plant’s efficiency.

The AED2 billion project, implemented based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, features a partnership between DEWA (60%) and a consortium led by ACWA Power and Gulf Investment Corporation (40%) through Shuaa Energy 3. DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the fifth phase.

The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,427MW from photovoltaic solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). The total capacity of the projects under construction at the solar park is 433MW from CSP. DEWA has increased the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix to about 16.3% of its total installed capacity, which has reached 14,917 MW.

The inauguration of the 900MW fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park supports the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to provide 100% of Dubai’s power production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. In 2020, DEWA achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of USD 1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the fifth phase, which included over 6.8 million safe working hours. The fifth phase was completed ahead of schedule (June 2023 instead of December 2023) despite the implementation having commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fifth phase is one of the first projects in the Middle East to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of an advanced robotic cleaning system for the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic panels. The total area of the fifth phase is approximately 10 square kilometres, which is half of the total area of the 800MW third phase.

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Pakistan braces for ‘Biparjoy’

People are pictured as they evacuate from Thatta district of southern Pakistan's Sindh province on June 13, 2023.(Str/Xinhua/IANS)

As per the latest update, the cyclone is about 210 km from Karachi, at least 225 km south of Thatta and about 145 km South-southwest of Keti Bandar….writes Hamza Ameer

Pakistan is on the highest alert for disaster management, response, rescue and evacuation measures as the very severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy is set to make landfall on Thursday evening.

Authorities have remained on high alert since the past 24 hours as emergency evacuation of thousands of families gains pace.

Biparjoy is showing some sings of slowing down in pace and also took an expected curve, moving away from the country’s Sindh province’s provincial capital Karachi.

However, the expected areas to get the first hit of the landfall are Keti Bandar, Badin and Thatta.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD), the expected time for the cyclone landfall along with the wind speed also loosing some pace as it has fallen from 170 km per hour to about 120 to 140 kms per hour.

“Cyclone Biparjoy has slowed down but core remains intense. It will not make a landfall before nightfall now,” said Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman.

“The cyclone was expected to landfall between Keti Bandar and India’s Gujarat by evening,” the PMD said.

As per the latest update, the cyclone is about 210 km from Karachi, at least 225 km south of Thatta and about 145 km South-southwest of Keti Bandar.

Pakistan Army, Rangers and rescue authorities have evacuated over 200,000 people so far.

Rehman said that at least 72,000 people have been evacuated in the last 72 hours, adding that there is a possibility of another cyclone during July as well.

“The widespread wind-dust/thunderstorm and heavy rain was likely in Sindh’s Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts from June 15 to 17,” a PMD alert said.

“Sea conditions along Sindh coast may get very rough/high and rough/very rough along Balochistan coast.”

While authorities remain on tenterhooks as it braces to witness the landfall of Biparjoy, the estimates of the intensity of the cyclone remains unpredictable and unstable.

“Directions of the cyclone were changing every hour. Its landfall period is variable and has moved further between June 15-16. We have at least 17 stations monitoring it,” said Rehman.

“Biparjoy was the most monitored storm in the world right now.”

Moreover, amid looming threat of the cyclone, heavy rainfall forecast, flight operations at Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Sukkur have been directed to be suspended, if the air pressure crosses the threshold of 30 nautical knots.

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UAE prioritises ‘relief, recovery & peace’ at COP28

UAE convenes UN Security Council Open Debate emphasising linkages between climate change, international peace and security….reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has called for collaborative and responsive approaches to address the interplay between climate change and international peace and security, at a United Nations Security Council ministerial open debate on Climate Change, Peace and Security organised by the Presidency.

The open debate, held under the agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security,” was a signature event of the UAE’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of June and was chaired by UAE Minister of Climate Change & Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri.

During the meeting, the Council received briefings from Juan Manuel Santos, Former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Member of The Elders; Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; and Salma Kadry, Climate, Peace and Security Specialist at the Consortium on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

In her statement on behalf of the UAE, Minister Almheiri underscored that “the threat of climate change as a ‘risk multiplier’ is no longer a hypothetical scenario. It is a daily lived reality in various conflict settings around the world.”

