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Over 3,000 lives lost to extreme weather in India so far this year: Report

A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that India experienced extreme weather events on 93% of the days in the first nine months of 2024. This relentless frequency led to over 3,000 fatalities and the destruction of more than 200,000 homes across the country. The report, titled “Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events,” found that in 2024, 255 of the year’s 274 days saw extreme weather, including events such as lightning strikes, storms, heavy rainfall, floods, heat and cold waves, cloudbursts, cyclones, and snowfall all of which directly contributed to the death toll. This marks an increase from 2023, when 86% of days in the same period recorded such events. The data in the report were drawn from the India Meteorological Department’s summaries and forecasts, as well as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ disaster management updates. However, the report pointed to notable gaps in the data, especially regarding the extent of property and agricultural losses. In some instances, media reports contradicted official government accounts, and the authors noted that actual losses may be underreported due to inconsistent data on public property and crop damages. This year, lightning and storms affected 32 states, and India saw some of the highest recorded temperatures since 1901. Floods alone claimed 1,376 lives nationwide, highlighting the urgency for improved climate resilience. The report emphasised the need for a more proactive approach to climate disasters, particularly in flood management, which it argued requires more than just planning. Effective strategies, such as enhancing drainage, water recharge systems, and expanding green spaces to serve as natural reservoirs, are critical in preparing for increasingly severe weather patterns. The authors also called for climate reparations from high emission countries, which they see as having a responsibility to support India’s recovery from the human and economic toll of climate change.

India faced 255 days of extreme weather this year

India faced 93 percent days of extreme weather from January to September this year. Of the 255 days out of 274, India experienced extreme weather events marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides, almost every day in the first nine months of this year which claimed to 3,200 lives, affected 3.2 million hectare (mha) of crops, destroyed 235,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock. The report titled “Climate India 2024: An Assessment of Extreme Weather Events” by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) , based on the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data has come days ahead of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan’s Baku from November 11 to 22. Compared to this, the first nine months of 2023 recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2,923 deaths, 1.84 mha of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths. The year 2024 also set several climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901. In February, the country recorded its second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and July, August and September all registered their highest minimum temperatures since 1901. In the Northwest, January was the second driest, and July recorded the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. The Southern Peninsula saw its hottest February ever, followed by exceptionally hot and dry March and April, but with a 36.5 percent surplus in July rainfall and the second-highest minimum temperature in August. According to the report, between January and February, extreme weather events spanned 50 days, a sharp rise from 38 days in 2022 and 28 in 2023. Cold days and cold waves dominated, occurring on 38 days-a 17-day increase from the previous year. Additionally, lightning and storms were recorded on 17 days, up from 5 days last year. Between pre-Monsoon March and May, extreme weather events were recorded on 83 days, slightly lower than 2022 (85 days) and the same as 2023. Heatwaves occurred on 54 days in 2024, nearly double the 28 days in 2023. This increase contributed to a surge in fatalities, with 507 lives lost, compared to 321 the previous year. And between June and September, extreme weather persisted across all 122 Monsoon days, as in 2023. However, deaths increased to 2,716, up from 2,594 in 2023 and 2,431 in 2022. In terms of event types, the past nine months have seen everything from lightning and storms, spanning 32 states and resulting in 1,021 deaths, to relentless monsoon rains, which led to flooding across various regions. In Assam alone, heavy rains, floods and landslides were recorded in 122 days, leaving large parts of the state submerged and communities devastated. Nationwide, 1,376 lives were lost due to floods. The report says that Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather for 176 days, the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60 per cent of the affected crop area nation-wide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 ha). Regionally, Central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest at 213 days. In terms of lives lost, the Central region had the most deaths (1,001), followed by the Southern Peninsula (762 deaths), East and Northeast (741 deaths) and Northwest (734 deaths). The report said the impact on agriculture has been severe, with extreme weather affecting at least 3.2 million hectares of cropped land in 2024, a 74 per cent increase from the 1.84 million hectares damaged in 2022. However, this number likely underestimates the true damage, as data from major agricultural states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana was unavailable. The report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe. Rajit Sengupta, who co-authored the report, said heatwaves claimed 210 lives but the data does not reflect the extended health impacts of prolonged high temperatures on the well-being of people in North India, including farmers and labourers, who endured intense heat with little means of relief. “Similarly, the toll of severe cold snaps and frost on crop losses is not captured, highlighting the need for robust compensation systems for weather-induced losses.” Sengupta underlined without this support, farmers are pushed into debt, exacerbating their marginalisation and poverty. Speaking at the launch of the report, CSE director general and Down To Earth editor Sunita Narain said: “These record-breaking statistics reflect climate change’s impact, where events that used to occur once every century are now happening every five years or even less. This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.” The report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe. Rajit Sengupta, who co-authored the report, said heatwaves claimed 210 lives but the data does not reflect the extended health impacts of prolonged high temperatures on the well-being of people in North India, including farmers and labourers, who endured intense heat with little means of relief. “Similarly, the toll of severe cold snaps and frost on crop losses is not captured, highlighting the need for robust compensation systems for weather-induced losses.” Sengupta underlined that without this support, farmers are pushed into debt, exacerbating their marginalisation and poverty. Speaking at the launch of the report, CSE director general and Down To Earth editor Sunita Narain said: “These record-breaking statistics reflect climate change’s impact, where events that used to occur once every century are now happening every five years or even less. This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.”

3238 लोगों की मौत, 32 लाख हेक्टेयर फसल बर्बाद... मौसम ने इस साल दिखाया रौद्र रूप

बाढ़, बारिश, तूफान, शीतलहर और चक्रवात... भारत को इस वर्ष के पहले नौ महीनों में 93 प्रतिशत दिनों में मौसम की मार झेलनी पड़ी है. मौसम की ये हेल्थ रिपोर्ट हैरान करने के साथ-साथ डराने वाली भी है. विज्ञान एवं पर्यावरण केंद्र (CSE) की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, इस साल प्राकृतिक आपदाओं में अब तक 3,238 लोगों की मौत हुई और करीब 32 लाख हेक्टेयर फसल बर्बाद हो चुकी है. मौसम ने इस साल रौद्र रूप CSE की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, देशभर में 35 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में मौसम ने इस साल रौद्र रूप दिखाया है, जिसने मौसम वैज्ञानिकों को भी हैरान किया है. इस दौरान गर्मी और शीतलहर, चक्रवात, बिजली, भारी बारिश, बाढ़ और भूस्खलन में 3,238 लोगों की जान ले ली. इस दौरान 32 लाख हेक्टेयर फसल बर्बाद हो चुकी है. वहीं, 235,862 घर नष्ट हो गए और लगभग 9,457 पशुधन मारे गए. नवंबर में भी पड़ रही गर्मी मौसम की मार साल के अंतिम महीनों में भी देखने को मिल रही है. नवंबर का महीना शुरू हो गया है, लेकिन दिल्‍ली, यूपी, हरियाणा और राजस्‍थान में अभी तक ठंड पड़नी शुरू नहीं हुई है. दिल्‍ली में दोपहर में अब भी गर्मी का अहसास हो रहा है. मौसम विभाग की मानें तो इस समय दिल्ली का औसत तापमान 5 डिग्री ऊपर है. अगले 7 दिनों तक दिल्‍ली की रातें गर्म रहने का अनुमान है. दिल्ली ही नहीं, बाकी शहरों में भी मौसम का यही हाल है देखने को मिल रहा है. 2023 में कैसे थे हालात रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि मौसम की चरम परिस्थितियों ने 3,238 लोगों की जान ले ली, 32 लाख हेक्टेयर (एमएचए) फसलें प्रभावित हुईं, 2,35,862 मकान एवं इमारतें नष्ट हो गईं और 9,457 पशु मारे गए. इसकी तुलना में 2023 के शुरुआती नौ महीने में 273 दिनों में से 235 दिन मौसम की परिस्थितियां चरम दर्ज की गई थीं, जिसके कारण 2,923 लोगों की मौत हुई थी, 18 लाख 40 हजार हेक्टेयर फसलें प्रभावित हुई थीं, 80,293 मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हुए थे तथा 92,519 पशु मारे गए थे. रिपोर्ट तैयार करने वाले डेटा विश्लेषकों ने बताया कि रिपोर्ट में जो नुकसान दर्ज किया गया है, वह घटना-विशिष्ट नुकसानों का पूर्ण डेटा नहीं होने के कारण इससे भी अधिक हो सकता है. केरल में सबसे अधिक 550 लोगों की मौत मध्य प्रदेश में देश में सर्वाधिक 176 दिन तक मौसम की परिस्थितियां चरम रहीं. केरल में सबसे अधिक 550 लोगों की मौत हुई. उसके बाद मध्य प्रदेश (353) और असम (256) का नंबर आता है. आंध्र प्रदेश में सबसे अधिक (85,806) मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हुए, जबकि मौसम की चरम परिस्थितियों के कारण देशभर में जो फसलें नष्ट हुई, उनकी 60 प्रतिशत से अधिक फसलें महाराष्ट्र में नष्ट हुईं. फसलों को नुकसान के मामले में महाराष्ट्र के बाद मध्य प्रदेश (25,170 हेक्टेयर) का नंबर आता है. महाराष्ट्र में 142 दिन तक मौसम की परिस्थितियां चरम रहीं. इस साल 17 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में चरम मौसम वाले दिनों में वृद्धि देखी गई जिनमें से कर्नाटक, केरल और उत्तर प्रदेश में ऐसी घटनाओं के 40 या उससे अधिक अतिरिक्त दिन रहे. जनवरी 1901 के बाद से भारत का नौवां सबसे सूखा महीना इस साल जलवायु संबंधी कई रिकॉर्ड भी स्थापित हुए. जनवरी 1901 के बाद से भारत का नौवां सबसे सूखा महीना रहा. फरवरी में, देश ने पिछले 123 वर्ष में अपना दूसरा सबसे कम न्यूनतम तापमान दर्ज किया. मई में चौथा सबसे अधिक औसत तापमान दर्ज किया गया और जुलाई, अगस्त एवं सितंबर में 1901 के बाद से सबसे कम न्यूनतम तापमान दर्ज किया गया. सीएसई की महानिदेशक सुनीता नारायण ने कहा कि रिकॉर्ड तोड़ आंकड़े जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रभाव को दर्शाते हैं. उन्होंने कहा कि ऐसी घटनाएं पहले शताब्दी में एक बार होती थीं, वे अब हर पांच साल या उससे भी कम समय में हो रही हैं. रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, बाढ़ के कारण 1,376 लोगों की मौत हुई, जबकि वज्रपात और तूफान के कारण 1,021 लोगों की जान गई.

