https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/explosive-winds-in-the-deadly-uttar-pradesh-storms-a-symptom-of-warming https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/kdykjt1s/Nanhe-Miyaan.jpg Nanhe Miyan was tossed at least 50 feet in the air by strong winds in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. He survived with multiple fractures on his body. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T12:36:06.535Z Explosive winds in the deadly Uttar Pradesh storms a symptom of warming Climate Change, Global Warming, Uttar Pradesh, western uttar pradesh, Winds, easetrn Uttar Pradesh https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-14-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/2610l16o/court.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-15T12:22:06.891Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 14, 2026) Environment, Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Air Pollution Control, Illegal mining, solid waste management, Pollution Control, National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB), Brick kiln, court digest, Grazing land, Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Bhopal Municipal Corporation, Bhilwara, Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, Didwana https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/how-wayanads-climate-calendar-is-rewriting-farming-futures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/d7ph0gav/tapco-paddy-field.jpg A paddy field owned by TAPCo. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:53:11.298Z How Wayanad’s climate calendar is rewriting farming futures Agriculture, Climate Change, Southwest monsoon, climate resilience, Kerala, Wayanad, Agricultural Calendar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/what-happened-on-the-mv-hondius-is-a-predictable-consequence-of-how-modern-mobility-intersects-with-ecological-risk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/fa0owpks/Ushuaia.jpg Ushuaia in Argentina. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:53:00.433Z What happened on the MV Hondius is a predictable consequence of how modern mobility intersects with ecological risk Health, Argentina, hantavirus, MV Hondius, 2026 Hantavirus outbreak https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/indias-waste-economy-runs-on-invisible-workers-climate-policy-keeps-forgetting-them https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/wf5kgw5n/Waste-Collectors-Guwahati.jpg Waste workers at a garbage-heap at Boragaon dumping site in Guwahati. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:52:49.355Z India’s waste economy runs on invisible workers. Climate policy keeps forgetting them Waste, Methane, Landfills, ILO, climate policy, informal waste workers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/institutional-neglect-pushed-odisha-man-to-carry-sisters-remains-to-bank-says-fact-finding-team https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/gomkp2my/Untitled-1400-x-900-px-3.png Images of Jitu Munda carrying his sister's remains on April 27, 2026 had made headlines (L); Munda now sitting inside his single room, on the iron cot he received as a donation. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/0fagkd18/Pic_4.jpeg Odisha Grameen Bank at Maliposhi, around 3 km from Munda’s village https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/up5qdvpj/Pic-3.jpeg By the time Munda returned to perform Kalra’s last rites again, the graveyard had already been sealed under concrete. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:36:10.392Z Institutional neglect pushed Odisha man to carry sister’s remains to bank, says fact-finding team Governance, Odisha, hunger, Poverty, Tribal welfare, social security, Right to Food Campaign, PDS, Keonjhar, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, ration card, rethink aadhaar, old-age pension, odisha grameen bank, death certificate, welfare delivery, banking access, institutional neglect https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/are-small-modular-reactors-indias-nuclear-future https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/xihddvsv/Small-Modular-Reactors-India’s-Nuclear-Future A key feature of SMR is ‘passive safety systems’, which can shut down the whole reactor without the intervention of the operator or external power in case of an emergency. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:31:31.837Z Are small modular reactors India’s nuclear future? Energy, Clean energy, Nuclear, Coal, Decarbonisation, Nuclear energy, Energy demand, coal dependence https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/simply-put-palghar-tribal-women https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/bl501pfk/Simply-Put-15-May-hero-image-copy-2.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/meg9mzdd/Simply-Put-15-May-Water-crisis-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:22:23.367Z Simply Put: Palghar tribal women Water, Governance, Maharashtra, palghar, tribal women, walking for water https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/gujarat-vilage-resident-on-hunger-strike-says-decade-long-pollution-complaints-against-tata-chemicals-still-ignored https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/zbjpf1a3/10102017163653Presentation-by-Tata-Chemicalspages-to-jpg-0001.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-15T11:11:09.853Z Gujarat vilage resident on hunger strike says decade-long pollution complaints against Tata Chemicals still ignored Governance, Air, Pollution, public health, Water Pollution, Industrial Pollution, Air Pollution, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Hunger strike, Tata Chemicals, environmental violations, Mithapur, Devpara, Devbhumi Dwarka https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/delhi-once-had-harsh-but-breathable-summers-now-humid-heat-is-making-the-city-harder-to-endure https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/pgp1ahco/043A5120.jpg Delhi’s worsening humid heat shows why Indian cities must rethink how they build and cool. