September 2024 - Page 6 of 6

Sep32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Drought: A Growing Global Threat Highlighted by Economic Disparities and Slow Onset, Study Reveals

Drought, one of the most insidious and costliest natural disasters, is increasingly threatening global economies and livelihoods. Unlike sudden calamities such as earthquakes or hurricanes, droughts develop gradually, often intensifying without immediate notice. This slow progression can lead to severe consequences, including drinking water shortages and economic disruptions, particularly in vulnerable regions. A recent study published in npj Clean Water highlights the complex nature of droughts and the global awareness of their impacts. The study emphasizes the gradual onset of droughts, making them difficult to predict and manage effectively. Initially, signs of drought may include reduced rainfall, lower water levels in rivers and lakes, and minor decreases in agricultural yields. Ho...

Sep32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Surge in Lightning Deaths in India Raises Alarm: Study Highlights Climate Change Impact

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Lightning, once a source of primal fear for early humans, remains a significant threat in the modern world, particularly in India. A recent study by Fakir Mohan University in Balasore, Odisha, has revealed a dramatic rise in lightning-related fatalities across the country. Analyzing data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau, the study found that nearly one-third of the 101,309 lightning deaths recorded between 1967 and 2020 occurred in just the last decade (2010-2020), with a staggering 29,804 deaths during that period. The study also highlighted a nearly four-fold increase in the average annual fatalities due to lightning. Today, approximately 1,900 Indians die annually from lightning strikes, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) logging the figure at around 2,5...

Sep22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Freshwater Crisis: UN Reports Highlight Severe Degradation in 90 Countries

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A series of alarming reports from UN-Water and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have revealed that 90 countries, primarily in Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, are facing significant degradation of their freshwater ecosystems. This widespread decline is marked by reduced river flow, shrinking lakes, increasing pollution, and poor water management, posing serious threats to food security, climate change, and biodiversity. The comprehensive triennial reports draw on the largest data sets ever compiled and highlight a stark contrast between high political commitment and the lack of financial and practical action needed to address the crisis. Despite recent global resolutions on sustainable water management, the reports emphasize the urgent need for enhanced global efforts to mee...

Sep22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquake Alert: Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Bay of Bengal

Breaking News, Disasters

On Sunday morning, a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the Bay of Bengal, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at approximately 9:12 AM IST, with its epicenter located at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. The NCS reported the specific coordinates of the earthquake as latitude 8.27°N and longitude 91.67°E, pinpointing its location in the Bay of Bengal. The information was shared by the NCS through a post on X (formerly Twitter), which read: "EQ of M: 5.1, On: 01/09/2024 09:12:50 IST, Lat: 8.27 N, Long: 91.67 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bay of Bengal." As of now, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake. Authorities continue to monitor the situatio...

Sep22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Discovery of Earth’s Ambipolar Electric Field Unlocks New Insights into Planetary Atmospheres

Breaking News, Space

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have confirmed the existence of a long-theorized electric field around Earth, known as the "ambipolar electric field," which plays a critical role in shaping our planet's atmosphere. First hypothesized over 60 years ago, this weak but significant phenomenon has been observed for the first time, thanks to recent measurements from NASA's Endurance rocket mission. The findings, published in Nature, reveal that this electric field drives a "polar wind" that propels charged particles from Earth's upper atmosphere into space at supersonic speeds. According to NASA, the ambipolar electric field is a key factor in the continuous outflow of particles above Earth's poles, lifting them to altitudes higher than they would otherwise reach. This process, in t...