News In Frames: The long swim to Ceuta

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:16:00 +0000

Ceuta, the Spanish exclave that shares borders with Morocco, witnessed its largest migrant surge in years last week. More than 50,000 migrants had rushed into the Spanish city since July 30, mostly by swimming or crossing on inner tubes and improvised flotation devices from Morocco.

Many arrived by inner tube with cell phones zipped in waterproof pouches, and upon reaching shore cheered for Spain and kissed the ground. For many others, the crossing turned deadly: at least 57 were reported dead, including people who drowned and others crushed while climbing the breakwater fence. The influx marked the largest arrival of migrants in Ceuta since 2021. Ceuta’s regional president declared an “absolute humanitarian and social emergency” and called on Madrid to send troops to reassert control. Spain’s left-leaning Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rushed to the exclave on Friday and slammed the mass crossings as an attack on Spain’s sovereignty.

Ceuta and Melilla, both Spanish exclaves in Africa, are part of both the European Union and the Schengen Area. By Friday, Spain announced that more than48,300 of the arrivals had already been sent back to Morocco under existing bilateral arrangements. Troops were mobilised to Ceuta. But it remains unclear what suddenly triggered the surge. Spanish authorities say trafficking networks spread misinformation that asylum could easily be obtained in Spain. Some say Moroccan authorities allowed large-scale migrant movement. Both Spain’s critics abroad and Mr Sanchez’s political rivals at home seized on the crisis to attack Madrid. As of now, Spain claims that the situation is returning to normalcy. But Ceuta remains on the edge.

(Text by Stanly Johny)

Photo:
AP

Against waves: Migrants make their way from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30, as the border witnessed its biggest migrant surge in years

Photo:
Reuters

Waiting game: Migrants gather around a burnt-out vehicle near Fnideq, Morocco, on July 31, waiting for an opportunity to cross into Ceuta

Photo:
AFP

Border tensions: Migrants gather on a hillside during clashes with Moroccan security forces near Fnideq, as thousands attempt to reach Ceuta.

Photo:
Reuters

First steps: A migrant gestures after reaching the Spanish side of the border in Ceuta, following the hazardous journey by land and sea.

Photo:
JORGE GUERRERO

TOPSHOT – Migrants swim around a border barrier with Morocco to enter Spain’s north Africa’s Ceuta enclave on July 31, 2026. Thousands of migrants crossed overnight from Morocco into Ceuta enclave, a police source said, as Spanish Prime Minister was set to arrive to manage the latest migrant crisis on the border. In recent days, a total of around 40,000 migrants have crossed into the territory, population 80,000, the source added. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)

Photo:
AFP

Divided voices: Far-right demonstrators protest the mass arrivals in Ceuta outside the Moroccan Embassy in Madrid on July 31.

Photo:
Reuters

Safe ground: Emotion washes over a migrant after he reached Ceuta on July 31, ending a perilous journey across the border.

Photo:
AFP

Quick reaction: A Spanish soldier escorts migrants back towards the Moroccan border on August 1, as Spain rapidly returned most of those who entered Ceuta.

Photo:
Reuters

Under watch: A Spanish soldier questions a migrant in Ceuta after thousands crossed into the enclave by land and sea.

Photo:
Reuters

Turning back: Spanish police and soldiers escort migrants towards the border after authorities begin returning arrivals to Morocco.

Published – August 02, 2026 09:46 am IST

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News in Frames | The drying naulas of Uttarakhand

admin — Sun, 24 May 2026 01:25:00 +0000

Naulas, or water temples, represent a remarkable union of nature and human ingenuity — places where one could drink clean water or even take a royal bath, as at the Ranidhara naula. These traditional stone-built water springs of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand have long been an integral part of Himalayan life. They are not only historically significant but are also sites of water worship.

In Kumaon culture, a naula is treated with the sanctity of a temple and these ancient stone-lined water structures serve as the primary lifeline for drinking water, especially where modern piped infrastructure faces geographical challenges.

Today, however, many naulas and dharas, the natural springs where water emerges from the hillsides, are drying up, lying abandoned, or growing polluted — signs of a deepening environmental crisis across the State. Declining groundwater recharge has caused these springs to weaken, and many of these groundwater aquifers, tucked away inside village lanes or forest patches, have been neglected. Frequent forest fires compound the problem, destroying vegetation and drying out the soil.

Climate change has further disrupted rainfall patterns, bringing irregular rains, reduced snowfall, and rapid surface run-off rather than steady absorption into the ground. Among the major drivers of this decline are road construction, urbanisation, and rising tourism, all of which have damaged natural water channels and recharge zones. Many villagers also speak of acute water shortages, particularly in summer, forcing them to climb to higher ground in search of water.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Quenching their thirst: Schoolchildren collect water from an outlet at the Ranidhara naula in Almora district in Uttarakhand.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Intricate work: A naula, designed with masonry walls to filter and collect water from the earth, in Mangrao village of Nainital.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Stark stones: The stone storage structure in a naula lies dry in Mangrao village. Steps to protect the springs are the need of the hour.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Royal lineage: A storage structure at the Ranidhara naula in Almora. Constructed by the Chand dynasty rulers, the naula was once used by women from the royal families.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Quirky design: A person collects dhara water from the mouth of a sculpture in Nainital district.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Storied stream: Water from a dhara flows through a pipe against the backdrop of decorative tiles with religious motifs in Lohali village, Nainital.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Slippery slope: Redevelopment on mountainsides, slope instability and rapid climate change are threatening the course of natural water flow.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Abandoned tanks: Plastic bottles and other waste materials inside a storage unit, which collects water from a dhara in Nainital.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Calm surface: The Nainital Lake, which gets water from the dhoros and surface run-off from the surrounding mountains.

Photo:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Lonely valley: A naula built along the hill slopes in Mangrao village of Nainital. Once revered as a water temple, the structure now stands as a reminder of human connection with nature.

Published – May 24, 2026 06:55 am IST

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News In Frames: The long swim to Ceuta

News in Frames | The drying naulas of Uttarakhand