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During every monsoon season, flooded roads hide deadly dangers. Open drains and deep potholes submerged under water lead to the death of people who could have been saved.

To change this situation, 38-year-old Abhijit Dwara from Sivasagar, Assam, developed an inexpensive solar safety device using discarded plastic bottles. During the day, the device's reflector makes hidden dangers visible, and at night, automatic solar lighting helps pedestrians and drivers stay safe.

An arts graduate, Abhijit, has already created over 50 useful items from waste and now hopes that this simple invention will be implemented in flood-prone areas to prevent accidents and save lives.

Sometimes the most effective solutions are not the most expensive—they are created with compassion and determination.

Every monsoon, flooded streets turn into a hidden threat. Open drains and deep pits disappear from sight under murky water, turning a simple walk or ride into a life-threatening situation. Such accidents occur annually in flood-affected areas of Assam.

For 38-year-old Abhijit Dwara from Sivasagar, the answer was not in expensive technology but in a discarded plastic bottle. He developed a simple solar safety device that warns people about dangers hidden underwater during floods. Made from used plastic bottles and other inexpensive materials, the device reflects sunlight during the day, making it easier to detect submerged drains and potholes. After sunset, the built-in solar light automatically turns on, helping pedestrians and drivers navigate flooded roads more safely. This is a simple idea that could significantly change the situation in areas suffering from flooding every monsoon.

When a Plastic Bottle Becomes a Lifesaver

Innovation has always been a way for Abhijit to solve everyday problems. Over the years, this self-taught individual has created over 50 products using discarded materials. His inventions range from wearable devices to assist people with visual impairments to shelters for homeless dogs made from old televisions. During the floods in Sivasagar this year, he also converted his motorcycle into a mobile solar charging station, allowing residents without electricity to charge their phones.

Now he hopes his latest invention will find use in flooded towns and villages, where a simple warning marker can prevent a catastrophic accident. For him, innovation has never been about creating something extraordinary; it has always been about using what others throw away to protect lives and serve the community.

An event was held in Tashkent dedicated to the implementation of updated environmental impact assessment mechanisms. The press conference was organized by the State Center for Environmental Expertise under the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and concerned the provisions of Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 234 dated May 11, 2026.

Representatives of the agency presented the main changes designed to update the environmental expertise system in line with international standards. This reform includes differentiated project assessment based on the level of environmental risk, as well as the introduction of screening and scoping procedures, greenhouse gas and carbon footprint emissions assessment, and expanded opportunities for public participation in environmentally significant decision-making.

The Director General of the State Center for Environmental Expertise, Gairat Mukhammedov, noted that one of the most important innovations will be the implementation of screening and scoping procedures. At the initial screening stage, specialists will determine whether a project poses a potential threat to the environment. If no risks are found, the entrepreneur will receive an official response in just one working day, and the process will be considered complete.

If environmental risks are identified, the project will be transferred to the scoping stage. At this stage, experts will determine the necessary scope of environmental studies.

Organizers reported that the new mechanisms are also aimed at improving ease of work for the business community. Now entrepreneurs can submit the required documents in electronic format, and project requirements will directly depend on how much they affect the environment. Furthermore, the creation of an open rating system to evaluate companies engaged in developing environmental documentation is planned, which should promote greater transparency and reduce both time and financial costs.

The National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change emphasized that the main goal of the reform is not to introduce new barriers for businesses, but to promptly identify environmental threats, simplify bureaucratic procedures, and achieve harmony between economic growth and nature protection. According to participants of the press conference, this decree elevates the environmental expertise system in Uzbekistan to a qualitatively different level, transforming it into a modern tool for preventing and managing environmental risks.

Europe is experiencing summer with extreme heat and drought, accompanied by record temperatures, an increased risk of forest fires, and declining river levels in several countries.

In France, July was the hottest since national records began in 1900; the average temperature for the month was 24.9 degrees Celsius, according to Meteo-France data. Rainfall across the country was nearly 70% below the average seasonal figure, making July 2026 the third driest July in history.

Persistent heat, drought, and windy conditions maintained a high or very high risk of forest fires. In the Gironde department in the southwest, a forest fire swept over about 42,000 hectares, forcing the evacuation of over 220,000 people.

In Austria, a national temperature record of 41 degrees Celsius was set on Tuesday amid the ongoing heatwave. This record was recorded in the Stammersdorf region of Vienna, according to Austrian state broadcaster ORF.

A forest fire is also raging in Burgenland, and the Lobau catchment area in Vienna is under the highest fire danger level. Meanwhile, the water level in the Danube has dropped to historically low levels, comparable to major low-water years in 2003 and 2018.

Neighboring Hungary extended the severe heat warning until midnight Friday, as forecasts indicate the heatwave will continue. Authorities cautioned the population against the effects of prolonged high temperatures and urged them to take necessary precautions.

The heatwave intensified the drought, lowered the water levels in major rivers, and increased the threat of forest fires, resulting in firefighters responding to approximately 100 open fires daily.

Italy also faced its fourth major heatwave this summer, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. The Ministry of Health declared the highest level of heat warning for 25 out of 27 monitored cities in the country, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Naples, and Palermo.

Hot and dry conditions increased the risk of forest fires and put pressure on agriculture; farmers reported reduced yields and increased irrigation needs.

Low river levels and rising water temperatures also affected the operation of nuclear power plants in various parts of Europe. The Pax NPP in Hungary, which supplies almost half of the country's electricity, remained operational, but its functioning depended on the condition of the river and the performance of the cooling system.

The Chornobyl NPP in Romania shut down both reactors after low water levels in the Danube affected its operation. Some nuclear facilities in France and Switzerland also experienced operational disruptions because the high water temperature in the rivers impacted the ability of the cooling system to function effectively.

The combination of extreme heat, drought, and reduced water availability places a strain on public health, agricultural, wildfire prevention, and energy systems in the affected regions.