February 2024 - Disasters News

Feb292024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Record Warmth in North Atlantic Raises Alarm Bells: What It Means for the Planet and Its Inhabitants

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Amidst the wintry chill, an unsettling reality lurks beneath the surface of the North Atlantic waters: they're warmer than ever before. The sea surface temperature in this region, between South Carolina and Spain, is currently running about 2 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the average temperature over the last three decades, marking a record high. Visualizing the data reveals a stark picture: the thick orangey-red line representing 2023 stretches conspicuously above all others on the chart, signaling unprecedented warmth. Even more concerning is the shorter line from 2024, indicating a continued surge in temperature well above historical norms. Brian McNoldy, a climate researcher at the University of Miami, expressed deep concern over this alarming trend, emphasizing its implications...

Feb172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Revealing the Hidden World: Satellite Technology Unveils Vast Expansion of Global Coral Reefs

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers utilizing advanced satellite imagery and cutting-edge machine learning algorithms have unveiled a stunning revelation: the world's coral reefs are nearly 25 percent larger than previously estimated. Through a collaborative effort involving satellite imagery, machine learning algorithms, and on-ground observations from a global network of experts, an additional 64,000 square kilometers (24,700 square miles) of coral reefs have been identified – an area equivalent to the size of Ireland. This newfound expanse brings the total area of the planet's shallow reefs – spanning depths of 0 to 20 meters – to a staggering 348,000 square kilometers, akin to the dimensions of Germany. Within this vast domain lies approximately 80,000 square kilometers of ha...

Feb172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Unveiling the Chilling Reality: Climate Change’s Alarming Impact on Glacial Meltdown Threatens Global Climate Stability

Breaking News, Climate Actions

As the world grapples with the escalating crisis of climate change, a sobering revelation emerges: glaciers are vanishing at an unprecedented pace, heralding potentially catastrophic consequences for our planet's climate system. Amidst this dire prognosis, a longstanding study resurfaces, warning of a looming collapse of the Gulf Stream – a vital ocean current crucial to maintaining climate equilibrium. The Gulf Stream, an oceanic juggernaut originating in the Gulf of Mexico, serves as a linchpin in regulating North Atlantic climate patterns, transporting warmth from the Equator to higher latitudes. However, as glaciers melt at an alarming rate, the delicate balance of this crucial current hangs in the balance, threatening to plunge regions into a climatic abyss. According to the stu...

Feb102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Strong Earthquake Hits Hawaii, No Tsunami Threat Reported

Breaking News, Disasters

On Friday, Hawaii experienced a significant earthquake, according to US seismologists, though there is no risk of a tsunami. The quake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, struck near Pahala on the main island of Hawaii, with its epicenter located approximately 37 kilometers (23 miles) below the Earth's surface, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The tremor was felt across the main island, with reports flooding in from various locations via a website where individuals share their earthquake experiences with the USGS. Fortunately, the agency stated that the likelihood of casualties or extensive damage was minimal. Despite being situated in the middle of a massive tectonic plate, Hawaii remains an area of high seismic activity. The region is home to six active volcanoes, includin...

Feb102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Exploring the Dynamic Evolution of Oceanic Plateaus Through Cutting-Edge Research: Unveiling Earth’s Submerged Mysteries

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

The journey toward the acceptance of plate tectonics theory has been long and filled with challenges, yet even now, it continues to evolve. A recent study focusing on four plateaus in the western Pacific Ocean sheds new light on the dynamics of Earth's crust, suggesting that these expansive areas are not rigid slabs as previously thought but rather weak spots being pulled apart by distant forces at the plate's edge. Led by University of Toronto geophysicist Russell Pysklywec and earth scientist Erkan Gün, the study challenges the traditional view that large sections of oceanic plates remain rigid as they drift atop the mantle. By analyzing existing data on oceanic plateaus such as the Shatsky Rise, Hess Rise, Ontong Java Plateau, and Manihiki Plateau, the researchers found evidence of d...

Feb102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ISRO Set to Launch INSAT-3DS Satellite for Enhanced Meteorological Observations

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of its latest meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS, on February 17. Scheduled to be deployed aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV F14), the mission aims to bolster meteorological observations, leading to improved weather forecasting and disaster warning capabilities. In a statement released on Thursday, ISRO announced that the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission is set to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota at 5:30 pm. This mission marks the 16th flight of the GSLV and is intended to place the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Subsequent maneuvers will position the satellite into a Geo-Stationary Orbit. Designed t...

Feb92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Develops State-of-the-Art Earth System Model for Climate Change Assessment

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

In a significant stride towards climate research and assessment, India has successfully developed its first indigenous Earth System Model (ESM) known as the IITM-ESM. This cutting-edge model was developed at the Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The IITM-ESM marks a milestone in India's climate science capabilities and has played a crucial role in the latest Sixth Assessment Report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It provides valuable insights into climate change dynamics, enabling policymakers and researchers to make informed decisions. Supported by an allocation of Rs. 192.28 crores under the Monsoon Convection, Clouds and Climate Change (MC4) sub-scheme ...

Feb82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tragedy Strikes: MP Harda Factory Fire Updates: 11 Killed, 200 Injured in Explosive Unit Blasts; 3 Held

Breaking News, Disasters

Madhya Pradesh's Harda district was engulfed in tragedy as a series of explosions rocked a fireworks factory on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 11 individuals and leaving nearly 200 others wounded. The harrowing incident unfolded with terrifying intensity, captured in videos circulating on social media, depicting flames leaping skyward and plumes of smoke billowing as explosions reverberated through the area. NDRF, SDRF Efforts Continue Amidst Devastation In the aftermath of the blasts, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) sprang into action, tirelessly working to clear debris and render aid to the injured. Despite the challenging conditions, their efforts remained steadfast as they navigated the chaos to provide assi...

Feb82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Calls for New Category 6 Classification as Hurricanes Grow Stronger Amid Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Disasters

As hurricanes become increasingly powerful due to the climate crisis, scientists are urging for the expansion of the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale to include a new category 6 designation, capable of encompassing storms with sustained winds exceeding 192mph. Researchers, led by Michael Wehner of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and James Kossin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have proposed this new classification in response to the escalating intensity of hurricanes fueled by global heating. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study argues that the existing scale, developed in the 1970s, fails to adequately capture the extreme ferocity of these mega-hurricanes, which pose unprecedented threats to life and property. While hurricanes ha...

Feb52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Deadly Forest Fires Ravage Chile, Leaving Dozens Dead and Thousands Displaced

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

In a devastating turn of events, Chile finds itself engulfed in a state of emergency as raging forest fires tear through the central regions of the country, claiming lives, destroying homes, and prompting widespread evacuations. With the death toll climbing and thousands displaced, authorities scramble to contain the infernos amid a sweltering heatwave exacerbating the crisis. The toll of the infernos is harrowing, with at least 64 lives lost and fears mounting that the number will soar as the blazes continue to ravage swathes of land. President Gabriel Boric, addressing the nation, grimly acknowledged, "We know that figure is going to grow, it’s going to grow significantly," underscoring the gravity of the situation. Amidst a Heatwave The fires, ignited two days ago, coincide wit...