An intense heatwave in Kashmir has devastated crops and endangered lives, with temperatures hitting 37.4°C — the highest in 70 years. Farmers like Zaina Begum fear losing livelihoods as paddy fields dry up and apple orchards wither. “We have nothing left,” Begum said. Hospitals report rising cases of heat-related illnesses. Experts blame climate change and warn of long-term threats to water, agriculture, and biodiversity. “These trends are not seasonal anomalies,” said glaciologist Mohammad Farooq Azam. Environmentalists say rapid urbanisation worsens the crisis. Despite claims of action, locals urge urgent steps to prevent further damage. (PC: BBC)

A tourist boat named Wonder Sea capsized in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay on July 19 during a sudden thunderstorm. The vessel carried 53 passengers, including 20 children, and five crew members. At least 34 people, including eight children, were confirmed dead, with eight still missing. Rescue teams saved 11 individuals, including a 14-year-old boy trapped for nearly four hours. The incident was triggered by strong winds and rough waters. Authorities continue search operations amid warnings of incoming tropical Storm Wipha. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains vulnerable to extreme weather. The tragedy has prompted urgent government action and widespread mourning across the nation.

Torrential rains have triggered severe flooding across Rajasthan, prompting red alerts in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bundi, Kota, Tonk, and Pali. Ajmer’s Khwaja Garib Nawaz Dargah was inundated, with carts and a devotee swept away before being rescued. In Rajsamand, locals saved stranded schoolchildren from a flooded van. Ajmer’s Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital was waterlogged, disrupting services. Pushkar’s market and homes were submerged, while barrage gates were opened in Kota. The IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall, with Ajmer expecting up to 79 mm. Relief teams are deployed across vulnerable zones. A depression over northwest Madhya Pradesh is expected to intensify the situation in eastern Rajasthan within 24 hours.

The UK Met Office has issued an amber warning for torrential thunderstorms across London and southeast England from Friday night into Saturday morning. Forecasters warn of flash floods, power cuts, and travel chaos, with up to 100mm of rain possible in some areas within hours. Yellow warnings also cover much of England, with Scotland facing rain alerts through Sunday. Communities risk being cut off as road closures and transport disruptions loom. Despite heavy rain, temperatures could still reach the high 20s. The warnings come amid ongoing drought concerns, with hosepipe bans and reservoir levels critically low across regions. (PC: Sky News)

A recent study reveals that a 10-day heatwave across 12 European cities caused approximately 2,300 deaths, with 1,500 directly linked to climate change. Temperatures soared past 40°C in Spain, triggering wildfires in France. Researchers from five European institutions found climate change increased heatwave temperatures by up to 4°C. Vulnerable groups including elderly, children, outdoor workers faced heightened risks, especially in urban areas. Most deaths occurred in homes and hospitals, often unreported. The EU’s Copernicus service confirmed June 2025 as Western Europe’s hottest on record. Experts warn that heatwaves will intensify unless fossil fuel emissions are curbed. The findings underscore the deadly impact of rising global temperatures. (PC: Deccan Herald & The Guardian)

Heavy rainfall battered Delhi on Sunday evening, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to upgrade its orange alert to a red alert. Several parts of the capital reported waterlogging, though traffic disruptions remained limited due to the weekend. Visuals from Kartavya Path showed India Gate drenched in relentless rain. IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 30-40 km/h for the next two hours in Delhi and surrounding areas of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. After days of persistent showers, Delhi residents are bracing for continued rain and cloudy skies in the coming days.

Delhi-NCR experienced earthquake tremors for the second straight day as a 3.7 magnitude quake struck Jhajjar, Haryana, at 7:49 PM on Friday. According to the National Center for Seismology, the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km. The region had already been shaken by a 4.4 magnitude quake on Thursday morning. Jhajjar lies just 60 km from Delhi and sits near several active geological fault lines, including the Mahendragarh-Dehradun Fault. Experts say such tremors signal gradual tectonic energy release but warn that Delhi-NCR remains vulnerable to stronger seismic activity due to its fault-ridden geography and Himalayan proximity. (PC: India Today)

A deadly flood struck Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River on July 8, unexpectedly sweeping away the Friendship Bridge linking Nepal and China. Authorities confirmed at least nine dead, with around two dozen still missing—including Chinese nationals—amid no prior rainfall. Satellite imagery analysis by ICIMOD and Nepal’s Hydrology Department pointed to a supraglacial lake drain in Tibet north of the Langtang Himal as the cause . Experts warn that such glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are becoming more frequent across the Hindu Kush Himalayas due to accelerated glacier melt driven by climate change. (PC: AP)

At least 120 people have died and over 170 remain missing after devastating flash floods swept through Texas, especially Kerr County. Communities are in mourning as tributes grow for the victims, including children from summer camps and elderly residents. Rescue efforts by over 2,000 workers continue amid debris and scorching heat. Survivors recalled harrowing escapes as floodwaters destroyed homes and RV parks. Criticism has mounted over the lack of early warnings, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to call for new emergency systems. President Trump pledged federal support and will visit Texas Friday. Local prayer services marked the beginning of collective grief. (PC: NDTV)

On February 17, 2025 at 5:36 AM IST, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Delhi, with its epicentre near Dhaula Kuan at a shallow depth of 5 km, causing noticeable tremors across Delhi-NCR and parts of North India . Though moderate in magnitude, its shallow depth and urban epicentre led high-rise buildings in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida to sway significantly, startling residents . No casualties or structural damage were reported, but people rushed out of homes and public spaces. Authorities, including PM Modi and Delhi Police, advised calm, preparedness, and vigilance for possible aftershocks . Delhi lies in Seismic Zone IV, prone to shallow quakes due to geological fault lines and soft soil amplification—prompting calls for strengthening infrastructure and awareness. (PC: NDTV)