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India tops in pollution-related deaths: Lancet study

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9 years ago

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]India tops the world in pollution-related premature deaths, according to figures for 2015 released in a recent Lancet study.

India recorded 2.51 million premature deaths due to pollution in 2015, followed by China at 1.8 million deaths, the study revealed.

The findings coincide with the festival of Diwali, which has been synonymous with smoke-choked air due to the rampant bursting of firecrackers across the country, adding to the already high levels of particulate matter. Last year, in New Delhi, firecracker smoke combined with vehicular pollution, coal plant emissions, and fumes from burning crops in neighbouring states raised pollution levels to severe plus category and created a health emergency.

Together, India and China accounted for nearly 48% of the worldwide total of 9 million. The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health based its findings on data from the Global Burden of Disease study.

“People in poorer countries – like construction workers in New Delhi – are more exposed to air pollution and less able to protect themselves from exposure, as they walk, bike or ride the bus to workplaces that may also be polluted,” Karti Sandilya, one of the authors of the commission’s report, told the news agency Reuters.   

Air pollution is by far the biggest culprit around the world, followed by polluted water. The greatest impact is occurring in rapidly developing and industrialising countries, the report says.

It says, “Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today. Diseases caused by pollution were responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths in 2015 – 16% of all deaths worldwide – three times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined and 15 times more than from all wars and other forms of violence. In the most severely affected countries, pollution-related disease is responsible for more than one death in four.”

One out of every four premature deaths in India in 2015, or some 2.5 million, was attributed to pollution, the study found. China’s environment was the second deadliest, with more than 1.8 million premature deaths, or one in five, blamed on pollution-related illness.

Several other countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, North Korea, South Sudan and Haiti also see nearly a fifth of their premature deaths caused by pollution.

If anything, the burden of pollution-related diseases and deaths is likely to be underestimated, the report adds, given that so many emerging chemical pollutants are yet to be identified.

Experts say the 9 million premature deaths the study found was just a partial estimate, and the number of people killed by pollution is undoubtedly higher and will be quantified once more research is done and new methods of assessing harmful impacts are developed.

Soil pollution has received scant attention. And there are still plenty of potential toxins still being ignored, with less than half of the 5,000 new chemicals widely dispersed throughout the environment since 1950 having been tested for safety or toxicity.

Even the conservative estimate of 9 million pollution-related deaths is one-and-a-half times higher than the number of people killed by smoking, three times the number killed by AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, more than six times the number killed in road accidents, and 15 times the number killed in war or other forms of violence, according to GBD tallies.

To reach its figures, the study’s authors used methods outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency for assessing field data from soil tests, as well as with air and water pollution data from the Global Burden of Disease, an ongoing study run by institutions including the World Health Organization and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

It is most often the world’s poorest who suffer. The vast majority of pollution-related deaths – 92% – occur in low- or middle-income developing countries, where policy makers are chiefly concerned with developing their economies, lifting people out of poverty and building basic infrastructure, the study found. Environmental regulations in those countries tend to be weaker, and industries lean on outdated technologies and dirtier fuels.

In wealthier countries where overall pollution is not as rampant, it is still the poorest communities that are more often exposed, the report says.

The financial cost from pollution-related death, sickness and welfare is equally massive, the report says, costing some $4.6 trillion in annual losses – or about 6.2% of the global economy.

“What people don’t realize is that pollution does damage to economies. People who are sick or dead cannot contribute to the economy. They need to be looked after,” said Richard Fuller, head of the global toxic watchdog Pure Earth and one of the 47 scientists, policy makers and public health experts who contributed to the 51-page report.

“There is this myth that finance ministers still live by, that you have to let industry pollute or else you won’t develop, he said. “It just isn’t true.”

