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Fossil Fuels

Environment

Environment

District official: Nepal lake's water level is rising and breaking its banks

Narendra Pariyar said that the district's most senior bureaucrat, Narendra pariyar, received a notification on Friday saying that a lake had?broken it banks two days after flash flooding hit?the area. Both Nepal and China warned of new flood risks in the Himalayas after a lake formed across their borders due to debris from the flash flooding. He said that he could see the?water level in the river rising, but that it was unclear at this time how high the water level actually is. The authorities in Nepal have said that they will not be continuing rescue operations during the next...

Environment

The deadliest glacier catastrophes in the world

Authorities fear that more people will be killed by a flash flood caused by a glacial collapse in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and adjacent Tibet. At least 270 people have been killed, but authorities are concerned about further casualties. These are the most deadly glacial disasters of?history. 1941 -- HUARAZ (PERU) In the northern Andes, a glacial 'lake outburst' flood inundated one-third of Huaraz. It killed an estimated 5,000. This remains one of the most deadly glacier-lake outbursts in history. 1962 -- RANRAHIRCA (PERU) Mount Huascaran in Peru is the tallest mountain. A massive block of ice separated...

Environment

Experts say that the deadly Nepal flash flooding may have been caused by a glacier collapse

Experts citing Planet Labs satellite images said that a deadly flash flood on Wednesday near Nepal's Tibet border may have been triggered by the lower part of a glacier breaking off and crashing on to the valley floor hundreds of meters below. The cause of the collapse was unclear, but Nepali officials pointed out that an earthquake had occurred in the area minutes earlier. Both sides are concerned that the number of deaths will far exceed the 100 bodies recovered so far. Nepal's government said that more than 300 travelers were missing. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs was reviewed by...

Environment

Over a decade, the Himalayas have seen a number of deadly disasters

Authorities are 'fearing' more casualties after a massive flash flood swept through the Himalayan border areas of Nepal, and adjacent Tibet on Wednesday. The flood washed away villages and damaged roads, bridges, and power projects. Some analysts blame climate change and development for the worst disasters that have occurred in the Himalayas during the past 12 years. AUGUST 2025 In the Indian state Uttarakhand, sudden floods and landslides have killed four people, while dozens are missing. SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 As a result of persistent rains and flooding, at least 66 people have died in Nepal. NOVEMBER 20,23 A collapse trapped?41...

Environment

Nepal flash flood destroys villages and damages power projects

Authorities warned against the possibility of fatalities after a massive flash flood in Nepal's Himalayan region washed away villages and damaged roads, bridges, and power projects. Officials said that the areas of Syapru Besi, Timure, and the surrounding mountainous district, Rasuwa with a combined population of around 50,000 people, were heavily affected. They also urged those who live on the Bhote-Koshi river's banks to move higher ground. District administrator Narendra Pariyar said that he had received reports of villages being washed out and infrastructure projects being destroyed, but no estimates of property or casualties were immediately available. He added, "There...

Environment

CORRECTED - India tightens restrictions on sugar bulk buyers and imposes stockholding limits

A government order issued on Wednesday showed that India is attempting to control'record-high sugar prices by ordering that no bulk consumers using more than 10 tons of sweetener per month should hold their stocks for longer than 15 days. The notification stated that the order would come into effect on?September 1, and will remain in place until November 30. Tuesday,? On Tuesday,? India's sugar demand usually increases from August to November, as the country celebrates festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Dussehra. Bulk consumers, such as confectionery and biscuit makers, build up inventories before the festival season. India, which is the...

Environment

India tightens its sugar curbs and imposes limits on bulk sugar consumers

A government order issued on Wednesday showed that India is attempting to control'record-high sugar prices by ordering that no bulk consumers using more than 10 tons per month of the sweetener should hold their stocks for longer than 15 days. The notification stated that the order would come into effect on September 1st and continue to be in force until November 30th. On Tuesday, '? On Tuesday,? India's sugar demand usually rises between August and November, as the country celebrates major holidays such as Ganesh chaturthi, Dussehra, and Diwali. Bulk consumers, such as biscuit and candy makers, build up inventories...

