MULTI WEB

01/09/2025

19/08/2025

06/08/2025

Fresh floods in mountainous areas can be caused by a combination of natural and human-induced factors. Here are some common causes:

1. **Heavy Rainfall**: Intense and prolonged rainfall can lead to rapid accumulation of water, which the terrain may not be able to absorb, resulting in flash flooding.

2. **Rapid Snowmelt**: In warmer months, melting snow can contribute to increased water flow in rivers and streams, especially if temperatures rise quickly.

3. **Landslides**: Heavy rain can destabilize slopes, leading to landslides that can block rivers, creating temporary dams. When these dams break, they can cause downstream flooding.

4. **Soil Saturation**: Previously saturated soil from prior rain events may lead to increased runoff when additional rainfalls occur, overwhelming natural drainage systems.

5. **Glacial Melt**: In some regions, the melting of glaciers due to climate change can lead to increased water flow in rivers and potential flooding.

6. **Human Activities**: Deforestation, urbanization, and poor land management can increase runoff and decrease the land's ability to absorb water, exacerbating flooding risks.

7. **Debris Flow**: In mountainous regions, heavy rain can lead to debris flows or mudslides, which can obstruct water channels and lead to flooding upstream.

8. **Infrastructure Issues**: Poorly designed or maintained drainage systems can fail to effectively manage heavy rainfall, leading to local flooding.

Understanding the specific causes and the unique geographical context of the area is critical for effective flood management and mitigation strategies in mountainous regions.

05/08/2025

A **cloudburst** is an extreme weather event characterized by sudden, intense rainfall over a small area in a short period, often exceeding 100 mm per hour. It typically occurs in mountainous regions like Uttarakhand due to the rapid condensation of moisture-laden clouds, leading to flash floods, landslides, and significant destruction. Here are detailed insights into the cloudburst event in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on August 5, 2025, and general information about cloudbursts:

# # # **Uttarkashi Cloudburst (August 5, 2025)**

- **Location and Impact**:
- The cloudburst struck the **Kheer Ganga river catchment area** near **Dharali village**, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, around 1:45 PM IST, triggering devastating flash floods. A second cloudburst was reported later in **Sukhi Top**, approximately 16 km away.
- **Dharali**, a key stopover en route to the Gangotri Dham pilgrimage site, saw widespread destruction, with floodwaters sweeping away homes, shops, hotels, and homestays (estimated 20-25 hotels affected). The rising Kheer Gadh river caused severe damage, leaving roads and infrastructure submerged in debris and mud.
- At least **four people died**, and **over 50 are feared missing**, with locals estimating 10-12 laborers potentially trapped under debris. In the Banala Patti area of Barkot tehsil, 18 goats were swept away by the Kud Gadhera stream.
- A nearby Indian Army camp in **Harsil** was hit, with **8-10 soldiers reported missing** due to a massive mudslide.

- **Rescue and Relief Efforts**:
- **Indian Army**: A 150-personnel team from the Ibex Brigade at Harsil Post responded within 10 minutes, rescuing around 20 villagers and providing medical treatment at their Harsil facility.
- **ITBP and NDRF**: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rescued 37 villagers (22 men, 11 women, 4 children) and evacuated them to ITBP BOP Kopang, providing first aid. NDRF deployed three teams to the site, with two additional teams on standby at Shastradhar airstrip.
- **SDRF and Local Administration**: SDRF rescued 60-70 people, moving them to safe locations. A joint team of 201 personnel (Army, ITBP, Police, Revenue, BRO, ambulance services) and a second team of 211 responders (SDRF, NDRF, BRO, Fire Services, PWD) were deployed under district officials.
- **Helpline Numbers**: Uttarkashi District Emergency Operation Centre issued numbers: 01374-222126, 01374-222722,
- **Government Response**: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured full support to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is monitoring the situation from the State Disaster Operations Centre in Dehradun. Schools and anganwadi centers in Uttarkashi were closed on August 6, 2025.