NO2 levels nearly 4 times safe limit in two weeks in Gurgaon

The city witnessed a significant rise in nitrous oxide (NO2), surpassing acceptable limits at numerous areas between Oct 26 and Nov 8. While authorities focus on controlling PM2.5 and PM10 emissions, NO2 concentrations have received limited attention, despite reaching nearly four times the global safety standards, as indicated by pollution monitoring stations across the city. Data from the Sector 51 monitoring station showed NO2 levels of 102 µg/m³ on Oct 27, 87 µg/m³ on Oct 28, 105 µg/m³ on Nov 1, 78 µg/m³ on Nov 3 and 87 µg/m³ on Nov 7. Gwalpahari station recorded 107 µg/m³ on Nov 2 and 101 µg/m³ on Nov 8. These figures significantly exceed both CPCB's annual limit of 40 µg/m³ and WHO's safe limit of 25 µg/m³. Extended exposure to high NO2 levels can result in chronic lung disease, diminished sense of smell, and damage to vegetation. Experts identified vehicles as the primary source of NO2 in the city. Sector 51 recorded the highest pollution levels, including AQI, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2, due to its dense housing, traffic congestion, urban settlements, poor road conditions and construction activities. The main NO2 contributors include road transport, coal-powered energy generation, and industrial activities. Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, "The elevated NO2 levels in the city are predominantly due to vehicular emissions. Old vehicles and traffic congestion are the key sources of NO2 here. It has been observed that during winter, the air quality oscillates between "very poor" and "severe" as condensation of fine particulate matter in the lower layer of the atmosphere." "We have also given NOC to a private firm in Manesar to scrap old vehicles. This aims to remove polluting vehicles from the city roads," HSPCB regional officer Vijay Chaudhary. "NO₂ is a harmful gaseous air pollutant generated when fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas or diesel are burnt at high temperatures. Along with PM2.5, NO₂ is associated with various adverse health effects and is a major pollutant in traffic emissions. Each year, particularly during winter, air quality deteriorates due to these pollutants, affecting people in both urban and rural areas. According to the report of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the number of farm fires rose from 60 on Oct 30 to 605 on Oct 31. Also, the report noted that NO2 levels were higher on Diwali night this year compared to the previous year. For the past three years, NO2 levels have been elevated on Diwali night and the nights leading up to it, pointing to increased congestion and heavy traffic conditions in the city as the festival approaches," Dr Manish Bansal from Medanta said. "Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of NO₂ can lead to numerous health issues, including chronic lung disease, decreased lung function, a higher risk of respiratory infections and asthma. It is also linked to cardiovascular problems like ischemic heart disease, stroke, acute heart failure, and inflammation. Research shows association between NO₂ exposure and neurological issues, and it may also contribute to kidney problems. Immediate symptoms include coughing, fatigue, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing," Dr Bansal added.

