Extreme events take 231 lives during pre-monsoon: IMD

IMD seasonal analysis shows 231 lives lost during the pre-monsoon season due to extreme weather events

As per the seasonal analysis by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), extreme weather events, most of which were triggered by heavy rains, claimed as many as 230 lives across India during the pre-monsoon season. The pre-monsoon season spanning from March to May also experienced record-breaking heatwaves that swept through as many as 17 states.

Among extreme events, lightning proved to be a major killer, taking at least 76 lives across states, injuring 36 people, as well as killing 77 livestock.

The data also revealed that the average maximum temperatures of 34.55 degrees Celsius in the northwest India from March to May were the highest in 122 years, breaking the previous record of 2010 (News 18).

Ground check reveals a different picture of Jal Jeevan Mission implementation in Uttarakhand

According to the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard, 62.5 percent of rural households in Uttarakhand have tap water connections following the launch of Har Ghar Jal scheme in 2019. However, as per the ground survey conducted by IndiaSpend many villagers have no water despite having tap connections in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Tehri districts. There are complaints that the taps are not connected to a water source as none have been identified for these villages.

On the other hand, in Paini village in Chamoli district, 100 percent of the houses have tap water connections and the people are using this water not only for domestic purposes but for irrigation as well.

Even the 2018 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India informed that less than 50 percent of Uttarakhand’s population gets clean and sufficient drinking water. (IndiaSpend)

Bihar government to prepare ecosystem health report cards for 133 wetlands

With an aim to ascertain the environmental and ecological health of the wetlands, the environment, forest and climate change (DEFCC) department of Bihar has identified 133 water bodies for preparing documents and ecosystem health report card. These wetlands will be examined in different phases by the forest officials, environmentalists, wetlands and water experts and will receive protection under the Wetland Protection Rules. There will be three focus areas to survey these wetlands-- area of the wetland, hydrology and catchments, biodiversity and governance.

In all 133 water bodies which are spread in an area of 100 hectares, located in 26 districts will be surveyed. The ecosystem health score between 1 and 0.91 is considered ‘very good’ (rank A) while 0.60 and below ‘very low’ (E) (The Times of India).

Unregulated tourism in the Himalayan region is a recipe for disaster: Report

As per the report by Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment in Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, demand for tourism has increased pressure on hill stations and is becoming a major concern for change in land use and land cover. Also, there is a need to pre-empt the disastrous effects of unregulated tourism and learn lessons from the over-exploited tourist destinations in the Himalayan region.

The study provided the example of Ladakh, an area with water deficiency where tourist consume 100 l/day of water against the resident consumption of 75 l/day.

The study concluded that appropriate mechanisms should be devised to help achieve tourism growth in the landscape in a sustainable manner (Down to Earth).

Yamuna river frothing: Delhi government plans study to identify pollution hotspots

With an aim to form short and long-term action plans for minimising pollution in the river, the Delhi government will conduct a study to identify pollution hotspots responsible for frothing in the Yamuna river. Frothing in certain stretches of the river, such as near ITO and the Okhla Barrage, has become an annual phenomenon in winters and the primary reason behind the formation of toxic foam is the high phosphate content in wastewater.

As per the experts, there is a need to upgrade sewage treatment plants and common effluent treatment plants in Delhi and connect all the unauthorised colonies to the sewer network (The Print).

This is a roundup of important news published from June 8 – 25, 2022. Also read policy matters this fortnight.