AGP Executive Report

Heat & livelihoods: A new report warns extreme heat is already hurting India’s garment workforce—more absenteeism, lower productivity and defects—threatening export goals from $40bn to $100bn by 2030. Monsoon & farm risk: IMD forecasts below-normal July rainfall and above-normal temperatures, with advisories urging farmers to manage bunds, avoid fertiliser on dry soil, switch to drought-tolerant crops and use direct-seeded rice where needed. Delhi monsoon relief: Southwest monsoon finally reached Delhi after a late onset, bringing cooler weather and rain spells, though alerts remain. Mumbai flooding: Heavy monsoon showers triggered waterlogging, traffic snarls and train delays; IMD issued red alerts and BMC reported over 200mm rain in 24 hours. Civic safety failures: A man died after falling into an open manhole in Sakinaka; four BMC officials were suspended, spotlighting monsoon preparedness gaps. Clean energy research: Mumbai University’s physics lab is gaining traction in green hydrogen and clean energy storage research. EV policy push: Delhi’s EV policy operational guidelines focus on a digital single-window approval system and faster incentives. India–Japan climate/tech roadmap: India and Japan unveiled a 16-point agenda on economic security, AI and energy resilience, including clean energy cooperation. Solar rollout: Tata Power plans rooftop solar plus batteries for 1 lakh Punjab households over three years.

Monsoon & Flood Risk: The southwest monsoon has reached Delhi, bringing relief from heat but also heavy rain. IMD warns of intense spells across north and west India, with Mumbai under red alerts as torrential downpours trigger waterlogging, delays on local trains, and accidents that left four dead. Urban Resilience: Mumbai’s lake levels rose to about 8% useful storage amid ongoing rain, while Navi Mumbai saw severe flooding in Nerul and Sanpada. Farm Preparedness: India is rolling out district-level plans to protect Kharif crops from El Niño-linked monsoon uncertainty, pushing water conservation and low-water crop support. Clean Air Policy: Delhi notified a permanent winter anti-pollution framework from Nov 1 to Feb 28, including fuel checks via PUC, curbs on older vehicles, doubled parking fees, and 50% work-from-home. Green Mobility Push: Industry welcomed Delhi’s EV Policy 2026, and talks on building the EV ecosystem are shifting from sales to charging and supply chains. Circular Materials: Mars says 67.6% of its consumer packaging is designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable, while new solar module recycling research reports ~97.75% silicon recovery. Biodiversity & Water Security: Conservation efforts include protecting wild rice genetic resources in Assam, and India’s Alang push aims to scale green ship recycling. India-Japan Moves: Modi and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi announced new defence, technology and energy initiatives under the annual summit.

Monsoon & Flood Risk: Mumbai saw heavy rain again, with over 200 mm in 24 hours across low-lying areas, waterlogging and rail disruptions as IMD alerts stayed active. Urban Safety & Trees: A 11-year-old died after a roadside peepal tree fell on a school bus in Chembur, reigniting demands for safer tree management and stricter civic upkeep. Delhi Air Pollution Controls: Delhi notified annual winter curbs from Nov 1 to Feb 28, including bans on dust-generating demolition, limits on non-BS-VI vehicle entry, and 50% work-from-home to cut seasonal smog. Green Mobility Push: Delhi’s EV policy (2026) now includes subsidies and road-tax/registration waivers, plus a model-approval committee and a 30-day window to claim incentives. Critical Minerals: Industry leaders urged faster mining approvals, more recycling, and wider AI use to build a self-reliant minerals and metals sector. Circular Shipping: India aims to recycle nearly 16,000 ships in the next decade and is pushing for more EU-recognised ship recycling yards. Climate Stress on Food: A study warns rising temperatures could push rice beyond historical heat limits across Asia, threatening yields and livelihoods. Digital India: PM Modi marked 11 years of Digital India, highlighting governance and service delivery gains.