3000 से ज्यादा मौतें... भारत में इस साल हर दिन हुईं चरम मौसम की घटनाएं, CSE का ये डेटा डराने वाला है

भारत में मौसम की स्थिति को लेकर चौंकाने वाली रिपोर्ट सामने आई है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) की इस रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, 2024 के पहले नौ महीनों में भारत ने 93 फीसदी दिनों तक भयानक मौसम का सामना किया। रिपोर्ट बताती है कि 274 दिनों में से 255 दिन देश के अलग-अलग हिस्सों में भीषण गर्मी, सर्दी, चक्रवात, बारिश, बाढ़ और भूस्खलन जैसी आपदाओं की चपेट में रहे। इन आपदाओं ने 3,238 लोगों की जान ले ली। 2.35 लाख से ज्यादा घर तबाह हो गए। खेती को भी भारी नुकसान हुआ है और 32 लाख हेक्टेयर से ज्यादा जमीन पर फसलें बर्बाद हो गई हैं।

India faced more extreme weather events, higher damages in 2024 compared to last year: CSE extreme weather report

Extreme weather events have been steadily on the rise in India. In 2024, India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months - 255 out of 274 days - marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides. These events claimed 3,238 lives, affected crops in 3.2 million hectare (mha), destroyed 235,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock, stated the centre for science and environment (CSE) and down To earth, annual state of the extreme weather events report. Compared to this, the first nine months of 2023 recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2,923 deaths, 1.84 mha of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths. Down to earth’s data analysts who have compiled this report point out that “it is very likely that even these reported damages are an underestimation due to incomplete data collection on event-specific losses, particularly on public property and crop damages”. The year 2024 also set several climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901. In February, the country recorded its second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and July, August and September all registered their highest minimum temperatures since 1901. In the Northwest, January was the second driest, and July recorded the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. The Southern Peninsula saw its hottest February ever, followed by exceptionally hot and dry March and April, but with a 36.5 per cent surplus in July rainfall and the second-highest minimum temperature in August. Speaking at the launch of the report, CSE director general and Down to earth editor Sunita Narain said: “These record-breaking statistics reflect climate change’s impact, where events that used to occur once every century are now happening every five years or even less. This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.” In terms of event types, the past nine months have seen everything from lightning and storms - spanning 32 states and resulting in 1,021 deaths - to relentless monsoon rains, which led to flooding across various regions. Says Rajit Sengupta, associate editor of Down to earth and one of the writers of this report: “While heatwaves claimed 210 lives, the data does not reflect the extended health impacts of prolonged high temperatures on the wellbeing of people in North India, including farmers and laborers, who endured intense heat with little means of relief. Similarly, the toll of severe cold snaps and frost on crop losses is not captured, highlighting the need for robust compensation systems for weather-induced losses. Without this support, farmers are pushed into debt, exacerbating their marginalisation and poverty.” The report says that Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days - the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60 per cent of the affected crop area nation-wide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 ha). Regionally, central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest at 213 days. In terms of lives lost, the central region had the most deaths (1,001), followed by the southern peninsula (762 deaths), east and northeast (741 deaths) and northwest (734 deaths). Says Kiran Pandey, programme director of CSE’s environmental resources team and one of the writers of the report: “Twenty-seven states and Union Territories saw a rise in extreme weather days in 2024.” Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down to earth, says: “This extreme weather report card reveals not only the frequency of such events but also the cumulative and far-reaching damage they cause. This underscores the urgent need for systems that accurately capture losses, giving a human face to the impacts of climate change.” CSE researchers point out that the report highlights a critical shift that is needed in our approach to extreme events - from disaster response to risk reduction and resilience-building. Flood management, for example, requires more than plans on paper; it calls for the strategic development of drainage and water recharge systems, along with expanded green spaces and forests to act as natural water reservoirs in preparation for future storms. The report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe. Says Narain: “This trend is no longer hypothetical - it is visible in the escalating crises we face today. This report is a necessary warning, a call to recognise nature’s backlash and the urgent action required to mitigate it. Without combating climate change at a meaningful scale, today’s challenges will only worsen tomorrow.”

