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Climate change affecting hydropower generation in India: study

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Climate change affecting hydropower generation in India: study

~By Dinesh C Sharma

A new study has suggested that the government must consider changes occurring due to climate change while planning new hydropower projects.

The generation of hydropower from top seven hydropower projects in India has suffered due to climate variability in the past six decades. Future projected climate change may also hit reservoir operation for power generation from these projects, says the study done by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar.

“Our results provide important insights on the impacts of observed climate variability and projected future climate change on streamflow and hydropower production in India, which can assist planners and policy makers. For future planning, careful consideration of uncertainties in precipitation projections, along with robust and comprehensive adaptation strategies, is required,” researchers have observed in their study published in journal Scientific Reports on Monday.

The study is based on observed climate variability between 1951 and 2007, and model simulations for projected climate change under different scenarios, in relation to top seven large hydropower projects – Nathpa Jhakri, Bhakra Nangal, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Hirakud, Sardar Sarovar, and Indira Sagar. These large reservoirs are located in four major Indian sub-continental basins – Indus, Krishna, Mahanadi, and Narmada.

Using past observations from India Meteorological Department (IMD) and model simulations for future climate change, the study has found that seven large hydropower projects have experienced “significant warming” and a decline in rainfall and streamflow during the period 1951–2007. All hydropower projects are projected to experience a warmer and wetter climate in the future.

“There might be a seasonal variability in reservoirs that get streamflow from snow and glacier melt. Due to higher increase in air temperature, flow due to snow and glacier melt is projected to decline in the pre-monsoon season as shown for Bhakhara Nangal and Nathapa Jhakri projects,” explained Vimal Mishra, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at IIT Gandhinagar who led the research, while speaking to India Science Wire.  Other hydropower projects, he said, might see increase in annual hydropower production under the projected future climate, mainly due to increase in the monsoon season rainfall under the warming climate. It is also likely that the projected increase in rainfall can be due to rise in extreme precipitation events in the future.

Most of the catchments of the large reservoirs are projected to experience substantial warming under the projected future climate. The highest warming is likely for Nathpa Jhakri and Bhakra Nangal where the annual mean temperature is projected to increase by more than 6.25 degrees by period 2070–2099 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario. There will be increase in streamflow for the reservoirs located in the central and south India primarily due to the increase in the monsoon season precipitation under the future climate.

Members of the research team; Saran Aadhar and Harsh Shah!

Members of the research team; Saran Aadhar and Harsh Shah!

Other factors like land use and land cover changes will also be critical in future in response to urbanization and expansion of agriculture that will affect streamflow and so as hydropower production, the study says. The projected increase in precipitation and streamflow may also result in an increased sediment load to the reservoirs, which can affect the storage capacity of reservoirs and hydropower potential in future. Moreover, future irrigation demands can also influence the hydropower potential of the reservoirs.

“This study does not seem to take into account increased disaster potential of the new rainfall patterns. There are other important factors also such as increased upstream water use, both surface and groundwater, reducing inflows for projects like Sardar Sarovar, Srisailam and Nagarjunsagar,” pointed out Himanshu Thakkar of South Asia Network for Dams, Rivers and People.

The research team included Syed Azhar Ali, Saran Aadhar , Harsh Shah and Vimal Mishra from the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. (India Science Wire)

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price leak suggests launch similar to S24 FE

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price has surfaced online, hinting at a similar launch price as the S24 FE. The phone brings a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 2400 chip, triple rear cameras, and a 4,900mAh battery.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, which was unveiled globally on September 4, is yet to receive official pricing for the Indian market. However, a fresh leak indicates that the handset could debut in India at the same price point as its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 FE.

Expected price and availability in India

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may be priced at ₹59,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant in India. This matches the launch price of last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, which started at ₹59,999 for the same configuration. The higher 8GB RAM + 256GB model of the S24 FE was earlier priced at ₹65,999.

Globally, the Galaxy S25 FE has been introduced at $650 (around ₹58,000) for the base variant and $710 (around ₹63,000) for the 8GB + 256GB version. In India, the smartphone is expected to go on sale in October, similar to last year’s rollout schedule for the S24 FE.

