https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/delayed-monsoon-is-driving-ecological-distress-and-economic-strain-across-kutch https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/uy8zvgg4/Photo-4.jpg Soaring fodder prices, drying lakes and stalled drought declaration leave Maldhari herders and their livestock exposed to a deepening climate shock. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:10:34.140Z Delayed monsoon is driving ecological distress and economic strain across Kutch Climate Change, Rural Water and Sanitation, Drought, Gujarat, delayed monsoon, water scarcity, climate variability, Banni grasslands, Kutch, fodder crisis, rainfed agriculture, Monsoon 2026, Maldhari pastoralists https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/yamuna-in-delhi-begins-to-fill-up-courtesy-hathnikund-is-it-enough-though https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/r8si96ah/Delhi-Yamuna-1.jpg The Yamuna appears fuller on the border between Delhi and Noida. The water is courtesy increased inflows at the Hathnikund Barrage upstream in Haryana. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/83k7mhur/Delhi-Yamuna-2.jpg But is this water enough for a clean Yamuna in Delhi? https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/35pssb9t/Delhi-Yamuna-3.jpg According to the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), excess water at the barrage was discharged into canals. That means less water for Delhi where the river is at its dirtiest. Unless there is water, the river cannot self-clean itself. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:07:05.802Z Yamuna in Delhi begins to fill up, courtesy Hathnikund. Is it enough though? Water, Rivers, Delhi, Yamuna, Haryana, hathnikund, SANDRP, Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/these-are-the-111-districts-the-government-flagged-as-vulnerable-to-el-niño-2026-and-69-are-already-rainfall-deficient https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/b9k2gukn/dig059564.jpg Rainfall deficits across key rain-fed regions, from Nagaland to Maharashtra, are pushing more land into drought and leaving millions of farmers exposed with few irrigation buffers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/3t6dm4vu/drough.png downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:00:51.936Z These are the 111 districts the government flagged as vulnerable to El Niño 2026 — and 69 are already rainfall deficient Agriculture, Climate Change, Drought, Irrigation, rainfall deficit, India Meteorological Department (IMD), El Niño, Super El Niño, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Super El Niño impact, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Kharif sowing, Monsoon 2026, Farm distress https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/the-centres-restructuring-of-indias-environmental-clearance-procedure-raises-a-big-question-over-expertise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/edr01jrx/Bhupender-Yadav.jpg Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T09:32:47.644Z The Centre’s restructuring of India’s environmental clearance procedure raises a big question over expertise Environment, EIA, EAC, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA), Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/pyre-protests-again-what-is-up-with-the-ken-betwa-river-linking-project https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/gopsxlfu/Ken-Betwa downtoearth en 2026-07-16T09:28:04.737Z Pyre protests again: What is up with the Ken Betwa River Linking Project? Governance, Madhya Pradesh, tribal, Ken Betwa River Linking Projec, Pyre protests https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/vizhinjam-at-a-crossroads-as-msc-eyes-a-stake-kerala-confronts-questions-of-monopoly-pollution-and-the-price-of-maritime-ambition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/zzoyku4j/MSC-Elsa-3.jpg The capsized MSC ELSA 3. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T08:30:57.079Z Vizhinjam at a crossroads: As MSC eyes a stake, Kerala confronts questions of monopoly, pollution, and the price of maritime ambition Water, Kerala, Adani, Arabian Sea, Vizhinjam, MSC ELSA 3, MSC, Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-july-15-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-07/xdesj1kw/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T07:40:54.620Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 15, 2026) Environment, Waste, Water, waterbody, paper mill, UPPCB, Gautam Budha Nagar, Taj Trapezium Zone, rdf, refuse-derived fuel https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-low-pressure-intensifies-heavy-rain-alert-in-over-15-states-heatwave-grips-south-while-hot-humid-conditions-persist-across-north-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/f4j9bpdt/Clouds.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T06:49:58.315Z Daily weather tracker: Low-pressure intensifies; heavy rain alert in over 15 states, heatwave grips south while hot & humid conditions persist across North India Climate Change, heatwave, low pressure, Daily Weather Tracker, heavy rain, heat and humidity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/china-is-funding-african-farmers-but-not-food-processing-and-storage-why-its-a-problem https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/rx3wex9a/africa-food-processing downtoearth en 2026-07-16T06:21:08.743Z China is funding African farmers but not food processing and storage: Why it’s a problem Africa, World, Africa, Agriculture, China, Farmer, Development, farm storage, agricultural processing, post-harvest infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/uttara-kannadas-evergreen-forests-remain-under-relentless-assault-in-the-name-of-clean-energy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/5xuzjhe5/Gerusoppa-Dam-on-Sharavathi.jpeg The Gerusoppa Dam on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/3vc2a7fe/Energy_Geography_UK.png Energy geography of Uttara Kannada. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T05:59:58.980Z Uttara Kannada's evergreen forests remain under relentless assault in the name of clean energy Forests, Energy, Renewable Energy, Carbon Sinks, Forest Conservation, climate resilience, Hydropower, biodiversity loss, Western Ghats, hydropower project, Uttara Kannada, green transition, lion-tailed macaque, Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/76-billion-mugs-of-tea-a-second-a-new-way-to-make-sense-of-the-heat-pouring-into-our-oceans https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/hkupgzgq/iStock-1225559183.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T04:52:20.805Z ‘7.6 billion mugs of tea a second’: a new way to make sense of the heat pouring into our oceans Climate Change, marine heatwaves, Global Warming, Oceans, Climate Science, ocean warming, Tea, earth energy imbalance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/madhya-pradeshs-korku-adivasis-demand-removal-of-forest-encroachments https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/eje8aizh/Korku-Adivasi-protest Nearly 2,000 community members from 150 villages from Khandwa and Burhanpur districts depending on the forest for sustenance held a march to convey their demands to the chief minister of the state. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/nv4c22t3/Korku-MP-forest-before-after downtoearth en 2026-07-15T13:01:59.925Z Madhya Pradesh's Korku adivasis demand removal of forest encroachments Forests, Governance, Tribals, Madhya Pradesh, adivasi, forest rights, Korku https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/a-beacon-for-the-health-of-wetlands https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/2w9erfhi/Rosy-Pelican-1.jpg The Rosy Pelican, seen here in flight at Delhi Zoo, is a large bird that prefers swamps and other wetland ecosystems. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/146whc5z/Rosy-Pelican-2.jpg It is known as an ‘indicator species’ for the health of wetlands. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/oeas00p0/Rosy-Pelican-3.jpg Protecting pelican habitats in wetlands can benefit other bird species. downtoearth en 2026-07-15T11:56:34.381Z A beacon for the health of wetlands Wildlife & Biodiversity, Water, Wetland Conservation, Wetlands, Wetland health, Rosy Pelican https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-way-forward https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/hdjygrjt/Air-traffic https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/68c8t8qn/street-solutions downtoearth en 2026-07-15T11:43:49.661Z Simply Put: Way forward Governance, Nitin Gadkari, Air Transport, Road cave in https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-adds-record-29-gw-solar-wind-in-first-half-of-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/grv2kqs3/Rooftop-solar Solar accounted for around 56 per cent of the total installed RE capacity. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/wc9s6u2l/1000369120.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T11:17:12.189Z India adds record 29 GW solar, wind in first half of 2026 Energy, Gujarat, rooftop solar, India solar power, india renewable energy, India solar market https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/where-rivers-are-denied-space-floods-cease-to-be-natural-events-and-become-governance-failures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/2ovoq00w/Indo-PakBorderduring2025Floods.jpg The Satluj floods Hussainiwala on the Indian-Pakistani border in Punjab in 2025. downtoearth en 2026-07-15T09:18:40.813Z Where rivers are denied space, floods cease to be natural events and become governance failures Governance, Rivers, monsoon, Floods, Encroachment, River Regulation Zones (RRZs) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/can-india-burn-its-way-out-of-waste-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/vscbirer/Waste-management Overhead grab crane for waste handling at a waste-to-energy plant. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/n506jkqv/1000369053.jpg Bottom ash generated from the combustion of municipal solid waste at a WTE plant. downtoearth en 2026-07-15T09:06:17.676Z Can India burn its way out of waste crisis? Waste, Waste Management, Waste Incineration, waste-to-energy plant, Solid waste incineration, Waste collection, waste burning, WTE https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/sea-of-plastic-fmcg-companies-should-be-held-responsible-for-food-packaging-waste-says-parama-roy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-14/go678a7a/Parama-Roy.jpg Parama Roy, executive director of Okapi Research and Advisory downtoearth en 2026-07-15T08:22:06.511Z Sea of plastic: FMCG companies should be held responsible for food-packaging waste, says Parama Roy Waste, Waste Management, food packaging, Plastic pollution, marine litter, disposable food packaging, food packaging materials, FMCG waste, FMCG, Source segregation, Zero-waste neighbourhoods https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/war-is-no-environmental-peace https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/tlsclmq9/First-Take-Illu.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T07:31:24.047Z War is no environmental peace Environment, El Nino, Peace, Ecology, War, Lebanon, israel-gaza conflict 2023, Russia-Ukraine War, US-Israel-Iran conflict https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/andhra-pradesh-covid-19-cluster-exposes-gaps-in-indias-disease-surveillance https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/icom3dx7/iStock-1338264292.