24 September 2026
The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) set out on 24 September 2026 the measures it has taken to control flooding at Jangwani in Dar es Salaam.
Engineer Samueli Nyari said a diversion road has been raised to about 7 metres above sea level.
A new bridge has been built to a height of about 8.4 metres, compared with 6 metres for the old bridge, and with a span that lets large volumes of water pass quickly.
TANROADS is clearing the river upstream and downstream, demolishing the old bridge, and has built culverts with six openings in two places.
The agency asked the public not to dump waste in rivers and drains and to follow official instructions during heavy rains.
New bridge height:
About 8.4 metres
Old bridge height:
6 metres
Diversion road level:
About 7 metres above sea level
Culvert openings:
Six, in two places
Why it matters for exams: Urban flood management and climate-resilient infrastructure are recurring environment and disaster-management topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Culvert Culvert — A pipe or channel that carries water under a road or embankment.
Diversion road Diversion road — A temporary or alternative road that carries traffic around works.
24 September 2026
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the general debate of the UN General Assembly's 81st session on Thursday, 24 September 2026, that the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster in northern Nepal four weeks earlier — described as a "Himalayan Tsunami" — killed at least 1,400 people. More than 6,000 people remain missing and damage is estimated at around 10 per cent of Nepal's gross domestic product. He said Nepal contributes less than 0.1 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, and that melting permafrost is destabilising Himalayan slopes. He proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China to share satellite data, monitor dangerous glacial lakes and strengthen early warning. He called the Loss and Damage Fund, the Global Environment Facility and other mechanisms "grossly inadequate" and sought more grant-based climate finance.
Deaths:
at least 1,400
Missing:
more than 6,000
Damage:
around 10 per cent of GDP
Nepal's share of global emissions:
less than 0.1 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Himalayan glacial hazards, climate justice and the Loss and Damage Fund are core environment topics for both PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Loss and Damage Fund — A UN climate fund agreed at COP27 to help vulnerable countries recover from climate disasters.
GEF Global Environment Facility — A multilateral fund that finances environmental projects in developing countries.
Permafrost — Ground that stays frozen for at least two consecutive years.
24 September 2026
World leaders approved the UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise by consensus at a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The declaration covers better observation, shared data and early warning; more predictable and accessible funding, especially for small island and least developed countries; protection of coastal livelihoods and culture; and a presumption in favour of continued statehood and the ability to maintain maritime zones established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, despite rising seas. Secretary-General António Guterres said global sea levels rose by almost six millimetres in 2024, the largest annual increase ever recorded, and that around 770 million people live less than five metres above the high-tide line. He said emissions must fall 60 per cent by 2035 and adaptation finance must triple. Cabo Verde co-facilitated the negotiations. The declaration calls for a further high-level meeting before the end of the General Assembly's 84th session.
Adopted:
by consensus, 24 September 2026
Sea-level rise in 2024:
almost six millimetres
People less than 5 m above high tide:
around 770 million
Co-facilitator:
Cabo Verde
Why it matters for exams: Sea-level rise, small island states, UNCLOS maritime zones and statehood are high-value environment and international-law topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — The 1982 treaty that sets out maritime zones such as territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.
SIDS Small Island Developing States — A UN-recognised group of small island countries highly vulnerable to climate change.
Adaptation finance — Money to help communities cope with climate impacts that cannot be avoided.
24 September 2026
Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and the Netherlands' Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management Jaap Slootmaker chaired a bilateral meeting on the Strategic Partnership on Water at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026. Two tripartite MoUs were signed for the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat between the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Kalpasar Department of the Government of Gujarat and the Dutch institutions Deltares (technical support) and TU Delft (capacity building and training). The Kalpasar Project envisages a freshwater reservoir using runoff from the Sabarmati, Mahi and Dhadhar rivers, supplemented by water from the Narmada. A Letter of Intent for technical cooperation was signed on 16 May 2026 during the Prime Minister's visit to the Netherlands. Both sides drew parallels with the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands, a nearly 100-year-old structure now being renewed.