Digital Governance: PM Modi marked 11 years of Digital India, saying it has redefined governance, empowered citizens and helped startups scale through digital public infrastructure, payments and direct benefit transfers. Water & Climate Resilience: India and the Mekong River Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation on water security, climate resilience, disaster risk management and sustainable river basin development. Clean Mobility Push (Delhi): Delhi’s EV Policy 2026 took effect July 1 with road tax/registration waivers for eligible electric cars, subsidies for two- and three-wheelers, and scrappage incentives—aimed at cutting pollution by 2030. Plastic Pollution (Mumbai): Juhu Beach’s plastic waste problem is worsening despite clean-ups, with residents urging action to stop plastics entering the sea via creeks and stormwater drains. Monsoon Watch: IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai for heavy to very heavy rain; Delhi-NCR saw light rain and cooler conditions as the monsoon advances, while July rainfall is forecast to be below normal after a fifth-driest June. Flood Risk (Arunachal/Assam): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan began flood assessments in Arunachal Pradesh, with aerial surveys delayed by weather. Climate Finance Backdrop: Reports say major banks are increasing fossil-fuel and petrochemical support even as climate pledges weaken, raising pressure on India’s transition.

Climate resilience push: Sri Lanka’s opposition leader Sajith Premadasa urged a whole-of-government, science-based approach to climate security and disaster preparedness ahead of the 2026–27 El Niño cycle. Heat and monsoon volatility: Delhi sweltered with a “feels like” 53.5°C from humidity while IMD said it still didn’t meet official heatwave criteria; Mumbai kept getting heavy rain and waterlogging, with IMD issuing an Orange Alert for the next four days. Biodiversity update: India added 709 new faunal species records in 2025 (including 483 new to science) and 353 new plant taxa, with Kerala leading animal additions. Wildlife and infrastructure: Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway works are blamed for worsening man–elephant conflict, as forest officials cite improper underpasses/overpasses and corridor issues. Water tensions: Pakistan warned India against “weaponizing” Indus Waters Treaty flows amid renewed disputes over river data and mechanisms. Clean mobility in Delhi: Delhi Cabinet approved EV Policy 2026 with incentives and phased petrol two-wheeler bans from 2028, aiming to cut urban pollution. El Niño and food risk: El Niño is confirmed and expected to intensify as monsoon advances slowly, raising concerns for crops and sugar supplies. Solar hit by pollution: A study links air pollution in Indian cities to reduced solar energy potential by blocking sunlight.

Clean Mobility Push in Delhi: Delhi Cabinet clears EV Policy 2026 with a ₹15,000-crore outlay, starting July 1, aiming to cut air pollution by mandating electric registrations for key polluting categories—e-three-wheelers and N1 goods carriers from Jan 1, 2027, and e-scooters/e-motorbikes from 2028; the plan also backs charging expansion and scrappage incentives. Monsoon Watch for Delhi-NCR: IMD forecasts cloudy, humid conditions with light rain, dust storms and gusty winds as monsoon activity intensifies; isolated heatwave pockets may persist even as temperatures ease. Mumbai & Navi Mumbai Rain Disruptions: Heavy showers and thunderstorms hit Maharashtra, with waterlogging near Juinagar slowing traffic on the Sion–Panvel corridor and severe flooding reported around Vashi’s APMC; airlines issue travel advisories. Climate, Water, and Tensions: Pakistan’s climate minister renews threats over the Indus Waters Treaty after India placed it in abeyance following the 2025 Pahalgam attack, escalating a fresh water-security standoff. Solar & Clean Power Update: Hexa Climate commissions an 80 MW Wardha solar plant in Maharashtra, targeting ~180 million units annually and claiming major annual CO₂ avoidance. Wildlife & Biodiversity Spotlight: “Wild Tamil Nadu” wildlife documentary is set to premiere on YouTube July 5, highlighting rare species and the state’s ecological heritage.

