May 2024 - Page 2 of 7 - Disasters News

May282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Papua New Guinea Faces Catastrophe: Landslide Buries 2,000, Sparks Urgent Evacuations

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has led to the urgent evacuation of approximately 7,900 people from remote villages, with fears of further landslips looming. The disaster struck on May 24, burying an estimated 2,000 people under a vast expanse of yellow and grey debris. The remote location, severed road access, ongoing heavy rainfall, and nearby tribal violence have severely hindered rescue and relief operations. Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka described the continuing peril as "the tragedy is still active," with continuous rockfalls from Mount Mungalo. Satellite images revealed the massive scale of the landslide, which has cut through verdant bushland and severed the region's only road. Locals have been desperately digging throu...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf Calves Massive Iceberg A-83, Signals Ongoing Environmental Shift

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

On May 20th, 2024, Antarctica witnessed yet another significant iceberg calving event as a massive iceberg measuring 380 square kilometers (approximately 147 square miles) broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf. This event, designated A-83 by the U.S. National Ice Center, marks the third major iceberg calving in the region within the past four years. The separation of iceberg A-83 was captured by two Earth Observation satellites: the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-1 and NASA's Landsat 8 satellites. These satellites provided radar imaging and thermal data, respectively, allowing scientists to monitor the effects of climate change on remote regions like Antarctica. Routine monitoring of ice shelves by satellites enables scientists to track changes in ice dynamics and structura...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA’s PREFIRE Mission: Studying Earth’s Heat Emissions and Monitoring Polar Climate Change

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Space

NASA's PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission has successfully launched the first of two climate satellites designed to study heat emissions from Earth's polar regions. The satellite lifted off on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand, at 7:41 p.m. NZST (3:41 a.m. EDT) on Saturday. PREFIRE Mission Overview The PREFIRE mission consists of two CubeSats, each the size of a shoebox, tasked with measuring the amount of heat radiated from Earth's poles into space. These CubeSats will provide critical data to help researchers predict changes in Earth's ice, seas, and weather patterns in a warming world. The mission aims to fill a significant gap in our understanding of how the polar regions influence the planet’s energy budge...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu: No Tsunami warning issued by agency

Breaking News, Disasters

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 9:23 am local time at a depth of approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles) below the ocean's surface. Its epicenter was located about 83 kilometers (51 miles) northwest of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. Despite the earthquake's significant magnitude, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that it is not expected to generate a tsunami. The quake struck near a sparsely populated cluster of islands, reducing the immediate threat to heavily populated areas. As of now, there have been no reports of damage or casualties. Authorities in Vanuatu are monitoring the situation closely and have advised residents to stay alert for potent...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tornado Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in Central U.S., Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Breaking News, Disasters

Washington: At least 15 people have lost their lives across the central United States as a series of tornadoes and extreme storms wreaked havoc in several states, including Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Officials reported ongoing rescue efforts and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers after the severe weather hit the Southern Plains region starting late Saturday. Texas Hit Hard by Deadly Tornado In Texas, the Valley View area, north of Dallas, bore the brunt of a devastating tornado. Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed that seven people died in the disaster. The twister caused extensive damage, demolishing homes and a gas station, and overturning vehicles on an interstate highway. "The damage is pretty extensive," Sappington said in an inte...

May262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Remal Cyclone Movement Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” Over North Bay of Bengal

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Severe Cyclonic Storm "Remal" (pronounced as "Re-Mal") over the North Bay of Bengal has intensified significantly. As of 0830 hrs IST today, May 26, 2024, the cyclone was centered near latitude 19.8°N and longitude 89.3°E. It is positioned approximately 260 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 310 km south of Mongla (Bangladesh), 240 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), and 280 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal). The storm is currently moving northward at a speed of 7 kmph, with maximum sustained winds of 90-100 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph. Forecast and Expected Impact Movement and Landfall: Remal is expected to continue its northward trajectory, intensifying further. It is predicted to make landfall between Sagar Island (India) and Khepupara ...

May262024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why people should never take Pebbles from Coastal Beach or side space form Rivers: Scientist suggest with scientific reasoning

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations

Cumberland Council in northern England has announced new measures to protect its beaches, imposing fines of up to £1,000 on individuals caught removing pebbles. This decision, while frustrating to some beachgoers, is essential for preventing coastal erosion and maintaining natural habitats, as research has shown. For many, visiting the beach evokes joyful childhood memories, where collecting pebbles as souvenirs seemed harmless. However, these pebbles play a critical role in providing habitats for various creatures and offering natural protection for homes and infrastructure from the sea. While many might have taken the odd pebble or even bags of them for garden rockeries, the removal of beach materials is illegal in the UK. This law, established under the 1949 Coastal Protection Act...

May252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Vs Intense Heatwave: Rising Temperatures and Intense Heat Index Explained

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions

The heat in Delhi is becoming increasingly unbearable. On May 23, 2024, the temperature reached 41 degrees Celsius, but it felt like a scorching 50 degrees Celsius. In the coming days, the perceived heat may rise to an astonishing 56 degrees Celsius. Despite being just one degree above the normal temperature, the heat feels extraordinarily intense. Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) shows a discrepancy between recorded temperatures and the heat people actually feel. This is backed by a recent study indicating that the temperatures tolerated by Indian citizens already exceed the set limits. Why Does the Heat Feel More Intense? The sensation of intense heat is not solely due to high air temperatures. Humidity plays a significant role in how hot it feels. The...

May252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Seven Kerala Districts Amidst Heavy Rainfall

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns over the persisting heavy rainfall in Kerala by issuing a yellow alert for seven districts. According to the latest forecast, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod are expected to witness significant rainfall, ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm, on Saturday. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan shared alarming statistics, revealing that Kerala has witnessed 11 rain-related deaths from May 9 to May 23. These fatalities include six drownings, two quarry accidents, two lightning strikes, and one house collapse, painting a grim picture of the ongoing weather challenges. In response to the escalating situation, Minister Rajan urged residents to exercise caution and avoid venturing into water bodie...

May252024 by Editor Desk1 Comment

Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal Intensifies, Landfall Expected in Bangladesh and West Bengal

Breaking News, Disasters

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning as a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into severe cyclonic storm Remal. The storm is anticipated to make landfall on the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal early Sunday morning, May 26, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds. According to the IMD, Cyclone Remal is projected to move northward and then eastward, gaining further intensity over the east-central Bay of Bengal by Saturday morning. It is expected to track towards the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, with a potential landfall between Sagar Island (India) and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by Saturday night. The forecast indicates wind speeds reaching 110-120 kilometres per hour (kmph) gusting up to 135 kmph at the time of landfall...