- **Weather Context**:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a **red alert** for Uttarkashi, recording **21 cm of rainfall** in Dharali, warning of continued heavy rainfall until August 10, 2025, particularly in hilly areas. This follows a pattern of monsoon-related disasters in the region.
- The disaster has drawn comparisons to the **2013 Kedarnath tragedy**, where over 5,000 died due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, highlighting Uttarakhand’s vulnerability.

- **Visuals and Eyewitness Accounts**:
- Videos showed torrents of muddy water and debris rushing down hills, flattening buildings, and causing panic among residents. Eyewitnesses described the scene as unprecedented, with screams of “Bhaag bhai bhaag” (Run, brother, run) as people fled.
- A local, Rajesh Panwar, told PTI that 20-25 hotels and homestays were likely washed away, with fears of people buried under debris.

# # # **General Information on Cloudbursts**

- **Definition and Mechanism**:
- A cloudburst is a localized, intense rainfall event, often delivering over 100 mm of rain per hour within a small area (typically 20-30 sq km). It occurs when moisture-laden clouds stall, leading to rapid condensation and heavy downpours.
- Common in the Himalayas due to orographic lift, where moist air is forced upward by mountains, cooling and condensing rapidly.

- **Why Uttarakhand is Vulnerable**:
- **Geography**: Uttarakhand’s steep terrain and fragile Himalayan ecosystem amplify the impact of cloudbursts, leading to flash floods and landslides.
- **Climate Change**: Rising global temperatures alter monsoon patterns, increasing moisture and low-pressure systems, making cloudbursts more frequent and intense.
- **Human Factors**: Unregulated construction, deforestation, and disrupted drainage systems (e.g., in Dharali due to tourism) exacerbate runoff and flooding.
- Historical data shows Uttarakhand’s susceptibility, with past cloudbursts like **Kedarnath (2013, >5,000 deaths)**, **Uttarkashi (2012, ~45 deaths)**, and **Aarakot, Mori (2019, 21 deaths)**

- **Challenges in Prediction**:
- Cloudbursts are difficult to predict due to their sudden onset and localized nature. Current technology lacks the precision to forecast such events, though the IMD issues broader rainfall alerts

- **Broader Context**:
- The Himalayan states, including Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, have seen similar cloudburst-related disasters recently. For example, Himachal Pradesh reported 15 deaths and 27 missing in Mandi in 2025, and a migrant worker was swept away in J&K’s Rajouri district
- The UN’s World Meteorological Organization notes that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of such events, disrupting the global water cycle

30/07/2025

2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs)
Overview of the 2027 IPCC SLCF Methodology Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has initiated the development of the 2027 Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs). This critical work, decided during the 61st IPCC Session in Sofia, Bulgaria (27 July – 2 August 2024), aims to update and refine global inventory methods for a select group of short-lived pollutants with measurable radiative forcing implications.

This methodology will provide Tier 1 inventory guidance for key anthropogenic pollutants and aligns with IPCC's rigorous principles and procedures. It will support national reporting in mass units, focusing on scientifically robust categories across all inventory sectors, where emissions contribute significantly to regional and global atmospheric changes.

Key Pollutants Covered in the Report
The methodology emphasizes specific pollutants recognized for their short atmospheric lifetimes and significant climate and air quality impacts. The following short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) are included:

Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ)

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs)

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)

Ammonia (NH₃)

Black Carbon (BC)

Organic Carbon (OC)

Primary Particulate Matter (PM) relevant for radiative forcing

Methane and halogenated substances are excluded, as they are addressed under existing IPCC Guidelines. Emissions of molecular hydrogen (H₂), although not fully assessed by WGI, will be considered in an Appendix titled “Basis for Future Methodological Development.”

