Is India Winning the War Against Pollution? The fight for cleaner air and water intensifies as the nation grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change. From the devastating floods in Assam to the alarming rise in air pollution levels in Delhi, environmental challenges demand urgent action. This week saw crucial discussions on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy sources at the India Climate Change Conference, highlighting the government's commitment to tackling deforestation and promoting biodiversity conservation. But are these efforts enough? Experts warn of looming water scarcity and the need for stricter regulations on industrial emissions. The future of India's environment hangs in the balance, demanding collective responsibility and innovative solutions. Explore Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and the latest updates on environmental policies, climate activism, and the ongoing struggle for a sustainable India. Discover how you can contribute to a greener tomorrow.
Sambalpur: With rising inflow of floodwater into the Hirakud reservoir, authorities opened four more sluice gates Thursday, taking the total number of gates currently discharging excess water to 20. According to officials, 13 gates on the left dyke and seven on the right dyke have been opened. As of 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the water level at the reservoir dropped to 628.83 feet. The latest reports said the inflow was about 297,903 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 361,432 cusecs. Of this, 327,040 cusecs are being released into the Mahanadi through the 20 sluice gates, 31,949 cusecs through the power channel for electricity generation, 243 cusecs for industrial use, and 2,200 cusecs for irrigation -- including 2,193 cusecs into the Bargarh canal and 7 cusecs into the Sambalpur canal. The reservoir's flood control office reported 54.18 mm of rainfall in the upstream areas and 7.08 mm in the downstream areas over the past 24 hours.
Bhimavaram: West Godavari district collector Chadalawada Nagarani said that in addition to planting trees to improve greenery, efforts are being made to control plastic pollution. On Thursday, to celebrate World Environment Day, a large-scale programme was taken up in the district to plant saplings and remove plastic waste from canals and drains under 'Vanam-Manam.' As part of this, collector Nagarani, District Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi, district Joint Collector T Rahul Kumar Reddy, DRO Mogili Venkateswarlu, and district officials from various departments enthusiastically pa ...Read More >
Nainital (Uttarakhand) [India], June 7 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 27 development projects of Nainital district worth about 126 crore 69 lakhs in a program organised at Lalkuan, Nainital on Saturday. These projects include schemes related to education, road, medical, irrigation, sewerage, urban development, beautification and destitute cow protection. During this, 9 schemes were inaugurated at a cost of 25.93 crores and foundation stone were laid for 18 schemes at a cost of 100.76 crores. The Chief Minister said in his ad ...Read More >
Patna: With water levels already fluctuating in key rivers and forecasts warning of heavy rain upstream in Nepal, Bihar is on alert for potential flood-like conditions in the Kosi and Gandak basins starting Friday. Officials have warned that the situation could worsen quickly, especially as the region heads into a wetter-than-average monsoon season.On Thursday afternoon, water discharge through the Birpur barrage on the Kosi stood at 78,660 cusecs, a drop from 87,140 cusecs on Wednesday and 1.04 lakh cusecs on Tuesday, indicating unstable flow patterns. The Gandak, too, has seen considerable v ...Read More >
Heavy rains have triggered an orange alert in five Kerala districts, leading to rising river levels and flooding. Consequently, dam shutters are being opened across the state, including Banasura Sagar and Moozhiyar. Authorities are also preparing for the potential opening of the Mullaperiyar dam, managed by Tamil Nadu, prompting evacuations in vulnerable areas of Idukki district.Heavy rains lashed various parts of Kerala with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert in fi ...Read More >
Khammam: DeputyChief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu has directed officials to expedite the preparatory works for Singareni Collieries Company Limited's (SCCL) upcoming renewable energy projects -- an 800 MW floating solar plant, a 500 MW wind power plant, and a 500 MW pumped storage power plant -- and to complete them within fixed deadlines. On Saturday, he held a special review meeting at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan to assess SCCL's business expansion plans, including floating solar plants, pumped storage plants, and other renewable energy projects. During the ...Read More >
Hyderabad: After making a detailed presentation on the Polavaram (Godavari)-Banakacharla link project to MLAs, MPs and elected representatives to counter the criticism of BRS, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is now preparing a similar briefing on the controversial Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS). Sources said Uttam Kumar Reddy would deliver a comprehensive presentation covering the technical, financial and structural aspects of KLIS. The timing aligns with the expected submission of the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission's report on the condition of the three KLIS barrages by th ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