The report cites EPA research showing that the US has gained some $30 in benefits for every dollar spent on controlling air pollution since 1970, when Congress enacted the Clean Air Act, one of the world’s most ambitious environmental laws. Removing lead from gasoline has earned the US economy another $6 trillion cumulatively since 1980, according to studies by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Congress to challenge Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination rejection in Madhya Pradesh High Court

Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan has announced that the party will challenge the rejection of her Rajya Sabha nomination in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, alleging the decision was legally flawed and that the Election Commission failed to follow a consistent approach.

Published

3 hours ago

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July 7, 2026

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The Congress is preparing to challenge the rejection of senior leader Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination before the Madhya Pradesh High Court, shifting the dispute from the political arena to the legal forum.

Weeks after her nomination was rejected ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, the former Member of Parliament asserted that the decision was not the result of any lapse by Congress leaders, legal experts or those involved in preparing the nomination papers. Instead, she claimed the rejection was based on an incorrect legal interpretation.

Congress to file election petition

Natarajan said the party would file an election petition within the prescribed time and contest the entire process before the High Court. She also alleged that a deliberate narrative was created to portray the rejection as a consequence of negligence within the Congress, thereby diverting attention from the Election Commission’s role.

According to her, the Returning Officer rejected her nomination citing non-disclosure of information related to a pending case. However, she argued that Form-26, which candidates are required to submit along with their nomination papers, does not contain any specific provision requiring disclosure of such information.

Natarajan said she has contested multiple elections in the past and maintained that experienced legal experts within the Congress have handled nomination papers for years, making such an oversight highly unlikely.

Questions raised over Election Commission’s approach

The Congress leader also questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the matter, alleging that it failed to apply uniform standards in similar cases.

She referred to the case of Rajya Sabha candidate Parimal Nathwani in Jharkhand, claiming he was given 24 hours to rectify issues in his nomination papers, whereas she was not provided a similar opportunity. According to Natarajan, the differing treatment raises concerns about consistency in the poll body’s decision-making process.

Congress sources said the party’s legal cell is preparing the election petition under the guidance of senior lawyers. The dispute had earlier reached the Election Commission and subsequently the Supreme Court, but the party will now pursue the legal remedy available after the election process through the High Court.

The Congress has also alleged that the Election Commission did not act impartially during the proceedings. Party leaders claimed senior Congress representatives and lawyers reached the poll body on time to present their arguments, but the proceedings were delayed. They further alleged that the Election Commission had the authority to overturn the Returning Officer’s decision but chose not to intervene.

BJP rejects Congress allegations

The Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the Congress’ allegations, attributing the controversy to internal issues within the opposition party.

BJP state spokesperson Ajay Yadav said the rejection of Natarajan’s nomination was the result of internal infighting in the Congress. He also claimed that the senior leader had been sidelined within her party and suggested that the Congress should introspect instead of blaming the Election Commission.

Natarajan, however, rejected claims that the Congress was responsible for any lapse leading to the rejection of her nomination.

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Heavy rain triggers flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, damaging roads and property

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, damaging infrastructure, disrupting traffic and prompting authorities to issue a weather advisory.

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4 hours ago

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July 7, 2026

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Monsoon in Jammu and Kashmir

Heavy rainfall across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir triggered flash floods and landslides, causing widespread damage to roads, vehicles and residential property. The adverse weather also disrupted traffic in multiple areas, prompting authorities to advise people to remain vigilant.

Flash flood causes destruction in Doda

A flash flood struck the Thathri sub-division of Doda district after heavy overnight rainfall, leading to significant damage to homes, vehicles and other property.

Floodwaters surged through the Thathri market after water levels in local streams rose rapidly. Large quantities of mud, stones and debris entered residential areas, inundating houses and damaging parked vehicles as water flowed through roads and marketplaces.

Residents said the flooding occurred suddenly, leaving little time to respond. Officials have started assessing the damage, while restoration and relief work is underway.

Local residents alleged that debris from ongoing link road construction is frequently dumped into the Thathri stream. They claimed the accumulated material obstructs the natural flow of water, increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. Residents urged the administration to take corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Doda-Kishtwar highway affected by flash floods

Continuous rainfall also triggered flash floods that damaged the Doda-Kishtwar highway, disrupting vehicular movement on the route.

