https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/combined-impacts-of-super-el-nino-and-indian-ocean-dipole-to-be-recorded-between-august-and-october-wmo https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/a5pqshkb/ECMWF-El-Nino-Forecast-November-2026.png ECMWF El Nino Forecast for November 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/a15xqanv/Hausfather-El-Nino-Comparsion-Chart.jpeg El Nino comparison chart by Zeke Hausfather, climate scientist at Berkeley Earth. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/iszus4gl/IOD-Detected-in-Indian-Ocean-.png IOD detected in Indian Ocean. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T13:14:50.801Z Combined impacts of Super El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole to be recorded between August and October: WMO Climate Change, El Nino, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Indian Ocean Dipole, equatorial pacific ocean, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-sees-68-major-renewable-sector-grid-disturbances-generation-losses-of-up-to-7-gw https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/k6q5vm87/grid-solar downtoearth en 2026-08-07T13:08:25.391Z India sees 68 major renewable sector grid disturbances, generation losses of up to 7 GW Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, MNRE, grid disturbance, generation loss, STATCOM https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/mnre-weighs-support-scheme-for-polysilicon-to-back-10-gw-capacity-in-solar-manufacturing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/jvezr2ss/iStock-1038761382.jpg MNRE Secretary Santosh Sarangi said the scheme is being examined separately from the existing solar PLI because polysilicon is also used in semiconductors. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T12:46:51.886Z MNRE weighs support scheme for polysilicon to back 10 GW capacity in solar manufacturing Energy, Renewable Energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Solar Cells, semiconductors, polysilicon, solar modules, production linked incentives, solar manufacturing, Solar supply chain, China import https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/ai-adoption-in-indias-power-generation-sector-to-rise-65-per-cent-by-2030-encis-survey https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/irtq7oce/Power-Infrastructure.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T12:04:45.129Z AI adoption in India’s power generation sector to rise 65 per cent by 2030: ENCIS survey Energy, Science & Technology, Power generation, Artificial intelligence (AI), ENCIS, Ageing infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/chaos-after-heavy-rains-lash-delhi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ucpyhqyq/Delhi-Waterlogging-1.jpg Heavy rains on August 6 caused waterlogging in various parts of Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ehzc0x92/Delhi-Waterlogging-2.jpg Complaints of waterlogging were received from across the metropolitan area. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/1c4j6q1z/Delhi-Waterlogging-3.jpg While the authorities have been attending to these complaints, the events of August 6 once again show the state of affairs regarding civic infrastructure in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T11:21:31.203Z Chaos after heavy rains lash Delhi Governance, Delhi, Southwest monsoon, Urban Waterlogging, Waterlogging, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-updates-disaster-list-to-include-heatwaves-and-lightning-after-finance-commission-push https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ujy7l1sg/043A5037.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T11:10:04.686Z India updates disaster list to include heatwaves and lightning after Finance Commission push Climate Change, Heatwaves, Natural Disasters, National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), Weather, Lightning, Extreme weather, Ministry of Home Affairs, Heatstroke, Disaster Management Act, 16th Finance Commission, State Disaster Response Fund https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-metro-river-valley-civilisation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/zgrz2ej0/Simply-Put-7-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/omf7fj05/Simply-Put-7-Aug-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T10:42:58.274Z Simply Put: Metro-river valley civilisation Governance, Water, Urbanisation, Cities, Floods, flooding, urban areas, Floodwaters https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/in-kuttanad-keralas-rice-bowl-an-arterial-road-is-symbolic-of-the-states-changing-relationship-with-its-wetlands-and-floodplains https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/uzzp01qt/AC-Road.jpg Stranded commuters on the flooded arterial Alapuzha-Changanassery Road. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T09:51:26.694Z In Kuttanad, Kerala’s ‘rice bowl’, an arterial road is symbolic of the state’s changing relationship with its wetlands and floodplains Water, Governance, Kerala, Hydrology, Kuttanad, Lake Vembanad, Kerala’s ‘rice bowl’, wetlands and floodplains, Alapuzha-Changanassery Road https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/there-is-a-certain-irony-to-world-elephant-day-celebrations https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/wx5vm6cs/elephant.jpg A bull tusker downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:35:53.808Z There is a certain irony to World Elephant Day celebrations Wildlife & Biodiversity, world elephant day, elephants, Human-elephant conflict, Captive elephants, wild elephants, World Elephant Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-himachal-pradesh-bets-on-electric-buses-to-clean-up-mountain-transport https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/yh9l63dd/1000737282-1.jpg Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launching the 297 buses at Kiarighat in Solan district on July 30, 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/n4wy0ace/1000727818.jpg Om Prakash charging buses at HRTC’s charging station in Shimla’s MC Parking. