/topics/climate-and-weather
Climate and Weather
Study of ancient eclipses can unveil past climate trends
Posted on 07 Mar, 2018 06:00 AMFor a long time now, historians have been using epigraphy to infer the political and economic aspects of the past. In recent times, astronomers have come to realise that it can also be a potent tool to understand the history of astronomy as well as for inferring minute changes in the motion of Earth.
![Scientists say ancient eclipse records in epigraphical inscriptions can help us understand climate change in historical time scales.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/rsz_img_20180303_144914320.jpg?itok=y_ImdeIH)
How Kakaddara village won water cup
Posted on 19 Feb, 2018 06:33 AMEvery year, thousands of villages in Maharashtra get affected by droughts. Experts say that the reasons for recurrent droughts include a lack of policy framework, technical knowledge and community participation as well as poor implementation of government programmes.
![A farm pond in Kakaddara.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/_dsc0072tps.jpg?itok=pZ5lfMej)
Thirsty crops drain India dry
Posted on 16 Feb, 2018 09:56 PMWater is a crucial part of all societies as it has myriad uses. In India, however, it is of much more importance as over 600 million people make a living off the land. They rely on the monsoon to replenish their water sources and the unpredictable nature of rain leaves them vulnerable. Even today, the country breaks out in a cold sweat every time the south-west monsoon is delayed.
![Paddy is one of the thirsty crops. (Photo: IWP Flickr photos)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/9569100816_f1b44fd7e1_z.jpg?itok=HSJqyVSR)
Harvesting rainwater effectively
Posted on 15 Feb, 2018 01:25 PMOne of the major causes of deterioration of water quality is the increase in overall salinity. Total hardness and the presence of materials like fluoride, nitrate, iron, arsenic, and toxic metal ions determine salinity levels in groundwater. With the demand for groundwater growing rapidly, its exploitation is also accelerating which causes depletion.
![The innovation was introduced in a government school building in Untka village located in Mewat district of Haryana.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/untaka-rwh.gif?itok=-9AlYCrA)
Dam of consequences
Posted on 14 Feb, 2018 05:27 AMRiver Mahakali snakes its way through the hills and valleys of Nepal and Uttaranchal, collecting its water from the numerous streams it receives on the way. Also known as Sharda in India, the river forms the international boundary between India and Nepal.
![The project is expected to submerge 11,600 hectares of mountain area.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/lead_6.jpg?itok=cAbFWmwE)
What budget has for farm and rural sectors
Posted on 07 Feb, 2018 04:31 PMThis year’s budget was expected to be extensively farmer- and rural-sector oriented. And that is exactly what it turned out to be. The distress in the agrarian sector has intensified and its political implications were rife this year considering the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled next year.
![The budget has a slew of initiatives to revive the farm sector. (Image: Azhar Feder, Wikimedia Commons-CC-BY-SA-3.0)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/azhar-feder-cc-by-sa3.0.jpg?itok=JE98EU1f)
Weeds to increase with climate change
Posted on 01 Feb, 2018 07:40 PMWeeds are a persistent problem for farmers. A recent assessment by the Directorate of Weed Research shows that India loses crops worth $ 11 billion every year to these farm intruders.
![Weeds are sturdier than crop plants and could survive climate change. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/18925996726_c61e67f718_z.jpg?itok=97dwLUTY)
Intensive survey ordered for western UP rivers
Posted on 24 Jan, 2018 10:36 AMConduct intensive survey of western UP rivers: NGT
![The polluted Hindon river (Source: Hindi Water Portal)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/hindon_river_1_1.jpg?itok=1s-adA7E)
Open water data for integrated water science
Posted on 23 Jan, 2018 03:30 PMUnderstanding water in all its forms in every part of the water cycle is vital to ensuring its sustainable and equitable management. Whether there is a scarcity of water or an excess of it, knowing precisely the quantum of water, whether underground in aquifers, embedded in the soil as soil moisture or in numerous lakes, reservoirs and rivers is vital.
![Image courtesy NASA](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/gpm_accumulation_1080p.00336_print.jpg?itok=3aY_HYy-)
Book Release and Discussion on ‘Alternative Futures: India Unshackled’, a book edited by Ashish Kothari and K. J. Joy
Posted on 22 Jan, 2018 10:40 AMAlternative Futures: India Unshackled is a riveting new book that brings together scenarios of an India that is politically and socially egalitarian, radically democratic, economically sustainable and equitable, and socio-culturally diverse and harmonious.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/iwp/cover_image.png?itok=yFJK8SWK)