December 2024 - Disasters News

Dec312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Each Cigarette Costs Men 17 Minutes, Women 22 Minutes of Life: Study

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

London: Smoking takes a far greater toll on life expectancy than previously believed, a new study from University College London (UCL) reveals. For men, each cigarette smoked shortens life by 17 minutes, while for women, the cost is even higher at 22 minutes per cigarette. These figures surpass earlier estimates, which suggested an 11-minute loss per cigarette. Commissioned by the UK’s Department for Health and Social Care, the study urges smokers to make quitting their top resolution for the New Year. The research concludes that a pack of 20 cigarettes robs an average smoker of nearly seven hours of life. Over a lifetime, smokers who don’t quit lose approximately a decade of life, according to Dr. Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL. “Smokers lose about the same num...

Dec312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission: India’s First Step Towards Its Own Space Station

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space, Tech

New Delhi: India is poised to achieve a historic milestone in space exploration with the launch of ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. Scheduled to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 10:00 PM IST on December 30, SpaDeX marks the final and most ambitious mission of 2024 for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This pioneering mission is a critical step toward India establishing its own space station, the Bharatiya Antriksh Station, by 2035. If successful, India will join an elite group of nations the United States, Russia, and China that possess the capability to dock spacecraft in space. What is the SpaDeX Mission? SpaDeX, or Space Docking Experiment, is designed to test and demonstrate the complex docking p...

Dec312024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toddler Narrowly Escapes 400-Foot Plunge into Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Hawaii: A family visiting the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park experienced a harrowing moment last week when their toddler wandered away and nearly fell into the heart of the active volcano. According to report, the quick reflexes of the boy’s mother saved him “just in the nick of time,” preventing what could have been a tragic accident. The toddler had split from his family and ran straight toward the edge of Kilauea's 400-foot caldera a massive crater formed by volcanic activity. Park officials confirmed that the child would not have survived the fall had he plunged into the caldera. Incident in a Restricted Area The family was reportedly visiting a closed area behind the post-and-cable barrier at the Kilauea Overlook when the incident occurred. National park of...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Announce Axial Seamount Undersea Volcano Blast Oregon Coast in 2025

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

An undersea volcano located approximately 470 kilometers off the coast of Oregon, Axial Seamount, is showing signs of an impending eruption. Researchers have identified critical indicators such as ground deformation, increased seismic activity, and magma buildup beneath the surface. These findings suggest that the volcano could erupt as early as 2025, marking a significant milestone in volcanic monitoring, where predictions of eruptions are rarely this precise. Axial Seamount, one of the world’s most closely observed submarine volcanoes, has been the subject of continuous study through state-of-the-art instruments installed on the seafloor. These devices record real-time data, enabling scientists to track its activity. A study presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting title...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

What Is a Black Moon and How You Can Experience This Rare Phenomenon

Breaking News, Environment, Fact Check

As the year comes to a close, skywatchers have the chance to witness a unique celestial event known as the "black moon." This term, though not officially recognized in astronomy, refers to the rare occurrence of a second new moon within a single calendar month. Popular among stargazers and amateur astronomers, the black moon offers a fascinating opportunity to observe the night sky under optimal conditions. When and Where to See It The black moon will occur on December 30 at 5:27 PM ET (2227 GMT) for those in the Americas. For viewers in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the event will take place on December 31, with observers in India able to witness the phenomenon at approximately 3:57 AM on the same day. How Does a Black Moon Happen? A new moon occurs when the moon and the sun share...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cold Wave to Sweep North India as Temperatures Plummet, Dense Fog Predicted

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

North India is bracing for a spell of intense cold and dense fog, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a significant drop in temperatures over the coming days. Nighttime temperatures in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan are expected to dip by 3-4°C, beginning Monday, as the region experiences the full force of winter. The IMD has issued cold wave warnings for parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, with conditions likely to persist into the New Year. Punjab and Haryana are expected to face severe cold from December 31 to January 2, while Rajasthan may experience biting cold from December 30 through January 2. Daytime temperatures are predicted to range between 12°C and 16°C, even under clear skies, providing little relief from the icy conditions. For the n...

Dec302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Massive Underwater Landslide Discovered in Krishna-Godavari Basin: Potential Tsunami Threat Identified

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check

A massive underwater landslide in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin, reaching depths of 950 meters to 1.1 kilometers below the ocean surface, has raised concerns about its potential to trigger a tsunami and disrupt critical infrastructure. The discovery was announced by the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), which described the landslide as one of the largest ever recorded in this part of the Bay of Bengal. The landslide, which could have occurred between 2009 and 2015, displaced an estimated 11 cubic kilometers of sediment—enough to fill around 44 lakh Olympic-sized swimming pools. At some points, sediment deposits from the landslide are as thick as 60 meters, covering an area of approximately 70 square kilometers, equivalent to 10,000 football fields. “The enormous d...

Dec282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

35 Years After Newcastle Earthquake, Calls for Better Preparedness Grow

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

On December 29, A 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook Newcastle, New South Wales, leaving a trail of devastation that claimed 13 lives, injured 162 people, and caused widespread destruction. Thirty-five years later, former Lord Mayor John McNaughton, a key figure in the city’s response, warns that Newcastle may still be unprepared for a future disaster of similar magnitude. The earthquake, lasting just six seconds, leveled buildings, toppled power lines, and brought life to a standstill. Among the hardest-hit sites was the Newcastle Workers Club, where nine people perished, and others were trapped beneath the rubble. McNaughton, now 87, recalls the chaos vividly. “I was on our sailing boat at Tea Gardens when I felt the quake. When I got ashore, people were in shock, not realizing how dev...

Dec282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Achieve Quantum Teleportation Over Fibre Optic Cables

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech

In a landmark scientific breakthrough, researchers have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation using existing fibre optic cables that carry everyday internet traffic. While the term “quantum teleportation” may evoke images of human transportation akin to science fiction, the reality involves the instantaneous transfer of information over vast distances using quantum mechanics. The pioneering study, led by Prem Kumar of Northwestern University, Illinois, represents a monumental leap toward integrating quantum communication with traditional networks. Quantum teleportation relies on a phenomenon known as "quantum entanglement," where two particles, regardless of their separation, share an invisible link. Changes in one particle instantaneously affect its entangled partner, enablin...

Dec282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Season First Major Snowfall in Srinagar Disrupts Air Travel, Cancels All Flights

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Srinagar experienced its first major snowfall of the season on Friday, bringing picturesque views to the Valley but causing significant disruptions at Srinagar International Airport. Heavy snow accumulation and reduced visibility led to the cancellation of all flights, leaving passengers stranded. Operations at the airport began smoothly but were soon halted due to snow buildup on the runway and dense cloud cover. “So far, five flights have been cancelled. I urge passengers to check the status as the ongoing snowfall is affecting operations,” said the airport director. An airport spokesperson added, “The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority, and operations are heavily dependent on weather conditions.” Passengers expressed mixed emotions about the delays. While so...