Drain 8 from Haryana discharges waste into the Yamuna river bed at Palla Bakhtawarpur, where the river enters Delhi from Haryana on one side and Uttar Pradesh on the other.

New Delhi: At the point of flowing from Haryana into Delhi, the Yamuna has been reduced to a thin brown stream. The stream, surrounded by open sand dunes and dry river beds, has made it easy for people from villages in Delhi and Haryana to cross the river. Uttar Pradesh On foot.For villagers living along its banks in this region, parts of the river turning into shallow, stagnant pools of water are an annual sight.on wednesday, times of India Visited Palla village in north Delhi, where the Yamuna enters the city, and saw children, knee-deep in water, using a narrow channel to cross from villages in one state to another. Bullock carts carrying agricultural produce were running on this river route from Palla and Dahisra villages of Haryana to Sankrod in UP.The Yamuna shrinks significantly between the end of winter and the beginning of summer, resulting in a perennial river turning into an almost seasonal river in its upper and middle section, including Delhi. Rajpal Singh (71), a retired bailiff from Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department, said, “Every year, around this time of the year, it is reduced to a thin stream. Haryana’s drain number eight releases water into the river only during the monsoon. With limited amount of water being released into it from Haryana in the summer, the Yamuna is no longer a river.”As per an official mandate, Haryana’s Hathnikund barrage is releasing just 9.9 cumecs (352 cusecs) of water into the Yamuna. “However, this is very low and cannot meet the ecological needs of the river. Moreover, this water can travel barely 10 kilometers in summer through vast stretches of flood plains, which involves seepage and evaporation,” said Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and associate coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams Rivers and People. He said a study by the National Institute of Hydrology in 2019 had recommended an inflow of 23 cumecs in the low rainy season.The total length of Yamuna flowing through Delhi is about 52 km, out of which 22 km is highly polluted.Rawat said, “Natural depressions and sinkholes have formed upstream of the bridges, giving a false impression that the water level is satisfactory. The Yamuna no longer looks like a river in the summer season, as it does not have adequate water level throughout the year except the monsoon.”Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said the condition of the river is critical this year. “During the lean season, it is fed by melting snow in the Himalayas and groundwater seepage. However, snowfall was less this winter. Additionally, the ongoing heat wave is leading to reduced evaporation, making the situation worse than normal.”Pointing towards the brown waters of the river at Palla, Singh recalled that about 30 years ago, he would often check the water level there and would find lots of fish. Singh, a resident of Bakhtawarpur village, said, “However, I have not seen a single fish in this area for many years. Even two decades ago, the Yamuna water was largely clean. However, now it is so dirty that I cannot see anything. The river is slowly dying.”No response was received from Delhi government regarding Yamuna turning into a brown stream.Recent testing of the river water quality has revealed that of the eight locations from where samples were collected on April 7, the water in Palla was found to be the least polluted. However, the last monitoring station in Delhi, Asgarpur (after the confluence of Shahdara and Tughlakabad drains) was the most polluted. Dissolved oxygen, the level of which should be 5 mg/litre or above in the river, was within the norm only at Palla (5.2 mg/litre) but was zero at six other locations. Dissolved oxygen indicates the possibility of survival of aquatic life in the river.Fecal coliform, an indicator of untreated sewage in the river, was recorded at 2,800 MPN/100 ml in Palla, but rose to 3,10,000 in Asgarpur. The safe limit is 2,500, and the desired level is below 500.The shrinking and dirty river has affected the lives of the people dependent on it. Farmer Vinod Kumar said, “We have grown up drinking Yamuna water but now it is impossible to do so. In summers, we used to bathe in the river for hours to get relief from the heat. But due to its polluted water, we have stopped this practice for many years.”The picture changes considerably during monsoon. While the water level at Delhi’s Old Railway Bridge stood at 200.9 meters at 1 pm on Wednesday, it reached 207.4 meters last September – the third highest level recorded in the city. Recalling last year’s flood, Devendra Singh of Palla village said that his field, in which he had sown ridge gourd and paddy, was destroyed due to intrusion of river water.

At least nine people, most of them teenagers and children, have died in separate water-related incidents across Britain during the recent heatwave and bank holiday weekend, according to a BBC report. The deaths have prompted an urgent warning from water safety experts, who are calling for urgent action to educate young people about the dangers of open water before the summer holidays begin.Deaths were recorded from lakes, dams, rivers and beaches in England and Ireland as rising temperatures drove people to open water to cool off.The victims included 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, whose body was recovered from Swanholm Lake near Lincoln on Sunday after reports he had gotten into trouble in the water. His heartbroken family later described him as a “funny and friendly young man” and urged parents to warn children about the dangers associated with rivers and lakes.

