France has accused a cyber unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of carrying out a large-scale cyberattack on supermarket refrigeration systems, an incident that reportedly affected more than 1,000 stores and resulted in fires, equipment damage and substantial food waste.

French authorities have opened an investigation into the attacks, which took place on October 11 and 12, 2026. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that the Iranian ambassador had been summoned over the incident, while France said it would seek sanctions against those responsible at the European level.

Barrot described the incident as an unprecedented act of cyber sabotage on French soil, adding that the country would consider proportionate measures in response.

According to investigators, the attackers gained remote internet access to supermarket refrigeration systems and manipulated their temperature settings, raising them to as high as 50 degrees Celsius overnight. The resulting temperature spikes caused large quantities of food to spoil. In some locations, the overheating reportedly triggered fires and damaged refrigeration equipment.

The attack affected several major French supermarket groups, including E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Carrefour, Monoprix and Coopérative U. At least 300 Intermarché and Netto stores were reportedly affected. Coopérative U said more than 100 supermarkets had been targeted, while Carrefour reported incidents at 80 stores. Monoprix also reported that approximately five per cent of its nearly 490 outlets were affected.

French investigators have attributed the activity to Shahid Kaveh, described as an offensive cyber unit affiliated with the IRGC. The Paris prosecutor’s office has reportedly requested international arrest warrants for the unit's leader and two deputies.

Investigators cited the use of Farsi and IP addresses associated with devices in Iran as part of the evidence behind the attribution. However, tracing the operators of cyberattacks remains difficult, particularly when attackers route communications through multiple locations and jurisdictions.

The incident has also raised concerns beyond France. Supermarkets in Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden reported similar refrigeration problems on November 2, with dozens of stores and a food distribution hub affected. Whether these incidents were directly connected to the French attacks remains a matter for investigation.

The episode highlights the vulnerability of essential retail infrastructure to cyber threats. Supermarket refrigeration systems are critical to preserving perishable food, maintaining food safety and preventing supply-chain losses. Their connection to internet-based monitoring and control systems can also create additional points of exposure if cybersecurity safeguards are inadequate.

For retailers, the consequences of such incidents extend beyond disrupted equipment. A compromised refrigeration network can lead to spoiled inventory, operational interruptions, financial losses and potential risks to food safety. The attacks underline the importance of securing connected operational technology, monitoring unusual temperature changes and maintaining contingency systems that can limit damage when digital controls are compromised.

France's investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against Iran have not been independently established through a judicial finding. The incident nevertheless places the cybersecurity of supermarket infrastructure and food distribution networks firmly in the spotlight.

The White Rann of Kutch is once again set to welcome travellers for Rann Utsav 2026–27, which began on November 1, 2026, and will continue until March 7, 2027. Held at Dhordo in Gujarat, the festival brings together the region's landscapes, traditional crafts, folk performances, local cuisine and tented accommodation, creating a temporary festival destination in the middle of the vast white salt desert.

One of the main attractions of Rann Utsav is the White Rann, which looks especially striking under the moonlight. During full-moon nights, the white salt landscape reflects the light, offering visitors a distinctive desert experience. The setting also gives travellers an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Great Rann of Kutch while experiencing the region's cultural traditions.

A Celebration of Kutchi Culture

The Tent City at Dhordo brings several aspects of Kutch's cultural heritage together in one place. Visitors can enjoy Kutchi folk music and dance, regional food, handicrafts and shopping zones. The festival also offers different desert activities, making it an experience for families, groups and travellers interested in local culture.

Accommodation at the Tent City ranges from non-AC Swiss cottages to premium and super-premium tents. The facilities include en-suite bathrooms, housekeeping, dining arrangements, parking and power backup, allowing visitors to experience a temporary desert stay with essential comforts. For those looking for outdoor activities, options include ATV rides, paramotoring and paintball. Travellers can also explore nearby attractions across Kutch, including Dholavira, through guided excursions.

Full-moon dates are among the most popular periods to experience the festival. The suggested windows for the 2026–27 season are November 22–25, December 22–24, January 20–23 and February 18–21.

Booking Safely and Avoiding Scams

While Rann Utsav attracts visitors from across India and overseas, travellers should be careful when booking accommodation and travel packages. Lookalike websites, fake booking agents and misleading package offers can create problems for visitors planning their trip.

Gujarat Tourism directs visitors to the official Rann Utsav website, rannutsav.net, and its booking portal, booking.rannutsav.net. Travellers should use these channels to check availability, accommodation categories and package details before making payments.

It is also important to verify the operator and the exact package being offered. Unauthorised sellers may advertise packages without clearly mentioning the Tent City property, tent category, travel dates, inclusions, taxes or cancellation conditions. Visitors should ask for a proper invoice with the company's details and payment information.

Travellers are advised to avoid transferring money to personal UPI IDs or individual bank accounts shared by unknown agents. Payments should be made through traceable business channels or reputable payment gateways. Offers that create urgency, such as claims that only one tent is left, should also be checked carefully before proceeding.

