Narayana Murthy warns of climate change-driven migration to Bengaluru, Pune
Pune: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has cautioned that climate change could lead to mass migration to urban centres like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad in the coming decades. Speaking at an event in Pune on Friday, he highlighted how rising temperatures and extreme weather could render certain rural areas uninhabitable, forcing millions to relocate to cities already grappling with infrastructure challenges.
"Within the next 20-25 years, many rural parts of India may become uninhabitable, triggering a significant migration to places like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad," Murthy remarked during an award ceremony.
Murthy also warned that these urban centres face their own issues, such as pollution, traffic congestion, and resource shortages, making them increasingly difficult to live in. "These cities are heading toward becoming unlivable," he said.
He called for urgent collaboration among corporates, political leaders, and bureaucrats to address climate change and mitigate its impacts. He stressed that proactive measures were essential to prevent rural-to-urban migration from overwhelming urban infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, Murthy expressed optimism about India’s ability to respond effectively. "I am optimistic that we will make progress by 2030," he said, urging timely intervention and collective action to tackle climate and migration crises.
India’s rapid urbanisation and growing population have already strained urban centres. The anticipated climate-driven migration could further exacerbate these challenges, intensifying demands on infrastructure and resources.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
