HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Jammu & Kashmir In Kupwara district the 12 Mw Karnah in Kishan Ganga sub basin has joined the long list of HEP projects facing reoccurring damages, repeated delays and cost escalation in Himalayan states. The flash flood, landslides and cloudburst disasters in Feb and May 2025 have further damaged the project and extended its completion date.

In Kishtwar a landslide resulted in closure of the Kishtwar- Paddar road for about three days and about 22 families were shifted to safe locations in third week of April 2025. Following the incident the locals blamed blasting work for 624 Mw Kiru HEP for triggering the landslide in the area.

Arunachal Pradesh There has been agitation by local people against deployment of CAPF at the Beging survey site which they believe is meant to facilitate pre-feasibility survey for the proposed SUMP. Leading the protest, the SIFF has appealed to the government to resolve the issue through dialogues. The local people demanded removal of CAPF and survey camp.

Lending its support to the local people in Siang basin, The Active Citizen of Teesta (ACT) in Sikkim has also requested the government for reassessment of hydropower projects in the Himalayas and looking for community-driven solutions and stricter environmental safeguards.

During the protest, the local administration accused advocate Ebo Mili for disrupting the piece in the area and lodged an FIR against him. There were questions regarding the whereabouts of the anti-dam activist after the registration of the complaint. Amid this the opposition party in the Arunachal Pradesh has raised concerns over large dam projects in the state.

In another development from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, the NHPC is planning to start commissioning process of 3 units of Subansiri Lower HEP in June depending on approval from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). The remaining 5 units of the project are expected to be completed by May 2026 in a phased manner. Despite studies and recommendations, the project authority has not taken mitigatory steps to protect the Dulung-Subansiri elephant corridor.

In Assam, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang stated the Tharakunchi HEP would not cause demolition of houses. As per the CEM the project will draw water from Killing river and an ongoing survey will decide the execution of the survey.

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) on May 26 has given in-principle approval to a proposal seeking the transfer of 29.997 hectares of forest land for the proposed 120 Mw capacity Sirkari Bhyol Rupasiyabagh HEP on the Gauriganga river in Uttarakhand.

In an important development the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has revised guidelines for small hydro power schemes.

TEESTA III IN SIKKIM: CORRUPTION:  In a sweeping multi-state operation, the Sikkim Vigilance Police (SVP) launched its largest-ever raid targeting the controversial 1200 MW Teesta Stage III Hydro-Electric Project in Chungthang, North Sikkim. The crackdown follows a criminal complaint lodged on May 18, 2025, about a wide web of alleged corruption, criminal misconduct, and fraud.

The raids, carried out over May 22 to 24, spanned across Delhi, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Siliguri, and Gangtok, targeting the homes and offices of former Principal Chief Engineers (PCEs)-cum-Secretaries, ex-Chairmen and MDs of Teesta Urja Ltd, contractors, and unnamed officials from both Sikkim and Central Government departments. According to SVP, this material could serve as key evidence in unravelling a massive scandal that may have compromised dam safety, resulting in structural failure and endangering lives downstream. SVP suspects that illicit financial incentives were exchanged in return for approvals, with retired officials used as conduits for laundering kickbacks under the guise of consultancy fees. There are also concerns about illegal clearances from central departments, granted in collusion with insiders.

Pump Storage Projects: The MoEF&CC has rejected forest clearance for the Sharavathi pump storage project in Karnataka due to inadequate compensatory land and risks of landslides in Western Ghats.

As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data Adani Green, and JSW Energy are set to develop nearly two-thirds of India’s planned 51 GW PSP hydropower capacity by 2032. Of the total capacity expected to come online, over half—57 per cent—will be located in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the regulators have proposed exemption for PSPs from electricity duty and ISTS charges

DAMS

Kaleshwaram Project After the construction companies have raised questions over NDSA report, the irrigation department is planning for setting up an expert committee to decide the future course of action on the project. The Expert Committee will help guide the decisions about the various tests to be done as advised by NDSA Expert Committee report.