Monsoon & Heat Watch: IMD says Delhi-NCR remains warm and humid while the southwest monsoon is expected to advance in the next 5–6 days, with relief possible around July 4; meanwhile, heatwave conditions still loom in parts of Uttar Pradesh. Mumbai Flood Risk: Orange alerts are in place for Mumbai and red for Palghar as heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are forecast, after the city saw over 100 mm in several areas and waterlogging. Water Security in Navi Mumbai: With Morbe Dam potable storage at just 9.36%, NMMC has tightened conservation, including supply cuts and stricter rules on water use. Festival Waste to School Supplies: NMMC recycled PoP from 700 immersed Ganesh idols into 760 municipal school study tables, cutting festival pollution. Delhi EV Push: Delhi Cabinet approved EV Policy 2026 (from July 1) with road-tax and registration fee waivers for electric cars up to ₹30 lakh, cash incentives for two/three-wheelers and N1 trucks, and a phase-out plan for petrol/CNG two-wheelers by 2028—aimed at cutting vehicular pollution. India–Saudi Water Pact: India and Saudi Arabia signed an MoU to boost cooperation on water planning, irrigation and sustainable water management. Crops & Monsoon Delay: Summer crop planting is behind due to a slow monsoon, with major acreage drops reported for rice, soybeans, cotton and corn.

Monsoon & Urban Flooding: Mumbai saw intense monsoon activity with several areas crossing 100 mm in about four hours, triggering waterlogging and traffic disruption; IMD expects more rain as monsoon conditions stay active. Heat Stress in Delhi-NCR: Delhi continues to bake in extreme heat and humidity with “feels like” temperatures around 50°C, while IMD forecasts monsoon advance into Delhi-NCR by July 4 and intermittent pre-monsoon showers. Circular Economy for Oil: Tata Motors and Castrol India signed an MoU to pilot a traceable used engine oil collection and recycling system via Tata’s authorised service network in Karnataka, aiming to tackle used oil as hazardous waste. EU Scrap Curbs Pressure: India urged the EU to exempt it from proposed metal scrap export restrictions, warning bans could tighten supplies and raise costs for steel and aluminium ahead of an India-EU trade deal. AI for Agriculture: IIT Ropar’s Annam.AI launched Hackcore 2026 with Syngenta and Google, inviting teams to build AI tools for crop health, pests, soil intelligence and climate-resilient farming. Water Security Deal: Haryana and Rajasthan signed a water-sharing MoU under Amit Shah’s chairmanship, including faster execution of Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar dam projects. Hydrogen Breakthrough: India inaugurated the world’s first nuclear-heat hydrogen production facility at Kalpakkam, using reactor heat for carbon-free hydrogen. Tech & Water Use Watch: A report flags rising concerns over how India’s AI data centre boom could strain water resources as capacity grows.

Monsoon & heat stress: IMD says the southwest monsoon may advance into parts of North Arabian Sea, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in 5–6 days, but Delhi’s “feels-like” heat has stayed extreme while Mumbai braces for thunderstorms and heavy rain through July 2. Climate risk to farming: With El Niño raising odds of a weak, delayed monsoon, India’s agriculture ministry is preparing contingencies, while seed firms report 20–30% surplus stock for Kharif—yet timely delivery to rain-deficient districts is the real bottleneck. Water security & diplomacy: Experts warn India can’t unilaterally stop Pakistan’s Indus Water Treaty water share; uncertainty is already worrying water-tourism communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. River cleanup in focus: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta joined a Yamuna cleanliness drive at Chilla village, while opposition leaders question whether pollution is actually falling. Energy transition & resilience: India hosted BRICS Energy Ministers in Gurugram and launched a BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for smart grids and energy storage. Biodiversity & habitat: A study flags chinkaras could lose habitat as climate change intensifies. Disaster response: Arunachal Pradesh flash-flood recovery continues after heavy rain alerts.