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/bkjexz2g/1000726001.jpg Electric buses typically need recharging once battery levels fall to 30-40%, with steep uphill routes and full passenger loads accelerating battery drain. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:28:05.931Z India on e-wheels: Himachal Pradesh bets on electric buses to clean up mountain transport Energy, Air, Himachal Pradesh, Air Pollution, Public Transport, electric mobility, electric buses, himalayan states, clean transport, charging infrastructure, transport emissions, India on e-wheels, HRTC https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/study-shows-disproportionate-burden-of-water-fetching-on-girls-in-ghana https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/36sfyhz0/Ghana-girl-with-water-can https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/9q9tv7d5/women-fetching-water Socio-economic status, infrastrure play a role in deciding involvement of girls. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:13:52.185Z Study shows disproportionate burden of water fetching on girls in Ghana Africa, World, Water, Ghana, Women, girls, gender gap, education gender gap, Labour, division of labour https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/after-chhattisgarh-and-maharashtra-gujarat-bans-analogue-paneer-cheese-and-butter https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/olqckw6k/Paneer.jpg ‘Paneer’ or cottage cheese. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T06:40:45.148Z After Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, Gujarat bans analogue ‘paneer’, cheese and butter Food, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, cottage cheese, paneer, Butter, cheese, analogue ‘paneer’ https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/first-mrna-flu-shot-approved-by-fda-bodes-well-for-improving-drugs-of-the-future https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/evihmbr0/mRNA-flu-shot Two hurdles mRNA drugs face are a short half-life and impurities that trigger immune responses. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T06:27:12.728Z First mRNA flu shot approved by FDA bodes well for improving drugs of the future Health, covid-19, vaccine, mrna vaccines, mrna, Flu, FDA https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-heavy-rainfall-hits-delhi-ncr-and-several-states-orange-alert-issued-for-karnataka-madhya-pradesh-rajasthan-kerala-and-odisha https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/3di6isj7/Delhi-Rainfall.jpg Waterlogging in Delhi-NCR. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T05:25:01.128Z Daily weather tracker: Heavy rainfall hits Delhi-NCR and several states; Orange alert issued for Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala and Odisha Climate Change, Delhi-NCR, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/adding-an-ai-tool-to-google-earth-shook-our-trust-in-maps-that-has-been-centuries-in-the-making https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/2sifqcym/file-20260805-60-zwjnyc.jpg An 1818 map of western Africa shows the continent bisected by the mythical ‘Mountains of Kong’, based on the explorations of Mungo Park. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T04:43:36.747Z Adding an AI tool to Google Earth shook our trust in maps that has been centuries in the making Africa, Science & Technology, Google, Satellites, Maps, Google Earth, Artificial intelligence (AI), Cartography, OSINT, satellite mapping https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/80-butterflies-have-expanded-their-ranges-while-a-quarter-face-range-contractions-due-to-climate-change-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/gt237v4z/Tawny-Coster.jpg The Tawny Coster. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:42:31.143Z 80% butterflies have expanded their ranges while a quarter face range contractions due to climate change: Study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Climate Change, Butterflies, range, range expansion, range contraction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/renewable-energy/how-solar-cold-storage-is-helping-women-in-100-marathwada-villages-earn-from-milk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/of0unxvn/Kalinda-Survase-from-Jahagirdarwadi-village-in-Dharashiv-tells-that-since-solar-powered-BMC-dairy-started-she-started-to-get-money-in-her-account.jpg Kalinda Survase, a dairy farmer from Jahagirdarwadi village in Dharashiv, says the solar-powered BMC has ensured that the money she earns from selling milk is now credited directly to her bank account. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/z0pr11cx/100-solar-powered-BMcs-in-100-villages-get-milk-from-over-3500-women-dairt-farmers.jpg Solar-powered bulk milk coolers (BMCs) installed in 100 villages now collect milk from more than 3,500 women dairy farmers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/5l54ekix/solar-projects-.