Transport arrangements require similar attention. Visitors arriving at Bhuj airport or railway station should confirm their transfer details, pickup point, vehicle information and fare in advance. Official packages may include scheduled transfers, helping travellers avoid unverified local transport offers.

Government Support and Visitor Facilities

Rann Utsav is organised under Gujarat Tourism, with the Tent City serving as the official accommodation and experience hub. For the 2026–27 season, Evoke Experiences is managing the site, while Lallooji & Sons operates the Tent City.

This season includes around 70 new premium semi-permanent tents at Dhordo, along with upgraded accommodation and an expanded cultural programme. Visitor facilities include food courts, shopping areas, parking, clean toilets, drinking water and housekeeping services.

The Tent City also provides 24-hour security and surveillance, first-aid and medical assistance, standby ambulance support and wheelchair assistance on request. These facilities aim to support visitors throughout their stay.

The festival's tourism offering has also expanded beyond Dhordo, with additional stays and experiences at Dholavira. Official package transfers from Bhuj airport and railway station are another part of the arrangements for visitors.

With its combination of moonlit desert views, Kutchi traditions, local food, adventure activities and curated stays, Rann Utsav offers travellers a chance to experience a distinctive side of Gujarat. For a smoother visit, travellers should plan their dates in advance, check package details carefully and rely on verified booking channels rather than unknown agents.

Official Booking Websites:

• Rann Utsav: rannutsav.net 

• Booking Portal: booking.rannutsav.net 

Firecracker smoke disrupted flight operations at Chennai International Airport on Diwali night, delaying 26 flights and diverting one IndiGo service to Bengaluru. Visibility around the airport dropped below the required landing limit after rain stopped and smoke from firecrackers covered the area.

The disruption was caused by low runway visibility rather than a blanket flight ban. According to the reported details, visibility fell to around 900 metres, below the 950-metre Runway Visual Range (RVR) required for landings on runway 07. Under airport safety procedures, aircraft cannot land when visibility falls below the required minimum.

The situation affected 26 flights, including 11 arrivals and 15 departures. One IndiGo flight, 6E2002, travelling from Raipur to Chennai with 78 passengers, was diverted to Bengaluru at 11:15 pm after the pilot found that visibility was below the landing requirement.

Several other scheduled services were also affected, with departures delayed and some arriving aircraft held in holding patterns. The reported routes included Chennai connections with Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Sri Lanka. However, the available reports do not provide a complete airline-wise list of affected flights or confirm cancellations specifically caused by the smoke.

Air quality also deteriorated sharply across Chennai during the celebrations. Reports placed the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) at around 907 on Diwali night, while the city average was reported at 159 after the celebrations.

Pollution and Visibility Concerns Across Cities

Chennai was not the only city to experience poor air quality during the Diwali period. Delhi-NCR faced severe pollution, with AQI levels crossing 400 in several areas. Thick smog also reduced visibility, while Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was already in force ahead of Diwali.

Mumbai reported hazy conditions and smog around areas such as Kalanagar and Bandra. Kolkata was also covered in post-Diwali air-quality reports, with conditions described as unhealthy. However, the available reports did not identify flight disruptions in these cities on a scale comparable to Chennai.

Why Diwali Pollution Affects Flight Operations

Diwali-related pollution can become an aviation concern when firecracker emissions combine with weather conditions that keep smoke and pollutants close to the ground. In north India, winter temperature inversions, vehicle emissions and seasonal stubble burning can add to the problem. In Chennai, the immediate trigger reported this year was concentrated firecracker smoke around the airport after rainfall stopped.

Low visibility directly affects aircraft landing operations. Pilots and air traffic control teams must follow fixed safety limits based on runway conditions and aircraft requirements. Even when a runway remains physically open, arrivals may need to be delayed, held or diverted if the Runway Visual Range falls below the required minimum.

Steps to Reduce Future Disruptions

Preventing similar incidents requires action before pollution levels become severe. Seasonal restrictions on high-emission firecrackers, designated bursting hours and stronger enforcement near airports can help reduce smoke concentrations around critical flight paths.

Weather forecasting and airport preparedness are equally important. Combining India Meteorological Department forecasts, satellite information, air-quality sensors and wind-direction models can help airports anticipate smoke movement towards runways and alert airlines in advance.

Airports must also maintain reliable Runway Visual Range systems, lighting, instrument-landing facilities and diversion plans. Airlines need to prepare for possible disruptions through suitable fuel arrangements, crew planning and alternate-airport options during major festival periods.

Other measures include controlling construction and road dust, restricting older vehicles during severe pollution episodes and encouraging public transport. Cleaner celebrations, including community light shows and green crackers where permitted, can also help reduce the impact of festival emissions, particularly in areas close to airports.

Timely passenger communication is another important part of managing such disruptions. Airlines and airports need to share clear updates about expected delays, diversions and rebooking arrangements so that travellers can plan their journeys accordingly.

The disruption at Chennai Airport shows that air pollution is not only a public health concern but also a challenge for aviation and city connectivity. With at least 26 flights delayed and one IndiGo service diverted, the incident highlights the need for better pollution forecasting, airport readiness and preventive measures before the festival season begins.