INTERSTATE WATER DISPUTES

Godavari Water Disputes The former irrigation minister Harish Rao of Telangana has blamed the government for overlooking the impact of Godavari Banakacherla project.

In the case of water sharing dispute between the Haryana and the Punjab government, the High Court on May 28 has deferred hearing on a plea.

URBAN RIVERS

Mula-Mutha; Pune The IISER scientists have again voiced concerns over the adverse impacts of ongoing Mula-Mutha river front development project in Pune. In Mumbai’s Mithi river desilting scam, the EOW has questioned Bollywood actor Dino Morea.

Meanwhile, the people relocated to the city’s periphery for the Sabarmati RFD project in Ahmedabad are facing lack of basic amenities impacting their daily life and livelihoods.

A clean up drive along Eze river in Arunachal Pradesh has collected over 10.9 tonnes of solid waste, mainly single use polythene bags.

In Shillong, the dumping of solid and liquid waste continues to pollute the rivers despite a clean-up drive going on for the past six years. 

RIVER

The Himalayan rivers are facing decline in water levels due to retreat in glaciers and unsustainable human activities. On the other hand, the color of oceans is getting darker primarily on account of increased nutrient and sediment runoff from agriculture and rainfall, which stimulate plankton growth and reduce light penetration.

Rajasthan Local people have planned to undertake Save Girjan River padyatra. The allege unsustainable mining has been damaging the Kansawati, Sota and Katli rivers which in turn is increasing the water crisis and impacting livelihoods of farmers. 

Brahmaputra The 3,000-km long Siang, an important river for irrigation and transportation with average depth of 100-ft and maximum 440-ft at Sadiya, is prone to catastrophic flooding in the spring when the Himalayan snow melts. Its average discharge is about 780,000 cu ft/s and floods reach about 3,600,000 cu ft/s, a classic example of a braided river and highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion. This is the biggest in India, 9th largest by discharge and 15th longest in the world and also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits a tidal bore but navigable for most of its length. The Brahmaputra’s upper course was long unknown, and its identity with Yarlung Tsangpo was only established by exploration in 1884–86.

Siang, meandering through the heartland of Arunachal Pradesh inhabited by vibrant Adi tribe, finds mention in their numerous festivals and traditions, but their festivities show no sign of hardship caused by the river. (The article seems to have wrong information that the 9 June 2000 30 ft high Siang flood was due to damaged hydropower project in Tibet.)

The contention in the article that, “However, if a dam is built, the water flow would be regulated to minimize losses caused by the historical floods and the affected villagers to heave a sigh of relief” is not supported by our experience of dam operations and their impact on downstream areas, including in NE India.

The article refers to another interesting one: https://arunachalobserver.org/2022/09/05/untold-stories-of-mighty-siang-river/

The Siang River has been the source of folktales, folksongs, folklores, rhapsodies, and lullabies of the people living along the Siang Valley. We call Siang River Aane means big or large, not mother. Siang, a masculine gender, signifies beauty and purity for which young boys and girls while trying to woo each other compare beauty of a girl with beauty of Siang River.

The article is also misleading on multiple counts when it says: “Now it is time, if we don’t allow building a dam over Siang River, our right to use the water shall hold not much weight in any International Water Dispute Tribunal… The Chinese are reportedly making a tunnel-hole equivalent to running two trains simultaneously to divert water of Yarlung Zangbo to Xinjiang province, to loss of our pride.”

NARMADA Parikrma documentary highlights issues like threats to ecology, environmental damage, battle for survival.

GANGA Uttar Pradesh The state govt is learnt to have prepared an action plan to stop untreated effluents flowing in the river but the plan is awaiting approval from the chief secretary.

In Bihar the continuous bank erosion by the Ganga and land disputes have severely impacted on the farmers of the Bhojpur district.

YAMUNA Delhi The worsening pollution level in the river in Delhi underlines that there is an urgent need for a holistic rejuvenation plan instead of focusing more on cleaning up of the river. The river is suffering from lack of adequate flow, then there is need to fix the functioning of the pollution treatment plants. The mechanized mining upstream Delhi has disrupted the lean season flow in the river.

The SPCB has been facing several hurdles in recovering EC including absence of any statutory mechanism or policy to write off pending EC amount and wish NGT to consider policy interventions or legal reforms to address this enforcement gap in EC.  Next date of hearing Sept 8, 2025. In Agra, the case of illegally cutting trees around Taj Mahal area will be heard on August 29, 2025, by the NGT.

RIVERS BIODIVERSITY

GANGA The NGT has sought replies from the directors of the National Dolphin Research Institute (NDRI) and Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) over decline in numbers of Gangetic dolphin. The case will be heard on Sept. 04, 2025. 

FISH, FISHERIES, FISHERFOLKS

The fisherfolks in the state have been suffering from exploitation, corruption and violation of human rights by the contractors managing fisheries businesses in large reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh. The state has 7 large and 19 medium reservoirs covering a total area of 2.29 lakh ha. The newly described catfish species have brought issues affecting research of fresh water fish species in Ganga basin in focus. Fascinating world of cave dwelling fish in Meghalaya.

SAND MINING

Rajasthan A police constable has succumbed to grievous injuries two days after being hit by a dumper involved in illegal sand mining in Jodhpur. Taking “serious” note of illegal mining activities inside the core area of Ranthambore tiger reserve (RTR), the Supreme Court has warned the state government of contempt proceedings.

After field visit, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) panel has recommended action against Irrigation Department officials of the Haryana and contractor for constructing an embankment and a cement stein wall across the Yamuna River Corridor, part of which falls in the Kalesar National Park, without taking the approval of the authorities concerned.

Following erosion and damages to riverbank structures, the Miao district administration in Arunachal Pradesh has banned all mining activities in and around the Burhi Dehing River at Namphuk and Balinong until further notice. The pollution control committee in Jammu & Kashmir has found 11 out of 19 mines operating illegally in Vishaw river in Kulgam district damaging the habitats of trout fish in the river. The NGT has asked the administration to investigate the matter further. In Karnataka, the deputy director of Mines Department has been caught accepting Rs 50,000 bribe.

WETLANDS, LAKES, WATER BODIES

Gujarat A satellite study has mapped the increase and the decrease in surface water body areas in various district of the state in four years between 2020-2024.

WATER OPTIONS

Years of localized water conservation efforts by wives of ex-dacoits in Karauli district, Rajasthan have revived the Serni river. Under Mission Ehsaas, the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) has launched the restoration of Spring No. 13 at Jablipora, Bijbehara, Jammu & Kashmir.

GROUNDWATER

Haryana The state government has announced an Integrated Water Resources Action Plan, to save around 6 MCM water, just over half of the state’s projected deficit of 12 MCM by 2027. The plan sets targets for 16 govt departments, which will be responsible for saving water over two fiscal years – 2025-26 and 2026-2027. But experts have identified several key challenges that could hinder its successful implementation, for instance Haryana currently lacks a robust, real-time water monitoring infrastructure. Implementing and maintaining such systems across the state is resource-intensive.

URBAN WATER

Delhi The government has informed the NGT that the district magistrates have sealed a total of 15,962 illegal borewells under their jurisdiction adding that 4,033 illegal borewells, the list of which was shared by Delhi Jal Board, were not identified on the ground.

Gurugram Over the past one month, the water inflow to Basai Water Treatment plant has dropped greatly. Against the standard buffer stock for three days, the plant has treated water to last just one day.

JJM/ RURAL WATER SUPPLY

Uttar Pradesh Another incident of collapse of overhead water tank. This time the overhead tank built in Chunka village of Sitapur district at the cost of Rs 5.31 crore has collapsed. This is third such incident in the state during the past one year.