Environment

Why tropical goods are exposed by a super El Nino

Forecasters have said that El Nino is intensifying and could become a "very strong" event, which would increase temperatures, disrupt rainfall patterns and pose risks to crops around the world. Why are soft commodities (commodities grown in tropical areas) called "especially vulnerable" and what is El Nino? EL NINO El Nino occurs when trade winds weaken, causing a periodic increase in sea surface temperature. El Nino occurs in nature every two to seven year and lasts between nine and twelve months. Weather patterns typically result in warmer temperatures around the world, droughts in some regions, such as Australia, South and...

Environment

India's summer crops planting accelerates as the monsoon returns

A revival of monsoon rainfall has led to a rapid increase in the planting of summer-sown grains such as rice, cotton and soybeans across a large part of India. This has helped reduce a?earlier deficit in sowing caused by?below normal rainfall. India is the largest rice exporter in the world, with about 40% of the global total. It's also the biggest importer for vegetable oils like palm oil, sunflower oil and soyoil. Indian farmers usually sow summer crops between June and July, after the annual'monsoon' reaches Kerala in the south. The monsoon was three days late this year and its...

Environment

India's coal power plants say they have enough stocks despite increasing demand

India's coal-fired plants have enough?coal to operate for two weeks at higher rates. This eases concerns about fuel shortages due to a?rising demand for electricity and a?lower-than-average rainfall during the monsoon season. The power ministry said in a response to the parliament that coal stocks at power stations stood at 42,8 million tonnes on July 12. This is enough for 14 full days of operation with an 85% load factor. It added that utilities are also able to obtain enough coal to meet their daily needs. The peak demand for power in India increased last week by nearly 270.1 gigawatts,...

Environment

The price of coffee in the world has fallen as the market remains volatile

The ICE coffee exchange saw a sharp drop in prices on Friday. Arabica coffee fell 8%, as the market remained volatile. Prices of cocoa were also sharply down, though both coffee and chocolate were expected to make strong gains this week. Market participants reported that speculative funds looking for a new home flooded into the coffee and cocoa markets on Monday. They were also tempted by fears about El Nino weather patterns strengthening and leading to more adverse weather conditions in important growing regions. The ICE then increased its'margin requirements or down payments for coffee and chocolate futures contracts. This...

Energy Markets

India expects 300 GW of power demand in the next year and supports local clean-energy manufacturing

Manohar Lal, India's Power Minister, said late on Wednesday that India must 'prepare to meet peak demand for electricity of approximately?300 gigawatts in the coming year. He also urged faster development of 'clean energy - supply chains at home. Lal, who spoke at the India Energy Storage Week, said that India had already reached a peak demand record of 271 gigawatts. The demand could reach 276-280 GW in this year and then climb to 300 GW by next year. He said that demand would continue to rise every year as data centres expand, AI adoption grows and EV use increases....

Mining

Mining

Gold ahead of Fed chair Warsh's Jackson Hole remarks

The gold price rose on Friday, as investors awaited the remarks of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at the 'Jackson Hole Symposium' later that day. This will help gauge the direction the central bank is taking with its monetary policy. By 1032 GMT, spot gold had risen 0.1% to $4,606.73 an ounce. The price of gold reached a three-month-high of $4,696.18 after the U.S. Treasury announced support measures for bonds with long-term maturities. U.S. Gold Futures?were barely changed at $4.660.10. Kyle Rodda is a senior financial market analyst with Capital.com. He said, "I believe price action has been fairly constructive...

Coal

Government data shows that 45 Indian coal-fired power plants are running on low fuel.