Indian capital New Delhi plans drone flights to combat smog crisis

NEW DELHI - India’s capital unveiled plans on Nov 8 to fly special drones to clear pollution from its smog-choked skies – a plan derided by experts as another “band-aid” solution to a public health crisis. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution in winter. The smog is blamed for thousands of premature deaths each year and is an annual source of misery for the capital’s residents, with various piecemeal government initiatives failing to measurably address the problem. Nov 8 marked the start of a trial for an aerial drone tasked with flying around the city’s pollution hotspots to spray water mist in an effort to clear dust and harmful particulate matter from the air. “We have been examining different technological solutions and best practices from across the world,” Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said after launching the initiative. “This one drone is part of a pilot project by a company. We will study, and if it succeeds, we will take this forward.” Mr Rai said that once the trial was over, the Delhi government would issue a tender to purchase two more drones. If implemented, the three drones would be responsible for mitigating air pollution across a city that stretches across 1,500sq km – around the same size as greater London. A technician at the site, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the drones carried a maximum 16 litres of water and could only operate for a few minutes at a time before they needed to be refilled. “But these are not the solution to air pollution,” Mr Sunil Dahiya of advocacy group Envirocatalysts told AFP. “These are band-aid solutions.” Prior government efforts to mitigate the smog, such as a public campaign encouraging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic lights, have failed to make an impact in the city. Delhi opened a “smog tower” – a 25m tower in the city centre containing fans that were touted as filtering 1,000 cubic metres of air per second – to much fanfare in 2021. The project was panned by experts when it was launched and is no longer operational. “Cutting emissions at the sources of the pollution is more important,” Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, told AFP. “We have enough studies to show that vehicles, industry, and construction are the areas that need intervention to tackle the issue.” The level of PM2.5 particles – the smallest and most harmful, which can enter the bloodstream – registered above 300 micrograms per cubic metre in Delhi this week, according to monitoring firm IQAir. That is 20 times the daily maximum recommended by the World Health Organisation. AFP

Indian Capital Plans Drone Flights To Combat Smog Crisis

India's capital unveiled plans Friday to fly special drones to clear pollution from its smog-choked skies -- a plan derided by experts as another "band-aid" solution to a public health crisis. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than 30 million people, consistently tops world rankings for air pollution in winter. The smog is blamed for thousands of premature deaths each year and is an annual source of misery for the capital's residents, with various piecemeal government initiatives failing to measurably address the problem. Friday marked the start of a trial for an aerial drone tasked with flying around the city's pollution hotspots to spray water mist in an effort to clear dust and harmful particulate matter from the air. "We have been examining different technological solutions and best practices from across the world," Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said after launching the initiative. "This one drone is part of a pilot project by a company. We will study, and if it succeeds, we will take this forward." Rai said that once the trial was over, the Delhi government would issue a tender to purchase two more drones. If implemented, the three drones would be responsible for mitigating air pollution across a city that stretches across 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) -- around the same size as greater London. A technician at the site, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the drones carried a maximum 16 litres (4.2 gallons) of water and could only operate for a few minutes at a time before they needed to be refilled. "But these are not the solution to air pollution," Sunil Dahiya of advocacy group Envirocatalysts told AFP. "These are band-aid solutions." Prior government efforts to mitigate the smog, such as a public campaign encouraging drivers to turn off their engines at traffic lights, have failed to make an impact in the city. Delhi opened a "smog tower" -- a 25-metre (82-foot) tower in the city centre containing fans that were touted as filtering 1,000 cubic metres of air per second -- to much fanfare in 2021. The project was panned by experts when it was launched and is no longer operational. "Cutting emissions at the sources of the pollution is more important," Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, told AFP. "We have enough studies to show that vehicles, industry, and construction are the areas that need intervention to tackle the issue." The level of PM2.5 particles -- the smallest and most harmful, which can enter the bloodstream -- registered above 300 micrograms per cubic metre in Delhi this week, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