MONSOON 2025

Dr Jagadish Shukla on climate, forecasting, and India’s failures. Meanwhile, the WMO has predicted continued wet weather in South Asia from 2025 to 2029. Global temperatures will likely hit new highs. The report highlights increasing climate risks for societies and economies.

Above Normal Rains: According to the IMD’s forecast for the 2025 Southwest Monsoon (June–Sep), the seasonal rainfall across the country as a whole is likely to be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a model error of ±4%, indicating a high probability of above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season.

Regionally, the rainfall is most likely to be above normal over Central India and the South Peninsular region, while Northwest India is expected to experience normal rainfall (92-108% of LPA). In contrast, Northeast India is likely to receive below-normal rainfall (<94% of LPA). The Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ) is also forecast to receive above-normal rainfall.

Specifically for June 2025, the countrywide rainfall is projected to be above normal (>108% of LPA). While most areas are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall, certain southern parts of the Peninsular region, and parts of Northwest and Northeast India, are expected to have below-normal rainfall.

According to IMD, the subdivision of Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana will see above normal monsoon — 114% of the LPA during the SW Monsoon. The normal monsoon mark for the Delhi-Chandigarh and Haryana sub-division is 431 mm. Delhi has already logged 186.4mm in monthly rainfall in May, making it the wettest May ever for Delhi on record. The long period average for rainfall in June is 74.1mm. However, Delhi logged 243.4mm in June 2024. This was largely down to a single day spell of 228mm, which left the city inundated on June 28.

However, the early onset of the monsoon over Kerala is no guarantee of strong performance or uniform distribution across the country. The relationship between June-September monsoon rainfall and crop production is complex, with factors such as distribution and timing of precipitation playing a larger role in determining crop yields. While improved and high-resolution forecasts are a positive development, they have limited value without a wide-ranging societal effort to incorporate its warnings to improve everyday living.

Telangana The early onset of the southwest monsoon in Telangana on May 26 2025 — almost two weeks ahead of schedule — is more than just a seasonal anomaly. Climate scientists and meteorologists warn it is part of a larger, ongoing shift in regional climate patterns. “This isn’t an isolated incident. We have seen a pattern emerging over the last decade where monsoon arrivals are fluctuating… These are classic signs of climate change,” said Y V Rama, senior meteorologist with the Telangana Development Planning Society. Within two days, by May 28, the monsoon covered the entire state—much earlier than in recent years. In 2024, it arrived on June 3, in 2023 on June 21, in 2022, on June 13. 44% of tehsils in Telangana witnessed a rise in rainfall by more than 10% between 2012 and 2022.

Locally, rapid urban expansion is compounding the problem. Environmental experts say the loss of natural features like trees and lakes has intensified the urban heat island effect, worsening weather extremes. “When you replace lakes with concrete and trees with buildings, you’re not just changing the landscape, you’re changing how the weather behaves locally. This trapped heat pushes temperatures up, which can in turn contribute to more convective activity, resulting in heavier downpours,” said TV Ramachandra, environmental scientist at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

FLOOD 2025

DAM FLOODS: ASSAM RANGANADI HEP: Assam’s Lakhimpur district reeled under a severe flood crisis after the Ronganadi river overflowed, following heavy rains and a sudden release of water from the Ronganadi dam by NEEPCO,  opening all gates of the dam on May 30 night. More than 230 villages have been submerged, forcing residents to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere since the early hours of the May 31 morning, with people struggling to save belongings and livestock. In the Naoboicha-Gendheli area, the National Highway-15 was under water, cutting off road connectivity and isolating entire regions. One person who was trapped inside his home died.