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/cvbrwoz3/Machines-to-weight-milk-chill-little-ammounty-of-milk-for-chilling-and-machine-to-test-fat-from-left-to-right.jpg From left to right: A milk weighing machine, a small-capacity milk chiller, and a milk analyser used to measure fat content. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:19:48.450Z How solar cold storage is helping women in 100 Marathwada villages earn from milk Renewable Energy, Energy, Climate Change, Marathwada, just transition, dairy sector, Climate solutions, rural livelihoods, Solar cold storage, Women dairy farmers, Bulk milk chillers, Milk supply chain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-must-secure-minerals-and-manufacturing-not-just-fuel-to-safeguard-energy-future-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/tt3arfex/iStock-1307689811.jpg The report says India remains fully import-dependent for several critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, silicon and rare earth elements. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/ysrvux9q/Screenshot_2026_08_06_at_6_11_44_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:00:05.113Z India must secure minerals and manufacturing, not just fuel, to safeguard energy future: Report Energy, Renewable Energy, Energy security, net zero, Power Transmission, critical minerals, Clean energy transition, Domestic manufacturing, Fossil Fuel Imports, Electricity storage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/as-told-to-parliament-august-6-2026-asiatic-lions-in-india-have-increased-32-since-2020 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/v0ag41qa/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:46:47.871Z As told to Parliament (August 6, 2026): Asiatic lions in India have increased 32% since 2020 Environment, Delhi, himalayas, lok sabha, Air Pollution, Punjab, rajya sabha, parliament digest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Kirti Vardhan Singh, AI data centres https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/as-told-to-parliament-august-5-2026-incois-ai-model-forecasts-el-niño-to-continue-until-february-2027-with-up-to-90-probability https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/zw3kj83m/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:07:52.786Z As told to Parliament (August 5, 2026): INCOIS AI model forecasts El Niño to continue until February 2027 with up to 90% probability Climate Change, Governance, lok sabha, green hydrogen, rooftop solar, rajya sabha, Parliament, Rooftop Solar Power Plants, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National highways, Artificial intelligence (AI), El Niño, data centres, AI data centres, Vehicle scrapping https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/delhi-needs-rooftop-solar-battery-storage-to-meet-rising-power-demand-peaks-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/51faeft1/Delhi-rooftop-solar Unlike most states, Delhi generates only a small share of the electricity it consumes and depends heavily on power allocated from central generating stations and purchases from neighbouring states. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/9zsw3tnr/delhi-electricity downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:02:52.276Z Delhi needs rooftop solar, battery storage to meet rising power demand peaks: Study Energy, Battery, rooftop solar, delhi solar policy, power demand, Delhi EV Policy 2.0, Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026-2030 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/monsoon-brings-proliferation-of-mosquitoes-to-delhi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/30rbadrr/Delhi-Mosquitoes-1.jpg The monsoon has caused the formation of large puddles in Delhi, bringing back an old adversary: the mosquito. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/89p36mrn/Delhi-Mosquitoes-2.jpg Worryingly, though, mosquito breeding is no longer restricted to the monsoon. Different genuses are breeding in other seasons and are able to cause myriad diseases. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/vxa50rv0/Delhi-Mosquitoes-3.jpg This, even as India has made impressive gains against malaria and the mosquito that causes it, the Anopheles. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T11:10:17.333Z Monsoon brings proliferation of mosquitoes to Delhi Health, Delhi, monsoon, Malaria, mosquitoes, anopheles, zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, Monsoon 2026, Culex, Aedes https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-5-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2025-08-05/uhqt8qvl/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T10:49:16.381Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 5, 2026) Environment, Waste, Waste Management, Yamuna floods, Pollution Control Board, environmental compensation, Delhi floods, SWM Rules 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/driving-on-broken-data-why-indias-clean-air-and-ev-push-cannot-outrun-vahans-cracks https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/jgrjpuf3/iStock-502914346.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/purmqqhv/kalyani-1.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/ujia9p73/kalyani-2.png Top 10 states with missing fuel emission norms data for new vehicle registrations from 2016-17 to 2025-26. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/akplwsqt/kalyani-3.png Top 10 states with post-mandate new vehicle registrations from 2016-17 to 2025-26. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/k4rp010b/kalyani-4.png Top 10 states with unknown fuel records on new vehicle registrations from 2016-17 to 2025-26. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T10:32:10.065Z Driving on broken data: Why India’s clean-air and EV push cannot outrun VAHAN’s cracks Air, Energy, Clean air, Road Transport, clean air plan, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, VAHAN, Electric vehicles (EV), VAHAN data, India on e-wheels, Vehicle registration, Transport data, Bharat Stage norms, Emissions inventory, Data quality https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-a-tale-of-two-hungers https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/5uja1lkr/Simply-Put-06-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/zk2dnwxx/Simply-Put-06-Aug-School-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T09:40:01.643Z Simply Put: A tale of two hungers Governance, Education, hunger, Students, education systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/decoding-cafe-iii-norms-for-cars-how-technical-loopholes-weaken-the-norms-and-slow-down-zero-emission-transition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/6zq0b951/Delhi-Traffic.jpg Traffic in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T09:10:45.957Z Decoding CAFE-III norms for cars: How technical loopholes weaken the norms and slow down zero-emission transition Air, Energy, Cars, India on e-wheels, CAFE-III, CAFE-III norms, zero-emission, tailpipe emissions https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/finding-ginkgo-in-kashmir-reflections-on-a-living-fossil https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/7ibf1awh/Ginkgo-in-Kashmir.jpg Ginkgo biloba sapling raised by the author. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T09:01:23.690Z Finding Ginkgo in Kashmir: Reflections on a living fossil Wildlife & Biodiversity, hiroshima day, hiroshima bombing, kashmir valley, Hiroshima, Ginkgo biloba, living fossils https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/farmer-groups-warn-mps-that-seeds-bill-and-trade-deals-could-weaken-control-over-traditional-seeds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/qbib801g/1000391057.jpg The bill would place heavy registration and paperwork requirements on ordinary seed savers and community seed banks, requirements that small farmers would struggle to meet, while large seed companies, with legal and administrative resources would clear easily. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T08:26:43.542Z Farmer groups warn MPs that Seeds Bill and trade deals could weaken control over traditional seeds Governance, traditional seeds, India's Seed Saviours, India’s seed saviours, Seed sovereignity, Bharat Beej Swaraj Manch (BBSM), draft seed bill 2025 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/why-australia-should-urgently-vaccinate-wildlife-most-at-risk-from-h5n1-bird-flu https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/hmt1m26k/Sea-lion-Australia downtoearth en 2026-08-06T06:47:49.354Z Why Australia should urgently vaccinate wildlife most at risk from H5N1 bird flu Wildlife & Biodiversity, wildlife, bird flu, tasmanian devil, H5N1, Australia, vaccinate, vacine https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/karnatakas-junk-food-ban-near-schools-explained https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/3uzexeif/Karnataka-Junk-Food.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T05:54:41.693Z Karnataka’s junk food ban near schools explained Food, Junk Food, schools, Karnataka, ban on junk food, HFSS (high fat, sugar, and salt) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-fury-continues-delhi-among-several-states-likely-to-receive-heavy-rainfall-alerts-issued https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/kuk9mt0v/Assam-Floods.jpg Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister J P Nadda tour flood-affected Sivasagar. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T05:41:12.325Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon fury continues; Delhi among several states likely to receive heavy rainfall, alerts issued Climate Change, Delhi, Assam, Northeast, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/drought-and-the-war-in-ukraine-changed-what-families-in-kenya-could-afford-to-eat-research-tracked-food-and-cooking-gas-use https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/pgqauj0g/iStock-1368167982.jpg Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T04:21:56.715Z Drought and the war in Ukraine changed what families in Kenya could afford to eat – research tracked food and cooking gas use Food, Energy, Climate Change, Africa, World, climate crisis, Kenya, fuel prices, Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia-Ukraine War, Agriculture + Land, liquefied petroleum gas, Food price inflation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/maharashtras-semi-arid-districts-face-highest-risk-from-rapidly-intensifying-flash-droughts-study-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-05/dnp8vzu4/iStock-1420318132.jpg An inundated farm in Maharashtra. downtoearth en 2026-08-05T14:14:01.596Z Maharashtra’s semi-arid districts face highest risk from rapidly intensifying flash droughts, study says Agriculture, Climate Change, Maharashtra, flash droughts, Solapur, soil moisture, Beed, Sangli district, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, Drought early warning