Government data shows that 45 power plants are operating in India with a critical shortage of coal. This is due to the fact that monsoon rains have disrupted supplies, and electricity demand has risen amid hotter than usual weather linked to El Nino. Data as of August 25, showed that the number of plants with coal stock levels below 25% of required inventories or with stocks so low they could not generate electricity for more than three days had increased dramatically from 31 at the beginning of July. According to data on the website of Central Electricity Authority - a...

Mining

The gold rally takes a break ahead of US inflation figures

Gold prices eased Wednesday as they were on track to end a three-session winning streak. The focus now shifts to the U.S. inflation figures due later today to get hints on Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook. Spot gold dropped 0.9% at $4,616.62 an ounce as of 0927 GMT after the recent announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department to buy back bonds. Prices had risen to their highest level since May 14, Tuesday, following this announcement. U.S. Gold Futures fell 0.5% to $4672.10. Nikos Tzabouras is a senior market analyst for Jefferies owned Tradu.com. He said, "Gold prices have been subdued...

Mineral Resources

Climate Change

Climate Change

Nepal and China warn about fresh flood dangers with lakes that are bursting.

Both Nepal and China?warned Thursday of new risks of flooding in Himalayas as two lakes have formed on either side of the border, which threaten to?burst into a region that is still coping with this week's devastating?flood. Nearly 1,000 people are still missing, and search and rescue operations continue in the debris-strewn hillsides and valleys. The flood that struck Nepal's border region with China's Tibet on Wednesday killed at least 362. Both countries blame the flood on glacier collapses that sent rock, ice and debris into mountain river systems. Nepal's disaster agency issued a warning on Thursday that a lake...

Climate Change

Nepal and China warn about fresh flood dangers with lakes that are bursting.

Both Nepal and China warned of new 'risks of floods in the Himalayas on Thursday, as two lakes that have formed on either side their border are threatening to 'burst. This is a region still coping with last week’s devastating?flood. Nearly 1,000 people are still missing, and search and rescue operations continue in the debris-strewn hillsides and valleys. The flood that struck Nepal's border region with China's Tibet on Wednesday killed at least 362. Both countries blame the flood on the collapse of a glacier that sent rock, ice and debris into mountain river systems. Nepal's disaster authority issued a...

Climate Change

After devastating flash floods, global aid is heading to Nepal

Nepal has begun receiving 'cash','relief supplies and other aid from countries and organizations around the world as it responds to a flash flood which killed over 160 people and left many more missing. Here is the list of all aid and assistance that has been announced, as well as delivered: China has coordinated emergency supplies as well as?cash aid to Nepal. China's ambassador to Nepal stated this in a post on the social media website X. EUROPEAN UNION : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X that the EU was ready to "mobilise additional European assistance". India's...

Climate Change

Nepal's flash floods wash away villages and project sites near Tibet's border

Authorities warned of heavy casualties as they urged people living along river banks to move higher ground. Government officials have said that the areas of Syapru Besi, Timure, and the mountainous district Rasuwa are severely affected. They also called for residents to be extra vigilant along the Bhote-Koshi River. District administrator Narendra Pariyar said that he had received reports of villages and infrastructure projects being washed out, but that a number of deaths or damage to property were not immediately known. He said, "There could have been a lot of casualties or property loss." "But I can't say for certain?now."...

Climate Change

Stocks and farm gains over decades strengthen the food system in the face of a'super El Nino'

The global food system is more resilient than ever to the "super" El Nino this year, thanks to the near-record inventories and technological advancements as well as the growth of important exporters like Brazil and Russia. UN Food and Agriculture Organization and analysts claim that since 1980, world farm production has exceeded consumption and population growth. Changes have been driven by the use of higher-yielding crop varieties, fertilisers, improved irrigation, and crop protection. These changes have led to increased yields in staple crops such as rice, wheat corn, and soybeans. Andrew Whitelaw, Australian agricultural consultancy Episode 3, said that even...

