Rajendra Singh Urges Ban on Sugarcane in Marathwada, Revamp of Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan to Combat El Niño Impact

72% of Punjab's Groundwater Blocks in 'Red Zone' as Extraction Rate Hits 152% - Pani Bachao Scheme Offers Cash for Conservation

Punjab's groundwater crisis deepens with an extraction rate of 152%, and 72% of its 153 blocks classified as 'over-exploited'. The rice-wheat cropping system, supported by subsidised electricity and assured procurement, drives this overuse. The 'Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao' scheme offers cash incentives for electricity conservation, but low enrolment limits impact. This is a critical issue for UPSC Environment, Agriculture, and Governance papers.

Odisha Mandates Suspension of Hydropower Generation to Prioritise Drinking Water and Irrigation Needs

Odisha has mandated that hydropower generation be suspended if reservoir water levels fall below critical thresholds, prioritizing drinking water and irrigation. This decision, amid low storage and El Niño concerns, highlights the water-energy nexus and has implications for energy security and agricultural resilience. For exams, this links to water resource management, energy policy, and disaster preparedness.

Punjab Restores 16,000 km Canals, Raises Groundwater 3-5 m via 510 Recharge Schemes

Punjab has reversed decades of groundwater depletion by restoring 16,000 km of watercourses and releasing 39,049 cusecs of canal water. Groundwater levels have risen 3-5 meters in several blocks, and crop yields increased by 1-2 quintals per acre. This is a key model for water management in agriculture-heavy states.

Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar Link: TN CM Demands Full Execution to Save 5 Drought-Prone Districts

Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay has appealed to PM Modi for full execution of the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river linking project, as the current NWDA plan to link Godavari-Pennar-Palar-Vellar would only benefit northern districts. The project, if implemented as per earlier plan, could provide permanent irrigation and drinking water to five southern districts facing drought, utilizing 1,100 TMC of Godavari water.

Maharashtra Drought Declared in 75% Tehsils, Monsoon Deficit 11.9% Raises Rabi Crop Concerns

Maharashtra has declared drought in nearly three-fourths of its tehsils, with the southwest monsoon ending 11.9% below average. The article warns of a poor rabi harvest due to depleted water reserves and a strong El Niño, urging duty-free imports of all pulses to manage food supply.

Telangana Expert Panel Recommends Restructuring Minor Irrigation to Address 95% Borewell Dependence

An expert panel submitted a report to Telangana CM on restructuring the Minor Irrigation (MI) sector. It found that the merger of MI with major irrigation departments in 2020 led to neglect, with 90-95% of farmers not receiving water from MI sources and relying on borewells. The panel recommends fixing FTL boundaries, removing encroachments, empowering WUAs/PR bodies to collect water cess, and saving ₹3,000 crore annually in energy costs.

Bombay HC Imposes Total Ban on Street Firecrackers, Orders Noise Pollution Curbs During Festivities

Bombay High Court has imposed a total ban on bursting firecrackers on public streets in Maharashtra and issued 14 directives to curb noise and air pollution during festive processions. The court emphasized the need for dignified celebrations and strict enforcement against violators, rejecting the state's 'all is well' stance.

Hurricane Polo Turns Category 5; Strong El Niño May Cause 451,000 Additional Global Heat Deaths

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a Category 5 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, with maximum sustained winds of 270 kmph. This is unfolding against an unusually strong El Niño that the WMO expects to persist through February 2027. El Niño is being watched closely because it can disrupt rainfall worldwide—the Climate Impact Lab projects 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally, including about 15,800 in India.