Teenagers among victims across Britain

On Bank Holiday Monday alone, several different tragedies occurred.The 13-year-old boy, identified locally as Reco Puttock, died after being ejected from the Leadbeater Dam near Halifax in West Yorkshire. In another incident, the body of a teenage girl was recovered from Kingsbury Water Park in Warwickshire, while a teenage boy was found dead in a lake in Rother Valley Country Park in South Yorkshire after an overnight search.Police in Lancashire also recovered the body of a child, believed to be a 12-year-old boy, who had got into trouble while swimming in the River Ribble near Chester.In Cheshire, emergency services continue to search for a missing 17-year-old boy in Pickmere Lake after reports he went missing while swimming at the popular beauty spot. Authorities later confirmed that a body had been found in the water.Heat wave-related tragedies were not limited to England. In Dublin, 15-year-old Abbie Carmody-Pepper died while bathing at Burrow Beach in Sutton.Meanwhile, in Cornwall, a man in his 60s lost his life after entering the sea to help two relatives struggling in the water near Padstow.

Water safety experts issue urgent warning

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) said warmer weather often increases the incidence of accidental drownings and warned that open water can remain dangerously cold despite high air temperatures.Experts warn that sudden exposure to cold water can cause “cold water shock”, which can cause breathing difficulties, panic and loss of mobility.Jim Bridges of the Water Safety Partnership urged people to remember the “float to live” advice if they find themselves struggling in the water.“Lie on your back with your head tilted back and ears submerged in the water. Use your arms and legs to help you stay afloat and try to control your breathing,” he said during an interview with BBC Breakfast.He said that once breathing returns to normal, people should either call for help or try to swim carefully to a safe place.

Call to immediately teach water safety lessons in schools

Following the deaths, drowning prevention organizations are demanding that schools start teaching open water safety lessons immediately rather than waiting for the new academic session in September.RLSS UK said the inclusion of water safety education in England’s Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) curriculum was a positive step, but warned that delaying the lessons until the autumn could cost lives during the upcoming summer holidays.The organization urged parents, teachers and community groups to use freely available water safety resources to educate children and teens before schools close for the six-week holidays.Declan Sawyer’s father, Carl, echoed those concerns in an emotional appeal.“We would like to raise awareness about children playing near rivers or lakes in hot weather,” he said. “Please make children aware of the dangers associated with water.”

Cold weather brings some relief

After days of record-breaking temperatures, cooler weather swept across northern and eastern parts of England on Wednesday, bringing a temporary respite from the heat.However, officials continue to urge caution around lakes, rivers and coastal areas as hotter conditions are expected to return later in the week.

High search activity continues in IPL 2026 GoogleAccording to the company, IPL-related queries have increased by 80% globally in the last 60 days. Google said fans are using search not only for scores and player updates but also for match analysis, understanding cricket rules and purchasing merchandise.The company noted that AI-powered features, including AI mode and integration with BCCI broadcasts, have changed the way users interact with Search during matches, with fans asking more detailed and conversational questions as the tournament progresses.

Here are four ways IPL Fans used Google search during the 2026 season.

1. Following teams and players

Team loyalty remains a major driver of searches during IPL 2026. “Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged as the most searched IPL team in India this season, followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).” Google said.Questions about the players ranged from career highlights to current involvement to emotional moments in games. Searches include “Is Rohit Sharma playing in IPL 2026?”, “Which team is Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2026” And “Will IPL 2026 be Virat Kohli’s last season?”.Interest in players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Cooper Connolly and Karthik Sharma also increased.

2. Understanding the rules of cricket and match situations

Fans turned to Google searches to understand tournament rules, qualification scenarios and cricket terminology. Some questions include: “How many points are needed to qualify semi-finals in IPL?”, (“What does 1 demerit point mean in Cricket IPL?”), And “What is DRS timer in cricket?”.Google said new viewers also searched for explanations, including basic cricket concepts “How long is a cricket pitch?”, “What is the meaning of leg break in cricket?”, And “Why doesn’t the 11th player bat in cricket?”

3. Analyzing player performance and tournament trends

Search activity also reflected interest in statistical analysis and comparison of player performance. Users searched for questions like “How many players have scored a century so far in the 2026 IPL?” (“Which player has the highest strike rate in the IPL?”) And “Who has the most Orange Caps in IPL?”Fans are increasingly turning to Google searches to understand trends throughout the tournament, such as: “Why are teams scoring so much in IPL?”Searches also include cross-sport comparisons, with users asking, “Which is harder, F1 racing or cricket?”.

4. Buying jerseys and cricket paraphernalia

IPL 2026 also influenced shopping-related searches, especially for team merchandise and cricket equipment. Search on Google, including “ipl jersey price”, “mi t-shirt” And “Cricket Jersey Same Day Delivery” Saw a nail.Questions also included equipment such as cricket helmets, branded cricket shoes, sunglasses and English Willow kits, indicating interest in everything from watching matches to purchasing gear.Google said IPL remains one of the most searched sports topics in India since 2020, with the trend continuing in the 2026 season as fans use search for information, analytics and purchase related to the match.

According to American Bazaar, Indian-American teacher and policy professional Piya Dandiya has shifted her US Congress campaign to Florida’s redrawn 22nd District, moving on from her previous bid in the 21st District, as she enters a closely watched open race in the state.Dandiya is a former high school principal and technology manager. She is running on a platform focused on lowering the cost of living, strengthening public education, and supporting middle-class families. His campaign comes after a mid-decade redistricting plan approved by Governor Ron DeSantis reshaped many congressional boundaries, turning the 22nd District into a competitive swing seat in South Florida.If elected, she will become the first South Asian American to represent Florida in Congress, reflecting the state’s growing Indian-American population.Dandiya was born and raised in Palm Beach County. She is a first-generation Indian American whose parents immigrated from India in search of better opportunities. Her early experience in education work included volunteering during her undergraduate years, when she taught English to children in the slums of New Delhi, an experience she said focused her attention on educational equity. She currently lives in Palm Beach County with her husband and son.Her professional career began in education, where she worked as a teacher in low-income schools, where she reported good student outcomes, with over 90% of her students reaching state proficiency levels. At the age of 28, she founded a charter high school in Harlem, New York and became one of the youngest principals in America. The school achieved strong academic results, with all graduates gaining admission to college despite the majority of students coming from low-income backgrounds.He later worked with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education as a White House Fellow before moving into the private sector. In that role, he worked on public sector initiatives at Apple involving education, health care, and government systems.His campaign focuses on reducing everyday costs, including fuel, groceries and health care, through measures such as negotiating prescription drug prices. She also supports universal pre-kindergarten, increased investment in public schools, expansion of vocational training, and protection of Social Security and Medicare.Dandiya has also received an endorsement from Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried and a reported campaign fund of $1.17 million cash. This establishes him as a strong contender in the Democratic primary for the newly competitive district.

An illegal immigrant has been accused of killing four young people after driving while intoxicated (DUI) on an Oklahoma highway.Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Michael Rosario-Cruz. He was released from the hospital and booked into the Canadian County Jail on multiple charges, including four counts of second-degree murder, DUI causing serious injury, driving while impaired, carrying a firearm while intoxicated and transporting an open container.The crash happened early Friday morning on Interstate 40 in Canadian County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Rosario-Cruz was reportedly driving westbound in the eastbound lanes when he collided with another vehicle. Due to the collision, the car caught fire and all four occupants died.The victims were identified as Kiersey Hickson, 20, Quincy Jones, 19, and Haleigh Salazar, 18, and Brad Palmer.Rosario-Cruz is the subject of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention request, meaning ICE has asked to be notified prior to any release so that deportation proceedings can begin. His nationality and when he entered the United States have not been confirmed.“Driving without a license is a reckless, life-altering decision,” the Highway Patrol said in a social media post announcing the charges.It added: “The loss of these young lives will have a lasting impact on countless family members, friends and communities.”The victims were remembered at a recent vigil held at El Reno High School, where three of them graduated. Nancy Salsman, a retired teacher, said she taught second grade to three of the victims.“You just make that connection that never goes away,” he told News 9.He added, “They’re always your kids. And when something like this happens we come together.”

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met the family of a 22-year-old NEET aspirant who died by suicide in Rajasthan’s Sikar, days after the National Testing Agency (NTA) canceled the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 exam due to paper leak.In a social media post on Twitter, Rahul said that Pradeep’s death was not a suicide but the result of a broken and corrupt system.Rahul said, “Today I met the family of promising student Pradeep Meghwal, who was so hurt by the NEET paper leak that he committed suicide. Their pain cannot be expressed in words. A mother and father have lost their son and they were guilty without any fault.”“Lakhs of children across the country are living under pressure from studies, competition and their future. And when a paper leaks, it’s not just a test – a child’s dream is shattered, and an entire family’s. Those who handed over the examination system to the mafia, and who are still clinging to their chairs – the Modi-Shah duo are answerable to this family,” the Congress leader said.Pradeep’s family members said he was under a lot of stress after the medical entrance exam was canceled following the paper leak controversy.According to the police, Pradeep was found hanging in his room. He was taken to SK Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Later his body was kept in the mortuary of the government hospital for postmortem procedures. Udyog Nagar Police has started investigation. Pradeep’s father Rajesh Kumar said that his son studied hard for three years for the medical entrance exam and performed very well this time.The NEET-UG 2026 exam conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses was later canceled after allegations of paper leak.The Center later handed over the investigation into the irregularities to the CBI, which has so far arrested 10 people in the case.