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T10:41:06.612Z Delhi once had harsh but breathable summers. Now humid heat is making the city harder to endure Climate Change, Urbanisation, Air, Heatwaves, heat stress, public health, Urban Planning, Air Pollution, Extreme weather, urban heat island, informal workers, waste burning, Cooling demand, Humid Heat, Delhi heat, outdoor workers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/the-hills-of-indias-northeast-cannot-be-on-the-peripheries-of-its-story-they-must-be-at-its-green-frontier https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/w30cidd2/Bamboo-Assam.jpg Craftsmen in Assam fashion bamboo into handicrafts. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T10:35:39.494Z The hills of India’s Northeast cannot be on the peripheries of its story; they must be at its green frontier Waste, Northeast India, resilience, circular economy, North Eastern Region (NER), agro-waste https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/as-anti-maoist-operations-in-chhattisgarh-intensified-so-did-the-backlog-of-pending-fra-claims-analysis-shows https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/2u7m7tou/FRA-10.jpg The road leading to the iron ore mine owned by Jayaswal Neco in Amdai Ghati, Narayanpur district. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/dtet4491/FRA-7.jpg A meeting which the reporter attended in a village in Dantewada district of the Bastar region. The discussion was on the Forest Rights Act and protection and management of forests. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/oc6w068l/FRA-12.jpg Tribal women gather Mahua in Abujhmad, once considered the Maoist headquarters. But now it is almost insurgency free, according to the police. Mahua is an important MFP in Chhattisgarh. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T09:45:39.713Z As anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh intensified, so did the backlog of pending FRA claims, analysis shows Forests, Mining, Mining, Chhattisgarh, Maoists, FRA, Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR), Maoist Insurgency https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/sehat-mission-indicates-importance-of-sustainable-food-systems-in-improving-public-health https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/9knl6soy/SEHAT-mission-india downtoearth en 2026-05-15T09:19:09.926Z SEHAT mission indicates importance of sustainable food systems in improving public health Food, Agriculture, Nutrition, Food, public health, health ministry, Agriculture Ministry, Sustainable Food Systems, SEHAT https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/indias-invisible-backbone-cannot-burn-in-silence-any-longer https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/2ypts2yp/Domestic-Worker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-15T08:18:11.568Z India’s invisible backbone cannot burn in silence any longer Governance, Economy, workers rights, Odisha, domestic workers, Domestic helps https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/working-through-the-heat-how-bengalurus-gig-workers-are-bearing-the-cost-of-rising-temperatures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/6198zw3l/Dinesh-1.jpg Delivery person waiting in shade to deliver order, Bengaluru. April 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/kzrlfy0m/Dinesh-2.jpg Zomato delivery workers waiting outside waiting for order assignment during the afternoon, Bengaluru. April 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/tz9tw3u3/Dinesh-4.jpg Delivery person during heavy rainfall in Bengaluru. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/h73751ke/Dinesh-3.jpg Amazon delivery person arranging couriers at night, Bengaluru, April 2026. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T07:14:58.672Z Working through the heat: How Bengaluru’s gig workers are bearing the cost of rising temperatures Climate Change, Economy, bengaluru, Karnataka, zomato, gig workers, Delivery person https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/covid-19-for-every-reported-death-there-were-around-two-additional-excess-deaths-related-to-the-pandemic https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/zhrhl7bh/COVID-19.jpg Funeral of COVID-19 victims in Indonesia in 2020. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T07:11:32.261Z COVID-19: For every reported death, there were around two additional excess deaths related to the pandemic Health, covid-19, covid-19 pandemic, WHO, Deaths https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/agriculture-in-africa-science-and-research-cant-make-an-impact-without-investment-and-good-policies https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/kw29hqea/Africa-farmer-woman-science-research-agriculture In Uganda, Guinea and several west African countries, coordinated programmes helped accelerate adoption among smallholder farmers. Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-15T06:28:10.935Z Agriculture in Africa: Science and research can’t make an impact without investment and good policies Africa, Agriculture, Science & Technology, Governance, Africa, Research, Farming, Farmer, Agricultural Research, Science, policy, casava https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/iran-is-threatening-undersea-cables-the-worlds-digital-chokepoints-have-never-been-more-vulnerable https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-15/dliwf1ie/iStock-2204965084.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-15T04:56:49.417Z Iran is threatening undersea cables. The world’s ‘digital chokepoints’ have never been more vulnerable Science & Technology, Economy, Internet, data, Technology, Infrastructure, undersea cables, US-Iran conflict, Grey zone https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/new-zealand-moves-to-protect-companies-from-private-climate-lawsuits https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/bwsfu8uh/New-Zealand The special law will stop anyone from going to court and suing these companies for all the harm that they are doing because of their climate pollution. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T12:47:37.971Z New Zealand moves to protect companies from private climate lawsuits Governance, Environment, Climate Change, Pollution, Climate, Emissions, New Zealand, Industry, greenhouse gas emissions, law, Climate Change Response Act https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/delhi-cools-itself-as-summer-picks-up https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/t34tr2jc/Desert-Cooler-1.jpg Sales of desert coolers are picking up in Delhi and the National Capital Region. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/rv08g7u6/Desert-Cooler-2.jpg The desert cooler is ideal for Delhi and mostly much cheaper than air conditioners. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/mv4n99z6/Desert-Cooler-3.jpg With a ‘Super El Nino’ on the way, Delhiites will need all the cooling they can afford. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T12:38:08.218Z Delhi cools itself as summer picks up Climate Change, Delhi-NCR, Air Conditioners, heat, Delhi heat, Desert coolers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/why-indias-summer-isnt-as-hot-as-expected https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ys3v9hpv/eA5RQkITa3M-HD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T12:07:20.758Z Why India’s summer isn’t as hot as expected Climate Change, El Nino, Rainfall, Western Disturbances, Summer 2026, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-13-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-01-29/7g59xue1/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:57:41.804Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 13, 2026) Environment, PLANTATION, tree felling, Industrial Pollution, Jaipur, Compensatory afforestation, Illegal tree felling, textile, JCB, Delhi trees https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/the-sleep-sweet-spot-study-links-six-to-eight-hours-of-slumber-with-slower-biological-ageing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/v54681ec/iStock-478884893.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:55:53.635Z The sleep sweet spot: Study links six to eight hours of slumber with slower biological ageing Science & Technology, Health, Sleep, immune system, health research, heart health, brain health, Nature journal, biological ageing, late-life depression https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/eu-aviation-fuel-rules-may-raise-costs-and-energy-use-scientists-warn https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/aqcyn9i6/Aviation-fuel-sustainable Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:52:05.719Z EU aviation fuel rules may raise costs and energy use, scientists warn Energy, Energy, Europe, Decarbonisation, Biomass, energy use, European Union, aviation fuels, gasification, renewable fuels of non-biological origin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/my-food-story/lakhori-bhaji-ki-sabji-is-all-about-culinary-curiosities-hidden-within-indias-traditional-landscapes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/hq40tcdz/Lakhori-Bhaji-ki-Sabji.jpg ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’ served with millet laddoos downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:46:41.660Z ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’ is all about culinary curiosities hidden within India’s traditional landscapes My Food Story, Food, ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’, Grass Pea, Lathyrus sativus https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/simply-put-daily-earnings https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/um3i930h/Simply-Put-14-May-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/t564psbj/Simply-Put-14-May-SME-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:46:09.240Z Simply Put: Daily earnings Economy, self-employment, daily earnings, new businesses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/harvesting-of-wheat-almost-complete-yet-government-procurement-has-slowed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/zamze1gj/Wheat.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:37:56.543Z Harvesting of wheat almost complete yet government procurement has slowed Agriculture, Food, Wheat, wheat harvest, msp, procurement, wheat procurement https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/scientists-warn-kheer-ganga-diversion-in-uttarakhands-dharali-could-increase-disaster-risk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/gjdge7od/dhhrali-2.jpg A letter to the National Disaster Management Authority warns that diverting the Kheer Ganga in Dharali could disrupt the river’s geomorphological balance and expose new areas to erosion, sedimentation and flooding. Seen here, Dharali two and a half months following the disaster downtoearth en 2026-05-14T10:14:13.086Z Scientists warn Kheer Ganga diversion in Uttarakhand’s Dharali could increase disaster risk Natural Disasters, Governance, Climate Change, Glacial Melt, Flash flood, uttarakhand, Landslides, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), River Diversion, himalayan rivers, Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone, floodplains, Kheer Ganga, Dharali, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), debris flow, Dharali cloudburst, Ganga rejuvenation, bhagirathi river https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/pcos-to-pmos-what-does-the-name-change-mean-for-indian-women https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/b0sf7ofg/Indian-woman-at-a-doctors-clinic Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:51:56.523Z PCOS to PMOS: What does the name change mean for Indian women? Health, Health, Women, Obesity, Diabetes, Metabolism, pcos, fatty liver, Insulin resistance, hormone, PMOS, lean PCOS, cardiovascular disorders, ovary https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sand-demand-surges-fivefold-in-five-decades-raising-global-environmental-concerns-says-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/87e06frz/Chambal-Sandmining.jpg Sand mining in the Chambal. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:46:06.019Z Sand demand surges fivefold in five decades, raising global environmental concerns, says UN report Environment, Mining, United Nations, Sand, sand mining, Sand extraction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/harish-rana-makes-plain-that-indian-law-takes-dying-with-dignity-seriously-the-question-now-is-whether-it-takes-it-seriously-for-everyone https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ytucvfkl/Euthanasia.jpg Photo for representation downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:07:03.565Z Harish Rana makes plain that Indian law takes dying with dignity seriously. The question now is whether it takes it seriously for everyone Health, Children, euthanasia, adults, Harish Rana case https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/onions-dumped-potato-crops-destroyed-why-falling-farm-prices-are-not-lowering-retail-food-bills https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/g7u19agy/down-to-earthimportlibrarylarge2024-03-070.151757001709817548onion.avif downtoearth en 2026-05-14T07:21:08.838Z Onions dumped, potato crops destroyed: Why falling farm prices are not lowering retail food bills Agriculture, Food, food inflation, tomato prices, Uttar Pradesh, Farmers, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Minimum Support Price, Nashik, APMC, Potato prices, Cold storage, union consumer affairs ministry, onion prices, Agricultural Markets, chhatrapati sambhajinagar, paithan, agmarket, price stabilisation fund, retail prices, mandi prices https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/illegal-gold-mining-causes-surges-in-malaria-in-the-amazon-and-the-association-is-far-worse-than-we-suspected https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/3wzdwlpz/Gold-mining-Brazil Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T06:47:17.540Z Illegal gold mining causes surges in malaria in the Amazon, and the association is far worse than we suspected Health, Governance, World, Health, indigenous people, Mining, Malaria, Disease, Amazon, Illegal mining, Gold, Brazil, yanomami, gold mine, Yanomami territory https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/the-womens-rights-crisis-in-afghanistan-is-an-ongoing-humanitarian-calamity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ofkrtb3u/iStock-1400947528.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T04:35:08.033Z The women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan is an ongoing humanitarian calamity Governance, United Nations, humanitarian crisis, Humanitarian aid, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), TALIBAN, Afghanistan, Women's Rights, Afghanistan women, Gender apartheid https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/new-study-sheds-light-on-indoor-nighttime-heat-retention-in-indian-homes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/51q96lux/Chennai-homes.jpg Homes in Chennai along Marina Beach. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/lziendov/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-4.50.48-PM.png Diurnal Variation in Temperature across 50 Households downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:35.359Z New study sheds light on indoor, nighttime heat retention in Indian homes Climate Change, heat, indoor heat, night time heat, heat retention https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/if-amr-is-to-be-addressed-effectively-communication-must-move-beyond-awareness-and-function-as-a-driver-of-behavioural-change https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/rzn4nqja/Pills.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:25.371Z If AMR is to be addressed effectively, communication must move beyond awareness and function as a driver of behavioural change Health, Communication, behavioural change, AMR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/watermelons-summers-symbol-causes-scare https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/4l3ka8w8/Delhi-Watermelons-1.jpg Watermelons are coming in the hundreds to markets across Delhi as summer starts to peak. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zlc69fkm/Delhi-Watermelons-2.jpg However, the recent incident of a family of four in Mumbai dying after consuming the fruit is still fresh in public memory. It was later found that there were traces of zinc phosphide in the fruit that the family consumed. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/75f5cpn2/Delhi-Watermelons-3.jpg The incident is a reminder that even an unassuming fruit can become a death trap in India owning to issues of hygiene and contamination. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:05:55.364Z Watermelons: Summer’s symbol causes scare Food, summer, Fruit, Mumbai, Watermelons, Pydhonie, zinc phosphide https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/heatwaves-rooftop-solar-and-data-centres-force-rethink-of-indias-power-sector-planning https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zf2c4a8l/iStock-1368514998.jpg Cooling devices already account for 40% of household electricity use, while rising night-time temperatures and falling evening solar generation are making power demand harder to manage. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T12:58:24.370Z Heatwaves, rooftop solar and data centres force rethink of India’s power sector planning Energy, Renewable Energy, Heatwaves, energy transition, Energy Storage, decentralised renewable energy, rooftop solar, solar power, discom, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Power grid, electricity demand, transmission, battery storage, pumped hydro, data centres, India power sector, Cooling demand