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Sediments degrading storage capacity of reservoirs by over 50 pc across India: study
Material deposited by a river in a reservoir due to upstream erosion could be deteriorating storage capacity by more than 50 per cent, an analysis of reservoirs across India has revealed. Researchers Uma Madhuri Mogili and Somil Swarnkar from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal looked at nearly 370 large reservoirs -- capacity of over 100 million cubic metres -- in seven regions, including the Himalayan and Indo-Gangetic Plains. The analysis revealed "significant regional disparities in sedimentation impacts", with most of the regions exhibiting a vulnerability due to "steep terrain, high erosion, and monsoonal sediment inflows".
"Multiple reservoirs exhibit storage capacity losses exceeding 50 per cent, severely undermining their ability to mitigate floods and manage droughts," according to the study published in the journal Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment.
The researchers added that among the regions analysed, reservoirs in the Himalayan region showed the highest loss in yearly storage capacity, further stressing their critical vulnerability. The team also projected that by 2050, 10 reservoirs on the east-flowing rivers and seven on west-flowing ones might surpass a 50 per cent loss in storage capacity, "posing a severe threat to water security".
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead Nepal's interim government
Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is set to lead an interim government, the Nepalese President's office announced on Friday, ending days of political uncertainty after the abrupt resignation of prime minister K P Sharma Oli earlier this week. Widely respected for her tenure as Nepal's first woman Chief Justice, Karki, 73, is set to script history by becoming Nepal's first woman prime minister. Karki was chosen to lead the interim government after a meeting between President Ramchandra Paudel, Nepal's top military brass, and Gen Z representatives. The swearing-in ceremony of the interim prime minister will take place at 9 pm, Kiran Pokharel, President's press advisor said. She faces the immediate challenge of restoring law and order in Nepal following the massive protests since Sunday.
GE Aerospace, Safran Aircraft Engines JV to manufacture LEAP engine components in India
Godrej Enterprises Group's aerospace business on Friday said it has secured a mandate to manufacture critical LEAP engine components for Safran Aircraft Engines as part of a five-year contract. Developed by GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines JV CFM International, the LEAP engines largely power next-generation narrow-body aircraft. Under the contract, GEG will develop titanium material-based complex ventilation assemblies for LEAP engines, it said, adding the production will involve complex machining, precision welding, and advanced non-destructive testing to meet the stringent standards of civil aviation. With this order, Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) strengthens its longstanding partnership with Safran and expands its role in supporting global aero-engine programmes, the company said.
Bulk Drug Park in Una secures environmental clearance
The upcoming Bulk Drug Park in Himachal's Una district has secured environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, officials said on Friday. In order to make the country self-reliant in APIs and drug intermediates, Department of Pharmaceuticals is implementing various schemes and one of the key interventions is the scheme for Bulk Drug Parks. The environment clearance to Una park has paved the way for the establishment of the project that will reduce dependency on other countries for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). A spokesperson of the state's Industries department said the Bulk Drug Park entails total capital cost of Rs 2,071 crore, out of which Rs 996.45 crore is grant-in-aid from the Centre and Rs 1,074.55 crore would be spent by the state government.
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