Current Affairs - Environment

Dharali Village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, was the epicentre of a devastating flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river. The sudden surge of water caused widespread destruction, sweeping away homes, shops, roads, and damaging infrastructure critical to both residents and pilgrims travelling to Gangotri Dham. Rescue operations were swiftly launched by SDRF and the Army, though several individuals were feared trapped under debris. The incident not only caused severe property damage but also highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan settlements to extreme weather events, with continued heavy rainfall posing further risks.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano, located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, erupted for the first time in approximately 600 years, making it a significant geological event. The eruption sent a towering ash plume 4 kilometres into the sky and prompted an orange aviation alert due to the risks volcanic ash poses to aircraft. The volcano, dormant since around 1463, suddenly reawakened, likely triggered by a recent 8.7 magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks in the region. The Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its high volcanic activity, is home to over 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are active, placing it within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula shortly after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the region’s Pacific coast on July 30, 2025. Klyuchevskoy, the tallest active volcano in both Europe and Asia, is located in one of the world’s most seismically active zones—part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The eruption followed a dramatic seismic event that triggered tsunami warnings as far as Japan, although no major damage or casualties were reported. The event underscores Kamchatka’s geological volatility, with over 300 volcanoes and frequent seismic activity shaping its rugged and remote landscape.

The first-ever Grassland Bird Census in Assam was held in Kaziranga National Park between March 18 and May 25, 2025. This initiative aimed to study and document bird species that inhabit the grassland ecosystems within the park. During the survey, 43 species of grassland birds were recorded, showcasing the park's rich avian biodiversity. A particularly significant finding was the documentation of over 85 nests of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, a species that is endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. This census marks a crucial step toward targeted conservation of grassland habitats and their bird populations in the region.

Between 1998 and 2022, the coral cover in Lakshadweep dropped from 37.24% to 19.6%, marking an approximate 50% reduction over 24 years. This drastic decline has been primarily driven by repeated mass bleaching events linked to ENSO phenomena and amplified by global climate change. Despite declining coral mortality in successive bleaching events, the slowed recovery rate signals worsening long-term reef health. Coral reefs in Lakshadweep are critical for biodiversity, coastal protection, and local livelihoods. The 50% loss highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation policies, expanded marine protected areas, and improved reef monitoring and restoration efforts.