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More than 27 per cent of the identified glacial lakes in the Himalayas have notably expanded since 1984 and 130 of those are in India, <keyword id="6358064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro" source="Orion">ISRO</keyword> said on Monday. In a statement, the space agency said long-term <keyword id="20423869" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satellite-imagery" source="keywords">satellite imagery</keyword> covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023 indicates significant changes in glacial lakes. "Of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified during 2016-17, 676 glacial lakes have notably expanded since 1984," it said. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said 601 of the 676 lakes have expanded more than twice while 10 lakes have grown between 1.5 to two times and 65 lakes 1.5 times. It said 130 of the 676 lakes are situated within India, with 65, seven, and 58 located in the Indus, Ganga and the Brahmaputra river basins, respectively. An elevation-based analysis revealed that 314 lakes are located in the 4,000-5,000-metre range and 296 above 5,000 metres. The glacial lakes are categorised based on their formation process into four broad categories -- moraine-dammed (water dammed by moraine), ice-dammed (water dammed by ice), erosion (water dammed in depressions formed by erosion), and other glacial lakes. Among the 676 expanding lakes, the majority are moraine-dammed (307), followed by erosion (265), other (96), and ice-dammed (eight) glacial lakes. ISRO highlighted long-term changes in the Ghepang Ghat glacial lake (in the Indus basin) at an elevation of 4,068 metre in <keyword id="19905191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="himachal-pradesh" source="keywords">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>, showing a 178 per cent increase in size from 36.49 hectares to 101.30 hectares between 1989 and 2022. The rate of increase is about 1.96 hectares per year. In October, at least 40 people were killed and 76 went missing in Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake -- a glacial lake situated in the state's northwest at 17,000 feet -- burst due to incessant rains. The Himalayas, often referred to as the Third Pole because of the extensive glaciers and snow cover, are highly sensitive to changes in the global climate -- both in terms of their physical characteristics and their societal impacts. Research conducted worldwide has consistently shown that glaciers across the globe have been experiencing unprecedented rates of retreat and thinning due to human-caused climate change. This retreat leads to the formation of new lakes and the enlargement of existing ones in the <keyword id="20128077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himalayan-region" source="keywords">Himalayan region</keyword>. These bodies of water, created by the melting of glaciers, are known as glacial lakes and play a crucial role as freshwater sources for rivers in the Himalayan region. However, these also pose significant risks such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can have devastating consequences for communities downstream. GLOFs occur when glacial lakes release large volumes of meltwater due to the failure of natural dams, such as those made of moraine or ice, resulting in sudden and severe flooding downstream. These dam failures can be triggered by various factors, including avalanches of ice or rock, extreme weather events, and other environmental factors. Monitoring and studying the occurrence and expansion of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region is challenging due to inaccessible and rugged terrain. Satellite remote sensing technology proves to be an excellent tool for inventory and monitoring due to its wide coverage and revisit capability. Assessing long-term changes in glacial lakes is crucial for understanding glacier retreat rates, assessing GLOF risks, and gaining insights into climate change impacts, ISRO said.

Satellite monitoring shows large expansion in 27% identified glacial lakes in Himalayas: ISRO