DAM FLOODS: ASSAM KOPILI HEP: The Kopili Hydro Electric Project has opened seven sluice gates to release the excess water from its reservoirs causing flood in many parts of the Kampur district in Assam. the district administration has declared red alert in the areas and urged the people living along the river banks to be vigilant as the water level of the Kapili river in Kampur rising since morning. Severe erosion has occurred near the Garokhanda embankment. A vast area of Kampur is likely to be inundated during June 1 night. As per an official bulletin, the overflowing water from Borapani river has submerged paddy field in 27 villages under Kachua as well as Kampur revenue circles.

Lower Subansiri HEP of NHPC Panic has gripped residents of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, and Majuli districts as the swelling Subansiri River reportedly threatens to unleash catastrophic floods near NHPC’s 2000-MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectricity Project at Gerukamukh. The river is currently in spate due to continuous heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, raising fears of a possible deluge in downstream areas. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has issued an alert and temporarily halted all construction work at the project site.

As a precautionary measure, NHPC has opened three gates of the dam to release excess water. However, officials have warned that up to nine gates may need to be opened if rainfall continues. The situation has already sparked alarm, especially among locals who have long expressed concerns about the project’s safety and ecological impact. a massive landslide on the right bank of the fragile Gerukamukh hills has further intensified the crisis, reportedly causing flash flood-like conditions at the project site.

Local sources report visible signs of distress, with villagers along the Subansiri belt in constant fear of sudden flooding. Many are urging authorities to conduct immediate safety reviews of the project and put public safety above power generation goals.

Risk of dam floods in Gujarat The Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada has a storage of 57.92%, standing at 123.10 metres on May 23. The available gross storage of Sardar Sarovar is 5,479 MCM, about 3% higher than the storage recorded at the same time in 2024. SSNNL (Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd) officials said that to prepare for the possibility of early rainfall in the Narmada basin, the dam level is being maintained to mitigate flood risk by running a couple of turbines of the Riverbed Powerhouse (RBPH) as well as the Canal Head Powerhouse (CHPH) to generate hydro power and release water. It is pertinent to ask why not all six RBPH units being run?

Srisailam Dam Ten of the 79 spillway gates of Jurala dam were opened to release about 60000 cusecs after which about 1 lakh cusecs water is moving towards Srisailam Dam.

KRS Dam The water level at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) was expected to cross 100 feet mark on May 30 for the second time in May month in the past 35 years.

Maharashtra The city and other parts of Latur district in drone prone region of Marathwada witnessed excessive rainfall and flash flood incidents which the IMD’s regional centre in Mumbai failed to forecast.

Kerala showed very high storage as on 31/05/25, almost 3 times of what’s required while hydro generation continued to be low due to lower power demand, thus reducing the outflow from the dams. On the same date, Parambikulam had 56% water and TN Sholayar had 49%.

HFL BREACH

Northeast continues to keep on the trend observed in the last few years of breaching highest flood levels (HFL) in pre and early monsoon season. Here after two decades river Lohit in Brahmaputra basin at Hayulian site in Ajnaw district of Arunachal Pradesh has crossed highest flood level 496.72 meter dated 23.07.2004 at 08:00 hour on 31.05.2025. The present flood level is 497.89 meter at 12:00 hour on 31.05.2025 with rising trend.  Last year the river had missed breaching the HFL by 0.46 meter when the flood level had peaked at 496.26 meter on 30.06.2024.

URBAN FLOODS

Bengaluru’s stormwater crisis calls for a range of coordinated interventions – from increasing the city’s permeable surfaces through nature-based solutions to restoring the interconnectivity of its natural drainage networks and removing encroachments from ecologically sensitive areas. The last-minute preparation will not protect city from flooding problems. The public representatives in Udupi have blamed negligence by officials and encroachments of drainage systems leading to artificial flooding. Chocking of main holes with solid waste and congestion of drainage systems can result in flooding, contimination of potable water sources and serious risks for public health in Hyderabad.

