July 2024 - Disasters News

Jul312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Wayanad Landslides Scientists Point to Climate Change, Excessive Mining, and Deforestation as Key Factors

The devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which resulted in over 147 deaths and 128 injuries, are being attributed by scientists to a combination of climate change, excessive mining, and the loss of forest cover in the region. The catastrophic event, triggered by heavy rains, has left many still feared trapped under debris, with the Met Office warning of more rainfall in the coming days. Climate Change and Extreme Weather Patterns Heavy rain on Tuesday initiated the landslides in Wayanad district. According to S. Abhilash, director of the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the warming of the Arabian Sea is a significant factor contributing to the extreme and unpredictable rainfall patterns in Kerala. "Our resear...

Jul302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals 2022 Hunga Tonga Volcano Eruption Cooled Earth’s Climate

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Recent research from a team including Dr. Andrew Dessler, an atmospheric scientist at Texas A&M University, is challenging the widely held belief that the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano eruption contributed to Earth's recent extreme warmth. Contrary to initial assumptions, their findings indicate that the eruption actually had a cooling effect on the global climate. The Hunga Tonga eruption, occurring over two days in mid-January 2022, was a significant event, releasing vast amounts of volcanic aerosols and water vapor into the atmosphere. Unlike past volcanic eruptions, such as Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, which led to global cooling by blocking sunlight with aerosols, Hunga Tonga's underwater eruption added an unprecedented amount of water vapor to the stratosphere, increas...

Jul302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Wayanad Landslides: 106 pepole Dead, many missing and Hundreds Feared Trapped in Kerala

Breaking News, Disasters

Wayanad, Kerala – July 30, 2024: In a tragic turn of events, massive landslides early Tuesday morning have claimed 106 lives in Kerala’s Wayanad district. The calamity has left hundreds feared trapped, with rescue operations underway amidst challenging conditions. The landslides struck the hilly areas of Meppadi, Mundakkai Town, and Chooral Mala, causing widespread devastation. Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan initially confirmed eight fatalities, a number that has now risen to 106 as rescue efforts continue. Government and Rescue Efforts Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that all available government agencies have mobilized to conduct rescue operations. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has deployed teams from the Fireforce and the National Disa...

Jul252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New AI Tool Enhances Coastal Risk Assessment Amid Rising Extreme Weather Events

Breaking News, Disasters

An innovative tool, combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), is now available to study and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on coastlines. Developed from a study involving the CMCC (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change), this prototype offers decision-makers new capabilities to evaluate hazard factors and devise effective adaptation strategies. Coastal areas, characterized by high population density, interconnected economic activities, and fragile ecosystems, are particularly susceptible to extreme weather events, which are increasing due to climate change. The complexity of these interactions necessitates improved methodologies for assessing risks. Among the first studies of its kind, titled “A machine learning approach to evaluate coast...

Jul242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cocaine in Brazilian Sharpnose Sharks: Alarming Levels Found in South America’s Coastal Waters

Breaking News, Climate Actions

In a surprising and concerning discovery, researchers in Brazil have found significant levels of cocaine and its metabolites in the system of Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) swimming in South America's coastal waters. This finding, spearheaded by environmental scientist Gabriel de Farias Araujo from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, underscores the pervasive issue of pharmaceutical pollution affecting marine life. The research team tested 13 juvenile and young adult Brazilian sharpnose sharks, finding high concentrations of cocaine in all of them. Additionally, the drug's main metabolite, benzoylecgonine, was present in all but one shark. These findings are particularly alarming given that these predators play a crucial role in the marine food chain. While Hollywood mi...

Jul242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Death Toll in Ethiopian Landslides Rises to 229 Search for Survivors Continues

Breaking News, Disasters

The death toll from two devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia has surged to 229, with the number expected to rise further as rescue efforts continue, a government official reported on Tuesday. Triggered by heavy rainfall, the first landslide occurred in the Gofa zone of Southern Ethiopia's regional state on Sunday night, burying numerous residents. A second landslide struck on Monday morning, engulfing many who had gathered to assist in rescue operations. "I don't know when it will stop. We are still recovering bodies," said Markos Melese, head of the National Disaster Response agency in Gofa Zone, in a phone interview with Reuters. "We are still digging." Initially, officials reported at least 50 fatalities, including children and police officers. However, the toll has esca...

Jul232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Impact of the Teesta Valley GLOF: Photo Feature on Krishnagram – A Sinking Zone in Teesta Bazar

Breaking News, Disasters

In a poignant revisit to Krishnagram, a sinking zone in the Teesta Bazar, the devastation wrought by the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) remains starkly evident. Documented by Junkeri Studio in collaboration with SaveTheHills, this photo feature highlights the ongoing crisis faced by the residents of this beleaguered area. Bhasuwa Renamed Krishnagram: A Submerging Reality Coordinates: 27°03'41.7"N, 88°25'29.2"E, Elevation 248m Formerly known as Bhasuwa, Krishnagram has experienced a dramatic increase in subsidence since the GLOF raised the Teesta river levels by 4-5 meters. The river now flows perilously close, exacerbating erosion and ground instability. Desperation Amidst Destruction Ganga Sarki's Plight Mrs. Ganga Sarki, 55, and her paralyzed elder brot...

Jul232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Fiber Optic Cables: The Future of Earthquake Detection

Breaking News, Disasters

Submarine communication cables, like the intricate network branching off from Japan, illustrate our planet's interconnectedness. These cables, with their colorful lines connecting Japan’s islands to the rest of the world, are not only vital for data transmission but may also be key to detecting natural disasters. Innovative Use of Existing Infrastructure Dr. Tonegawa and his team highlight the potential of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology, which could transform submarine cables into extensive seismic monitoring networks. DAS offers two major advantages over traditional seismic tools: Governments and companies globally have already laid about 1.4 million kilometers of submarine cables. Although DAS cannot be applied along the entire length of these cables, collaborat...

Jul222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Discovery of Intermediate Mass Black Hole in IRS 13 Offers Vital Clues to Black Hole Evolution

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space

In a breakthrough that could significantly advance our understanding of black hole evolution, astronomers have identified a potential intermediate mass black hole within the star cluster IRS 13 near the Milky Way's core. This discovery, only 0.1 light-years from the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), offers critical insights into the missing link between stellar mass black holes and their supermassive counterparts. Intermediate mass black holes, those with masses between 100 and 100,000 solar masses, are exceedingly rare. Their scarcity has left a puzzling gap in the evolutionary chain of black holes, which ranges from stellar mass black holes (up to about 80 solar masses) to supermassive black holes (millions to billions of solar masses). The detection of an intermediate ...

Jul212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cooling Urban Heat Islands: New Study Highlights the Role of Surrounding Countryside

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Scientists at the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) and Southeast University (China) have discovered that cooling "urban heat islands" may depend significantly on the surrounding rural areas. The study, which analyzed 20 years of data, reveals that rural regions can effectively reduce city temperatures, especially when the rural ring around a city extends for at least half the city's diameter. Urban heat islands, characterized by significantly higher temperatures in city centers compared to their rural surroundings, are a growing concern as global temperatures rise. Traditional approaches to mitigate these effects have focused on integrating green spaces, wetlands, and waterways within urban areas. However, the scarcity of urban land makes these measure...