MoUs signed:
2 tripartite
Dutch partners:
Deltares, TU Delft
Rivers feeding Kalpasar:
Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar (plus Narmada water)
Letter of Intent:
16 May 2026
Why it matters for exams: Kalpasar, the Gulf of Khambhat rivers and India–Netherlands water cooperation are useful for geography and bilateral-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CWC Central Water Commission — India's apex technical body on water resources under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Tripartite MoU — A memorandum of understanding signed by three parties.
Afsluitdijk — A major dam and causeway in the Netherlands that closed off the Zuiderzee from the sea.
IIWW India International Water Week — An international water conference hosted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
24 September 2026
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched on 24 September 2026 the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA), at the Department of Biotechnology in New Delhi. The initiative is taken forward by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) framework. A ₹75 crore grant from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, supports a 100 TPA pilot-scale R&D facility for PLA and co-polymers. The facility will be set up at BCML's integrated manufacturing complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh; BCML's commercial PLA venture is based on converting renewable sugar-based feedstock into PLA. The Minister said India's bioeconomy has grown from around US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion.
BIRAC grant:
₹75 crore
Pilot facility capacity:
100 TPA
Location:
Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh
Bioeconomy size:
about US$10 billion (2014) to nearly US$195 billion
Why it matters for exams: BioE3 policy, bioplastics and plastic-waste alternatives connect science, environment and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PLA Polylactic Acid — A biodegradable polymer made from lactic acid obtained by fermenting sugars.
BioE3 Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment — The Union Government's policy framework to promote high-performance biomanufacturing.
BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council — A public-sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology that funds biotech start-ups and industry.
TPA tonnes per annum — A measure of yearly production capacity.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved implementation of the Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) Project.
The total estimated cost is Rs 796.88 crore.
An Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan will bear Rs 637.504 crore and the Government of Assam Rs 159.376 crore.
Restoration and rehabilitation work will be undertaken on at least 102 derelict community beels (wetlands).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said people in the fishery business will benefit.
Total cost:
Rs 796.88 crore
ADB loan:
Rs 637.504 crore
State share:
Rs 159.376 crore
Beels to be restored:
at least 102
Why it matters for exams: Externally aided state projects (ADB), their cost-sharing and the wetland (beel) ecology of the Brahmaputra valley are exam-relevant.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ADB Asian Development Bank — A Manila-based multilateral bank that lends for development in Asia.
SWIFT Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project — Assam's ADB-aided project to restore beels and develop fisheries.
Beel — A lake or wetland in the floodplains of Assam.
24 September 2026
Heavy rainfall under the influence of the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal was reported in Puducherry's Yanam region.
PWD officials said 14 centimetres of rainfall was recorded in Yanam during the last 24 hours.
Rain continued to lash the region, resulting in water stagnation in several residential areas.
All government, government-aided and private schools and colleges in Yanam region were ordered to remain closed as a precautionary measure.
Rainfall in 24 hours:
14 centimetres
Cause:
Deep depression over the Bay of Bengal
Precaution:
Schools and colleges closed
Why it matters for exams: Rainfall measures and disaster-precaution steps in a region of a Union Territory link geography and disaster management.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Deep depression Deep depression — A cyclonic weather system stronger than a depression, forming over the sea.
23 September 2026
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed preparedness at Lok Seva Bhawan on 23 September 2026 for heavy rainfall caused by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. 33 ODRAF teams, along with NDRF and Fire Services personnel, were kept fully prepared in the districts likely to be affected, with 9 more teams held in reserve at Chhatrapur. Danger Signal No. 3 was issued for all ports, fishermen were barred from venturing into the sea, and a Red Warning was issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Stocks of dry food, baby food, medicines and drinking water were arranged.
