Cyclone Montha Makes Landfall, Triggers Alerts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
A severe cyclonic storm named 'Montha' has made landfall along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, leading to critical warnings and large-scale evacuations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued severe warnings for the affected regions, anticipating extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential localized flooding. State administrations were placed on high alert, with preparations for evacuation and relief operations underway. The cyclone was positioned approximately 70 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and 150 km south-southeast of Kakinada as of Tuesday afternoon. Authorities have been actively involved in monitoring the situation and ensuring the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.
New Delhi Conducts Cloud Seeding Experiment to Combat Smog
In a proactive measure to tackle its persistent and hazardous air pollution, New Delhi conducted a cloud-seeding experiment on Tuesday. The trial involved spraying chemicals into clouds over specific areas of the Indian capital with the aim of inducing rainfall to wash away pollutants. Despite these efforts, initial reports indicated that the skies remained dry, and the air quality continued to be in the "very poor" category. The operation is part of a broader emergency response to the capital's severe seasonal air quality issues, which routinely rank New Delhi among the world's most polluted cities. Critics, however, emphasize the need for long-term solutions to drastically reduce pollution rather than relying solely on mitigation efforts.
India and EU Report Progress on Free Trade Agreement Talks
Negotiating teams from India and the European Union have reported significant progress on tariff-related issues in their ongoing discussions for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions in Brussels with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic to advance the negotiations. A technical delegation from the EU is expected to visit India next week to further resolve remaining differences, with both sides aiming for a December conclusion to the talks. The proposed agreement covers 23 chapters, including goods, services, investment, and intellectual property, with key commercial requests focusing on tariff reductions for automobiles, medical devices, and alcoholic beverages.
Other National Highlights: Chhath Puja and Voter Roll Revision
Chhath Puja, an important Hindu festival, was observed with traditional rituals and fervor across northern India, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and the National Capital Region. Delhi authorities declared a public holiday and prepared numerous ghats to manage the large gatherings of devotees. Concurrently, the Election Commission of India commenced the second phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. This initiative aims to update and cleanse electoral lists across 12 states and Union Territories, covering approximately 51 crore voters, ahead of upcoming elections.