Disasters Archives - Page 14 of 42

Jan232025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Landslide in Pekalongan Leaves 16 Dead, 10 Injured

A devastating landslide struck Pekalongan, Central Java, Indonesia, on Tuesday, claiming 16 lives and injuring 10 others. Heavy rains triggered the disaster, with officials from the regional disaster mitigation agency confirming the tragic toll. The landslide occurred amidst relentless rainfall, severely hindering rescue operations. Local disaster official Bergas Caturasi, speaking on Kompas TV, highlighted the urgency "The search continues because we don't have much time. We're in a race with the weather." Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate individuals still missing, but ongoing rains are complicating efforts to access affected areas safely. This landslide is the latest in a series of disasters linked to extreme weather in Indonesia, a country prone to flooding and lan...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel Kills 66, Leaves Dozens Injured

Breaking News, Disasters

A raging fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel at a popular ski resort in Turkey’s northwestern Bolu province early Tuesday, claiming the lives of 66 people, including two who jumped from the building to escape the flames. At least 51 others were injured, with one reported to be in critical condition. The disaster occurred in Kartalkaya, located in the Koroglu mountains, approximately 300 kilometers east of Istanbul. The hotel, a favorite destination for tourists during Turkey’s two-week winter school holiday, was packed with 238 registered guests at the time of the incident. The fire began at approximately 3:27 a.m., reportedly in the restaurant section of the 12-story hotel. Guests were thrown into panic as the flames quickly spread, engulfing the upper floors and filling the buildi...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ghana’s Coastal Erosion Crisis Threatens Communities and Heritage

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The relentless advance of the sea along Ghana’s coast has not only erased significant portions of its landscape but also consumed key historical sites, leaving communities and livelihoods in jeopardy. Among the losses is the UNESCO World Heritage site once used to hold enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Today, only remnants of the fort remain, with 90% of its structure swallowed by the ocean. “In 1907, the erosion started,” recalls James Ocloo Akorli, a historian and caretaker of the fort's remains. “First, it was the coconut trees. Then, the houses went. By 1980, when it was still being used as a prison, the damage was already severe.” The fate of Fort Kongestein in Ada Foah, built in 1783 and integral to the European slave trade, echoes this story. It has been ...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ethiopia Faces Earthquake Surge, Volcanic Eruption Fears

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Ethiopia's Afar and Oromia regions have experienced a series of earthquakes since early 2025, sparking fears of volcanic eruptions near the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. The strongest quake, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck on January 4, a day after a 5.5-magnitude tremor hit the same area. Two additional earthquakes followed over the weekend of January 11. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council is relocating around 60,000 residents to temporary shelters, citing risks of further quakes and potential volcanic activity. The earthquakes are linked to magmatic activity, where magma (molten rock) is intruding beneath the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. Ethiopia lies within the East African Rift System, a geologically active zone, making both earthquakes and volcanic activity common. ...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iraq From Cradle of Civilization to Climate Crisis Epicenter

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Iraq, once revered as the cradle of human civilization, is now a stark warning of the perils of climate change. Known historically as the land of the Tigris and Euphrates, the fertile rivers that nourished the first farming communities are now emblematic of a country grappling with escalating environmental and socio-economic challenges. As global temperatures rise, Iraq faces a confluence of crises water scarcity, desertification, heat stress, and displacement that threaten its future. The Drying Lifelines: Water Scarcity in Iraq The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which supply 98% of Iraq’s surface water, have seen their flow decrease by up to 40% over the past four decades. The reasons are manifold: reduced rainfall, intensified evaporation due to rising temperatures, and upstream dam...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Returns Mixed Bag for Global Weather Amid Ongoing Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially confirmed the arrival of a weak La Niña in late December 2024, a natural climate phenomenon expected to last until February to April. This shift could influence global weather patterns, potentially offering respite from the extreme heat experienced in recent years. La Niña the cooler counterpart of El Niño, is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate dynamic that alternates between warm (El Niño), cool (La Niña), and neutral phases. During La Niña, cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean typically interact with the atmosphere, driving changes in global weather. For most of 2024, scientists observed La Niña-like atmospheric patterns, such as stron...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Spring Linked to 17 Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Authorities Seal Contaminated Site

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sealed a water spring in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, after its water tested positive for pesticides or insecticides. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious deaths of 17 villagers, including 13 children aged between 3 and 15 years. Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the spring to be sealed and deployed security personnel to prevent access to the contaminated site. Officials aim to ensure the safety of residents while investigations continue into the cause of the deaths. The health and police departments are working to determine how the water source became contaminated. The deaths, initially unexplained, prompted widespread concern in the region. Samples from the spring were analyzed, revealing the presence o...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mpox Case Sparks Health Alert in Azerbaijan 22-Year-Old Tests Positive After Travel

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Mpox Known as monkeypox viral infection often presenting flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and a distinctive rash. While the disease is typically mild, severe cases can be fatal, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. A 22-year-old Azerbaijani citizen has tested positive for mpox after returning from an international trip, according to health authorities. The individual is currently in isolation and receiving medical treatment in Baku, while family members remain symptom-free under observation. The patient had traveled abroad from January 2 to January 11 before reporting symptoms, including fever, weakness, and a rash. Although the specific countries visited...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tragedy in Odisha Cement Plant Collapse Claims Three Lives

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A devastating accident in Odisha’s Sundergarh district has left three laborers dead following the collapse of an iron structure at a cement plant. After a grueling 36-hour rescue operation, authorities recovered the bodies of the missing workers from the debris, bringing the tragedy into sharp focus. The collapse occurred on Thursday evening at the captive power section of a cement plant in Rajgangpur. The victims, identified as Susanta Rout, Ranjit Bhol, and Dashrath Patra, were contractors working at the site when a coal hopper gave way, burying them under tons of debris. More than 60 workers who were present at the site during the accident were rescued promptly, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the fire service department, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and local ...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Storms Lash New South Wales Power Outages and Flood Warnings Leave Thousands Stranded

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Severe storms sweeping through New South Wales have wreaked havoc across the Australian state, leaving tens of thousands without power and prompting widespread flood warnings. The relentless low-pressure system has unleashed powerful winds and torrential rains, plunging communities into crisis as emergency services rush to respond. Electricity Cut, Cities Affected In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, approximately 28,000 residents are grappling with power outages, with significant impacts also reported in Newcastle and the Hunter region, where an additional 15,000 households remain in darkness. Ausgrid, the state’s primary electricity provider, is working tirelessly to restore power, but officials warn that conditions may delay repairs as storms continue to batter the region. New ...