Officials said floodwaters deposited large amounts of mud, boulders and debris on the highway. A portion of the road was damaged, forcing authorities to suspend traffic until conditions improve.

In neighbouring Kishtwar district, heavy rain triggered a landslide and mudslide near the tunnel area of the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project, adding to the weather-related disruption in the region.

Administration issues weather advisory

The administration had earlier issued an advisory warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas across Jammu and Kashmir.

Authorities advised residents, particularly those living near rivers, streams and nallahs, to remain alert and avoid unsafe locations during the ongoing spell of rain.

Samba receives highest rainfall

According to the Meteorological Department, Samba recorded the highest rainfall in the Jammu region during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Monday, receiving 90 mm of rainfall.

Kathua received 66.2 mm, followed by Katra (44.4 mm), Doda (42 mm), Jammu (41.8 mm), Udhampur (40.6 mm), Bhaderwah (33.6 mm), Kishtwar (24 mm), Reasi (10.5 mm), Batote (4.7 mm), Ramban (4.5 mm) and Banihal (0.4 mm).

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Mumbai-Pune train services remain suspended for second day after landslides, Central Railway issues fresh cancellation list

Heavy rainfall-triggered landslides have disrupted Mumbai-Pune train services for a second consecutive day, with Central Railway cancelling several MEMU services and continuing restoration work.

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 7, 2026

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Train services between Mumbai and Pune remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday after heavy monsoon rains triggered multiple landslides in the Bhor Ghat section of the Central Railway network, affecting one of Maharashtra’s busiest rail corridors.

Railway officials continued restoration work across the affected stretch, where mud, rocks and boulders have blocked tracks following persistent rainfall. Authorities said services will resume only after a detailed safety inspection confirms that the route is fit for operations.

Landslides disrupt railway operations in Bhor Ghat

The disruption was caused by multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala section. A major landslide occurred between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin (MHLC) on the Up Main Line in the Mumbai division. Another incident was reported on the Middle Line between Khandala and Monkey Hill.

Continuous rainfall has destabilised slopes in the ghat region, resulting in debris falling onto multiple railway tracks and making train movement unsafe.

Teams from Central Railway have been working with heavy machinery to remove debris, inspect the tracks and restore services. However, ongoing rainfall has slowed restoration efforts, prompting authorities to continue the suspension of train operations in the interest of passenger safety.

Central Railway cancels six MEMU services

Central Railway has released a fresh list of cancelled MEMU services for July 7, 2026.

The cancelled trains are:

  • DRD-PNVL MEMU (Train No. 69164), departure 5:25 am
  • PNVL-DSR MEMU (Train No. 69165), departure 9:20 am
  • BSR-PNVL MEMU (Train No. 69168), departure 12:10 pm
  • PNVL-BSR MEMU (Train No. 69167), departure 2:35 pm
  • BSR-PNVL MEMU (Train No. 69166), departure 4:40 pm
  • PNVL-DRD MEMU (Train No. 69161), departure 7:05 pm

Passengers have been advised to check the latest train status through official railway platforms before travelling.

Railway Minister reviews restoration efforts

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the ongoing restoration work and directed officials from Central and Western Railway to coordinate efforts to restore services at the earliest without compromising passenger safety.

Railway authorities said operations would resume only after a comprehensive inspection confirms that the affected tracks are safe for regular train movement.

Heavy rain also impacts road traffic

The intense rainfall has also disrupted road transport between Mumbai and Pune. Landslides and waterlogging affected parts of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the old Mumbai-Pune Highway, causing temporary traffic disruptions before authorities cleared the affected sections.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several parts of Maharashtra, warning of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall. Officials cautioned that further showers could trigger additional landslides and delay the restoration of railway services.

Railway authorities said updates on cancellations, diversions and the resumption of train services will continue to be issued as restoration work progresses.

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