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T07:29:59.777Z Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 cluster exposes gaps in India’s disease surveillance Health, India, covid-19, public health, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, genome sequencing, disease surveillance, Kadapa, respiratory infections, Health preparedness https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/himalayan-climate-alarm-jammu-kashmir-warms-by-nearly-1-c-in-two-decades-scientists-warn https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/k48540ok/Gulmarg.jpg Gulmarg in Kashmir. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/ud71bt1x/IMG-20260713-WA0000.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T07:02:25.766Z Himalayan climate alarm: Jammu & Kashmir warms by nearly 1 °C in two decades, scientists warn Climate Change, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, kashmir valley, WARMING https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-bay-of-bengal-low-pressure-system-triggers-red-alert-in-odisha-heatwave-and-humid-conditions-persist-across-several-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/b8xgl3g4/Heat-Humidity.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T06:34:11.047Z Daily weather tracker: Bay of Bengal low-pressure system triggers red alert in Odisha; heatwave and humid conditions persist across several states Climate Change, heatwave, Odisha, humidity, Bay Of Bengal, heat, Daily Weather Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/will-el-niño-drought-hit-food-prices-in-south-africa-earlier-rains-and-grain-stocks-offer-hope https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/gjkvk79r/Food-SA For the livestock industry, grazing across the country is in a fair condition, having benefited from the longer rainy periods. downtoearth en 2026-07-15T06:22:42.142Z Will El Niño drought hit food prices in South Africa? Earlier rains and grain stocks offer hope Africa, Drought, Agriculture, South Africa, Food, Food Prices, Weather, Crops, Rains, grain stocks https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/himalayan-snowfall-has-been-miscalculated-for-years-heres-how-we-found-a-new-way-to-measure-it https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/mzvwt4l0/iStock-531710804.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T05:05:25.382Z Himalayan snowfall has been miscalculated for years, here’s how we found a new way to measure it Climate Change, Water, India, Drought, Nepal, himalayas, Water shortage, SNOW https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/seeding-clouds-with-seawater-could-change-earths-weather-and-prevent-a-super-el-nino-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/9jk1mzl0/Super-El-Nino.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T04:49:49.787Z Seeding clouds with seawater could change Earth’s weather and prevent a super El Nino: Study Climate Change, El Nino, LA Nina, cloud seeding, Super El Nino, Marine cloud brightening https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/two-cloudbursts-in-anantnag-district-of-kashmir https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/cosjpmw9/Kashmir.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-15T04:33:14.064Z Two cloudbursts in Anantnag district of Kashmir Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Jammu and Kashmir, kashmir valley, Cloudbursts, Anantnag district https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/new-study-reveals-how-the-indian-plate-built-the-roof-of-the-world https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-14/a9autbvn/Tibetan-Plateau.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-14T12:18:04.051Z New study reveals how the Indian plate built the ‘Roof of the World’ Science & Technology, tibet, subduction, Eurasian plate, Tibetan Plateau, University of Glasgow, Indian plate https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-july-13-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-07/xdesj1kw/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-14T12:00:10.660Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 13, 2026) Environment, Pollution, River Pollution, River, Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, river governance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/us-israel-war-on-iran-could-trigger-debt-inflation-and-remittance-shocks-across-global-south-warns-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-14/7lcuh6i0/Screenshot-2026-07-14-at-4.55.36-PM.png United States President Donald Trump downtoearth en 2026-07-14T11:50:41.913Z US-Israel war on Iran could trigger debt, inflation and remittance shocks across Global South, warns report Energy, Economy, Developing Countries, global south, Inflation, Debt, donald trump, Russia-Ukraine conflict, Starit of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026, Israel-Iran War 2026, US-Israel-Iran conflict, Isarel-Iran War 2026, remittances https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/meteorological-truth-and-media-representation-of-april-may-2026-heat-season-frequently-diverged-in-ways-that-matter-for-public-safety-and-policy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/gv7940yc/Heat.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-14T11:29:14.483Z Meteorological truth and media representation of April-May 2026 heat season frequently diverged in ways that matter for public safety and policy Climate Change, heatwave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), policy, Public safety, heat