Ganga water level rises in Varanasi; schools shut, relief operations intensify

August 5, 2025 9:51 AM

Ganga water level rises in Varanasi; schools shut, relief operations intensify

The water level of the Ganga River continues to rise in Varanasi due to ongoing monsoon rains, creating a flood-like situation across several low-lying areas, including the Namo Ghat. Visuals from the ghat showed the river approaching danger levels, prompting heightened alert among authorities. In light of the situation, all schools in Varanasi, across all boards and up to Class 12, have been ordered shut for two days — August 5 and 6. “In view of the rain and flood situation in Varanasi d...

Rains, floods and rising heat: South Asia’s growing climate crisis

July 23, 2025 10:56 AM

Rains, floods and rising heat: South Asia’s growing climate crisis

People in India and neighboring countries eagerly await the monsoon rains, which signal the end of the scorching summer heat and bring much-needed water for crops that sustain crores of people. However, the increasing frequency, intensity, unpredictability and eccentricity of extreme rainfall events are making things increasingly difficult for the people. In 2024 alone, hundreds of people died in India due to heavy rainfall. Across South Asia, hundreds more have already died this year. Experts w...

Rivers in southwest China breach warning levels, with thousands evacuated

July 10, 2025 3:18 PM

Rivers in southwest China breach warning levels, with thousands evacuated

The levels of 25 rivers in southwestern China exceeded safe levels on Thursday, state media said, after more than 10,000 people were evacuated as the remnants of former typhoon Danas converged with East Asian monsoon rains. Extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, increasingly pose major challenges as they threaten to overwhelm ageing flood defences, displace millions and wreak havoc on a $2.8-trillion agricultural sector. Heavy rains also hit the capi...

India retains forecast of above average monsoon rains

May 27, 2025 4:55 PM

India retains forecast of above average monsoon rains

India is likely to see above average monsoon rains for the second straight year in 2025, the government said on Tuesday, retaining the forecast it gave last month. The monsoon is expected to total 106% of the long-term average this year, said M. Ravichandran, secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The India Meteorological Department defines average or normal rainfall as ranging between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month season from June to September...

India’s monsoon begins to retreat after delivering surplus rains

September 23, 2024 4:44 PM

India’s monsoon begins to retreat after delivering surplus rains

India's monsoon rains started retreating from the northwest of the country on Monday, nearly a week later than normal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement. India's annual monsoon provides almost 70% of the rain it needs to water farms and replenish reservoirs and aquifers and is the lifeblood of a nearly $3.5-trillion economy. Without irrigation, nearly half of Indian farmland depends on the rains that usually run from June to September. The monsoon generally begins in Ju...