Operative supplying water in regions affected by oil spill in Ecuador

Petroecuador declares force majeure after worst oil spill in 8 years, Ecuador

ByRishav Kothari

​Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure on its Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) on March 18, 2025, following a catastrophic oil spill that began on March 13. The spill, caused by a landslide that ruptured the pipeline, has contaminated the Esmeraldas River, affecting over 500 000 residents who are now experiencing a severe water crisis. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains and severe weather conditions across the country that have claimed 20 lives as of March 19.

Barriers being set up in the river to prevent the spread of oil spill in Ecuador March 16, 2025

State of emergency in Ecuador after major oil spill

ByRishav Kothari

Ecuador declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2025, following a major oil spill in the Esmeraldas River, which has severely impacted the region’s water supply. Authorities have urged residents to ration water as efforts to contain the spill and mitigate its effects are underway.

Firefighter engaging a blaze in California

Toxic waste delays California wildfire cleanup efforts

ByRishav Kothari

Toxic waste from burned lithium batteries, asbestos, and synthetic materials poses a significant risk in California’s wildfire-affected areas. Cleanup efforts are being delayed as hazardous substances require specialized removal before residents can safely return.

Weather Maps of New Delhi's air pollution

Cloud seeding proposed as a solution for the world’s most polluted city, New Delhi, India

ByRishika Yadav

New Delhi reached an air quality index (AQI) of 495 at 10:54 LT (05:24 UTC) on Friday, November 22, 2024, the highest recorded so far this season. Earlier this week, Delhi’s AQI reached 493, placing it among the most polluted cities globally on November 18, 2024. PM 2.5 levels hit 401.1 µg/m3 exceeding the safe limits of the World Health Organisation (WHO) over 27 times.

AQI Delhi - November 16, 2024 (1)

Severe air pollution grips Delhi with AQI at 373, second worst worldwide

ByRishika Yadav

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of 373 in R.K. Puram, Delhi, shows high pollution levels as of 14:35 LT (09:05 UTC) on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The levels of PM2.5 and PM10 are 318 and 258 indicating serious health risks placing Delhi as the second most polluted city in the world, following Lahore, Pakistan. Other pollutants like ozone (AQI 51), nitrogen dioxide (AQI 13), sulfur dioxide (AQI 1), and carbon monoxide (AQI 8) were also measured but are at lower levels.

NOAA reports 'dead zone' in Gulf of Mexico larger than average

NOAA reports 2024 ‘dead zone’ in Gulf of Mexico larger than average

ByRishav Kothari

The Gulf of Mexico’s “dead zone,” an area with dangerously low oxygen levels, spans approximately 17 365 km2 (6 705 miles2) this year, making it the 12th largest recorded in 38 years, according to NOAA-supported scientists. This expanse threatens over 1.6 million ha (4 million acres) of marine habitat, an area comparable to the size of New Jersey.