Heat & Monsoon Watch: IMD says the southwest monsoon is advancing through parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and beyond, with isolated to scattered rain in Delhi-NCR and wider heavy showers possible across several states; meanwhile Delhi’s “feels-like” heat hit 51.3°C on June 28 as humidity spiked, underlining how dangerous wet-bulb-like conditions can be. Urban Air & Health: Mumbai’s AQI stayed in the “good” range (around 52), even as the city saw light rain and thunderstorms later, with officials urging caution around waterlogging. Climate Risk for Renewables: Zurich warns 90% of India’s planned renewable sites face high or critical physical climate risk by 2030, with solar and wind especially exposed to hail, extreme winds, floods and wildfire. Water for Resilience: A focus on climate-resilient water infrastructure—reservoirs, canals and irrigation tunnels—aims to protect rainfed agriculture as rainfall stays erratic. Biodiversity & Infrastructure: India’s first eight-lane wildlife tunnel on the Delhi-Vadodara expressway opens for initial operations, designed to cut travel time and emissions while reducing disruption to a tiger reserve. Policy & Industry: The health ministry proposes faster medical device licensing timelines under the 2017 rules, aiming to speed access while keeping safety standards.

Nuclear Clean Hydrogen Breakthrough: India inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen facility using nuclear reactor heat (not electricity) at Kalpakkam, using the Cu–Cl thermochemical process—aimed at scaling carbon-free hydrogen. Water Accounting Warning: A new IIT Gandhinagar study says human irrigation and groundwater pumping can drive hidden water losses, meaning some river-basin water availability estimates may be overestimated by over 50% in parts of India. Wildlife Under Threat in J&K: A proposed road near Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary could fragment corridors and endanger the endangered markhor, raising alarms among conservationists. Blue Economy & Maritime Security: PM Modi handed Seychelles a Made-in-India fast patrol vessel plus boats, ambulances and utility vehicles to boost EEZ surveillance under Vision MAHASAGAR. Ship Recycling Milestone: India topped global ship recycling by gross tonnage in 2025, with 2.99 million GT recycled and yards pushed to meet international safety and environmental standards. Heat Vulnerability in Delhi: Campaigners documented extreme indoor heat in Delhi’s poorer areas, using thermal tracking to push for stronger protections for vulnerable communities. Urban Waste Push (Mumbai): BMC urged housing societies to adopt composting and waste segregation to improve waste management at source. Monsoon Watch: IMD-linked reports point to shifting monsoon patterns and renewed storm risk across multiple states, with Maharashtra seeing mixed conditions.

Biodiversity Watch: The National Biodiversity Authority released an SOP for states to identify, assess and notify threatened species, using scientific and local knowledge inputs, and requiring recovery plans and monitoring after notification. Clean Transport: Indian Railways completed a trial run of a hydrogen fuel-cell train between Delhi and Jind, a zero-emission step toward greener rail. Monsoon Pressure: IMD forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rain in many regions, while north India still waits; Delhi-NCR may see light rain and thunderstorms with strong gusts, and Hyderabad saw a daytime temperature drop with evening thundershowers. Climate Adaptation: India’s updated climate commitments put extreme heat at the centre, pushing heat action plans and community preparedness to cut risks from compounding heat. River Pollution Tech: A University of Mumbai researcher received a design patent for a device to capture and sort microplastics from rivers. Energy Transition: India inaugurated a nuclear-heat-based hydrogen production facility using the Cu–Cl process, aiming for scalable carbon-free hydrogen. Food & Prices: Weak monsoon rains are driving sugar price rallies and raising concerns for cane yields and ethanol plans. Humanitarian Response: India launched Operation Amistad, sending aircraft with a field hospital and medical teams to earthquake-hit Venezuela.

Monsoon Watch: Satellite and IMD-linked reporting points to a monsoon stall, with India’s rainfall running about 45% below normal since early June—raising risks for farms and water supplies even as clouds persist in parts of the north-east and south. Heat & Storm Alerts (UP): IMD issued a special warning for June 27 in eastern Uttar Pradesh, flagging lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds across multiple districts, with rain expected to pick up from June 29 and cool conditions likely. Public Health & Waste: Maharashtra banned newspapers and recycled printed paper for wrapping, serving and storing food, citing contamination risks from inks and recycled materials. Clean Energy Push: India inaugurated the world’s first nuclear-powered hydrogen production facility using the Cu–Cl cycle at Kalpakkam, positioning carbon-free hydrogen for future scale-up. Wildlife Conservation: International Tiger Week 2026 began at Ranthambore with a focus on ecosystem-based conservation and better human-wildlife coexistence. EV & Transport Transition: The Centre is drafting a ~₹12,000 crore incentive scheme to spur private electric bus adoption, aiming to unlock large private investment. Environment Governance (Maharashtra): EFCCC appointed Juhi Shakya as State Vice President to drive climate action, pollution control and conservation efforts.