ODRAF teams kept ready:
33
Reserve teams at Chhatrapur:
9
Port signal:
Danger Signal No. 3
Why it matters for exams: Disaster-management bodies and warning signals are recurring exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
22 September 2026
Marking World Rhino Day, the government highlighted that Assam holds nearly 80% of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population. Kaziranga National Park's anti-poaching efforts were cited as being internationally recognised for protecting the species. Rhinos have also returned to, or are being protected in, parts of Bihar and West Bengal. Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh was highlighted for successfully reintroducing rhinos into the wild. The government pointed to 'Project Rhino', which provides financial and technical assistance to rhino range states for protection, habitat management, genetic improvement and population dynamics research.
Assam's share of world population:
nearly 80%
Species:
Greater one-horned rhinoceros
Government programme:
Project Rhino
Why it matters for exams: Tests knowledge of rhino conservation geography and government wildlife programmes, a recurring wildlife-conservation topic in exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
21 September 2026
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, reviewed the just-concluded 'Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar' 5.0 campaign on 21 September 2026.
The coastal clean-up ran from September 12 to 19, 2026, covering 231 locations across 13 States/UTs.
15 lakh people took the Ocean Conservation Pledge during the campaign.
The review took place at the Monthly Review Meeting of Scientific Ministries/Departments, attended by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
The meeting also reviewed a proposed Digital Library of Scientific Achievements, with CSIR-NIScPR as the nodal institution.
The second edition of the DST lecture series 'Vigyan Ki Baat' was scheduled for September 26, 2026.
Campaign dates:
September 12 to 19, 2026
Locations covered:
231
States/UTs:
13
Ocean Conservation Pledge takers:
15 lakh
Why it matters for exams: Marine-litter campaigns, their scale and the ministries behind them are asked under environment and science-policy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CSIR-NIScPR CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research — CSIR institute for science communication and science-policy research.
ANRF Anusandhan National Research Foundation — National body that funds and promotes research in India.
MoES Ministry of Earth Sciences — Union ministry for ocean, weather, climate and earth-system science.
21 September 2026
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the Global Conservation Conference of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at Jaipur on 21 September 2026.
Representatives from more than 100 countries attended.
He said protected areas rose from around 750 to more than 1000 in the last decade, tiger reserves from 47 to 58 and elephant reserves from 30 to 33.
Ramsar sites rose from 24 to 101 in the same period.
He cited conservation breeding of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan and community protection of sacred groves called Oran.
Tiger reserves:
47 to 58
Elephant reserves:
30 to 33
Ramsar sites:
24 to 101
Why it matters for exams: Counts of tiger reserves, elephant reserves and Ramsar sites, and species such as the Great Indian Bustard, are frequent environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
WWF World Wide Fund for Nature — An international non-governmental organisation working on wildlife and environmental conservation.
Ramsar site — A wetland listed as internationally important under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.
21 September 2026
On 21 September 2026 the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast rain across Kerala until 25 September, with heavy rain in isolated places.
A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, a trough from the southeast Arabian Sea and a cyclonic circulation over central Tamil Nadu were driving the weather.
Yellow alerts were issued for several districts; a yellow alert indicates possible heavy rain of 7 to 11 cm in 24 hours.
A landslide at Kottakamboor in Vattavada, Idukki, on Sunday evening killed two people.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan ordered hourly assessments, and Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Vigneswari met the Collectors of Idukki and Kottayam.
Rain forecast till:
25 September 2026
Yellow alert rainfall:
7 to 11 cm in 24 hours
Vattavada landslide deaths:
2
Why it matters for exams: IMD colour-coded alerts and the weather systems behind Kerala's rain are standard geography and disaster-management questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IMD India Meteorological Department — The national agency for weather forecasts and warnings.
Low-pressure area — A region of lower air pressure that draws in moist winds and brings rain.
20 September 2026
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the valedictory session of the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) two-day International Conference on 'The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics' in New Delhi on 20 September 2026.
She stressed climate resilience through people-centric, community-based adaptation rooted in traditional knowledge.
Union Minister Manohar Lal said non-fossil sources account for nearly 55 per cent of installed generation capacity, and the 50 per cent target was met five years early.
Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna spoke of the Court's shift towards an ecocentric approach.
NGT's souvenir 'Harit Nyayam' was released; the session was attended by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
Non-fossil share of installed capacity:
nearly 55 per cent
NGT souvenir:
Harit Nyayam
NGT Chairperson:
Justice Prakash Shrivastava
Why it matters for exams: The NGT, India's non-fossil capacity targets and the ecocentric approach in environmental law are common polity and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NGT National Green Tribunal — A specialised tribunal set up in 2010 to decide environmental cases.
Ecocentric approach — A view of law that treats nature as valuable in itself, not only for human use.
20 September 2026
A flash flood struck the Kottapuzha river at TK Colony near Pookkottumpadam in Nilambur, Malappuram district, at about 5 pm on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
The river there separates the Chokkad and Amarambalam panchayats and was crowded with holiday visitors.
There was no rain at the spot; the water rose after heavy rain in the forested areas upstream.
Six people were swept away. Two bodies were recovered on Sunday night and three more on Monday morning, taking the toll to five.
A local woman, Sajitha, who was washing clothes on the bank, remained missing on Monday.
The NDRF, Fire and Rescue Services and local residents resumed the search on Monday morning.
River:
Kottapuzha
District:
Malappuram
Deaths:
5
Swept away:
6
Why it matters for exams: Flash floods caused by upstream rain in forested catchments are a recurring disaster-management topic for Kerala.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NDRF National Disaster Response Force — The specialised central force for disaster rescue and relief.
Flash flood — A sudden, short-lived rise in water caused by intense rain over a small area or upstream.
19 September 2026
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan flagged off a beach-cleaning drive organised by the Indian Coast Guard on 19 September 2026.
The drive marked International Coastal Cleanup Day.
It was held near the Gandhi Statue on Beach Road.
Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan, Indian Coast Guard District Commander S. S. Dasila, Secretary Smitha, college students and volunteers took part.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor visited an exhibition showcasing photographs of various activities of the Indian Coast Guard.
Organised by:
Indian Coast Guard
Flagged off by:
Lt Governor K. Kailashnathan
Venue:
Near the Gandhi Statue, Beach Road
Occasion:
International Coastal Cleanup Day
Why it matters for exams: International observances such as International Coastal Cleanup Day and the Coast Guard's role in coastal protection are common current-affairs and environment topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
19 September 2026
The Delhi government has approved the notification of about 1,000 acres in the Southern Ridge as reserved forest.
The notification is issued under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
With this, the total notified Ridge area in Delhi rises to about 13,000 acres.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decision, which is intended to give statutory protection to the Ridge and strengthen the capital's green cover.
Ecological restoration under the Ridge Working Plan is to accompany the notification, with an emphasis on native species and the management of invasive species.
The Delhi Ridge Management Board, constituted in 2026, oversees conservation and restoration of the Ridge.
Area notified:
about 1,000 acres
Total notified Ridge area:
about 13,000 acres
Legal provision:
Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927
Why it matters for exams: Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the difference between reserved and protected forests are standard environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Reserved forest Reserved forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 — Forest land notified by the state in which all activities are prohibited unless specifically permitted.
1 September 2026
The Mettur Dam release that began on 1 September 2026 is planned to run for 45 days, to mid-October 2026, depending on storage and inflow. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay released the water on 1 September. The dam stood at 91.56 feet against a full level of 120 feet, with storage of 54.45 tmc ft. The delta districts of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai depend on the water for samba cultivation.
Release period:
45 days from 1 September 2026
Water level before release:
91.56 feet
Full level:
120 feet
Storage at release:
54.45 tmc ft
Why it matters for exams: Cauvery water sharing and the Mettur dam are recurring river-dispute and geography topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
tmc ft thousand million cubic feet — A unit used to measure reservoir storage in southern India.
Samba Samba paddy season — The main paddy crop of Tamil Nadu's Cauvery delta, sown after the Kuruvai season.