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BENGALURU, India (AP) -- An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about how extreme heat is endangering the health and livelihoods of the country's outdoor workforce. It comes amid a shift in India toward greater awareness of climate-related issues in recent years. "We think that it's important to not only talk conceptually but to try and create models and proof of concept," Kabiraj said. Neralu, which means shade in Kannada, the most common local language spoken in Bengaluru, consists of a lightweight frame that supports a shade, bench and angled slats operated by manual pulleys to fan people seated within. The shelter costs about $175 and is made of metal, fiber-reinforced plastic and plywood. Weighing roughly 15 kilograms (33 pounds), the shelter for up to four people can be installed on outdoor walls and easily disassembled and transported on the small motor vehicles known as tuk-tuks. "This kind of shelter will be helpful for people like us who work outdoors," said Madhe Gowda, a 62-year-old fruit seller who came to the exhibit. "I sell fruits from my pushcart all day. When it's really hot, my fruits begin to rot and it becomes difficult for me to move around much." Neralu beat 19 other entries in a contest for designing heat shelters for outdoor workers organized in Bengaluru last year. Ankritya Diggavi, one of the architects behind the design, said it was inspired by speaking to and observing outdoor workers. "They have made their own makeshift measures using material like beach umbrellas and tarpaulin sheets," Diggavi said. The designers said the Neralu shelter can be made of recycled and repurposed material from the auto industry or other businesses. They said the design has a lot of room to be modified according to local needs and available materials. "We wanted something simple, affordable, and quick to assemble," said Sagar Kandal, another one of the designers. They said they have received interest from both public and private organizations that want to purchase and install these shelters in the city. The Indian Meteorological Department has found the number of extreme heat days increasing in the city, which planning experts say is likely due to climate change and rapid urbanization. And with a rising number of Indian states designing heat and climate change adaptation plans, they said the shelter can work in any heat-stressed city that needs low-cost solutions. Tamanna Dalal, a researcher on heat policy at the New Delhi-based think tank Sustainable Futures Collaborative, said the way cities are built in India is resulting in urban heat islands, parts of cities with higher average temperatures than the surrounding areas. Shelters that take local climate factors into account and can be replicated easily will become "supremely important" as heat worsens in the coming years, Dalal added. India is among the world's most vulnerable countries to climate impacts, with floods, heat waves and cyclones having resulted in 80,000 deaths and economic losses nearing $180 billion from 1993 to 2022. According to the International Labor Organization, India stands to lose up to 34 million jobs due to increasing heat by 2030. P. Kumaravel, a 42-year-old construction worker who was at the event held over two days at the end of May, welcomed the idea of the shelter, but said good public transport and reliable health insurance are what workers like him need the most. "This year's heat was really bad. I had rashes and pimples. We rest under a tree when we can, but we're paid to work, not to rest," he said. "A shelter is helpful, but it's not enough," he said. The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Khordha (Odisha): A severe cold wave gripped northern Odisha on Sunday, with the Mayurbhanj in the northern part of the State bearing the brunt of the intense chill with Ramatirtha area in the district recording as low as -10 degrees Celsius. According to the Forest Department, temperatures while other areas such as Gurguria and Barehipani recorded 6 degrees Celsius, Chahala 4 degrees Celsius, Nawana -5 degrees Celsius, and Upper Baraha Kamuda (UBK) -3 degrees Celsius. Statement Of IMD Scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy On Saturday, IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy said that the cold wave will last for ...Read More >
Khordha (Odisha) [India], December 15 (ANI): A severe cold wave gripped northern Odisha on Sunday, with the Mayurbhanj in the northern part of the State bearing the brunt of the intense chill with Ramatirtha area in the district recording as low as -10 degrees Celsius. According to the Forest Department, temperatures while other areas such as Gurguria and Barehipani recorded 6 degrees Celsius, Chahala 4 degrees Celsius, Nawana -5 degrees Celsius, and Upper Baraha Kamuda (UBK) -3 degrees Celsius. Also Read | CAT 2024 Results: IIM Calcutta Likely To Release CAT 2024 Results Today at iimcat.ac. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 'Mission Mausam' on Tuesday to gaming to make India a 'weather-ready and climate-smart' nation. As per a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Modi will also participate in the 150th Foundation Day celebrations of India Meteorological Department (IMD) at Bharat Mandapam here. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. "The Mission aims to achieve its aim by developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satel ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area has developed over the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system, which formed at 8:30 am today, is likely to move slowly northwards and intensify into a more marked low-pressure system over the next 48 hours. According to the latest weather update, the associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. This weather system may bring light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall to the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha. ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) - A controversial legislation submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi´s government to change India's voting system failed to pass Tuesday in the country's lower house of Parliament. Law minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the legislation which proposed allowing elections for state assemblies and the national parliament to be held simultaneously. However, it was not approved as the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority; only 269 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal while 198 were against it. The government says simultaneous polls will result in higher eco ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, May 27: Monsoon rains accompanied by gusty winds continue to lash Kerala, causing widespread damage across the state. Several incidents of trees being uprooted, house wall collapses, and electrical short circuits have been reported from different parts of the state. Since the onset of the monsoon last week on May 24, three casualties have been reported, prompting the state government to open a dozen relief camps in affected districts of the state. The most major disruption on Tuesday has been the delay in train services across Kerala after fallen trees blocked railway trac ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual rise in the maximum temperature by five to seven degrees Celsius over the next five days in Delhi. Despite the warming trend, no heatwave conditions are expected during this period, according to a report prepared by the weather office. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature was appreciably below normal, by three to six degrees Celsius, and the maximum was markedly below normal -- by five to seven notches -- over the last few days. South-westerly winds with speeds up to 19 kmph were witnessed across ...Read More >
Itanagar, Jun 7 (PTI) The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh improved on Saturday with water levels of most rivers receding, even as 33,000 people in 24 districts remained affected, officials said. Twelve people lost their lives and one person went missing in rain-related incidents, including landslides, after the monsoon set in, they said. In its daily report, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said 33,200 people in 215 villages remained affected due to floods and landslides in the state. The water levels of most major rivers and their tributaries were showing a receding trend o ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday asserted that his party will win the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on june 19, with a "record margin". "Congress practically has no competition here", he claimed. Warring, who is also the Ludhiana MP, said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was badly mistaken that the Congress would allow it to abuse power and misuse the official machinery for the elections. "First of all, we will not let any misuse of the official machinery and second, in case any official is found to be misusing ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) -- A controversial legislation submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to change India's voting system failed to pass Tuesday in the country's lower house of Parliament. Law minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the legislation which proposed allowing elections for state assemblies and the national parliament to be held simultaneously. However, it was not approved as the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority; only 269 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal while 198 were against it. The government says simultaneous polls will result in higher ec ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 6 (ANI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday attended a 'Kisan Chaupal' event at Pav Wala Soda village in the Raipur block of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The programme was held as part of the 'Developed Agriculture Resolution' campaign aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector in the state. During the event, Chouhan interacted with local farmers and praised the success stories shared by them, especially in the areas of organic farming and coarse grain production. He also showed strong support for promoting Uttarakhand's organic produce at both n ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The city is in for a spell of hot and dry days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by up to 6 degree Celsius over the next five days. While the mercury is expected to cross 40 degree Celsius, no heatwave conditions are likely, officials said on Friday. According to the weather office, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung on Thursday was 38.2 degree Celsius, about 2 degree below the seasonal average. Minimum temperature stood at 25.6 degree Celsius, also slightly lower than the normal. Similar trends were observed acro ...Read More >
Chennai ( Tamil Nadu) [India], November 27 (ANI): As a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards Tamil Nadu, the Indian Coast Guard has started coordinating with the state agencies to ensure seafarers' safety. The ICG said that its ships, aircraft and radar stations issued advisories for fishing boats to return to the harbour. "Deep Depression in the #BayofBengal likely to intensify into a cyclone and move towards #Tamilnadu, as per #IMD. @IndiaCoastGuard Region HQs (East) is coordinating with state agencies to ensure seafarers' saf ...Read More >
Heavy rains lashed Thoothukudi and surrounding areas in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, causing severe waterlogging in several localities. The IMD predicts the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify and move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing further rainfall across the state in the coming days.Several parts of Thoothukudi and adjoining areas witnessed severe waterlogging on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash parts of Tamil Nadu. Visuals showed water ...Read More >
Visakhapatnam: The southwest monsoon set in over Andhra Pradesh (Rayalaseema region) on Monday, arriving nine days ahead of schedule, bringing rain to parts of the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh. For the second year in a row in the past one decade, the monsoon entered AP region earlier as the usual date of onset is on June 4. Last year, the monsoon arrived in AP on June 2. Director of IMD, Andhra Pradesh Stella S said southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, remai ...Read More >