<ul><li><keyword id="482957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-insurance" source="Orion">Home Insurance</keyword> protects one’s home from any unforeseen circumstances such as fire, theft, and natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, and storms. </li><li>For individual homeowners, it is recommended to choose comprehensive coverage. </li><li>Homeowners can boost their standard home insurance policies with add-on options.</li></ul>Scary as it may sound, with climate change now a reality, all our cities are likely to experience devastating floods. We have seen it in Mumbai, in Chennai, in Bangalore, and very recently in Himachal and Uttarakhand. Let us take the case of Mumbai. Studies suggest that high rainfall, rising sea levels and sinking land expose more people to the risk of floods. Moreover, there are other natural calamities that may occur too and add to that the risk of theft and burglary. This makes home insurance very essential for anyone who owns a property, or even those who stay in rented accommodation where one can insure the contents of the house against various risks. “Home insurance is a type of property insurance that protects one’s home from any unforeseen circumstances such as fire, theft, and natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, and storms. It also covers the damage caused due to water-logging due to floods,” says Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO and head of direct sales, Digit Insurance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Home insurance in India is abysmally low" comment="subhead" text="Home insurance in India is abysmally low">Home insurance in India is abysmally low</cmsannotation> Home insurance penetration in India is very very low. Data from The Asia Insurance Review revealed that home insurance in India stood at only 1% five years back. In contrast, countries like the US, UK, France and Australia have home insurance rates ranging from 90% to 97%. There are a couple of reasons for it. “One is the perception that nothing will happen to me and I do not need home insurance. The second is related to the lack of knowledge of new products, that one can insure both the building and the content,” says Gurdeep Singh Batra, national head, retail non-motor underwriting and coinsurance, Bajaj Allianz <keyword id="6366282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="general-insurance" source="Orion">General Insurance</keyword>. Also, home insurance in India is not mandatory. While it is also not legally mandatory in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada, many mortgage lenders in these countries often require borrowers to have home insurance as a condition of the mortgage loan. This requirement is to protect the lender's financial interest in the property. While it's not a legal obligation for homeowners, it is a practical necessity to secure coverage to safeguard their homes, personal belongings, and liability in unforeseen circumstances while satisfying lender requirements. We look at why home insurance is important and what it covers. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What is covered under home insurance" comment="Subhead" text="What is covered under home insurance">What is covered under home insurance</cmsannotation> Under home insurance, there are three kinds of cover available. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Building-Only Cover" comment="subhead" text="Building-Only Cover">Building-Only Cover</cmsannotation>: This type protects the physical structure of the building, including the net usable area (carpet area). It excludes external walls, service shafts, balconies, verandahs, and open terrace areas but includes internal partition walls within the residential unit. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Content-Only Cover" comment="subhead" text="Content-Only Cover">Content-Only Cover</cmsannotation>: This option covers personal belongings inside the house that aren't permanently attached to the structure, such as furniture, electronics, and kitchen equipment. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Comprehensive Cover" comment="Subhead" text="Comprehensive Cover">Comprehensive Cover</cmsannotation>: This provides complete protection for both the building and its contents. It often includes additional options like coverage for equipment breakdown and burglary. Individuals can choose the option that suits their specific needs and circumstances. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Insure your home according to your needs" comment="Subhead" text="Insure your home according to your needs">Insure your home according to your needs</cmsannotation> For individual homeowners, it is recommended to choose comprehensive coverage because it provides protection for both the building and the contents of the house. If you own a flat within an apartment complex, it is typically the responsibility of the housing society to insure the structure itself. In this case, the flat owner would only need to insure the personal contents within their home. “In case the building isn’t insured, then one can buy a cover individually as well to protect the structures of their flat,” says Chaturvedi. If you're a tenant residing in an apartment or a standalone house, you might want to focus solely on obtaining 'content-only' insurance coverage.This type of insurance safeguards all your possessions within the dwelling. “It could be a wise idea for landlords who have let-out properties to consider landlords' insurance, which covers damage to the building as well as loss of rent,” says Mathur. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Subhead" text="Add-ons to boost your home insurance">Add-ons to boost your home insurance</cmsannotation> “Protecting your home with a comprehensive home insurance policy coupled with tailored add-ons is the most sensible and prudent thing to do,” says Tarun Mathur, CBO - General Insurance, Policybazaar.com. "Theft and Burglary Cover" protects against losses not typically covered by standard policies, such as theft of valuable items like gold and electronics. "Gold and Jewelry Add-On" extends coverage to include precious metals and offers significant protection. "Portable Electronic Items Add-On" is essential, covering devices like laptops and phones that may not be included in standard policies. In the event of home damage, "Alternate Accommodation Add-On" eases the burden by covering the cost of temporary housing during repairs. For added security, "New-for-Old Cover" ensures valuable items are replaced with new ones, rather than reimbursed at their depreciated value. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Low premiums" comment="Subhead" text="Low premiums">Low premiums</cmsannotation> Interestingly home insurance premiums are low and are very manageable. Home insurance premiums vary based on factors like property value and coverage. “ The premium for home insurance lies between 0.10 per thousand to 0.25 per thousand sum insured,” says Batra. You can get a ₹ 1 crore sum assured for as low as ₹2,500 per year and ₹25,000 for a 10-year period. Comprehensive plans with added features will cost you more. It's essential to obtain quotes from different insurers to find the best policy that suits your specific needs and budget.

