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Congress claims downsizing at US NOAA can adversely impact India

“Right now, the Modi government’s priority appears to be a trade deal to address President Trump’s threats on tariffs. But his actions in other areas, such as the downsizing of NOAA, could also have adverse impacts on India,” Ramesh stated.

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1 year ago

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The Congress on Friday expressed concerns over the downsizing of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), warning that the move could negatively impact India’s ability to predict monsoons and track cyclones. The party emphasized the need for India to significantly enhance its own research capacity and capabilities in earth sciences to mitigate the potential fallout.

Congress General Secretary In-Charge Communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X, highlighting the implications of the NOAA’s downsizing for India. “Right now, the Modi government’s priority appears to be a trade deal to address President Trump’s threats on tariffs. But his actions in other areas, such as the downsizing of NOAA, could also have adverse impacts on India,” Ramesh stated.

NOAA’s Crucial Role in Monsoon Forecasting
Ramesh underscored the importance of NOAA in understanding India’s monsoon patterns, stating, “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been of great importance to our understanding of the monsoon. But NOAA has been identified by President Trump for downsizing and significant budget cuts.”

He explained that NOAA collects critical global data on parameters such as temperature, salinity, and sea levels, which are essential for modeling monsoon behavior. “Ocean data used for monsoon forecasts since 2009 has come largely from NOAA,” Ramesh pointed out.

India’s Dependence on NOAA Data
The Congress leader highlighted India’s reliance on NOAA for subsurface observations in the Indian Ocean, noting that the U.S. agency contributes about 40% of such data, while India contributes only around 11%. “NOAA is a global public good essential to monitoring and managing climate change. It faces an uncertain future, which means India will have to significantly enhance its own research capacity and capability in earth sciences,” Ramesh added.

Concerns from Scientists and Policymakers
Scientists and policymakers in India have also raised alarms over the layoffs at NOAA, warning that any reduction in observational data could adversely affect monsoon forecasts and cyclone tracking across the country. Hundreds of NOAA employees, including meteorologists responsible for crucial local forecasts, were reportedly fired in late February.

Call for Strengthening India’s Capabilities
The Congress’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the potential impact of NOAA’s downsizing on global climate monitoring and India’s specific needs. The party urged the Indian government to prioritize investments in earth sciences research to reduce dependence on external agencies and ensure accurate weather predictions.

As climate change continues to pose significant challenges, the ability to predict monsoons and track cyclones accurately is critical for India’s agriculture, disaster management, and overall economic stability. The downsizing of NOAA underscores the need for India to bolster its indigenous capabilities in earth sciences and climate research.

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India News

West Bengal Governor dissolves Assembly amid political transition 

Governor R N Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Assembly after the 2026 poll results, with the BJP securing a majority in the state elections.

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May 7, 2026

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The West Bengal Legislative Assembly was dissolved following the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a clear majority in the state.

Governor R N Ravi issued the order dissolving the Assembly as the state prepared for the transition of power after the election results. According to reports, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the election outcome and alleged irregularities in the poll process, claiming the mandate had been “looted”.

The dissolution came as the tenure of the existing Assembly ended on May 7, 2026. The development has sparked political discussions over the formation of the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with newly elected Trinamool Congress MLAs in Kolkata and reportedly raised concerns over internal sabotage during the elections.

The BJP is expected to begin the formal process of government formation in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the Assembly polls.

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Eknath Shinde’s helicopter returns to Mumbai mid-flight due to bad weather

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was forced to return to Mumbai after the pilot detected approaching storm conditions during a flight to Thane district.

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53 mins ago

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May 7, 2026

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Eknath_shinde (1)

A helicopter carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was forced to return to Mumbai on Thursday after encountering adverse weather conditions during a flight to Thane district.

According to officials, Shinde had departed from Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai around 3.30 pm and was travelling to Murbad in Thane district to attend a wedding function related to a party worker’s family.

The helicopter reportedly reached the Airoli area in Navi Mumbai when the pilot noticed an approaching storm and informed the deputy chief minister about the deteriorating weather conditions. Following the alert, the flight was turned back as a precautionary measure.

The helicopter later landed safely at the Pawan Hans facility in Juhu, Mumbai. Officials said Shinde was accompanied by members of his staff, including personal assistant Prabhakar Kale, special executive officer Balsingh Rajput and media adviser Vinay Patrdukar.

The incident comes amid changing weather conditions and storm activity reported in parts of Maharashtra in recent days.

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Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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4 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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