Almheiri reviewed the impacts of climate change on peace and security in various settings on the Council’s agenda, including Somalia, Iraq, and South Sudan.

She called on the Security Council to embrace “innovative attempts to better understand and address the interplay between climate change, peace and security.” She added, “the Council must approach conflict through a climate-sensitive lens. We must strengthen the capacity and mandates of relevant peace operations to incorporate climate change in their risk mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as efforts in conflict prevention and resolution.”

Minister Almheiri also referred to the UAE’s plans, as the upcoming host of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), to introduce a “Relief, Recovery, and Peace” Day, adding “this is the first of its kind at any COP, and its purpose is to highlight the intersection of climate change, peace, and security – and propose practical solutions to prevent and address the climate burden on stability.”

According to her, the COP28 agenda is an ambitious response to the acute shortage of climate finance that is accessible – at a reasonable and sufficient cost – particularly for countries and communities experiencing humanitarian and security crises, in some cases receiving up to 80 times less per capita than other countries, which already receive inadequate flows.

“Now is the time to reveal how these three axes interact and understand the common points between them, in addition to highlighting the role that the international community can play and the cooperation mechanism to build healthy, more prosperous and climate-resilient societies.” She added.

Briefing the Council, former President Santos commended “the wise decision by the UAE – as COP28 host – to put climate, peace and security on the agenda.”

He urged the Security Council to play its part, stating “there is much the Council could do to integrate climate more effectively into UN operations on the ground, building on the work of the Informal Expert Group. This includes having more climate and security advisors attached to peacekeeping missions and using climate forecasting as part of the UN’s prevention toolkits to anticipate and mitigate risk in fragile contexts.”

Speakers further explored the impact of climate change in the context of the UN’s missions and discussed ways to enhance conflict prevention, peacebuilding initiatives, and resilience.

Under-Secretary-General Lacroix described ongoing efforts to address the issue in the work of UN field missions, including through building “the capacity of our peace operations to anticipate and address the linkages between climate change, peace and security.”

Under-Secretary-General Lacroix also reviewed the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund’s investments in “more than 70 climate-informed peacebuilding projects implemented by 21 different entities around the world, particularly in West Africa and the Sahel.”

For her part, Kadry outlined to the Security Council the Arab region’s vulnerabilities to the interplay of climate change and peace and security. She emphasised the destabilising effects of climate change on social contracts, the role of conflict in undermining climate resilience, and the unintended consequences of global processes, including the energy transition.

The UAE recently assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for June 2023. During its presidency and throughout its Council term, the UAE has committed to elevating the multidimensional challenge of climate change, including in Council products and by launching the Joint Pledges related to Climate, Peace and Security.

The country serves as a Co-Chair of the Informal Expert Group of Members of the Security Council on Climate, Peace and Security and will host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November 2023.

ALSO READ: OPEC lauds UAE’s economic resilience

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Cyclone Biparjoy to make landfall today

People being evacuated from villages to shelter in view of the impending Cyclone Biparjoy, at Jakhau in Kutch on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy, high tidal waves hit Gujarat on Thursday….reports Asian Lite News

As cyclone Biparjoy has hit several parts of Gujarat, Kachchh’s Mandvi, on Thursday, witnessed rough sea conditions and strong winds.

Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department, on Sunday, gave a cyclone alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coasts in Gujarat. The department issued the alert: “Cyclone alert for Saurashtra and Kutch coast: Yellow message, ESCS BIPARJOY over East-central Arabian sea, at 1730 IST of 11th June near lat 18.6E and long 67.7E, likely to cross between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by noon of 15th June”.

Also, under the influence of the cyclone, high tidal waves hit Gujarat, on Thursday. According to the IMD, VSCS (very severe cyclonic storm) Biparjoy is to cross Saurashtra & Kutch & adjoining Pakistan coasts b/w Mandvi & Karachi near Jakhau Port by the evening of June 15.