From fire to floods – Why home insurance is something you should not  ignore

<ul><li>14% <keyword id="59866" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taxpayers" source="Orion">taxpayers</keyword> say they will not be able to meet the <keyword id="43355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deadline" source="Orion">deadline</keyword>. </li><li>70% surveyed said that they have already completed filing their income tax (IT) returns. </li><li>Taxpayers cite inability to file returns due to the effect of <keyword id="48088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="floods" source="Orion">floods</keyword> in various parts of India. </li></ul>Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said last week that the possibility of extending the deadline for filing income tax returns for the financial year 2022-2023 beyond July 31, 2023, is unlikely. He advised taxpayers to expedite the process of filing their income tax returns before the mentioned deadline. However, according to community social media platform LocalCircles, 27% of individual income taxpayers surveyed are yet to file their FY2023 income tax returns. Moreover, 14% say they will not be able to meet the deadline. The surveyed have said that the delay in filing returns is primarily because India is grappling with the effects of heavy monsoon and floods in July, causing havoc in various regions. States like Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR have been impacted by floods, landslides, and excessive rains, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. The floods have led to power outages that last for hours and even days in some areas, disrupting the lives and work of many individuals. Based on the feedback from community discussions on LocalCircles, it appears that people are suggesting the Government to consider a two-week deadline extension for filing income tax returns. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Where do things stand, as per the survey" comment="subhead" text="Where do things stand, as per the survey">Where do things stand, as per the survey</cmsannotation> Out of over 12,000 respondents, one in four tax paying citizens admitted that they have not yet filed their income tax returns, as mentioned earlier. Out of these, 5% encountered difficulties but intend to try again before July 31, while 8% expressed confidence that they will comfortably file before the month-end. 9% stated it would be impossible for them to file before the deadline. This translates to approximately 14% of the respondents may likely be unable to meet the <keyword id="104359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-return" source="Orion">income tax return</keyword> deadline. Well, the clock is ticking.

One in four taxpaying citizen yet to file IT returns with 3 days to deadline

New Delhi, Union Home Minister <keyword id="6355521" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="amit-shah" source="Orion">Amit Shah</keyword> on Sunday took stock of the situation in the wake of incessant rains as he spoke to the chief ministers of Punjab and <keyword id="6358126" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="himachal-pradesh" source="Orion">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>, and the lieutenant governors of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, sources said. The home minister assured them all central help in tackling the arising situation. The sources said Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and took updates about losses due to the rains. In view of the <keyword id="6385438" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heavy-rains" source="Orion">heavy rains</keyword> in the national capital, the home minister also spoke to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and took updates. The home minister also spoke to LG of the Jammu and Kashmir and took information about the Amarnath pilgrimage which was suspended due to heavy rains, sources said. Shah appreciated the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force for helping the Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. "The NDRF and the SDRF have always stood tall in service to the nation and humanity despite all odds. Their role has been crucial in fulfilling our goal of providing a safer <keyword id="44352" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="amarnath-yatra" source="Orion">Amarnath Yatra</keyword> to every pilgrim. Sharing a photograph of an SDRF Jawan carrying a lady yatri on his back for 3 km through the unforgiving terrain of the Himalayas on her way back from the holy shrine. I applaud them for being the beacon of safety for the citizens," he tweeted. Torrential rains pounded several parts of north India on Sunday with 15 people killed in landslides and other rain-related incidents, while most rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, were in spate. In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water with the civic system unable to hold on in the face of record rains. Flash floods washed away roads in hilly areas, leaving people marooned, while authorities asked tourists to plan their visit after the weather improves. Heavy downpour warnings have been issued for certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while in Delhi, which recorded its highest rainfall in a single day in July since 1982, authorities have cautioned over rising water level of the Yamuna. In three sperate incidents of landslides in Himachal Pradesh, where a red alert of extremely heavy rains has been issued for seven districts, five people were killed. The Amarnath pilgrimage resumed on Sunday from Panjtarni and Sheshnag base camps after remaining suspended for three days due to inclement weather in Kashmir, officials said. As soon as the skies cleared around the cave shrine, authorities opened the gates and allowed the stranded devotees to offer prayers at the naturally formed ice-lingam in south Kashmir Himalayas, they said. PTI ACB http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg "We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. TIR TIR

Amit Shah takes stock after heavy rains, speaks to Punjab, HP CMs

As floods become a recurring threat, here’s how to insure your home from natural calamities

