Northern India Battles Severe Flooding and Rainfall
Heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc across northern India, causing severe flooding, particularly in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The Yamuna River in Delhi has crossed the danger mark, leading to inundation in nearby areas.
Punjab has been severely affected, with at least 37 lives lost due to the floods. Widespread disruptions have led to school closures in multiple states. Educational institutions in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have extended closures until September 7, with similar measures in place for Jammu Division, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. Relief efforts are underway, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducting operations and boats being deployed for aid in Punjab. The Kashmir Valley has also been cut off from the rest of the country due to landslides and washed-out road patches. Additionally, India's release of water from the Sutlej river has prompted flood alerts in Pakistan.
Coal India Ventures into Renewable Energy with 5 GW Bid
In a significant move towards diversification and clean energy transition, Coal India Ltd. (CIL), the world's largest coal producer, has sought bids for the construction of 5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects. This includes 3 GW of solar and 2 GW of wind projects. This initiative is part of the state-owned company's ambitious plan to install 9.5 GW of renewable capacity by March 2030, aiming to reduce its reliance on coal amidst declining demand and the accelerating shift towards clean energy in India.
GST Reforms Hailed as Historic; Bank Holiday Rescheduled in Maharashtra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms as "historic," with new GST rates set to be implemented from Navratri, which falls on September 22.
In other economic news, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a change in the public holiday schedule for Maharashtra. The bank holiday previously declared for September 5, 2025, has been cancelled. Eid-e-Milad, initially scheduled for September 5, will now be observed as a public holiday on September 8, 2025, affecting transactions and settlements in government securities, forex, and money markets.
Other Key Developments
- Political Dynamics: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was noted for her remarks in the state assembly following scuffles between MLAs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Education Sector: IIT-Gandhinagar is set to host the Indian Academic Makerspaces Summit (IAMS) 2025, a three-day event featuring a 24-hour Make-a-Thon. Additionally, Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Technology (VESIT) showcased its Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) IC chip at Semicon India 2025.
- Legal Proceedings: Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal betting app-linked money laundering case.