India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Pune: An outing in Lonavla for a group of daily wage workers from Pimpri Chinchwad turned tragic on Sunday when two of them drowned in the backwaters of Bhushi dam. Rescuers retrieved the bodies of Sahil Shaikh (18) and Mohammed Jamal (21). The youths were from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, and were living in Thergaon.M B Mhetre, an investigating officer from the Lonavla City police, told TOI that a large number of revellers came to Lonavla for a day's outing as it was a Sunday in the monsoon season. Most of them visited the popular Bhushi dam. Shaikh and Jamal were part of a group of eight men from Thergaon who had gone to Lonavla. "All of them are from Uttar Pradesh and work as daily wage workers. The victims were also working as an air conditioner mechanic and an electrician," Mhetre said.Entry into the backwaters of the dam is prohibited. Authorities have closed the boundaries with a compound made of mesh. However, around 1.30pm, the group of tourists went to the back side of the dam. "The duo entered the waters after finding a gap in the mesh compound. They failed to gauge the depth of the water and drowned," he said.Mhetre said that their friends alerted locals and informed the police. "We summoned the rescue team to the spot," Mhetre said. Sunil Gaikwad of the Shivdurga Mitra, Lonavla, told TOI that a diver from his team carried out searches in the water and traced the bodies. "He first brought one body out of the water and then brought another. It took us about two hours to bring both bodies out of the waters," Gaikwad said.Mhetre said the bodies were sent for a postmortem examination. "We have registered a case of accidental death in this regard," Mhetre said.
SOLAPUR, India (Reuters) - India is likely to produce a record amount of sugar in the next marketing year from October after millions of farmers expanded cane cultivation, encouraged by ample water supplies and declining prices of competing crops, farmers and industry officials told Reuters. The rebound in production would allow the world's second-largest sugar producer to resume exports in 2025/26, they said, after a lack of rain cut cane yields and led to two years of restrictions. Indian exports could cap global sugar prices, traders said, by increasing supplies in the world market at a t ...Read More >
LAHORE/SRINAGAR (Reuters) -Pakistan's eastern towns of Chiniot and Hafizabad face a risk of catastrophic floods if an irrigation barrage crumbles on a major river upstream after heavy rains swelled it beyond capacity, officials warned on Thursday. Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan are battling torrential monsoon rains that have unleashed flash floods, swelled rivers and filled dams, with 60 deaths this month in Indian Kashmir, and Pakistan's toll at 805 since late June. Any flooding blamed on India stands to inflame relations between the archfoes, embroiled in a tense stand-off sin ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
Amritsar: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey from Jharkhand has claimed that Britain assisted India in executing the 1984 Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stoking a new controversy.In a post on X on Monday, Dubey alleged that then PM Indira Gandhi "launched an attack on the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain", with British Army officers present in Amritsar.He uploaded a classified British document, "Sikh Community", claiming that on Feb 23, 1984, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned in a letter that the Indian govt had sought British advice over a plan to remove Si ...Read More >
GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has described China's mega dam project as a ticking "water bomb" and an existential threat to the people of the frontier state and their livelihoods. Speaking to a news outlet, Khandu said the dam was a matter of grave concern, noting that China is not a signatory to any international water treaty and cannot be trusted. "No one knows what China might do. It could even use this as a sort of water bomb," he said. The hydropower dam, expected to be the world's largest of its kind, will generate 60,000 MW of power. The project is coming up o ...Read More >
ISLAMABAD/NEDW DELHI, Aug 27 (Reuters) - India on Wednesday opened all gates of major dams on rivers in its part of the Kashmir region following heavy rains, and warned neighbouring Pakistan of the possibility of downstream flooding, an Indian government source said. Pakistan said Islamabad received the warning, and subsequently issued an alert for flooding on three rivers which flow into the country from India. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been ravaged by intense monsoon rains and flood ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
Hyderabad: The state government on Monday urged the Union jal shakti ministry to direct Andhra Pradesh to take up the required repairs to the Srisailam dam to ensure safety, and that AP be asked to not open the dam gates until the reservoir reached its full reservoir level at 885 feet. The Telangana government said water was being released through the two hydel power stations on both banks of the dam. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to perform special prayers and initiate the opening of some of the 12 crest gates on Tuesday morning at the dam, where the water l ...Read More >
Nagpur: In line with the red alert issued by the weather department, heavy to very heavy rains pounded Nagpur city and surrounding towns, cutting off villages and flooding scores of localities besides crippling traffic. A staggering 202.4mm rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours ending 8.30am on Wednesday in Nagpur, the highest since 2018. An orange alert has been issued for Nagpur division for Thursday also.This was only the second time Nagpur received over 200mm of rain in 24 hours in July in the last 10 years. The heaviest rainfall for this month in 24 hours was 304 mm on July 12, 1994. On J ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