Amreli, June 14 (ANI): A team of 108 along with Pipavav Marine Police conduct a rescue operation of a pregnant woman who was bought to Pipavav port jetty via boat from Shiyalbet, in Amreli on Wednesday. All boat services have been stopped to go to Shiyalbet, only emergency boat service has been started. (ANI Photo)

In addition to this, ahead of the cyclone, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed in the state, on Wednesday.

“NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in Kachchh’s Mandvi and Naliya town which is likely to be affected as cyclone BIPARJOY is getting closer”, said Naliya Police sub-inspector VR Ulva.

The weather department also mentioned the chances of heavy damage in the Arabian Seas.

“There is a possibility of heavy damage due to the cyclonic storm BIPARJOY”, said IMD. Also, authorities, on Tuesday, shifted around 30,000 people from coastal areas to temporary shelters considering Biparjoy’s possible landfall near Jakhau’s port in Gujarat’s Kutch district.

“Because of the cyclone, Mandvi and Naliya are declared hotspots. We have made the public aware of the disaster The SDRF team is deployed for Ghnateshwar, Rajkot. The NDRF team has been deployed. The teams will be in direct contact with the DSP and SP Vaghela of Naliya Police. We will remain on alert and run the rescue operation as and when needed”, said Ulva, Police Sub-inspector, Naliya.

Damage expected over 7 districts of Gujarat The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that damage is expected over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Morbi, Junagarh and Rajkot districts of Gujarat on June 15.

The IMD further predicted that sea condition will be phenomenal over northeast Arabian Sea till June 15 evening and rough to very rough over adjoining east central Arabian Sea during the same period.

“Along and off Saurashtra and Kutch coasts the sea condition is likely to be very rough till June 14 evening and high to phenomenal thereafter till June 15 evening and would improve thereafter,” said IMD while issuing storm surge warning for Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Jamnagarh and Morbi districts.

“The astronomical tides along these districts could be up to 3-6 meters in different places and damage expected in these districts on June 15,” said an IMD official.



The IMD further predicted that the intensity of rainfall would increase with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi and Junagarh districts of Gujarat.

“Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over remaining districts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat region on June 15 while light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north Gujarat and adjoining south Rajasthan on June 16 and southeast Rajasthan and adjoining North Gujarat region on June 17,” said the IMD official

ALSO READ: Cyclone Biparjoy poses threat to Sindh’s coastline

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World Bank President welcomes private sector in climate fight

Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new President made a pitch for scaling up private sector participation….reports Asian Lite News

Ajay Banga, the World Bank’s new President, called for the private sector to play a larger role to help emerging countries in their battle against climate change in his first interviews on Sunday.

He argued that countries from countries — essentially of the developed world, the World Bank, philanthropies and multilateral development banks (MDBs) will not be enough to meet the requirements of the emerging markets to help them transition from fossil fuel to clean fuel.

“The only way forward is to find a way to get the private sector to believe that this is part of their future,” said Banga, who took charge on June 2 as the 14th President of the World Bank, to CBS news.

He spoke also to CNN and made a similar pitch for scaling up private sector participation.

“What I think we have to do is… to find ways in the MDB system to think of a different playbook — to take on the risks that they cannot take on,” he added.

Banga is the first Indian-American to hold this position and called himself “Made in India” in the CNN interview, when he asked about the need for someone other than an American should lead the World Bank, which has always been headed by an American in an unwritten agreement with Europe, which, in return, gets to name the head of the International Monetary Fund.

Banga said he was born and raised in India and worked in both the developed and developing world and, thus, embodies the kind of diversity people may want to see at the leadership level.

Developing and less developed countries have long argued that in order to transition to clean energy they need help in resources and technology from the developed countries who caused most of the global warming with large-scale and unregulated industrialisation. And a climate fund set up to that effect has fallen way short of the committed targets.

ALSO READ: US Vice President Harris calls on World Bank chief Ajay Banga