Heavy rain caused severe waterlogging in several parts of Delhi on Friday. Roads in Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Akbar Road and near IGI Airport were flooded. The waterlogging led to traffic jams and caused problems for commuters.   Flight operations were also affected. At least nine flights were diverted, while more than 400 flights faced delays. Passengers at IGI Airport reported long waits due to flooded roads and water near the terminal.   The India Meteorological Department issued a Yellow Alert for Delhi. It warned of more rain, thunderstorms and possible traffic disruptions in some areas.  

A News18 explainer examines the unusual pattern of major disasters and tragedies associated with the number 26, prompting claims that the date may be “jinxed.” The report highlights several devastating events, including the August 26, 2026 Nepal floods, the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, the 2005 Mumbai floods, and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. While the repeated occurrence has attracted public attention, there is no scientific evidence that the number 26 causes or predicts disasters. Experts generally regard such patterns as coincidence, with selective attention making memorable date associations appear more significant than they statistically are. 

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast a 100% chance that El Niño will persist through February 2027, with unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters expected to intensify the climate event. WMO said El Niño could become very strong by late 2026, increasing risks of extreme heat, drought and floods worldwide. For India, the development is a major concern as El Niño can weaken monsoon rainfall and worsen dry conditions. India ended August with a 16% rainfall deficit, while the 2026 monsoon has remained below normal. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole could, however, modify El Niño’s impact. (PC: India Today)

A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Tibet on Thursday, days after catastrophic flash floods caused widespread devastation in the region bordering Nepal. The German Research Centre for Geosciences said the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The August 26 disaster was triggered by a glacier collapse in Tibet and sent floods and debris through towns and valleys. At least 1,252 people are confirmed dead and more than 4,200 remain missing in Nepal, while Tibet’s death toll stands at 21, with 541 people missing. Rescue operations continue in the devastated mountain region. (PC: India Today)

Flood conditions persisted across Uttar Pradesh, with 23 districts currently affected and 16,784 people evacuated to safety, officials said. Of them, 3,042 people were rescued on Wednesday. Three people, including an 18-month-old child, died in rain-related incidents. The government has deployed 1,499 boats and motorboats and 1,067 medical teams for rescue and relief operations. As many as 1,311 flood shelters have been established, while rivers continue to rise in several districts. More than 36,000 livestock have also been affected. Relief agencies are distributing food, medicines, chlorine tablets and ORS as authorities scale up operations. 

Millions of people in India, Nepal and China face the growing threat of glacial lake outburst floods as climate change destabilises Himalayan glaciers, the United Nations and Chinese experts have warned. The warning follows the August 26 disaster in Nepal and Tibet, where a glacier collapse near Langtang Lirung triggered devastating flooding. More than 1,000 people have been reported dead, over 4,000 remain missing and more than 900 hydropower workers are trapped in a tunnel. China’s water ministry said unstable glaciers around the affected Cuojian River valley could trigger further flooding, while landslides could form new barrier lakes. (PC: WION)

A United Nations report has warned that millions of people in low-lying South Asian cities, including Kolkata and Mumbai, face an immediate risk of displacement as sea levels rise. More than 14 million people across South Asian deltas could eventually be affected by permanent inundation. The report says rising seas are already threatening coastal infrastructure, transport, energy networks, groundwater and sanitation systems. Saltwater intrusion could also contaminate freshwater supplies and agricultural land. Globally, nearly 770 million people live in coastal areas less than five metres above high tide. The UN urged urgent climate adaptation, stronger planning and reliable financing. (PC: ET)

A UN report has warned that more than 14 million people in South Asian cities including Kolkata, Mumbai and Dhaka face an “immediate risk” of losing their homes to permanent inundation as sea levels rise. The report said rising seas are already damaging infrastructure, water systems, transport, energy grids, buildings and groundwater, while increasing health, displacement and livelihood risks. Global sea levels rose 4.7 mm annually between 2014 and 2023, while 2024 recorded a record 5.9 mm rise. The UN also warned of growing glacial-flood risks across the Himalayas. Researchers identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal, China and India in 2020, with the actual number now estimated to be significantly higher. (PC: PTI)

India recorded its hottest August since 1901, the India Meteorological Department said on Monday. The country's mean temperature was 28.01 degrees Celsius, higher than the normal of 27.34 degrees Celsius.   The average minimum temperature was also the highest on record for August. Rainfall during the month was below normal at 213.3 mm.   The weather office said September rainfall across India is likely to be below normal. Monthly rainfall may remain below 91 per cent of the long-period average. Average maximum temperatures in September are also expected to be above normal. Strong El Niño conditions are influencing the weather.

Months before catastrophic flash floods struck Nepal, two reports by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development warned that glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya were melting at an accelerating rate. The reports said ice loss had doubled since 2000, with up to 27 metres of ice thickness lost since 1975. While the exact cause of the August 26 disaster is still under investigation, a massive glacial collapse is being examined as a possible trigger. A 600-metre-wide glacier section reportedly broke free, creating a temporary dam before its collapse unleashed a devastating surge through Himalayan valleys. (PC: HT)