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India is facing tough environmental challenges, with extreme weather causing chaos in many states. These issues range from natural disasters to agricultural struggles and administrative breakdowns.

The monsoon season this year has been particularly harsh, hitting Himachal Pradesh hard. The state has seen 64 deaths from cloudbursts and landslides, with 46 people still unaccounted for. A rescue mission took four days to save stranded pilgrims due to very poor road conditions and continuous rain.

Nearby states are also affected. Punjab is still dealing with floods, although the rain is expected to hold off for a few days. The army has stepped in to fix river embankments. In Haryana, about 2,748 villages have been hit by flooding, forcing 2,245 people into relief camps. The state government has pledged ₹4 lakh in compensation for families who lost loved ones in the floods.

In the Kashmir Valley, the national highway connecting Srinagar and Jammu is closed, leaving around 3,000 trucks stuck. These trucks are carrying vital supplies, like vegetables that the region desperately needs.

Climate Change and Food Prices

A worrying connection is emerging between severe weather and rising food prices. Recent studies highlight how changing rainfall patterns and record-high temperatures are hindering the production of essential crops like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The Reserve Bank of India found that these weather changes can spike vegetable inflation by up to 4 percentage points. For example, the price of tomatoes in Delhi jumped from ₹18 per kg in June to ₹70 by July. This surge in vegetable prices has raised inflation from 37% in July 2023 to 42% by October, impacting everyday budgets.

Fertilizer Shortages

Another issue facing farmers is a persistent fertilizer shortage in Madhya Pradesh. Even though there are enough supplies, poor administrative planning has made it hard for farmers to get what they need. This has led to conflicts, with farmers clashing over fertilizer tokens in several districts. During the kharif season, farmers need urea for their crops, and long queues have become a common sight, highlighting administrative failures.

Forest Department Challenges

Environmental efforts are struggling too, notably in Madhya Pradesh, where the forest department is severely understaffed. The Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve has been without a field director for two years, and Ratapani Tiger Reserve has been without one for eight months. Over 50% of positions in the department are vacant, including critical roles like forest guards and research officers.

A Cycle of Problems

These linked crises reflect a broader pattern of systemic failures, where natural disasters are made worse by administrative shortcomings. While the government spends heavily on publicity programs, like promoting the creation of new reserves, essential infrastructure and staffing levels remain insufficient.

Addressing these immediate issues is critical, but long-term reforms are equally important. Building resilience against climate change should be a priority, along with improving services for farmers and affected communities.

For more in-depth insights, you can explore the Reserve Bank of India’s reports on inflation here.

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