Breaking News Archives - Disasters News

Apr252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heatwave Grips India: IMD Issues Yellow Alerts Amid Rising Temperatures

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh heatwave warnings for multiple parts of Northwest, Central, and Eastern India including Delhi NCR where temperatures are forecast to touch 43°C. A Western Disturbance may bring some rainfall to select northern areas, but intense heat continues to affect millions across the country. What Is a Heatwave and Why Is It Happening? A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures, especially when compared to the usual climate of a region. According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature rises to 40°C or more in plains, 30°C in hilly areas, or when it is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal for two or more days. Causes of Heatwave High-pressure systems that trap hot air near the surface. ...

Apr252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Varkala Fragile Cliffs: Caught Between Tourism Dreams & Climate Reality

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Kerala popular coastal destination, Varkala, is under threat. While its dramatic cliffs and scenic beaches draw thousands of tourists every year, unregulated construction climate change, and weak enforcement are putting its unique geological landscape at serious risk. Environmentalists and scientists are sounding the alarm as erosion, drainage issues, and illegal infrastructure continue to weaken the fragile cliffs. Varvara’s Allure: A Cliffside Paradise Under Pressure From atop the North Cliff the beach below looks like a postcard. With golden sand and crashing waves, it’s no wonder Varkala has become one of Kerala’s top tourist destinations. The North Cliff buzzes with energy lined with nearly 250 shops eateries, and resorts. But this crowd-pleasing stretch also hides a dangero...

Apr252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

162 Killed in Just 6 Weeks Bihar, UP Worst Hit as Deaths Soar 184%

Breaking News, Disasters

At least 162 people lost their lives in lightning strikes across 12 Indian states between March and April 17, 2025 a shocking 184% jump from the same period last year. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt with April marking the deadliest lightning month in years. 184% Rise in Deaths Compared to 2024 According to data compiled by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Down to Earth (DTE), and state disaster management authorities this March–April period is the most fatal for lightning since 2022. Last year only 57 lightning-related deaths were reported in the same time frame. This year, April alone accounted for 142 deaths five times higher than April 2024. Bihar Epicentre of Lightning Catastrophe Bihar reported an unprecedented 99 lightning deaths 61% of the total...

Apr252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ghana’s Flooding Crisis: Bad Planning Drowns Cities, Kills Livelihood

Breaking News, Disasters

Flooding in Accra Ghana’s capital is worsening each year but it’s not only due to climate change. A new study by urban sustainability experts reveals that poor land use planning and weak regulation enforcement are the real culprits. As more wetlands are overtaken by construction and drains clogged with waste, urgent reforms are needed to protect the city from sinking under its own mismanagement. A growing flood problem in West Africa Urban flooding is becoming a critical issue across the global south. In 2024 alone, more than 4 million people were affected by floods in West and Central Africa. Ghana is among the hardest hit, with major cities like Accra and Kumasi facing annual flood damage. In response to this escalating problem, Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has set ...

Apr242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Severe Heatwave Sweeps Across India, IMD Sounds Alarm Bells

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Telangana & Northern States Critical Situation Under Scorching Heatwave IMD Sounds Orange Alert With mercury soaring past 44°C in many parts of the country India is in the grip of one of the harshest heatwaves this summer. Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other states face intense heat, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue critical weather alerts and public health warnings. In a blazing turn of events a brutal heatwave has swept across Telangana and several other Indian states, pushing temperatures to dangerous highs. The IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts in multiple regions warning residents to brace for extreme heat and take all necessary precautions. Telangana is among the hardest-hit with Nirmal recording 44.5°C the state highest so far this ...

Apr242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Green Dragon Awakens: China’s Clean Energy Surge Could Cut Emissions 30% by 2035

Breaking News, Climate Actions

China is on the brink of a climate breakthrough. If it continues its current pace of clean energy development, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter could reduce emissions by 30% by 2035. With the right 2035 climate targets, China has the power to steer global climate efforts back on track and secure its place as a true environmental leader. China’s Climate Turning Point Amid growing global climate uncertainty, China has a chance to reaffirm its leadership by setting bold science backed climate goals. Experts say a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 2023 levels, is within reach if policies align with current clean energy momentum. Power Sector from Coal to Clean The fastest gains can come from electricity. By maintaining its current pace, China could cu...

Apr242025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Istanbul Residents Run For Life As 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Turkey

Breaking News, Disasters

A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted Istanbul Turkey's largest city early Wednesday afternoon shaking buildings and prompting residents to flee to the streets in panic. The Earthquake struck at 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) in the Marmara Sea, with its epicenter near Istanbul’s Silivri district according to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, as per the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and was strongly felt across Istanbul and neighboring regions, including Izmir, over 550 kilometers away. Eight aftershocks, ranging between 3.5 and 5.9 magnitude, followed the main tremor. Streets Flooded With People in Panic As the earth shook residents ran out of buildings, many still on alert after the ...

Apr232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Unpredictable Temperature Changes Could Kill Low-income Countries: Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new study published in Nature Communications has raised alarms over the increasing frequency of rapid temperature shifts abrupt swings between extreme heat and cold across the globe with low-income countries expected to bear the brunt of the consequences. The research, jointly led by scientists from Sun Yat-sen University (China) and Princeton University (USA) found that over the past six decades, more than 60% of the world's regions have experienced a significant uptick in these extreme temperature "flips." The most affected zones include South America, Western Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia. If current high emission trends continue these fluctuations are projected to become even more intense and frequent by the end of the century posing serious threats to human health,...

Apr232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Zealand Unveils Major Environmental Reporting Changes to Support Its Net-Zero Goals

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a bold move to elevate its environmental governance New Zealand has announced sweeping reforms to its national environmental reporting framework aiming to deliver more accurate, accessible and actionable climate and ecological data. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds unveiled the changes this week describing them as a crucial shift from reactive crisis management to proactive evidence based environmental decision-making. These reforms are set to align New Zealand with global best practices while helping communities and businesses plan for an increasingly unpredictable future. At the core of the reforms is an amended Environmental Reporting Act, replacing the current six-monthly reporting cycle with a more strategic annual model. The new framework also integrates analysis of envir...

Apr232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

AI in Climate Fight Will Tech Bridge Divide or Deepen Climate Injustice?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

The world stands at a critical crossroads where climate action is no longer just about policies, but also about algorithms. As AI becomes central to predicting disasters, managing emissions, and building climate resilience, questions of fairness and access grow louder. Will artificial intelligence empower vulnerable nations, or leave them even further behind? This debate gained urgency in January 2025 when UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world risked splitting into AI "haves" and "have-nots". The concern: wealthy nations and tech corporations might monopolize AI advancements while the Global South is sidelined especially in the climate fight. At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, nations signed the Baku Climate Unity Pact, a bold commitment to provide $300 billio...