Scope of Anthropogenic Emissions in the Methodology
The new report will address only anthropogenic emissions, including activities from:

Energy production and combustion

Industrial processes

Agriculture and livestock

Waste treatment and disposal

Transport

Emissions from managed land

Natural or secondary human-induced sources (e.g., wildfires not managed by humans, biogenic emissions) are not within the scope. Where gaps in scientific understanding exist, the authors may provide preliminary guidance for potential future inclusion.

Methodological Depth and Tier 1 Guidance
The methodology focuses on providing Tier 1 approaches—default emission factors and activity data—for categories where scientific evidence is strong. For each included species, the report will offer:

Activity data guidance

Default emission factors

Uncertainty estimates

Quality assurance and control procedures

Verification methods

These elements aim to harmonize emission estimation across countries, ensuring comparability and consistency in climate reporting.

NMVOC Speciation and Total Emission Guidance
The methodology for Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs) will present:

Estimates for total NMVOC emissions

Optional speciation based on available data and source relevance

Emission profiles for key source categories like solvents, transport, and industrial processes

Authors will determine the extent of speciation guidance based on scientific literature and regional emission characteristics.

Spatial and Temporal Disaggregation Recommendations
In addition to national-level annual estimates, the methodology will recommend approaches for spatial and temporal disaggregation, including:

Use of proxy data (e.g., population density, traffic activity)

Seasonal variation considerations

Sub-national mapping techniques

These improvements will allow more accurate modeling of pollutant dispersion and radiative effects, supporting high-resolution climate and air quality models.

Governance and Author Selection for the Report
The Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) oversees the report. Author selection adheres strictly to Appendix A of the Principles Governing IPCC Work, ensuring:

Scientific and technical expertise

Geographic diversity

Gender balance

Over 100 experts have been selected to contribute, reflecting the global nature of the inventory improvement effort.

Scientific Steering Committee:
Chaired by:

Takeshi Enoki (IPCC TFI Co-Chair)

Mazhar Hayat (IPCC TFI Co-Chair)

The committee guides the overall structure, quality control, and strategic direction of the methodology development process.

Timeline of Lead Author Meetings
First Lead Author Meeting:
Date: 24–26 March 2025

Location: Bilbao, Spain

Second Lead Author Meeting:
Date: 7–9 October 2025

Location: Istanbul, Türkiye

These meetings serve to build consensus, review draft content, and align interdisciplinary contributions across participating experts.

Anticipated Impact and Future Work
The 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on SLCFs will play a pivotal role in:

Enhancing transparency in global emission inventories

Supporting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement

Informing future climate assessments and air quality policy

Additionally, its Appendix on H₂ emissions may lay the foundation for integrating hydrogen as a climate forcer in future methodologies, pending advances in scientific understanding.

29/07/2025

Ancient Fossil Reveals Spiders and Scorpions Evolved in the Ocean, Not on Land

A newly analyzed fossil of a tiny, ancient creature has shed light on the mysterious origins of arachnids—suggesting they first evolved in Earth’s oceans, not on land as previously believed.

The fossil, from the species Mollisonia symmetrica, dates back around 500 million years to a time known as the Cambrian explosion. This was a period of rapid evolution during which many major animal groups—including arthropods—emerged. Arthropods are invertebrates with external skeletons and jointed limbs, and today they include spiders, scorpions, insects, and crabs.

Among arthropods, a subgroup called chelicerates includes modern spiders, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs. These animals have remained remarkably unchanged in form for over 400 million years. Yet, their evolutionary beginnings have long puzzled scientists.

Until now, the prevailing theory was that arachnids evolved after arthropods transitioned from life in the sea to life on land. However, new research published in Current Biology by a team led by Nicholas Strausfeld of the University of Arizona challenges this view.

According to Strausfeld, “It is still vigorously debated where and when arachnids first appeared, and what kind of chelicerates were their ancestors, and whether these were marine or semi-aquatic like horseshoe crabs.”