SALEM: The water level at Mettur Dam reached 120 feet on Monday. With an inflow of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs), the dam has filled for the seventh time this year. Due to the excess water being released, officials from the Revenue Department have advised residents in low-lying areas to move to safer locations. Alerts were also broadcast through loudspeakers. The southwest monsoon has caused significant water inflow into Mettur Dam from the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar dams in Karnataka, as well as from the Cauvery River's catchment areas. Mettur Dam previously filled on June 29, July ...Read More >
Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh): Collector and District Magistrate Neha Meena declared all urban and rural areas of Jhabua district as water scarcity-affected zones due to the continuous decline in groundwater levels and the possibility of a drinking water crisis during the summer season. The order has been issued under the Madhya Pradesh Drinking Water Preservation Act, 1986, and its amended provisions. Under Section 6(1) of the Act, drilling of new borewells has been completely banned across the district. The order will remain effective until June 30, 2026, or until the onset of the monsoon, if rai ...Read More >
Inflow into the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur increased to 80,984 cusecs on Saturday. Following an increase in inflow, the Water Resources Department (WRD) issued a flood warning to people living in low-lying areas on the banks of the River Cauvery. On Saturday, the dam's water level stood at 117.93 feet against its full capacity of 120 feet. The storage level stood at 90.20 TMC against its full capacity of 93.47 TMC. At 8 a.m., inflow into the dam increased to 73,452 cusecs from Friday's inflow o ...Read More >
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2025) In recent years, devastating floods have become an increasingly frequent threat across many regions of South Asia including Pakistan, wreaking havoc on homes, economy, livestock, agriculture, livelihoods, and infrastructure, affecting common man. While large-scale flood control projects often require extraordinary funding and time, water experts are now turning their attention to a more humble yet effective solution i.e small dams to a ...Read More >
HYDERABAD: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed officials to prepare a practical and scientific plan to ensure adequate irrigation for the Kharif season crops in the state. The minister said the plan must take into account current reservoir levels, inflows during this monsoon season, and the total ayacut that can be irrigated from each of the water sources. At a high-level meeting held at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, Uttam Kumar Reddy said a clear and coordinated water release strategy must be in place based on real-time data, crop patterns, and the geograp ...Read More >
Shimla, Aug 22 (PTI) Release of water from Kangra's Pong Dam this monsoon destroyed crops, houses and cowsheds in Fatehpur, and several villages in Indora were cut off due to closure of roads and damage to bridges, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the Assembly on Friday. He held the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) responsible for the damage and loss. Responding to a calling attention motion of Congress MLA Malender Rajan, Sukhu said that crops in 50-60 hectares of land, four houses and 38 cow sheds were damaged in Fatehpur. In Indora assembly segment, 100 hectares of agricu ...Read More >
The Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat has reached its full capacity for the sixth time, with a maximum water level of 138.68 meters. The dam, essential to the region, serves millions with drinking water and generates significant electricity. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel marked the occasion with prayers. The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat was filled to its maximum capacity on Wednesday, according to officials. This marks the sixth time the dam, a vital lifeline for the region, h ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 4 (ANI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday came down heavily on the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) over its pitch to reconsider the words 'secular and socialist' from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution while saying that it was 'all talk'. He dared and challenged RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and top leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the centre to remove the words 'secular and socialist' from the Preamble. 'Days before, I heard that some RSS person said that we should remove Secular and Socialist words from ...Read More >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 3 (ANI): In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, have seized 14.738 kgs of suspected NDPS hydroponic weed (marijuana) valued at approximately Rs 14.73 crore during operations on Sunday. The seizures were made across Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), resulting in the arrest of one passenger, as stated in the press release. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Based on specific intel, ...Read More >
