June 2024 - Page 6 of 7 - Disasters News

Jun42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

El Nino Weather Pattern Cause High Global temperatures and Extreme Hearwave in 2024

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Record warmth has been easing as El Niño shows signs of ending. The return of the cold weather phenomenon La Nina this year should help bring down temperatures after several months of record global heat, the United Nations Weather Agency said on Monday. The impact is likely to be felt in the coming months as the El Nino weather pattern that causes global temperatures and extreme weather from mid-2023 "shows signs of ending," the UN's World Meteorological Organization said in its latest update. The WMO warns, however, that global temperatures will rise in the long term due to human-caused climate change, which continues to worsen extreme climates and increase seasonal rainfall and weather. La Nina is associated with cooling sea surface temperatures, changes in wind, rainfall, and ...

Jun42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Farmers in Manipur Turn to Climate-Resilient Millets Amid Agricultural Challenges

Breaking News, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

As climate change continues to pose serious threats to agricultural production and destabilize farmers' livelihoods, communities in Manipur's Ukhrul district are turning to a more resilient crop: millets. The close affinity our forefathers shared with nature is making more sense now as traditional crops like paddy have witnessed significant declines in yield. Last year, paddy production in the region fell by 45 to 50 percent, causing immense hardship for local farmers. One such farmer, 67-year-old K. Shangam from Chingjaroi village, has shifted his focus to cultivating millet crops. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the potential of millets, which are not as affected by climate changes. Shangam has relied on selling his agricultural products at local markets, where the...

Jun42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Return of La Niña Expected to Ease Global Heat, UN Weather Agency Reports

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced on Monday that the return of the La Niña weather phenomenon should help to reduce global temperatures after several months of record-breaking heat. This cooling phase comes as the El Niño pattern, which has been contributing to extreme global temperatures since mid-2023, is showing signs of ending. According to the WMO's latest update, the impacts of La Niña will likely be felt in the coming months. However, the organization warns that despite the cooling trend, long-term global temperatures will continue to rise due to human-induced climate change, which exacerbates extreme weather and disrupts seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns. La Niña is characterized by the cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the ...

Jun32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sunspot Region AR 3697 Returns with a Bang, Unleashing Powerful X-Class Flares

Breaking News, Environment, Space

The sunspot region responsible for the glorious auroras that shimmered over most of Earth in early May is back, and it's still engaging in shenanigans. Known previously as AR 3664, this region was behind several X-class flares, including the most powerful of the current solar cycle. After rotating away from view onto the far side of the Sun in the middle of May, it re-emerged in style with a brand new name – AR 3697. On May 27, AR 3697 erupted with another powerful X-class flare, this time an X 2.8. Since then, it has continued its activity, producing four more X-class flares, bringing the total to five as of the latest reports. The sequence of events began on May 29 with an X1.45 flare, followed by an X1.1 flare on May 31. On June 1, AR 3697 unleashed two more flares, an X1.03 and a...

Jun32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UN Report Reveals Alarming Degradation of Global Rangelands, Urges Immediate Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The United Nations (UN) has released a new report highlighting the alarming degradation of rangelands worldwide. Covering more than half of Earth's land surface, rangelands are crucial ecosystems that sustain billions of people by providing meat, dairy, fiber, and other staple foods. However, the report finds that up to 50 percent of these vital landscapes are now degraded, with previous assessments underestimating the extent of the problem. Poor land management practices, exacerbated by climate change, are identified as the primary drivers of rangeland degradation. These practices include land clearing, mining, overgrazing, soil nutrient depletion, erosion, and wildfires. Conflict and border issues in some regions further contribute to overgrazing, hindering livestock movement and exac...

Jun32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Shares Stunning Image of Hurricane Idalia Captured from Space

Breaking News, Disasters

NASA's Instagram account recently showcased a breathtaking image of Hurricane Idalia, taken from the International Space Station (ISS). This image, posted by NASA Earth, highlights the agency's efforts in observing and studying hurricanes from space to better understand the impacts of climate change and improve community preparedness for tropical cyclones. In the image, part of the ISS is visible on the left, framing the large white spiral of Hurricane Idalia. The photograph was captured on August 23, 2023, by the ISS's external high-definition camera. At the time, Idalia was a Category 1 storm over the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour. As the storm progressed northward, it rapidly intensified and made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Au...

Jun22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Severe Light Pollution at Major Astronomical Observatories Worldwide

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Space

A new study conducted by researchers from Italy, Chile, and Galicia reveals that light pollution is significantly affecting the skies above many of the world's major astronomical observatories. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, emphasizes the urgent need for measures to reduce artificial light contamination to preserve the efficacy of ground-based astronomy. The research team examined light pollution levels at nearly 50 observatories globally, including both large professional facilities and smaller amateur observatories. Utilizing a model that simulates light propagation in the Earth's atmosphere and incorporating night-time satellite data, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of light pollution at these sites. Tra...

Jun22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Reveals Predictable Patterns in Stick Insect Evolution

Breaking News, Environment

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered that the evolution of camouflage patterns in stick insects follows a predictable pattern, challenging the long-held belief that evolution is a haphazard process. The study, led by evolutionary biologist Patrik Nosil from the French National Centre for Scientific Research, examined 30 years of data on Timema cristinae stick insects. Nosil and his team focused on the camouflage traits of these insects, which are essential for their survival as they blend into their environment to avoid predators. The study, conducted along roadsides in the mountains near Santa Barbara, California, involved netting and cataloging over 32,000 insects. The researchers found that in all 10 geographically separated populations, the frequency of green an...

Jun12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

IMD Clarifies Temperature Sensor Malfunctions Amidst Heatwave in North India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Nagpur: Following reports of record-breaking temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has clarified inaccuracies due to sensor malfunctions. On May 30, a weather station in Nagpur recorded an unprecedented 56 degrees Celsius. However, the IMD confirmed this was due to a malfunctioning temperature sensor. "The report of 56 degrees Celsius temperature on May 30 is not correct and not declared officially. The nearby functioning AWS at CICR, Nagpur, recorded a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius," stated the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Nagpur. Similarly, a weather station in Delhi recently recorded 52.9 degrees Celsius, purportedly the highest in the city's history. IMD officials later clarified this reading was due to an "error in sensor or local factor." ...

Jun12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heatwaves Break Records Globally With Health Concerns: Delhi’s 52.9°C to Iran’s 66°C Temperature recorded

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The exceptional temperatures recorded in New Delhi recently have added to the global tally of extreme weather events, highlighting the escalating impact of climate change. On May 29, parts of Delhi experienced temperatures soaring to 52.9 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded in India. This extreme event in Delhi is part of a broader pattern of unprecedented heatwaves affecting regions across the globe. In July 2022, the United Kingdom recorded temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius for the first time. A small town in northwest China reached 52 degrees Celsius last year, the highest ever for the country. In 2021, Sicily, Italy, reported 48.8 degrees Celsius, setting a record for Europe. Global Heatwave Incidents Iran experienced an alarming incident last year, where the h...