Glaciers and Polar Ice Caps

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June 21, 2023 Current emissions path threatens two billion people and is accelerating species extinction, says a report by ICIMOD
Building weather station on Yala glacier in Nepal which collects meteorological data that helps ICIMOD researchers model glacial melt and accumulation. (Image: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD)
February 12, 2021 The havoc points to the faultlines in the developmental planning of ecologically sensitive areas.
The glacial burst in Chamoli is nature’s way of telling the state not to play havoc with the local ecology. (Image: Down to Earth)
February 10, 2021 The Uttarakhand disaster reaffirms earlier warnings on the fragility of the Himalayan region calling for more careful planning and preparedness in the future!
A view of the Himalayas. (Source: IWP Flickr photos--photo for representation purpose only)
December 6, 2019 Dr. Aradhana Yaduvanshi, a hydro meteorologist at WOTR, talks to us about what current research on global warming shows, and possible adaptation and coping mechanisms.
Flooding in Mumbai during the monsoons (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
December 6, 2019 A report by the India Rivers Forum highlights the need to focus further than the main stem of the Ganga river.
Distant snow clad mountains, the smaller hills and the Ganga river (Image: Srimoyee Banerjee, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
November 6, 2019 The number of people vulnerable to floods triggered by climate change by 2050 is triple that of previous estimates, according to a new study.
Aerial view of Chennai during floods 2015 (Image: Veethika, Wikimedia Commons, CC-SA 4.0 International)
Himachal govt to restrict commercial activities on Rohtang
Policy matters this week: Commercial activities on Rohtang to be restricted; SC orders Centre to set up National Regulator by April 30; Warning to Pollution Control Boards over pollution in Ganga. Posted on 28 Apr, 2014 10:10 PM

No more commercial activities on Rohtang pass after May 6: HP govt

Rohtang pass (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
IPCC alarms India of a severe water shortage
News this week: IPCC releases its Fifth Assessment Report on climate change; Hydropower plants in Himachal find it tough to sell power; No toilet facilities in 20% of Goa households. Posted on 06 Apr, 2014 06:23 PM

IPCC releases its climate change report, alarms India of severe water shortage

Himalayan lake in Sikkim (Source: Wikimedia)
Mapping land and water resources in India
With rare maps of India including 'Annual Rainfall' map, 'Water Balance' map and 'Land Use' map, the land and the water resource development atlases are excellent sources of information. Posted on 27 Jan, 2014 01:18 PM

India’s mapping activity dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500–1900 BCE) as per the famous geographer, Joseph E. Schwartzberg. His work is based on a couple of surveying instruments and measuring rods that were excavated from the Indus valley sites. Our mapping traditions were influenced by Vedic, Tibetan, Islamic and more recently, British cartography.

Water resources development in Gujarat (NATMO)
Small schemes, big impact
Local knowledge, low cost technology, community participation and maximum conservation of available water from natural sources have helped increase available water in Pauri Garhwal. Posted on 13 Jan, 2014 01:54 PM

Despite being endowed with adequate rainfall, most parts of the Himalayas are considered water-stressed for both agricultural and domestic purposes. This is mainly due to the seasonality of precipitation, which is concentrated to the monsoon months. It remains dry for rest of the year.

A recharge pit under construction (Source: HIMCON)
Indian troops polluting Siachen glacier: Pakistan
Policy matters this week: Pakistan says its main source of water supply is affected by Indian troops polluting the Siachen glacier, and Karnataka to increase the height of Almatti dam. Posted on 09 Dec, 2013 08:24 AM

Remove troops from Siachen: Pakistan

Indian Army, Siachen Source: defenceforumindia.com
Floods need not equate disasters
A mix of high-tech and low-tech systems, government initiatives as well as a community level approach is needed to manage floods in the Himalayas. Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:19 AM

 Every year, we have about 76 disasters in the Himalayas, some 36,000 people are killed and over a million affected by disasters. The loss of life and damage does not need to occur. How people manage the situation can relieve the situation much better.

About a third of these disasters are from floods. In the Himalaya, there are two broad kinds of flooding:

Do floods have to cause loss?
United opposition to the 'Statue of Unity'
News this week: 'Statue of Unity' doesn't have environment clearance, smoke from religious ceremonies causing glacier melt and migratory birds celebrate a peaceful Diwali in Coimbatore. Posted on 11 Nov, 2013 11:45 AM

Environment activists unite against the 'Statue of Unity'

Statue of Unity opposed Source: statueofunity.in
Invite to International Conference on “Advances in Water Resources Development and Management” (AWRDM-2013), National Institute of Hydrology, Chandigarh
A conference to exchange ideas, identify new problems, investigate concerned issues, explore new approaches and initiate possible collaborative research on water related issues.
Posted on 12 Sep, 2013 09:58 AM

For more information on the AWRDM-2013, please click here.

To register for the conference, please click here, or download it from below.

National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
Extreme weather warning!
Climate change is manifesting itself through modified rainfall patterns, extreme events and temperature fluctuations. What effect will these have on water, sanitation and health in India? Posted on 11 Jul, 2013 04:04 PM

We sat in a plush climate-controlled room and deliberated climate change as the outside world collapsed around us..

The flooded Bagmati river
Even climate change discriminates between women and men!
Climate change is coming – and women in particular will feel its effects Posted on 23 Jun, 2013 04:15 AM

We await a future that could be hotter and drier because of climate change. This is increasingly recognized as a global concern and available data suggests that it is increasing the frequency and severity of weather-related hazards in South Asia.

Floods in Bihar; Image: Sharada Prasad
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