World Health Assembly agrees to new ‘Health Emergencies Programme’
Programme aimed at providing rapid and comprehensive support to countries and communities for tackling crises hazardous to human health
Their Misery Continues
Post-tsunami relief workin Sri Lanka is bogged down by corruption, inefficiency and political machinations
COVID-19, floods and landslides: What Uttarakhand needs to brace for
An above-normal monsoon, as predicted by IMD, may cause the state to experience interweaving challenges of flooding or landslide events
NDMA vice-chairperson's post vacant for three months
Members of the apex disaster management body asked to leave after new government came to power at Centre
Pastoralists are an asset to the world — and we have a lot to learn from them
Pastoral areas face constant shocks and stresses ranging from drought, floods, heavy snowfalls, diseases, conflicts and more
Here is why forest fires now pose a threat to the very survival of Uttarakhand’s unique biodiversity
Forest fire season in Uttarakhand coincides with flowering & breeding months of several vulnerable species, many of them native to Himalayas
Governments knew COVID-19 was a threat. Here’s why they weren’t better prepared
From not believing the magnitude of the problem to displaying scepticism over past epidemics — governments remained in the dark …
Kerala floods: How to hit self goals on disaster preparedness
Performance audits carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India during 2012 and 2017 had raised several red alerts regarding floods.…
Geomorphologist Robert James Wasson discusses flood risk reduction in India
In this video, Robert James Wasson from National University of Singapore points out that India is the second most flood-prone country in the …
Deluge despite deficit
This year, floods have occurred even in areas that are arid or have received less than normal rainfall. As erratic weather events become more …
Subduing the bulldozer
For centuries, the Dutch have been trying to keep their heads over water by barricading out the sea and the rivers. But there comes a point when …
2022 too short, too far: A year of disasters
Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from 2022
Joshimath’s sinking brings Uttarakhand’s rehabilitation policy into sharp focus
Of Uttarakhand’s 484 villages threatened by natural disasters, more than 450 await relocation despite the state’s ambitious …
Flood-protection measures: Pakistan is in for a long haul
Punjab needs to employ 871 years of flood-protection, while other flood-prone provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh would require around …
Integrated risk assessment of dams required to prevent human-made disasters: Experts
Ministry of Jal Shakti said in a press release recently that data on flooding caused due to faulty operations of reservoirs is not maintained …
Why Bihar needs climate-smart agricultural practices
Bihar is highly vulnerable to hydro-meteorological natural disasters as it has both flood-prone and drought-prone areas
Cyclone Jawad can make landfall in Odisha’s Puri district December 5: IMD
Farmers and fishermen in coastal Odisha districts prepare for the worst, with Cyclone Jawad predicted to make landfall in the area; many worried …
The Fani havoc across Odisha
With the speed of 175 kilometres per hour (kmph), cylone Fani made landfall in Odisha’s Puri district at 8.30 am on May 3, 2019
54% of Africa’s surface weather stations can't capture data properly
With extreme weather events becoming the new normal, forecasting has become more important than ever. It's time African nations invest in …
What’s stalling flood management projects? CAG points to lack of integrated approach
In at least eight out of 17 states and UTs studied, flood management works were executed without detailed project reports
Manipur earthquake leaves trail of destruction
Lost lives, cracks in a dam, a damaged women’s market, and about 165 collapsed buildings tell the story of a devastating quake
Flying high and low
Small wonders from our scientists: ultra-small aircraft that will fly into hazardous areas and bring back data
A Nobel profession
From war-torn countries to nations suffering constantly from natural calamities, Medcins Sans Frontires, also known as Doctors Without Borders, …
Deaths foretold
The loss of life in the super cyclone that hit the Orissa coast last year was not an 'act of God'. Had the emergency plans been in place, the …
Sick berth
The Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre has done little for the long-term treatment of gas victims