The research team’s detailed study of the Mollisonia symmetrica fossil reveals features linking it to early chelicerates. The findings suggest that the ancestors of today’s arachnids—including spiders and scorpions—likely emerged from marine environments rather than terrestrial ones.

This discovery adds a crucial piece to the evolutionary puzzle and reshapes our understanding of how some of the planet’s most resilient predators came to be. Interestingly, many ancient chelicerates were enormous in size. Some extinct scorpions reached lengths of 70 cm, and eurypterids—colloquially known as “sea scorpions”—could grow up to 2.5 meters.

As this new evidence shows, the story of arachnid evolution began not in dusty landscapes, but in the ancient depths of the sea🧐

29/07/2025

Fossils of some of Earth’s earliest animals, dating back 507–502 million years, have been found in the Grand Canyon. They’re from the Cambrian period, a time when most major animal body types first evolved in a rapid burst of life.

29/07/2025

The Diminishing Power of Drugs
Modern medicine is facing a growing crisis — the rise of antibiotic-resistant diseases like tuberculosis and golden staph (Staphylococcus aureus). As our current treatments lose effectiveness, scientists are turning to the most extreme and unexplored parts of the planet to find new, life-saving compounds.

A Mission Beneath the Waves
In October 2013, a British research vessel departed from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, bound for Trinidad via the Mid-Atlantic Ridge — a vast underwater mountain range. Onboard was biogeochemist Professor Kate Hendry, then at the University of Bristol. She was studying how nutrients circulate through the ocean and how they’ve changed over time. Her tools: samples of marine sponges retrieved from the deep seafloor.

But she wasn’t collecting them just for oceanography. Some samples were promised to microbiologist Professor Paul Race, also at Bristol. Race’s focus was antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — now considered by the WHO as one of humanity’s gravest threats. He hoped those deep-sea sponges might contain the next generation of antibiotics.

The Golden Age of Antibiotics
It all began with an accident. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin when a fungus killed bacteria on a petri dish. It took 20 years to become widely available, but it changed medicine forever. More than 500 million lives have been saved thanks to antibiotics.

Between the 1940s and 1960s — the “Golden Age” of antibiotics — most of the drugs we rely on today were discovered. The majority came from microbes, especially a group of bacteria called Actinomycetota, which thrive in diverse environments and are brilliant chemical engineers.

But since the 1960s, the discovery rate of new antibiotics has plummeted.

The Growing Threat of Resistance
Today, antibiotic resistance is a global emergency. In 2019 alone, AMR caused an estimated 1.2 million deaths. Worse still, it’s growing fast, with 40 million deaths projected by 2050 if trends continue.

Overuse in medicine and agriculture has accelerated resistance. Ironically, when a new antibiotic is developed, it’s saved for rare, last-resort cases — leading to low sales and little financial incentive for companies to invest in more.

“The idea of a magic bullet that fixes everything is a myth,” says Race. “You’ll never stop resistance completely. The only way to fight back is to keep discovering new antibiotics that work in different ways.”

Yet, no new major class of antibiotics has been introduced since 1987.

Venturing into the Unknown
To overcome this stagnation, scientists like Race and Katherine Duncan at Newcastle University are exploring extreme environments — from deep ocean trenches to hydrothermal vents and Arctic waters — where microbes have evolved under intense pressures.

Such harsh conditions force bacteria to diversify faster and evolve unique chemical defenses. The hope is that these previously untapped microbes might produce new types of molecules unlike anything we’ve seen.

Microbes are also masters of horizontal gene transfer, swapping DNA with their neighbors to gain survival advantages — such as making novel compounds that could serve as potent antibiotics.

Why Sponges?
Sponges are some of Earth’s earliest multicellular organisms. Over millions of years, they’ve developed rich, stable microbiomes — tiny ecosystems within them that host diverse bacteria, many of which produce bioactive compounds.