India has faced more extreme weather events and higher damages in 2024 compared to last year, says CSE

Extreme weather events have been steadily on the rise in India. The report is published every year by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth, the fortnightly that CSE helps publish. In 2024, India faced extreme weather events on 93 per cent of the days in the year’s first nine months — 255 out of 274 days — marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rain, floods and landslides. These events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectare (mha) of crops, destroyed 235,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock. Compared to this, the first nine months of 2023 recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2,923 deaths, 1.84 mha of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths. Down To Earth’s data analysts who have compiled this report point out that “it is very likely that even these reported damages are an underestimation due to incomplete data collection on event-specific losses, particularly on public property and crop damages”. A year that has set climate records The year 2024 also set several climate records. January was India’s ninth driest since 1901. In February, the country recorded its second-highest minimum temperature in 123 years. May saw the fourth-highest mean temperature on record, and July, August and September all registered their highest minimum temperatures since 1901. In the Northwest, January was the second driest, and July recorded the region’s second-highest minimum temperature. The Southern Peninsula saw its hottest February ever, followed by exceptionally hot and dry March and April, but with a 36.5 per cent surplus in July rainfall and the second-highest minimum temperature in August. Speaking at the launch of the report, CSE director general and Down To Earth editor Sunita Narain said: “These record-breaking statistics reflect climate change’s impact, where events that used to occur once every century are now happening every five years or even less. This frequency is overwhelming the most vulnerable populations, who lack the resources to adapt to this relentless cycle of loss and damage.” What kind of extreme weather events have buffeted India? In terms of event types, the past nine months have seen everything from lightning and storms — spanning 32 states and resulting in 1,021 deaths — to relentless monsoon rains, which led to flooding across various regions. In Assam alone, heavy rains, floods and landslides were recorded on 122 days, leaving large parts of the state submerged and communities devastated. Nationwide, 1,376 lives were lost due to floods. Says Rajit Sengupta, associate editor of Down To Earth and one of the writers of this report: “While heatwaves claimed 210 lives, the data does not reflect the extended health impacts of prolonged high temperatures on the wellbeing of people in North India, including farmers and laborers, who endured intense heat with little means of relief. Similarly, the toll of severe cold snaps and frost on crop losses is not captured, highlighting the need for robust compensation systems for weather-induced losses. Without this support, farmers are pushed into debt, exacerbating their marginalisation and poverty.” State and region-specific devastation The report says that Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days — the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60 per cent of the affected crop area nation-wide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 ha). Regionally, Central India faced the highest frequency of extreme events with 218 days, followed closely by the Northwest at 213 days. In terms of lives lost, the Central region had the most deaths (1,001), followed by the Southern Peninsula (762 deaths), East and Northeast (741 deaths) and Northwest (734 deaths). Says Kiran Pandey, programme director of CSE’s environmental resources team and one of the writers of the report: “Twenty-seven states and Union Territories saw a rise in extreme weather days in 2024, with Karnataka, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh each experiencing 40 or more additional days of such events.” The report is an essential reading Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth, says: “This extreme weather report card is essential reading, as it reveals not only the frequency of such events but also the cumulative and far-reaching damage they cause. This underscores the urgent need for systems that accurately capture losses, giving a human face to the impacts of climate change.” CSE researchers point out that the report highlights a critical shift that is needed in our approach to extreme events — from disaster response to risk reduction and resilience-building. Flood management, for example, requires more than plans on paper; it calls for the strategic development of drainage and water recharge systems, along with expanded green spaces and forests to act as natural water reservoirs in preparation for future storms. The report also emphasises the need for climate reparations from high-emission countries responsible for much of the damage. Climate models are clear: extreme weather events are set to become more frequent and severe. Says Narain: “This trend is no longer hypothetical — it is visible in the escalating crises we face today. This report is not good news, but it is a necessary warning, a call to recognise nature’s backlash and the urgent action required to mitigate it. Without combating climate change at a meaningful scale, today’s challenges will only worsen tomorrow.”