Energy Markets

India's record renewable power generation in July reduces coal's share to a 1-year low

In July, the share of coal in India's power generation mix fell to its lowest level?in an entire year as renewable energy production surged?to a new record high. The data revealed that renewable power has risen to 20% of India's total mix. The data showed that the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed in July was 36.25 billion, up 30% on last year. Grid-India, the state-run regulator, calculated that coal-power generation dropped to 65.7% from 69% in July. India's clean energy generation has risen as solar and wind output have exceeded 100 gigawatts. This is the first time that this...

Climate Change

The extreme heat in India puts India's clothing goals at risk

Heat can cause garment factories to lose up to 10% of their productivity The heat is costing some workers a portion of their wages for health Heat could harm India's manufacturing drive, say experts By?BhaskerTripathi Researchers say that relying on garment workers' resilience to 'endure' the withering effects climate change is likely to undermine India’s ambition to become a global leader in garment manufacturing. This will also hinder India's efforts to boost exports of the garment sector from $40 billion currently to $100 billion by the year 2030. The Indian garment industry is estimated to employ around 45 million workers...

Climate Change

Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh as weather-related aids spread

Health experts have warned that dengue cases could increase sharply in Bangladesh over the next two month due to wet weather conditions and poor mosquito control. In recent weeks the spread of the disease has accelerated, raising concern after the country's deadliest outbreak ever in 2023. According to data from the health ministry, dengue deaths increased from one in May to 18 at the end June. Meanwhile, reported infections increased by more than eightfold from 714 to 5,924. Professor Kabirul bashar, an entomologist from Jahangirnagar University, said that he expects dengue cases to double in 'Dhaka in July compared to...

Climate Change

GIC Re, India's GIC plans to reduce its share of overseas property risks as climate losses increase

GIC Re, an Indian reinsurer, plans to focus more on specialty and casualty lines. It will also reduce its dependence on catastrophes and property business abroad. This is due to the increasing number of 'climate-related' losses. Joshi noted that climate change has reshaped global risk patterns. He cited floods in regions with historically low risks, such as South Africa, Dubai, and the severity of hurricanes, storms and cyclones. This shift is a result of reinsurers around the world grappling with increasing losses due to "climate-related disasters", which has led many to reassess exposure to catastrophe and property?risks. A report from?insurance...

Climate Change

Why tropical commodities are exposed to a strong El Nino

Forecasters predict that a strong El Nino pattern will develop in the second part of the year. This pattern is expected to boost temperatures, disrupt?rainfall, and pose risks to crops around the world. What is El Nino? Why are soft commodities, or those grown in tropical areas, particularly vulnerable? EL NINO El Nino occurs when trade winds weaken, causing a periodic increase in sea surface temperature. El Nino occurs in nature every two to seven year and lasts between nine and twelve months. Weather patterns typically result in hotter temperatures around the world, droughts in some regions, such as Australia,...

Power Markets

Bangladesh tests solar panels on rice crops to provide food and power

Bangladesh tests whether crops can grow on solar panels Land scarcity fuels dual push for food and energy * The economics of agrivoltaic scaling up Tahmid Zami Tahmid Zami A nation of about?175 millions is dependent on imports to meet 95% of their?energy requirements. This dependence has been made worse by the rising costs due to the war in the Middle East. It is also looking at ways to diversify the energy supply, including more renewable energy. Solar energy is the largest source of renewable power in Bangladesh. However, it only represents 4.5% of total generation capacity. Solar panels can...

Climate Change

India's record milk output is put to the test by extreme heat

* Extreme heat reduces milk production and fertility The cost of adaptation for small dairy farmers is rising Scientists warn that climate stress could threaten future output Bhasker Tripathi The baby was so tiny, it had almost no hair. Bharadwaj gave it milk and it slowly recovered. Scientists believe that such preterm births are a part of a larger pattern of intensifying summers, linked to climate changes. Bharadwaj’s?small farm? of six cows near Delhi, India is typical for millions of people in the country, which is responsible for a quarter or more of global milk production. Most of that comes...