The early onset of rains caught the authorities, IMD and Mumbaikars off-guard. The BMC blamed the widespread waterlogging on garbage blocking the drains and the underground metro messing with the storm water drain network. Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) attributed the flooding to the failure of a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) wall designed for water retention at the station entrance. Questions are being raised about the viability of an underground metro rail system. The Aqua Line is the only metro line in Mumbai that is underground, with many stations constructed in low-lying areas. The BKC metro station is situated right beside the Mithi River, which wreaked havoc during the 2005 deluge. Too many developments in Mumbai ignore how water moves through the land. Future urban planning must consider natural drainage patterns, allowing water to flow, soak, and drain, instead of blocking it with concrete at every turn. 

The incessant rains in Pune for the past two days have washed off Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) claims of completing the drainage cleaning work, and it reflects the shabby job done by the authorities in the name of pre-monsoon preparedness. Their lack of preparedness was criticised by residents, as the ground floors of housing societies situated opposite Chokhi Dhani, near Dhole Patil College area, were submerged in water.

With less than a week left to meet the May 31 deadline to complete pre-monsoon desilting of drains, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has completed less than half the work on the city’s major drains—raising serious concerns about waterlogging once the monsoon hits. In Gurugram the GMDA began construction of a 750m-long open drain to connect the flood-prone Narsingpur area directly to the Badshapur drain — a move officials hope will end waterlogging on this critical section of NH8.

LANDSLIDE

The forest advisory committee has approved the Kozhikode-Wayanad twin tunnel project in Kerala. However, expressing concerns over landslides, the expert appraisal committee (EAC) had deferred the final environmental clearance. The EAC had also instructed the Kerala government to furnish detailed geological and environmental impact assessment reports. The Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithy has also raised ecological concerns and campaigned against the project, warning of potential environmental degradation in the sensitive Western Ghats region.

Rain triggers several landslides in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri usually receives 900mm to 1,000 mm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon. In the past six days, the Nilgiris has received 305 mm rain, which is approximately 30% of the usual southwest monsoon rainfall. Rainfall would be comparatively less in Coonoor and Kotagiri taluks, thanks to the high mountain ranges located between Ooty and Coonoor.

ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE

Retirement of Supreme Court Justice Abhay S Oka: Justice Oka’s sensitivity was not limited to human beings only. He was equally compassionate on environmental matters, and his orders ensured that authorities put proper measures in place to prevent irreparable harm to the ecology. In another judgment, a Justice Oka-led bench delivered a big blow. No post-facto environmental clearances for development projects, it ruled while quashing the two central government notifications for such clearances, putting the mechanism on hold for future projects. The order, however, left project approvals granted so far unchanged.

CLIMATE CHANGE

BLACK CARBON LEVELS IN HIMALAYAS Eastern Himalayas show highest black carbon levels; snow loss tied to biomass burning. The analysis, based on 23 years of NASA satellite data (2000–2023), reports accelerated melting in areas with higher black carbon deposits, particularly in the Eastern and Central Himalayas.

Rising ‘black carbon’ is heating Himalayan snow, this Study shows. Eastern Himalaya records warmest snow surfaces, followed by the central and western Himalayas; light-absorbing particles like black carbon reduces the snow’s ability to reflect sunlight, accelerating surface heating.

India reaffirms Commitment to Glacier Preservation at the High-Level International Conference in Dushanbe during May 29-31 2025: Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (EFCC), Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the Plenary Session. He highlighted that India is undertaking strategic actions under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) – a key component of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – as well as the establishment of a Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, designed to advance research and monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region. It was stated that India is leveraging advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to systematically monitor changes in glacier mass, extent, and dynamics. These efforts are further strengthened through coordinated research by key national institutions, including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE). 

Social impacts of glacier loss Earth has now entered a new period in which glaciers are not simply retreating but are disappearing altogether. However, long-term glacier mass loss is largely unquantified owing to the lack of a comprehensive prediction model that accounts for all glaciers and constraints. In this issue of Science Zekollari et al. report the simulation of long-term glacier mass loss using eight glacier evolution models, which estimated that only 24% of glacier mass will remain under present climate policies. Under existing climate policies, global mean temperature is on track to reach 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels.