In 2021, researchers at Flinders University found 70 bacteria in just 12 sponge samples from South Australia. Over a third were active against Staphylococcus aureus, including its most dangerous strain — MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) — which caused over 100,000 deaths in 2019.

Most sponge studies focus on shallow water species. But Race believes deep-sea sponges, exposed to high pressure, cold temperatures, and low light, are even more promising.

Breakthroughs from the Arctic
In 2023, a team from Finland and Norway discovered two new antibiotics in the microbiomes of Arctic invertebrates. One compound didn’t kill bacteria but instead neutralized its harmful effects. It worked by blocking structures the bacteria use to attach to human cells.

This anti-virulence approach means bacteria aren’t pressured to evolve resistance, since their ability to reproduce isn’t affected. This could represent a powerful new direction in antibiotic development.

A Future Hidden in the Deep
While the war against resistant bacteria continues, researchers remain hopeful. The deep sea, the Arctic, and other remote habitats may hold the key to a future where bacterial infections don’t become deadly again.

Nature has always been our greatest chemist. If we keep exploring, especially where few have looked before, we may just stay one step ahead in the battle against superbugs.

28/07/2025

प्रकृति की वापसी: संकट से संजीवनी तक – वन्यजीव संरक्षण की सबसे प्रेरणादायक सफलताएँ

कल्पना कीजिए एक ऐसे विश्व की तस्वीर जहां आसमान खामोश हो गया हो, जंगल वीरान पड़ गए हों, और जंगली जीव अपनी अंतिम विदाई की ओर बढ़ रहे हों। यह कोई दूर की संभावना नहीं थी—यह लगभग हो ही गया था। भारत जैसे देश में गिद्ध लगभग गायब हो गए, शेरों की संख्या चिंताजनक स्तर तक गिर गई, और साओला जैसी दुर्लभ प्रजातियाँ बस किसी मिथक की तरह रह गईं। लेकिन यह कहानी यहीं खत्म नहीं होती।

इस विनाश की ओर बढ़ते कदमों के बीच, कुछ लोगों और संगठनों ने अपनी आवाज़ बुलंद की, अपने प्रयासों से प्रकृति को फिर से सांस लेने का मौका दिया। इनका संघर्ष, समर्पण और विजन आज हमें बताता है कि जब इरादे मजबूत हों, तो प्रकृति भी वापसी कर सकती है। यह लेख उन सफलताओं की एक झलक है, जो केवल वन्यजीवों को ही नहीं, बल्कि समूचे ग्रह को नई उम्मीद देती हैं।

1. भारतीय गिद्धों की वापसी: एक अदृश्य संकट का अंत
1990 के दशक में भारत में गिद्धों की संख्या में 99% तक की गिरावट देखी गई। मुख्य कारण था डाइक्लोफेनाक नामक एक पशु-औषधि, जो गिद्धों के लिए ज़हर समान सिद्ध हुई। स्थिति इतनी भयावह हो गई कि यह पक्षी, जो पर्यावरणीय सफाईकर्मी माना जाता है, लगभग विलुप्ति की कगार पर पहुंच गया।

लेकिन वैज्ञानिकों, संरक्षणवादियों और सरकार के संयुक्त प्रयासों से डाइक्लोफेनाक पर प्रतिबंध लगाया गया, और ‘वैल्चर ब्रीडिंग प्रोग्राम’ की शुरुआत हुई। आज, ये गिद्ध धीरे-धीरे फिर से आसमान में उड़ते नज़र आने लगे हैं।

2. एशियाई शेरों की शान: गिर का गौरव
गिर के जंगल एशियाई शेरों का आखिरी प्राकृतिक घर हैं। 20वीं सदी की शुरुआत में, इनकी संख्या सिर्फ दर्जनों में रह गई थी। लेकिन गुजरात सरकार और स्थानीय समुदायों के सहयोग से एक मजबूत संरक्षण योजना बनाई गई। शेरों के लिए संरक्षित क्षेत्रों का विस्तार हुआ, निगरानी बढ़ी, और मानव-पशु संघर्ष को कम करने के उपाय किए गए।