Delhi’s air quality remains ‘very poor’, AQI crosses 400 in some areas

As the national capital woke up to reduced visibility due to shallow fog, the air quality Friday continued to stay in the upper end of the ‘very poor’ category. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 383 as of 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several areas of Delhi including Bawana (440), Mundka (428), New Moti Bagh (427), Rohini (439), Punjabi Bagh (406), and RK Puram (406) witnessed an AQI of over 400, as per data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). What contributes to pollution in Delhi? As per an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), vehicular emission is the top contributor to Delhi’s toxic air in winter. It has a bigger contribution than stubble burning, road dust, or firecrackers and over 50% of pollution from local sources is linked to the city’s transportation system.

Delhi's 10,000-bus goal still unmet, vehicles drive city's pollution: NGO data

As political debates rage on about stubble burning and Diwali crackers contributing to Delhi's pollution, new data from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) placed a sharper focus on vehicular emissions as the city’s primary polluter. Despite the 1998 Supreme Court directive for a public bus fleet of 10,000 to ease congestion and pollution, Delhi currently has only 7,683 buses, including 1,970 electric buses, as of July 2024. This shortage, paired with a lack of accessible and efficient public transit options, has led residents to rely on private vehicles, which now stand as the largest contributors to air pollution.

In first 9 months of 2024, Kerala suffers most fatalities due to extreme weather events

More than 93 per cent of days in the first nine months of 2024 were marked by extreme weather events, with Madhya Pradesh being the most affected. The greatest number of fatalities were reported from Kerala, as per a report released by the Centre of Science and Environment. In the first nine months of this year, 255 out of 274 days were marked by heat and cold waves, cyclones, lightning, heavy rains, floods and landslides. These events claimed 3,238 lives, affected 3.2 million hectare (mha) of crops, destroyed 2,35,862 houses and buildings, and killed approximately 9,457 livestock. In 2023, the first nine months recorded extreme weather on 235 of 273 days, with 2,923 deaths, 1.84 mha of crops affected, 80,293 houses damaged, and 92,519 animal deaths. The report’s authors caution that these numbers could be under-reported and that the actual number of events might have been much higher. The report says Madhya Pradesh experienced extreme weather on 176 days—the most in the country. Kerala recorded the highest fatalities at 550, followed by Madhya Pradesh (353) and Assam (256). Andhra Pradesh had the most houses damaged (85,806), while Maharashtra, which saw extreme events on 142 days, accounted for over 60 per cent of the affected crop area nationwide, followed by Madhya Pradesh (25,170 ha). Kerala saw lightning and storms; heavy rains, floods and landslides; and heatwaves. Madhya Pradesh experienced all these in addition to cyclones and cold waves. While in central, east and north-eastern India, days of extreme weather events increased as did related losses; in the south, the number of deaths outstripped the combined number of the last two years. North-west India has seen an increase in the number of extreme weather incidents, but the losses have decreased. The report highlights the need for a critical shift in our approach to extreme events—from disaster response to risk reduction and resilience-building.

Centre doubles fine forburning farm stubble

Those with plots larger than two acres but smaller than five will be fined ₹10,000 and cultivators with over five acres of land will have to pay ₹30,000 per incidence The Union government has doubled the fines issued against farmers for burning stubble up to ₹30,000, depending on the size of their plots, in a last-minute bid to stop the annual scourge that drives up Delhi’s winter pollution into hazardous levels, even as the city’s air quality index (AQI) spiralled to the upper reaches of the “very poor” zone on Thursday. The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection, and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024, were notified on Wednesday, and were made public on Thursday. On the same day, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also issued an order, asking for states to implement the directions and revised environmental compensation needs to be imposed with immediate effect. “The Commission through its order dated November 7 has authorized all nodal/supervisory officers appointed by the respective governments in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, state of Punjab, state of Haryana and the NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to impose and collect Environmental Compensation (EC) from farmers causing air pollution by stubble burning, as per the revised rates. This order is required to be implemented by the respective state governments with immediate effect,” the statement said. “It is more important to have enablers. For example, farmers should have access to straw management machinery on time so the roster should be well managed. There are two ways of managing stubble — in situ where the straw is utilised in the farm and ex-situ management where the stubble is transported out to make pellets etc. For ex situ strategies storage and transportation support is needed. For example, after CAQM prohibited the use of coal as a fuel in the NCR, the use of biomass has increased and price has also increased. But farmers are not benefitting from this because storage and transportation remain challenges,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment.