The phone is offered in Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White colour options.

Key specifications

  • Display: 6.7-inch full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness, Vision Booster, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
  • Processor: Exynos 2400 SoC.
  • RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM standard, up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage.
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP wide-angle + 8MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide; 8K video recording at 30fps.
  • Front Camera: 12MP selfie shooter.
  • Battery: 4,900mAh with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
  • Build: 7.4mm thick, 190g weight, IP68-rated water and dust resistance.
  • Cooling: 10% larger vapour chamber compared to the Galaxy S24 FE.

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iPhone 17 series launched in India: Price starts at Rs 82,900, goes up to Rs 2.29 lakh

Apple has launched the iPhone 17 series in India with prices starting at Rs 82,900. Pre-booking begins on 12 September, and the phones will be available from 19 September.

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iphone 17

Apple has officially launched its much-awaited iPhone 17 series in India, introducing four models – iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The series comes with advanced features, multiple storage variants, and a starting price of Rs 82,900. Pre-bookings will open from 12 September, while sales begin on 19 September.

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air price in India

The standard iPhone 17 is priced at Rs 82,900 for the 256GB base variant. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air, designed with a slimmer and more premium look, starts at Rs 1,19,900.

Key features of iPhone 17

  • Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, up to 3000 nits brightness with Ceramic Shield 2 protection.
  • Camera: Dual 48MP setup (Fusion main + Ultra Wide) with 2X telephoto capability, along with a new Centre Stage front camera.
  • Performance: Powered by the A19 chipset, runs on iOS 26, 40% faster than iPhone 16.
  • Battery: Up to 8 hours longer backup compared to its predecessor.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max price in India

The premium segment begins with iPhone 17 Pro priced at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. The top-end Pro Max with the highest storage option goes up to Rs 2,29,900. These models are available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver colours.

Key features of Pro models

  • Display: iPhone 17 Pro with 6.3-inch and Pro Max with 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, both featuring 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits brightness.
  • Chipset: New A19 Pro with Vapour Chamber Cooling for heavy usage.
  • Camera: Triple 48MP system including an advanced telephoto lens with 8X optical zoom and 40X digital zoom, plus an 18MP front camera.
  • Battery & Charging: Best-ever battery backup on Pro Max, with USB-C fast charging – 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

Why the iPhone 17 series stands out

The new iPhones not only bring improved design and performance but also integrate Apple Intelligence AI features for messaging, calls and visual tools.

Offers and EMI options

  • No-cost EMI: Available for up to 6 months.
  • Cashback: ICICI Bank users can avail up to Rs 5,000 instant cashback.
  • For instance, buying the iPhone 17 Pro Max (Rs 1,49,900) on a 6-month no-cost EMI plan brings effective savings of Rs 11,525, including cashback and EMI benefits.

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Lava Yuva Smart 2 launched in India with 5,000mAh battery and dual cameras

Lava has launched the Yuva Smart 2 in India with a 5,000mAh battery, dual cameras, Android 15 Go Edition, and a price tag of Rs 6,099.

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Lava phone

Lava has introduced its latest entry-level smartphone, the Lava Yuva Smart 2, in India. Priced at Rs 6,099, the device offers a large display, a massive battery, and dual cameras, making it a budget-friendly choice for first-time smartphone buyers.

Lava Yuva Smart 2 price and availability

The Yuva Smart 2 is priced at Rs 6,099 for the single 3GB RAM + 64GB storage variant. It will be available in Crystal Blue and Crystal Gold colour options. Lava has announced doorstep service across India, though official sale dates are yet to be disclosed.

Lava Yuva Smart 2 specifications

The smartphone runs on Android 15 Go Edition and is powered by the Unisoc 9863a octa-core chipset. It comes with 3GB RAM (expandable up to 6GB with virtual RAM) and 64GB internal storage.

It features a 6.75-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. For photography, the phone sports a 13MP AI dual rear camera housed in a square module, along with a 5MP front camera for selfies.

Backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 10W wired charging via USB Type-C, the device also includes a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock support for security.

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