New Delhi: Rare earth magnets, essential for EV motors, have become the latest flashpoint in India's growing electric mobility ambitions. These magnets power the core of Brushless DC (BLDC) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), which drive most electric vehicles today, particularly two-wheelers. With China tightening export controls, Indian automakers now face serious supply-side disruptions. If the situation continues, industry experts warn that EV prices could rise, production could slow and expansion plans may take a hit. In April this year, China imposed an export curb on rare- ...Read More >
Sample of Earth Minerals. (Representative) Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. India is negotiating with companies to create long-term rare earth magnet stockpiles. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on China, which controls 90% of magnet processing globally. The government is considering fiscal incentives to boost domestic production of rare earth magnets. New Delhi: India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said. Building ...Read More >
A major portion of George Road in Thoothukudi has become a nightmare for drivers due to the presence of large potholes. This key stretch which has not undergone any restoration for several years has become a significant source of hardship for daily commuters. The road, which comes under the State Highways department, serves as one of the major connections between the Bypass and Beach Road. Bala, an autorickshaw driver, who has been driving on this stretch for over 15 years says, "The road has been in this poor condition for years as it is not frequently used by higher authorities." He added ...Read More >
NEW DELHI (AP) - A controversial legislation submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi´s government to change India's voting system failed to pass Tuesday in the country's lower house of Parliament. Law minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the legislation which proposed allowing elections for state assemblies and the national parliament to be held simultaneously. However, it was not approved as the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority; only 269 lawmakers voted in favor of the p ...Read More >
BENGALURU, India -- An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise ...Read More >
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai and several other parts of Maharashtra due to expected heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend. The alert, announced on Saturday, highlights the likelihood of intense weather conditions in the coming days, as oligo cyclonic conditions and weak southwest monsoon winds affect the region. On the monsoon situation in Mumbai, IMD Scientist Sushma Nair says, "It is important to understand that the warning issued for the next 24 hours is a Yellow Alert. Meanwhile, a Red Alert was issued for an intense spell of rain ...Read More >
Pune: Hospitals in Pune have started reporting an increase in dengue cases among children following recent heavy rainfall and intermittent showers. Conditions are now ripe for mosquito breeding, experts said, as they warned citizens to ensure there's no waterlogging or stagnant pools near homes and offices. "Dengue is typically seen first in children as they often play outside," said Dr Sagar Lad, a senior neonatologist and pediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, Shastrinagar. Dr Lad said he's seen at least three children admitted for dengue this week, with all of the ...Read More >
Chennai (Tamil Nadu): In the latest update relating to cyclone Fengal, colleges and schools in Tamil Nadu shall remain closed, said reports on Wednesday. The education institutions shall be closed in as many as six districts, said reports. According to further reports, nine districts of the state have been put on high alert as the IMD (India Meteorological Department) has predicted heavy rainfall due to possible cyclonic storm in the Bay Of Bengal due to cyclone Fengal. Reports said that schools in Tamil Nadu are closed in the following districts namely: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpet, Ari ...Read More >
Panaji: Although the state is taking steps towards plastic waste management and recycling systems, the consumption has risen to such an extent that the only way to control the problem is to reduce the use of plastics, said experts at a panel discussion 'Plant vs Plastics: How to Win?' by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Goa, at its series Miramar Dialogues. Founder of Zero Posro, Jonah Fernandes, stressed on consumer accountability and asked consumers to question whether the convenience of single-use plastic is worth the ecological damage it causes. He said only a minuscule percentage of plasti ...Read More >
(CNN) -- India's financial capital and one of its largest cities has experienced its wettest May in more than a century, with the unusually early arrival of the monsoon season causing a ferocious weekend downpour that turned roads into rivers and flooded a newly inaugurated underground train station. Mumbai, a city of more than 12 million, has recorded more than 400 millimeters of rainfall this month so far, according to data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), with much of the downpour arriving late last weekend. The deluge caused chaos and delays across transport networks, inc ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...Read More >
The two-day international conference organized by the Department of Civil Engineering at B.I.T. Sindri concluded with insightful discussions on sustainable development, environmental conservation, and innovative solutions in civil engineering. Experts from IIT Delhi, IIT Dhanbad, and international institutions shared research on topics like carbon emissions, recycling construction materials, and data-driven models in civil engineering. Notably, discussions on Jharia coalfield's environmental challenges and sustainable water management strategies took center stage. The event also featured a cul ...Read More >