Get ready to pay double penalty for stubble burning

Amid worsening air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has updated air quality management rules on Thursday, doubling the penalty amount for stubble burning, effective immediately, under which farmers are required to pay an environmental compensation on the size of their land holdings. A notification to this effect came after the Supreme Court pulled up the government for ‘toothless environmental laws’ to curb Delhi’s deteriorating air quality every winter. Under the new rules, farmers with less than two acres of land will face a fine of Rs 5,000. Those with between two and five acres will be fined Rs 10,000, while farmers with more than five acres of land will be penalised Rs 30,000 for engaging in stubble burning. The revised rules come into effect immediately. Meanwhile, farmers’ leaders from Punjab have strongly condemned the Centre’s move of raising fines for stubble burning and asked why the government was not providing crop residue management machinery to them to check farm fires. Reacting to the union government’s move, farmers’ unions pointed out that farmers never want to set the crop residue on fire but they are forced to do so for want of required machinery. They also asked why farmers were always being “targeted” for pollution, and asked the government about action taken against the industry for polluting the environment. Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan slammed the Centre for its “anti-farmer” move of increasing fine on farmers. “We strongly condemn this decision,” Kokrikalan said. The ministry notified the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilisation of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Amendment Rules, 2024, for doubling of environmental compensation imposed against stubble burning. The amended rules were notified under the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, and will come into effect immediately, without a draft being placed in the public domain for public consultation. As many as 12,514 burning events were detected in the six states between September 15 and November 6, according to the satellite data monitored by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Majority of cases were reported from Punjab (5041), followed by Haryana (888), Uttar Pradesh (1544), Delhi (12), Rajasthan (1332) and Madhya Pradesh (3697). However, the number of fire counts in Punjab have dropped significantly from 19,463 reported last year to 5,041 this year. The environmental compensation rates were first fixed by the National Green Tribunal’s principal bench in a November 2015 order. Taking cognisance of the contribution of stubble fires to Delhi-National Capital Region’s (NCR) air pollution, the NGT had ordered Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi-NCT governments to impose these penalties. Besides amending the rules to double the penalties for burning farm stubble, the Ministry also notified the Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024. It laid down the process of filing complaints with pollution control boards, the Commission for Air Quality Management, and offices of the Union environment ministry. It also laid out the process of holding an inquiry on complaints against environmental pollution and that of adjudicating such complaints. Stubble burning also contributes to it, along with rising levels of emissions from vehicles, industries and waste-burning in and around the National Capital. The government has been urging farmers to shift to more sustainable ways of managing the stubble, which has also significantly brought down the number of fire counts over the years. According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) analysis, the city experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15 when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increases. Major factors behind stubble burning include the paddy-wheat cropping system, cultivation of long-duration paddy varieties, mechanised harvesting that leaves standing crop stubble in the field, labour scarcity, and the lack of a viable market for crop residue. Studies estimate that during peak burning periods, farm fires contribute up to 30 per cent of PM levels in the Delhi-NCR region and surrounding areas. However, according to senior environmentalist Sunita Narain, the episodic burning of crop residue by farmers in winter is not the primary concern for poor air quality in Delhi-NCR. Instead, the persistent and major sources of pollution within the city, including transport and industries, are more worrisome.

Delhi Air Pollution: दिल्ली में प्रदूषण का कारण सिर्फ पराली का जलना नहीं, जान लीजिए कौन है सबसे बड़ा विलेन!

दिल्ली में बढ़ते प्रदूषण के स्तर के लिए राष्ट्रीय राजधानी की सड़कों पर चलने वाले वाहनों को सबसे ज्यादा जिम्मेदार ठहराया जा रहा है। एक नए अध्ययन से पता चला है कि सर्दियों के महीनों में दिल्ली के वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) को प्रभावित करने वाले प्रदूषकों में वाहनों से निकलने वाला उत्सर्जन सबसे बड़ा योगदानकर्ता है। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (CSE) ने अपने अध्ययन का समर्थन आंकड़ों के साथ किया है। आंकड़े बताते हैं कि स्थानीय स्रोतों से फैलने वाले प्रदूषकों में आधे से ज्यादा हिस्सा वाहनों का है। दिल्ली वर्तमान में बहुत खराब वायु गुणवत्ता की चपेट में है। क्योंकि 31 अक्तूबर को दिवाली के त्योहार के बाद से प्रदूषण का स्तर उच्च बना हुआ है।