<keyword id="644986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Heatwaves" source="Orion">Heatwaves</keyword> somewhere, <keyword id="48088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="floods" source="Orion">floods</keyword> in other parts of the country – India has witnessed extreme <keyword id="14334985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weather-patterns-in-2022" source="Orion">weather patterns in 2022</keyword> and we are only just halfway through the year. <div type="image" title="India has witnessed extreme weather patterns in 2022" msid="92584664" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;India has witnessed extreme weather patterns in 2022 &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Erratic monsoon in India India is witnessing <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/nature-and-wildlife/article/erratic-rainfall-pattern-in-india-amid-climate-change-warns-ipcc-report-23223005">erratic</a> rainfall after suffering from intense heat waves in April. On one hand, Assam has received <a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/india/monsoon/news/2022-06-24-southwest-monsoon-to-cover-india-entirely-between-june-30-and-july-6">too much</a> rainfall and on the other, Jharkhand has received around half of what it’s due. The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-winds-of-change-are-changing-the-fortunes-of-indian-farmers/articleshow/92487685.cms">easterly winds</a> that bring monsoon to the Northwest India have been absent in June this year, leading to a dry spell in the region. Instead, those winds drifted to Northeast India, leading to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-winds-of-change-are-changing-the-fortunes-of-indian-farmers/articleshow/92487685.cms">floods</a>. As June came to an end, as per <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1542378873492344835">IMD</a>, Southwest monsoon advanced into entire Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmiri, some parts of Rajasthan, entire Delhi, some parts of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday. According to the latest EcoScope report from research firm Motilal Oswal, India’s cumulative rainfall has a reported deficit of 7% as of June 26, 2022 after reporting a surplus of 20% in 2021 and 22% in 2020. The deficiency of rainfall is because the northwestern, central and southern parts of India have a shortfall of rains, suggesting that the issue is a lot more widespread than initially expected. <div type="image" title="The northwestern, central and southern parts of India have a shortfall of rains" msid="92584693" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The northwestern, central and southern parts of India have a shortfall of rains&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> A see-saw summer From long dry spells to excessive rainfall, 2022 has been a year of extremes so far. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), April was the <a href="https://internal.imd.gov.in/press_release/20220402_pr_1551.pdf">hottest</a> month for northwest and central India and the third-hottest April the country has seen over the past 122 years, from 1901 to 2022. The daily high temperatures measured each year have also been increasing at a faster rate than daily low temperatures. This indicates that the distribution of temperature is shifting and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/02/india-heat-wave-in-pictures.html">changing</a> the ‘normal’ state. In fact, 12 of the country’s 15 <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686173">warmest years</a> on record have occurred in the last 30 years. <div type="image" title="12 of the country’s 15 warmest years on record have occurred in the last 30 years" msid="92584779" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;12 of the country&amp;#8217;s 15 warmest years on record have occurred in the last 30 years&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> These recurring patterns of intense hot spells and erratic rainfall could be a sign of climate change and global warming. Our country is also expected to suffer through more frequent and intense hot spells, extreme rainfall and erratic monsoons in the coming decades as the planet warms, said <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-record-heatwave-to-get-worse-authorities-blame-global-warming-122042900785_1.html">United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel</a>, a body for assessing science related to climate change. Cascading impacts of climate change This radical change in the weather is not good news for a country like India, which is heavily dependent on agriculture as it contributes <a href="https://india.mongabay.com/2021/10/extreme-weather-becomes-the-new-normal-in-indias-main-monsoon-season/">16-20% to GDP</a>, according to Finance Ministry data. In a country like India farmers are heavily dependent on monsoons for irrigating their fields, erratic rainfall and hot summer are the bane for their cultivation. According to a <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.IRIG.AG.ZS">World Bank report</a>, as of 2015, nearly 62% of the agricultural lands in India are dependent on monsoon rains for irrigation. As of 24th Jun’22, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/the-winds-of-change-are-changing-the-fortunes-of-indian-farmers/articleshow/92487685.cms">Kharif sowing</a> is 24% lower than the area sown last year. <div type="image" title="Kharif sowing is 24% lower than the area sown last year" msid="92584805" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Kharif sowing is 24% lower than the area sown last year&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The 2022 summer, which was ridden with heatwaves, led to cascading impacts not just on human health, but also on ecosystems such as agriculture, water and energy supplies. Power demand spiked and coal inventories dropped, leaving the country with its worst <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/why-are-there-power-cuts-and-heatwave-in-india/articleshow/91177785.cms">power shortage</a> in more than six years. The heat wave also <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/after-five-record-crops-heat-wave-threatens-indias-wheat-output-export-plans-2022-05-02/">threatened</a> India’s wheat output plan. According to a World Meteorological Organization report released in 2020, India lost more than <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-lost-87-billion-to-climate-disasters-in-2020-report-101635272896946.html">$87 billion</a> (approx. ₹6.8 lakh crore) due to disasters such as cyclones, floods and droughts. However, there’s still hope to <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/2022/04/04/ipcc-ar6-wgiii-pressrelease/">control</a> climate change. It will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).

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Satellite monitoring shows large expansion in 27% identified glacial lakes in Himalayas: ISRO

PTI

From fire to floods – Why home insurance is something you should not ignore

Anagh Pal

One in four taxpaying citizen yet to file IT returns with 3 days to deadline

Anagh Pal

Amit Shah takes stock after heavy rains, speaks to Punjab, HP CMs

PTI

As floods become a recurring threat, here’s how to insure your home from natural calamities

Anagh Pal

SIMPLY PUT: Extreme weather is the new normal in India

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