Itanagar, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed gratitude to the people of Riga village in Siang district for accepting the government plan to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), hydropower project with an estimated generation capacity of 11,000 MW. An official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said on Saturday that people of Riga village of Siang district signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government in a meeting held on Frid ...Read More >
Raipur, Jun 7 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Saturday that he discussed two proposed irrigation projects in the state with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi and sought the Centre's nod for them. Sai, who returned to Raipur in the morning, said the PM assured that he would consider the two projects - Bodhghat and Indravati-Mahanadi interlinking work. Crucial for the development of the Bastar region, where Naxalites are retreating, they have been proposed for implementation as national projects, he said. "I met PM Modi ji in Delhi on Friday and sh ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 7 (PTI) In an effort to rejuvenate the Yamuna, the Delhi government is working on an action plan to improve the environmental flow of the river by increasing water discharge from various sources, officials said on Saturday. Treated water from the Coronation Pillar and Yamuna Vihar Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) will be discharged into the Yamuna downstream at Wazirbarad, for which the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will develop a conveyance system. The survey work was completed and a detailed project report is being finalised, officials said. E-flow is the minimum quantity of water fl ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has written a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, criticising General Education Minister V Sivankutty for walking out of a function held at Raj Bhavan on June 19. The Governor described the incident as a breach of protocol and an insult to the constitutional office. The letter, dated June 26, refers to an awards ceremony for the Bharat Scouts and Guides, where Sivankutty -- who also serves as President of the Association's Kerala chapter -- objected to the presence of a garlanded portrait of Bharat Mata on the stage, ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...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 >
Bhubaneswar: Incessant rainfall for over two days, which caused severe waterlogging, threw life out of gear in several parts of the capital city on Friday. Residents of several areas were left stranded in their homes as rainwater mixed with wastewater from nearby clogged drains gushed in. The most affected localities were Badagada, Laxmi Sagar, Nandan Vihar and Bomikhal, where clogged drains caused the rainwater to overflow and enter houses. Several people had to vacate their homes in anticipation of flooding."A few hours of rain and our houses were inundated. This is a recurring issue and des ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 8 (Maxim News): BRS Working President K. Taraka Rama Rao stated that the people of Telangana have once again come to realize that Revanth Reddy can only make a fuss but cannot engage in meaningful discussions. He criticized that 70 lakh farmers in Telangana have been facing serious problems for the past 18 months due to Revanth Reddy's incompetent rule, which has no basic knowledge about farmers except for gossip. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp KTR invited the Chief Minister to discuss what BRS and Congress have done for farmers and the unemployed at the Somajiguda Press Club an ...Read More >
Lucknow: Reinforcing its commitment to ensuring 'water to every field,' the Yogi Adityanath govt has completed 29 major irrigation projects over the past eight years, significantly expanding irrigation capacity, improving water management, and empowering millions of farmers across Uttar Pradesh. These projects have directly benefited 43,53,850 farmers across the state and led to an increase of 19,11,231 hectares in irrigation capacity. The initiative not only strengthens state's agricultural productivity but also marks a major milestone in flood control and water conservation efforts. Guided b ...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 >
BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, on Wednesday said that he has appealed to the Union Government for Rs 11,122.76 crore for six irrigation projects in Karnataka. Speaking to the media in New Delhi, the Deputy Chief Minister said they have sought Rs 804.66 crore for Sonnathi lift irrigation project; Rs 2,660.7 crore for Indi branch canal in Upper Krishna project; Rs 3,000 crore for third stage of Malaprabha canal; Rs 144.42 crore for Ghataprabha right bund canal and Chikkodi branch canal, and Rs 1,610 crore for a flood prevention proj ...Read More >
Nainital (Uttarakhand) [India], June 7 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 27 development projects of Nainital district worth about 126 crore 69 lakhs in a program organised at Lalkuan, Nainital on Saturday. These projects include schemes related to education, road, medical, irrigation, sewerage, urban development, beautification and destitute cow protection. During this, 9 schemes were inaugurated at a cost of 25.93 crores and foundation stone were laid for 18 schemes at a cost of 100.76 crores. The Chief Minister said in his ad ...Read More >
Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: A state-of-the-art medical college and hospital was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Kandhamal district on Saturday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of locals. The 100-seat medical college and 650-bed hospital, built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore, is located at Tilakpada near Phulbani.Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CM Majhi emphasised that the facility would provide quality healthcare services to residents of Kandhamal and neighbouring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh and Kalahandi.A govt officer said the medical college hopes to start admissi ...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 >
NEW DELHI: Signalling the government's intent to move ahead with the impeachment motion of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that main opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion in the upcoming monsoon session scheduled for July21-August 21. Rijiju said that the government is yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. The requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. H ...Read More >
Sambalpur: The authorities of Hirakud dam in Sambalpur district on Sunday released the season's first floodwater after sounding an alert to the districts in downstream of river Mahanadi, officials said. The season's first flood water was released after a traditional puja. The sluice gate number 7 was first opened as done every year, chief engineer S K Behera told reporters. He said that at least 20 such gates were opened by 6 pm on Sunday. The chief engineer said the decision to release floodwater was taken to manage the rising water level in the reservoir following incessant rain and increas ...Read More >
HYDERABAD The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has ridiculed the argument of Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who had stated that it was not possible to lift water from Medigadda Barrage damaged due to the sinking of piers, and observed that it is not the barrage that had sunk but it is the willingness of the ruling party. Speaking at a party meeting here on Monday, former minister for irrigation T. Harish Rao accused Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy of waiting for 'auspicious' time to switch on the motors of Kalwakurthy, when Andhra Pradesh had already started drawing water from Pothireddypad ...Read More >
Vijayawada: The state government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made significant strides in ensuring irrigation water for Rayalaseema, with Rs 3,890 crore allocated for the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project. During a review on Saturday at camp office, the Chief Minister evaluated major irrigation projects, including Handri-Neeva, Polavaram Left Canal, and north Andhra initiatives, alongside reservoir levels and water management strategies. Starting July 15, 3,850 cusecs of water will be released into the Jeedipalli reservoir under Phase-1 of the Handri-Neeva project, with ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to transform the state into a zero-crime-rate state by leveraging technology. He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh should become a model state in law and order monitoring through effective use of technology. The Chief Minister conducted a review with officials on real-time governance at the Secretariat. He instructed that crime hotspots be continuously monitored through CCTV cameras to control criminal activities. He also directed officials to revise regulations to allow the use of footage from private CCTV cameras, stressing that ...Read More >
Gadwal: With the onset of continuous upstream rainfall and increased inflows into the Krishna river basin, water levels at the Priyadarshini Jurala Project (PJP) dam and Almatti Reservoir have shown significant rise, prompting dam authorities to regulate outflows carefully. PJP Dam Status as of 6 PM, July 11, 2025: According to information received from project officials, the water level at the PJP dam stands at 317.570 meters (1,041.896 feet). Against its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 318.516 meters, the gross storage is recorded at 7.778 TMC, while live storage is 4.071 TMC. The dam is cu ...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 >
Jalpaiguri: In a first, the West Bengal irrigation department has started receiving a 72-hour weather forecast for Bhutan, thanks to the dispatch of periodic warnings from the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) of Bhutan to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The updates will assist in the timely combat of floods. The chief engineer of the Northeast Irrigation Department gets these updates through email. According to the sources of the irrigation department, 71 rivers that originate in Bhutan crisscross the Dooars. Rivers like Torsha, Jaldhaka, Diana, Pana Basra, Ret ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Balasore: With the Subarnarekha and Jalaka rivers flowing above the danger level and the Budhabalanga in spate following incessant rain for the last two days, state govt has geared up to tackle the flood situation in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. Over 7,000 people were evacuated to safer places while Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services teams were deployed in vulnerable areas. Floodwaters from the Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalaka have inundated connecting roads across the region. Road links were severed, while electricity and telecommunication serv ...Read More >