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Chandigarh, Updated At : 02:11 PM Jun 16, 2025 IST

More than 72.5 per cent of flood events in the Hindukush region between 1980 and 2024 happened during the monsoon season.

Hindu Kush Himalayas at greater risk of landslides, floods this monsoon season

There is a high risk of flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region this monsoon season due to forecasts of above-average rainfall, experts from an intergovernmental organisation said on Wednesday.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) also said temperatures across the HKH region are expected to be up to 2° Celsius higher than normal during the monsoon.

"Above-normal precipitation between June and September, as predicted by the various meteorological agencies, is fraught with the high risks of disastrous flash floods and landslides along the mountainous terrains," ICIMOD said in a report.

It added that rising temperatures in the HKH can speed up the melting of glaciers and snow, leading to short-term increases in river flows and a higher risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Warmer temperatures also reduce snow build-up, which threatens the long-term water supply for millions of people living downstream.

The HKH region is very sensitive to the monsoon, especially the systems linked to the Indian Ocean and southern Asia. Rainfall between June and September is the main source of water for the region. It has a major effect on river systems that support nearly two billion people.

While the monsoon is crucial for refilling these rivers, the danger from water-related disasters, such as floods, landslides, storms, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and GLOFs, is increasing due to the worsening impacts of climate change.

For example, more than 72.5 per cent of flood events in the region between 1980 and 2024 happened during the monsoon season.

Jaishankar meets EU leaders; discusses ways to strengthen ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a series of meetings with top European Union leaders in Brussels and discussed ways to further strengthen the EU-India strategic partnership and progress in a comprehensive and meaningful trade agreement. Jaishankar, who is travelling to Europe to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India's policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism, met European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who said she was delighted to welcome him to the European Parliament. Jaishankar, who is travelling to Europe a month after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack, said he had a "pleasure interacting" with European Parliament members Angelika Niebler, Urmas Paet, Pilar del Castillo, Vladimir Prebilic, and Winkler Gyula on Tuesday.

Denmark approves US military bases on Danish soil as Trump eyes Greenland

Denmark's Parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to allow US military bases on Danish soil, a move that comes as President Donald Trump seeks to take control of the kingdom's semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. Critics say the vote ceded Danish sovereignty to the US. The legislation widens a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where US troops had broad access to Danish airbases in the Scandinavian country. The new parameters follow Trump's coveting of the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island even as the US and Denmark are NATO allies. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, in a response to lawmakers' questions, wrote that Denmark would be able to terminate the agreement if the US tries to annex all or part of Greenland.

Sebi introduces SEBI Check tool

Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday said it has mandated a new UPI payment mechanism for all registered intermediaries, who collect funds from investors, to improve the safety and accessibility of financial transactions within the securities market. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism will go live from October 1, 2025, Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey said. In recent years, unregistered entities have increasingly misled investors by fraudulent activities. To address the issue of impersonation and enhance investor confidence, the regulator has mandated a new UPI address structure for all Sebi-registered intermediaries who collect funds from investors. This upcoming tool will enable investors to verify the authenticity of UPI IDs either by scanning a QR code or entering the UPI ID manually and confirming the bank details, such as the account number and India Financial System Code (IFSC) of a registered intermediary.

Pixxel bags iDEX grant to supply earth imaging payloads to Indian Air Force

Bengaluru-based space startup Pixel has received a grant through the government's iDEX scheme to develop earth observation payloads for the Indian Air Force, a company statement said on Wednesday. Pixel, which is building a constellation of high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites, has signed a second agreement with Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Ministry of Defence to supply advanced Hyperspectral and MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) payloads, tailored for the IAF. The agreement was signed as part of the new SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) Grant, under iDEX DISC 8 Challenge 6.2.