A new study for the first time has definitively measured the impact of climate change on vegetation in the central Western Ghats, particularly the Goa region. It has recorded a shortened length of seasons by 17 days over the period of a decade in tropical semi-evergreen forests. A note issued by Climate Trends pointed to intensifying flood risks in the north due to increased melting of snow, while forest fires and acute water scarcity are straining hill ecosystems in states like Uttarakhand. Along India’s vast 7,500-km coastline, both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are witnessing increased cyclogenesis, leading to stronger, more frequent storms, salt water incursion, humid heatwaves, impacted fisheries and heightened risks from rising sea levels.

SOUTH ASIA

India-China Victor Zhikai Gao, vice president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, issued a pointed warning to India: “Don’t do onto others what you don’t want done to you.” His warning, delivered in an interview with India Today, hinted at Beijing’s own strategic grip on the Brahmaputra. Since 2022, Beijing has stopped sharing vital hydrological data on transboundary rivers like the Brahmaputra. The lapse follows the expiration — and non-renewal — of earlier Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

INDUS TREATY: According to NASA data, the Indus basin ranks as the world’s second most overstressed aquifer, following only the Arabian Aquifer System.

Even before the current suspension, India in recent years was providing no more than 40 percent of the required river flow data, alleged Shiraz Memon, a former Pakistan commissioner of the IWT. Fazalullah Qureshi, a former senior Pakistani official, claimed about link of this data gap to Pakistan’s inability to anticipate devastating floods in 2022, which killed over 1,700 people and affected 33 million of the country’s 245 million people. No justification has been provided for either of these allegations, nor has Pakistan officially complained about these issues at any stage. 

There is a strong need to revisit the entire treaty, given the significant warming over the region and changing precipitation patterns.

The Jhelum and Chenab rivers, where Pakistan previously enjoyed greater rights under the treaty, represent over 45,000 sq km of basin area with mean annual flows exceeding 45 million acre-feet. The Chenab, with a basin area of 22,500 sq km, serves as a significant source of surface water for the most populous Punjab province in Pakistan. Pakistan must recognize that its past policies have led to this precarious position, leaving improved relations with India as the best viable path forward.

The sustainable management of shared water resources ultimately requires cooperation between riparian nations. While India has taken measures that intensify pressure on Pakistan, lasting solutions will necessitate diplomatic engagement and mutual recognition of legitimate concerns on both sides. However, the primary responsibility now rests with Pakistan to adapt to this new hydro-political reality while pursuing diplomatic channels to restore more predictable water arrangements.

Circumstances have altered since 1960, with less snowfall and erratic precipitation patterns. It’s essential to address emerging challenges unforeseen in 1960, such as climate change impacts on the cryosphere, groundwater depletion, water pollution and their consequences, either through supplementary protocols or within the treaty.

BHUTAN: USE OF DRONES FOR DPR PREPARATION: The Japanese agency JICA has on May 29 2025 handed over  to Bhutan Department of Energy drone equipment that will help Bhutan develop DPRs of Hydropower projects.

EUROPE

Switzerland Glacier Collapse The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier above the village had broken off, causing the landslide which also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows. The landslide coated nearly the entirety of an Alpine village with mud. Authorities declared a state of emergency as they monitor the situation of the huge pile of glacier debris, stretching 2 kilometers (1.25 miles), blocking the Lonza River. An artificial dam has been emptied to receive the water pushed back by the wall of ice, earth and rubble. Were that water to overflow from the dam, authorities would need to consider evacuating the valley.

UK Thames Water has been fined £122.7m for breaching rules over sewage spills and shareholder payouts. The penalty is the biggest ever issued by the water industry regulator Ofwat, which said the company had “let down its customers and failed to protect the environment”. The watchdog confirmed the fines would be paid by the company and its investors, and not by customers who were hit with water bill increases last month.