2020 में शेरों की आबादी 674 तक पहुंच गई—एक असाधारण उपलब्धि।

3. साओला: 'एशियाई यूनिकॉर्न' की उम्मीदें
साओला, जिसे 'एशियाई यूनिकॉर्न' भी कहा जाता है, वियतनाम और लाओस की सीमाओं पर पाया जाता है। इसकी दुर्लभता और रहस्यमय अस्तित्व ने इसे लगभग एक मिथक बना दिया है। वर्षों तक इसकी कोई पुष्टि नहीं थी, लेकिन संरक्षण संगठनों की दृढ़ता और स्थानीय सहयोग से इसके अस्तित्व को सुरक्षित रखने के प्रयास शुरू हुए।

हालांकि यह प्रजाति आज भी संकटग्रस्त है, लेकिन अब इसके लिए संरक्षित क्षेत्र बनाए जा रहे हैं, और इसके संरक्षण के लिए वैज्ञानिक कार्य लगातार जारी है।

4. बाघ संरक्षण: 'प्रोजेक्ट टाइगर' की सफलता
1973 में शुरू हुआ 'प्रोजेक्ट टाइगर' भारत की सबसे महत्वाकांक्षी वन्यजीव संरक्षण परियोजनाओं में से एक है। प्रारंभ में जब बाघों की संख्या लगभग 1,800 रह गई थी, तब यह पहल शुरू की गई थी। आज, देश में 3,000 से अधिक बाघ हैं, और भारत विश्व में बाघों की सबसे बड़ी आबादी का घर बन गया है।

5. कछुओं की वापसी: ओलिव रिडले का समुद्री चमत्कार
हर साल ओडिशा के गहिरमाथा तट पर लाखों ओलिव रिडले कछुए अंडे देने के लिए लौटते हैं। पहले अवैध शिकार और तटीय विकास ने इनकी जीवनशैली को खतरे में डाल दिया था। लेकिन अब स्थानीय समुदायों, मत्स्य विभाग और संरक्षण समूहों की मदद से इनका संरक्षण सफलतापूर्वक हो रहा है।

निष्कर्ष: पुनर्जीवन की गाथा
ये सफलताएँ सिर्फ आंकड़े नहीं हैं—ये उस आशा का प्रतीक हैं जो हमें यह याद दिलाती हैं कि हमने प्रकृति के साथ जो रिश्ते खो दिए हैं, उन्हें फिर से बनाया जा सकता है। संरक्षण सिर्फ एक वैज्ञानिक या प्रशासनिक कार्य नहीं है, यह एक नैतिक जिम्मेदारी है।

हमारे छोटे-छोटे प्रयास—जैसे जागरूकता फैलाना, प्लास्टिक का कम प्रयोग, स्थानीय वन्यजीवों की रक्षा करना—इस विशाल आंदोलन में एक मजबूत कड़ी बन सकते हैं।

जब जंगल बोलते हैं, तो हमें सुनना चाहिए। और जब वे चुप हो जाएँ, तो हमें उन्हें फिर से गाने के लिए सुरक्षित जगह देनी चाहिए।

“प्रकृति को बचाना सिर्फ भविष्य की चिंता नहीं, बल्कि आज की जिम्मेदारी है।” 🌿🐾

09/03/2025

Pont of struggle.....

25/02/2025

Dogs and cats can have anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors (like excessive licking or tail-chasing), or cognitive decline as they age.
Parrots can develop self-harming behaviors (like plucking out their feathers) due to stress or mental distress.
Zoo animals sometimes develop repetitive behaviors (like pacing or rocking) when they are stressed or lack stimulation.
Some animals may be born with neurological disorders that affect movement, learning, or perception, similar to how some humans are born with developmental disabilities.