Delhi’s air quality is expected to deteriorate to the ‘poor’ category from Wednesday and remain there until Friday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 179 on Tuesday, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as poor by the Central Pollution Control Board. The worsening air quality comes as temperatures fall and weather conditions become less favourable for dispersing pollutants. Stubble burning in neighbouring states could also contribute to rising pollution levels as the winter pollution season approaches. (PC: NDTV)

Indonesia’s worst wildfire season in a decade has spread toxic haze across Southeast Asia, raising health concerns in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. An unusually strong El Niño has intensified fires, which have burned around 900,000 hectares of land, according to Nusantara Atlas. Many fires are linked to land clearance for agriculture, including commercial plantations. Greenpeace has identified companies connected to areas where fires were recorded, although the firms deny responsibility for illegal burning. Indonesian authorities have suspended 26 companies’ operating licences and launched investigations. Meanwhile, residents face hazardous air, breathing difficulties and growing pressure for government action. (PC: BBC)

El Niño has strengthened to unprecedented levels, setting new ocean temperature records weeks before its expected peak in December. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said weekly sea-surface temperatures in the central Pacific have reached record highs. Scientists also reported temperatures above 30°C in parts of the tropical Pacific. The natural weather pattern releases heat from the oceans into the atmosphere. Combined with human-driven climate change, it could make 2026 one of the warmest years on record. Strong El Niño events have been linked to droughts, floods and wildfires. Scientists warn that its effects may continue into 2027.  

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand at 8:07 pm on October 10, 2026, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The epicentre was located around 2 km northwest of Uttarkashi town, at a depth of 11 km. Strong tremors were felt across Uttarkashi town and the Yamunotri valley, prompting frightened residents to rush outdoors. The earthquake was the second tremor above magnitude 4 to hit Uttarakhand within four days, following a 4.9-magnitude earthquake in Chamoli on October 6. State disaster management officials reported no damage so far. (PC: The Hindu)

An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 struck Uttarakhand's Chamoli district around 10:20 pm on Tuesday, and tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. The National Center for Seismology confirmed the quake at about 10:40 pm. Until then, many residents took to social media to ask whether others had felt the shaking. One user in South Delhi's Safdarjung said their couch moved during the tremor. No immediate reports of damage or injury were available. Earlier on Tuesday, a 4.5-magnitude earthquake hit Assam's Nagaon district at 4:23 am IST, at a depth of 33 km, according to the seismology centre.

A suspected pneumonic plague case in Siberia has triggered quarantine measures in Russia, with the United States tracking developments closely. Darya Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, died on October 1 after developing severe pneumonia. Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation, and three hospitals faced quarantine. Russian authorities have not confirmed plague, calling it pneumonia of unknown cause. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is monitoring the situation. Experts say India, which last saw a major outbreak in 1994, should stay cautious but not alarmed, as antibiotics work if started early. (PC: India Today)

Bangkok is facing severe flooding after around 300mm of rain fell in parts of the city within two days, overwhelming drainage systems and transforming neighbourhoods into stagnant lakes. At least 40 people have died in flood-related incidents, including drownings and electrocutions, while thousands have moved into more than 230 shelters. Flooding has disrupted schools, roads and operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing transport problems and flight cancellations. Authorities have declared a flood disaster across all 50 districts and are operating pumping stations at full capacity. Experts say rapid urban development, reduced canal networks and increasingly extreme rainfall have intensified Bangkok’s vulnerability. (PC: EPA)

Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of gentoo penguin on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean, marking the first new penguin species recognized in more than 100 years. Using DNA analysis, researchers found that gentoo penguins previously considered one species actually comprise four genetically distinct species: northern, southern, southeastern and eastern gentoos. The newly recognized southeastern gentoo, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, looks almost identical to other gentoos but has distinct genetic characteristics. Researchers say the discovery improves understanding of penguin evolution, while warning that warming oceans and climate change could cause significant habitat losses for several gentoo populations.

Two videos from Nepal show mountainsides collapsing within seconds amid floods and landslides that have killed at least 24 people and left 14 missing. Near Lete in Mustang District, a section of a mountain slid into the Kali Gandaki River, briefly blocking the water before the river reopened a path. Residents and Char Dham pilgrims recording the scene could be heard screaming as debris rushed downhill. Another video shows a hillside sinking into a valley, carrying away a stone-and-wood shelter and trees. Villagers shouted “Ghar gai sakyo”, meaning “the home is already gone”. Heavy rain has caused widespread damage across several districts, while landslides have disrupted highways and hampered rescue operations.

The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand received the season’s first snowfall on Saturday, bringing colder weather to the Himalayan regions. Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh witnessed snowfall in Kuno Charang and Chitkul, while Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district was covered in snow. Heavy rain in lower areas prompted weather alerts and safety measures. Authorities suspended the Char Dham Yatra until September 27 and closed schools up to Class 12 in five Uttarakhand districts. The weather department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas, while officials urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel.