Thursday, May 22News That Matters

Disasters

India Braces for Weather Extremes: Heatwaves in the Northwest Heavy Rains in the South and East

India Braces for Weather Extremes: Heatwaves in the Northwest Heavy Rains in the South and East

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
As the pre-monsoon season intensifies, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a mix of extreme weather events across the country. From severe heatwaves in Rajasthan and Haryana to torrential rains in the southern and northeastern states, the week ahead will test both infrastructure and resilience. Northwest India Swelters Under Heat and Dust Storms The IMD has warned that intense heatwave conditions will persist in parts of west Rajasthan from May 19 to 24, with east Rajasthan joining the heat spell until May 22. Haryana is also expected to sizzle between May 19 and 21. Adding to the discomfort, hot and humid weather will dominate Odisha on May 19 and 20, while unusually warm nights will prevail in isolated pockets of Haryana and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, dust storms w...
Record Heat Fuels Deadly Floods in Southern China Alerts Issued Across Multiple Provinces

Record Heat Fuels Deadly Floods in Southern China Alerts Issued Across Multiple Provinces

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
  Southern China is reeling from deadly floods caused by torrential rainfall over the weekend, with at least five confirmed dead and several more missing in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. The National Meteorological Centre has issued multiple severe weather alerts, warning of continued heavy rains, flash floods, and potential landslides across regions including Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, and parts of Xinjiang. The disaster comes as China records its warmest year on record in 2024, intensifying storm systems and sharply increasing national power demands. Authorities have raised a yellow alert for mountain flooding indicating high risk as rainfall is forecast to continue through Tuesday along the Tianshan Mountains and other areas. The worsening weather patterns highlight...
Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Nepal faced a deadly natural calamity on Friday as a powerful windstorm swept through several regions, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm claimed the lives of at least four individuals, injured 28 more, and caused widespread damage estimated at over NPR 1.08 billion. Authorities and citizens alike were left reeling from the intensity and unexpected nature of the event. Lives Lost Across Multiple Districts Tragically, four people lost their lives in different parts of the country. The victims included 14-year-old Shukna Kewat from Kapilvastu, 54-year-old Rambha Devi Dhanuk from Bara, 30-year-old Mira Bayambu, and 40-year-old Durga Bahadur Pun from Nawalparasi West. Each death represents not only a personal loss for grieving families but also a stark reminder of the ...
Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A series of violent storm systems tore through the U.S. Midwest and South this weekend, leaving at least 27 people dead and causing extensive destruction across multiple states. The most severe impact was reported in Kentucky, where 18 lives were lost, including a veteran firefighter, as tornadoes ripped through communities with devastating force. Kentucky Suffers the Heaviest Toll Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 17 of the Kentucky fatalities occurred in Laurel County, with another tragic death in Pulaski County. Homes were flattened, vehicles were overturned, and entire neighborhoods were left unrecognizable. Emergency responders are continuing search-and-rescue operations, with fears that the death toll may rise as debris is cleared and more victims are discovered. The ...
Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Banda district in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in India on Friday, reaching a searing 46.2°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme heat has prompted a severe heatwave warning across many parts of the state, expected to persist until Sunday. Eastern Uttar Pradesh, in particular, is bearing the brunt of the heatwave, with temperatures remaining well above normal levels. The IMD has cautioned residents about the ongoing heat stress, while the possibility of light rainfall in some eastern areas remains minimal. In response, the state government has directed all district administrations to enforce precautionary measures to protect public health. The health department is on high alert, preparing for a potential surge in heat-related illness...
Lightning Strike Kills Three in Odisha’s Koraput District

Lightning Strike Kills Three in Odisha’s Koraput District

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Three members of a family lost their lives after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm in Kandha Putabandha village, under Pottangi block of Odisha's Koraput district. The incident occurred around 12:30 PM on Wednesday, when the victims took shelter under a tree while working in nearby fields. The deceased have been identified as 49-year-old Gamel Krishna, his 13-year-old daughter Gamel Kami, and a 35-year-old relative Gamel Tumbai. Local authorities reached the spot and recovered the bodies. Immediate financial assistance of ₹10,000 has been sanctioned for each affected family, with further compensation to follow under government norms. The tragic incident adds to growing concerns over extreme weather events during the pre-monsoon season in the region. From News Desk ...
Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Fizi Territory submerged as deadly floods destroy homes, trigger disease fears amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the Fizi territory of South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after torrential rains triggered catastrophic floods over the weekend. The relentless downpour began late Friday and continued through Saturday, submerging entire villages and wiping out homes. According to local officials, flash floods devastated the Kasaba locality, destroying at least 150 houses, leaving hundreds homeless and entire families missing. The death toll, still provisional, is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in remote and inaccessible areas. Fears Mount Over Health Crisis Amid Ongoing Rainfall The pro...
India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
New Delhi, May 9, 2025  India has entered another year marked by extreme heat, with forecasts indicating that large parts of the country will experience above-normal daytime and nighttime temperatures throughout 2025. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the upcoming southwest monsoon is expected to be normal, a sharp increase in the number of heatwave days is likely in many regions. The dual impact of extreme daytime heat and unusually warm nights is expected to worsen health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. With temperatures already climbing, reports of heatwave and warm night conditions have begun to emerge across the country. The situation poses serious challenges to public health, especially for informal workers and outdoor laborers...
Mudslide disrupts traffic as heavy rain lashes North India

Mudslide disrupts traffic as heavy rain lashes North India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A fresh spell of intense rain has triggered a mudslide in the Chamba Seri region of Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and halting vehicular movement on both sides. The disruption follows the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) yellow alert, issued for several northern and central Indian states, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and potential travel hazards. Highway closure and travel advisory issued Traffic authorities in Jammu and Kashmir urged people to avoid NH-44 travel on Thursday morning due to the dangerous road conditions caused by the mudslide. The highway, a vital link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, remains blocked until further notice. Rain warnings across multiple states The IMD's yello...
14 Dead in Gujarat as Thunderstorms, Winds, and Lightning Wreak Havoc

14 Dead in Gujarat as Thunderstorms, Winds, and Lightning Wreak Havoc

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Unseasonal thunderstorms with powerful winds and lightning have claimed at least 14 lives across Gujarat, leaving many injured and causing widespread destruction. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds reaching up to 50-60 km/h over the next few days. State-Wide Impact: Rainfall in 168 Talukas According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), 168 out of Gujarat’s 253 talukas received unseasonal rainfall in the past 24 hours. Districts like Kheda, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, and Vadodara recorded 25 to 40 mm of rain, triggering sudden temperature drops and damage to infrastructure. Storm Claims Lives Across Multiple Districts The SEOC reported 13 deaths on Monday alone due to rain-related incidents, includ...