The Mettur Dam, the largest reservoir in the state, reached its Full Reservoir Level. (Image credit: @manojt4sap/X) Rain continued to batter Tamil Nadu causing a sharp rise in the water levels of the reservoirs and in Chennai, tree branches fell due to overnight downpour. The Mettur Dam, the largest reservoir in the state, reached its Full Reservoir Level (FRL). The widespread rain forced the administration in several districts to declare a holiday for schools and colleges on Wednesday. Apart ...Read More >
Kerala is experiencing intensified monsoon rains, leading to flooding in Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur districts. The IMD has issued an orange alert for seven districts, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall. In Wayanad, continuous rains caused the Chooralmala River to swell, raising concerns due to the area's history of deadly landslides. Monsoon rains intensified in Kerala on Thursday with some parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts getting flooded and the India Meteor ...Read More >
Shimla, Jun 29 (PTI) The meteorological centre in Shimla issued a "red" alert on Sunday for very heavy downpour in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh, while services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line were suspended for hours till the debris and trees fallen on the tracks following overnight rains were removed. A landslide near Koti on the Shimla-Kalka national highway (NH-5), connecting Shimla and Chandigarh, damaged some stretches of the road, resulting in a two-to-three-km-long traffic jam for hours. Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said two-way traffic has been restored near Chakki M ...Read More >
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 18 (ANI): Amid continued monsoon activity and widespread cloudy weather across Himachal Pradesh, all major dams in the state are operating within their safe operational levels as of 3 pm today, according to the latest Daily Dam Status Report issued by the state authorities. The report covers the operational status of 25 major dams and barrages spanning the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, and Yamuna river basins. Despite heavy inflows and significant discharge in several regions, no dam has breached its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) or High Flood Level (HFL) thresholds ...Read More >
Pune, Jul 19 (PTI) The Pune police investigating the theft at actor Sangeeta Bijlani's farmhouse in the Maval tehsil have recovered two fingerprints, officials said on Saturday. The farmhouse near the Pawna dam was broken into, and Rs 50,000 cash and a television set worth Rs 7,000 were allegedly stolen. The intruders also vandalised the house, according to the police. The theft and vandalism came to light when Bijlani visited the property in Tikona village on Friday, after a gap of four months. "A forensic team collected samples from the scene. Two fingerprints have been recovered and are ...Read More >
Bengaluru, 29 September 2025: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, in collaboration with Freecharge, has unveiled Credit on UPI with Gold Loans - India's first gold-backed credit line accessible through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This innovative product is designed to unlock the economic potential of gold assets, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), self-employed entrepreneurs and merchants across both urban and rural India. Credit on UPI with Gold Loans enables customers to access instant credit against their gold holdings. The produc ...Read More >
Kochi, April 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The controversy over Kerala's devastating 2018 floods has erupted into a sharp political slugfest, with Mathew Kuzhalnadan and Mathew T. Thomas, both candidates contesting from different constituencies, locking horns over allegations of administrative failure and ulterior motives. Kuzhalnadan, the Congress candidate contesting from Ernakulam district, has repeatedly alleged that the floods were "man-made", releasing details of a meeting chaired by the Water Resources Minister to bolster his claims. According to him, instructions were issued to remove soil near ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 9 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, who oversees the irrigation portfolio, announced on Wednesday that he has requested funding amounting to Rs 11,122.76 crore for the development of six irrigation projects within the state. Addressing a press conference at Karnataka Bhawan, Shivakumar said, We have appealed to the Centre for Rs 11,122.76 funds for six irrigation projects in the state - Rs 804.66 crore for Sonnathi lift irrigation project; Rs 2,660.70 crore for Indi branch canal in Upper Krishna project; Rs 3000 crore for third stage ...Read More >
Chennai: PMK will observe its 37th founding day on Wednesday without fanfare as the stand-off between party founder S Ramadoss and his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss continues. A meeting between Anbumani and his mother Saraswathi on Tuesday, meanwhile, failed to raise hopes of a patch-up between the father and son.The meeting took place on Monday evening when Saraswathi came to attend the betrothal of former Union minister of state A K Moorthy's son in Chennai. PMK sources said that An ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jul 17 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh's capital city has secured the third position in the category of urban spaces with population exceeding 10 lakh, while Prayagraj was adjudged the Cleanest Ganga City in the ninth edition of the Swachh Survekshan. Lucknow also became the first city in the state to achieve a 7-star Garbage Free City rating in the 2024-25 survey. Gorakhpur achieved double success, ranking third in the Safai Mitra Surakshit Sheher category and fourth among cities with a population between 3 to 10 lakh. Agra has been recognised as the Emerging Clean City of Uttar Pradesh, securi ...Read More >