Climate Risk to Renewables: Zurich study warns nearly 90% of India’s planned solar, wind and hydropower capacity could face high or critical climate hazards by 2030, putting about $55 billion of assets at risk—pushing the need for resilience spending. Monsoon Watch: IMD forecasts monsoon progress with scattered to widespread rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across Delhi-NCR and North India, while parts of the country still run with a large June rainfall deficit. Urban Air Pollution Push: Delhi orders district-level drives to map and eliminate dust and other pollution hotspots, with DMs coordinating police, civic bodies and enforcement agencies. Solar Expansion: Sunsol Cleantech plans to back 2+ GW of distributed solar by 2030 via a single-window model for rooftop, captive and utility-scale projects. Water-Energy Link: Maharashtra will form an expert panel on data centres’ water use and environmental impact, including wastewater treatment and reuse norms. Circular Industry in Odisha: RHI Magnesita and Khemka Refractories approve a JV to set up a greenfield refractory recycling facility in Odisha. Horticulture Export Boost: APEDA enables India’s first commercial sea shipment of Banganapalle mangoes to Singapore, highlighting cold-chain and sustainable maritime export potential. Heat & Health Alarm: A new report flags heatwave-driven surface ozone pollution as a growing health threat across Indian regions.

Urban Clean Air Tech: Delhi will roll out an AI-powered Decision Support System with IIT Kanpur to forecast air pollution 48–72 hours ahead, flag local hotspots, and guide faster action, alongside expanding low-cost sensors and satellite-linked monitoring. Heat & Monsoon Risk: IMD says the southwest monsoon is strengthening, with heavy rain likely in Assam and Meghalaya and storms/lightning across several states, while parts of North India still face heat-wave conditions. Delhi Dust Crackdown: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Sirsa reviewed district-level plans to tackle dust pollution, directing DMs to map hotspots and coordinate drives on construction dust, traffic congestion, parks maintenance, and polluting industries. Mumbai Renewable Push: BMC launched its “Solar Tree” CSR project at three gardens, aiming to generate clean power and cut carbon emissions. Climate Governance Debate: France urged the World Bank to keep its climate finance target despite US pressure to shift lending away from climate goals. Wildlife Rescue: Assam released seven rescued golden langurs back to the wild after trafficking busts, with one animal dying during rehabilitation. Climate Resilience Finance: A Zurich Kotak report says investing 2% more in climate resilience could cut potential losses in India’s renewable energy pipeline by about half.

Monsoon & Heat Relief: IMD says Delhi-NCR may avoid severe heat this week, with max temps mostly at or below 40°C and intermittent thunderstorms/rain. Mumbai Flood Watch: Heavy rain returned in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad; IMD issued a yellow alert as monsoon advances further into Maharashtra and Konkan. Water & Pollution Fix: Hyderabad is pushing wastewater recycling, noting only 30–35% of sewage is treated and reuse can cut pollution and ease groundwater stress. Solar on Public Buildings: SECI and DoSEL signed an MoU to install rooftop solar on school-education buildings under PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Agrivoltaics Push: Madhya Pradesh signed an MoU with a GIZ-backed agrivoltaics group to expand solar-agriculture projects and boost farmer incomes. Clean Energy Cooperation: India hosted the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers’ meeting in Gurugram, focusing on energy security, sustainability and grid resilience. Wildlife Crime: Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a man for allegedly trying to sell an ivory statue worth Rs 15 lakh, with Forest Department support. Urban Riverfront Enforcement: Delhi’s DDA demolished encroachments in Yamuna Bazar, citing illegal structures in ecologically sensitive floodplain zones. Biodiversity Moment: Viral videos show peacocks roaming Pedder Road after monsoon rains.