AIR POLLUTION DEATHS IN INDIA

Govt to issue show cause notice to Air India on wheelchair non-availability to elderly woman: Minister

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that the ministry is investigating the complaint regarding the non-availability of a pre-booked wheelchair for an elderly Air India passenger. Additionally, the ministry is addressing issues related to clogged toilets on a Chicago flight, emphasizing proper service standards and guidelines.

Study projects losses in India's solar power potential due to air pollution, climate change

India may see a reduction of 600-800 gigawatt-hours of solar power capacity before mid-century, due to air pollution and climate change. Researchers from IIT Delhi highlight the importance of combined climate and pollution control measures to maintain solar power efficiency in the northern, western, and southern grids where significant solar parks are located.

8 best skincare ingredients to fight pollution damage & how to use them

Death Crossovers: These 5 stocks signal bearishness on March 17

Embrace life instead of fretting over death: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a podcast with Lex Fridman, said that death is inevitable and emphasized the importance of embracing life. He encouraged people to focus on enriching their lives and contributing positively, instead of worrying about death, as life is uncertain and should be lived with purpose.

Air India Express to operate 40 weekly flights from Hindon in Ghaziabad, connecting these five cities

Air India Express has launched 40 weekly flights from Hindon Airport, connecting it directly with five major cities: Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Jammu, and Kolkata. The move, inaugurated by Union Minister Rammohan Naidu, aims to enhance connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR), serving north and east Delhi along with Western Uttar Pradesh.

Congress hits out at govt over air quality report putting India as 5th most polluted country

India has been ranked as the fifth most polluted country globally by the 2024 World Air Quality Report. Congress demands the rollback of all anti-environmental amendments and calls for increased funding to tackle pollution effectively.

At least 33 dead as tornadoes ravage central US

At least 32 people were killed and dozens more injured as tornadoes and severe storms hit the central U.S. States like Kansas, Missouri, and Texas reported casualties, significant damage, and power outages. More tornadoes are expected in the central Gulf Coast states, with 200,000 homes and businesses already affected.

Delhi weather: Rain in national capital on Holi; IMD predicts rainfall to continue with thunderstorms until weekend

Delhi celebrated Holi with rain showers as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the light rainfall would continue for the next two hours. The city experienced a minimum temperature of 17.6 degrees Celsius. The IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle towards the evening or night.

U.S. Most and Least Polluted Cities: Check out the list

Air pollution remains a major health risk. In the U.S., California has the most polluted cities, while Hawaii and Washington have the cleanest air.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma blames Assam's industries for Byrnihat's poor air quality

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma cited industrial activities in Assam for Byrnihat’s poor air quality, despite Meghalaya’s satisfactory rating by its State Pollution Control Board. Sangma highlighted violations found during inspections and actions taken, noting Byrnihat, Assam’s status as a Critically Polluted Area. Efforts are ongoing, including a study by CSIR-NEERI to identify pollution sources.

Pollution in Delhi a year-round challenge, not just a winter affair: CPCB

Delhi experiences high levels of pollution throughout the year, not just in winter. Primary pollutants include dust and ozone, with significant PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations observed. Transport, energy, industry, and waste are major polluters, necessitating year-round intervention and dust-suppressing technologies.

India must charge up non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 600 GW by 2030 to avoid dimming lights: Report

India must increase its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 600 GW by 2030 to meet rising electricity demand. Achieving this will prevent unmet demand and reduce reliance on coal. This pathway will also reduce costs, create jobs, and lower carbon emissions. The report highlights the need for renewable energy to meet India’s demand sustainably.

Riyadh Air to explore partnerships with Air India, IndiGo to tap Indian market potential

Riyadh Air is set to start operations later this year and plans to partner with major Indian airlines Air India and IndiGo. This collaboration aims to meet the growing air travel demand in India and enhance connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Air's fleet will include narrow-body A321 neos and wide-body B787-9 Dreamliners.

Humidity in Delhi's air could underestimate pollution by up to 20%, study suggests

Fine particulate matter in Delhi's winter air could be absorbing moisture, leading to an underestimation of PM1 pollution by up to 20%, according to a new study. Researchers stressed the need to consider this hygroscopic growth for accurate pollution assessment, especially during humid winter mornings.

How aging aircraft, waste and clogged toilets are flushing Air India’s reputation down the drain

Air India faces problems with clogged toilets on long-haul flights due to passengers flushing inappropriate items. This has caused several flights to divert or return. Engineers and crew members suggest improvements to lavatory facilities and better passenger education to prevent such issues. The management may consider including pre-flight instructions on what not to flush.

Air India offers Premium Economy tickets at Rs 599 more than Standard Economy fares

Air India has expanded its Premium Economy Class on domestic routes, now offering seats for just Rs 599 more than Standard Economy for a limited time. Available on 39 domestic routes, Premium Economy provides perks like extra legroom, priority check-in, and enhanced dining. The airline will add 30% more Premium Economy seats, totaling over 65,000 weekly.

Delhi records hottest day of year so far at 34.8 deg C

Delhi reached its highest temperature of the year at 34.8 degrees Celsius, which is 6.4 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 15.7 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds on Wednesday. Delhi's Air Quality Index stood at 262, categorized as poor. Humidity levels varied between 87 and 35 percent.

Bangladesh, Pakistan ahead of India in world's most polluted country list; this nation tops the chart

In 2024, Pakistan ranked third among the world's most polluted countries, as per IQAir's report. Despite government measures, the average concentration of PM2.5 particles remained alarmingly high. Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot were among the 15 most polluted South Asian cities. The unprecedented smog in Punjab led to severe health issues, affecting millions.

Byrnihat: This little-known Meghalayan city is the world's most polluted, surpassing Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida

India's air pollution crisis remains severe, with 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities, including Byrnihat and Delhi, struggling with hazardous air quality. The World Air Quality Report 2024 highlights a 7% decline in PM2.5 levels but warns of continued health risks. Experts criticise weak enforcement and ineffective policies. While solutions exist, including cleaner fuels and better public transport, political inertia and fragmented regulations hinder progress. With millions of lives at risk, urgent action is needed to combat this persistent crisis.

Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows

Last year, only seven countries met WHO air quality standards, with Chad and Bangladesh being the most polluted. Significant data gaps exist, especially in Asia and Africa. The U.S. has ended its global air quality monitoring scheme, impacting many developing countries. Climate change is worsening pollution levels.

Eco-smart Innovations for a Sustainable Future

Early summer? As Delhi temperature rises, IMD warns of more heat this week, but rain on Holi

Delhi witnessed its hottest day of the year on Sunday, with temperatures soaring to 32.8°C at Safdarjung. The heat is expected to intensify over the next few days, peaking at 34°C by Tuesday. A western disturbance could bring light rain on Holi, offering brief relief. Meanwhile, air quality deteriorated to the 'poor' category, prompting the imposition of pollution control measures. Strong winds later in the week may help improve air quality conditions.