Flood in Odisha affects 3.5 million people across 300 villages

Odisha reels under floods as Mahanadi crosses danger mark

Heavy rainfall has caused floods in Odisha killing nearly 45 people, damaging 30,000 houses and destroying 3.2 million hectares of paddy cultivation. About 3.5 million people across 300 villages in the state have been affected by the floods and almost 100,000 people have made their way to the government relief camps.

No inspection of 348 large dams for over a decade: CAG

CAG doubts the structural strength of 348 dams in the country as they have not been inspected for the past ten years, although the Government has spent Rs 70,000 crore for this purpose. The Dam Safety Organisation is unable to follow any criteria for undertaking periodic inspection and 45% of the inspection notes issued were pending reply and compliance, according to the CAG.

Sunderbans mangroves losing its ability to absorb CO2: Study

A study has found that the mangroves in the Sunderbans are losing their capacity to absorb the atmospheric CO2 owing to rising salinity, rampant deforestation and pollution. The study was primarily done on the Byne species on the Matla river. The growth of Byne is being affected as the fresh water is unable to reach it due to the presence of silt at the confluence of the Vidyadhari and Matla rivers. The study has raised alarm bells as it has shown the need to remove silt deposits at the confluence.

Maharashtra and Karnataka Governments confess to violating environment norms

Maharashtra and Karnataka Governments have accepted in an affidavit that they have violated the Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 and EIA notification and undertaken work prior to seeking environmental clearance. The violations have come to notice after the South Asia Network for Dams Rivers and People (SANDRP) had written to the Environment Ministry and Expert Appraisal Committee about the same. However, both the governments have promised to be careful in future.

40% of Indian coast is prone to erosion, reveals Government

A study named 'Assessment of shoreline change for the entire coast of mainland India, extending from Gujarat in the west coast to West Bengal in the east coast' has found that 40% of the coast in India is subjected to erosion. The study that assessed shoreline change for 38 years from 1972-2010, has revealed that 46.3% erosion took place along the coastal length in Gujarat. Accordingly, the Indian coastline has been categorised into high, medium, low and stable coastline stretches.

This is a weekly roundup of important news from August 4-11 2014. Also read last week's policy matters updates.