Disasters Archives - Page 16 of 42

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Winter Storm Paralyzes Mid-Atlantic as NOAA Satellites Prove Vital

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Space, Tech

On January 6, 2025, a ferocious winter storm swept through Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic region, bringing life to a halt with heavy snowfall, icy winds, and widespread disruptions. As the storm wreaked havoc across states, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) played a critical role in forecasting and mitigating its impact, proving indispensable in the face of extreme weather. The storm began its journey across the Central Plains, leaving a trail of heavy snow and plunging temperatures in states like Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio. By the time it reached the Mid-Atlantic, it had gathered strength, blanketing Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in thick layers of snow. In the nation’s capital, over five inches of snow accumulated by eve...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Makes a Comeback Cooler Pacific Waters Signal Global Weather Shifts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The phenomenon of La Niña has officially returned to the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which announced its emergence on Thursday, January 9. Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures have been recorded in the central and eastern Pacific, signaling the onset of La Niña conditions after more than a year of unusually warm ocean temperatures. NOAA confirmed that the shift began in December 2024, marking the first La Niña phase since the 2020–2023 cycle. Though the current event is classified as weak, its timing and potential impacts on global weather patterns are drawing significant attention. La Niña, part of the larger El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, is known for altering atmospheric conditions worldwide. The ...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hydroclimate Whiplash Intensifies Amid Global Warming, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Rapid swings between extreme wet and dry weather known as hydroclimate whiplash are accelerating globally due to climate change, with further escalation expected as temperatures rise, according to a study led by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. The study, published in Nature Reviews, highlights the role of the "expanding atmospheric sponge," a phenomenon where the atmosphere absorbs, evaporates, and releases 7% more water for every degree Celsius of global warming. This process intensifies the swings between droughts and floods, posing new challenges for water and disaster management. California offers a vivid illustration of hydroclimate whiplash. Following years of drought, the state experienced record-breaking precipitation during the winters of 2022-23, triggering floods, sno...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

11 Dead Thousands Displaced as Fires Ravage Los Angeles Area

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

At least 11 people have died, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed as massive fires tear through the Los Angeles area. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blazes, which have devastated neighborhoods and forced widespread evacuations. The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive, began in Pacific Palisades and quickly spread through the hilly, wooded area. The fire reportedly started behind a house on Piedra Morada Drive. Among the homes destroyed were those of Hollywood stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, highlighting the fire's indiscriminate path of destruction. The Eaton Fire, which ignited in east Los Angeles County, has also wreaked havoc, destroying hundreds of homes. Together, the two fires have left a trail of devastation, wit...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

L.A. 27,000 Acres Burn Wildfires Unprecedented Devastation Grips City

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Los Angeles is reeling from some of the most destructive wildfires in its history. As flames rage on, five lives have been lost, 27,000 acres have burned, and 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders. The magnitude of the disaster is revealing vulnerabilities in the city’s infrastructure and policies, while experts point to climate change as a driving force behind the escalating crisis. Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, explains the factors fueling these devastating fires. Prolonged drought, low humidity, and the powerful Santa Ana winds have created the perfect conditions for the inferno. “When winds hit speeds of 100 miles per hour, even a small spark can quickly spiral out of control,” Schlegelmilch said. The geography of L.A.’s hi...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Saint Kitts Farmers Battle Drought with Climate Tech Amid Mounting Water Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

On the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, farmers like Meshach Alford face the daily struggle of nurturing crops in bone-dry soil. "I have planted crops, and there has been no water for weeks, for months," says Alford, who farms 11 hectares in Saint Paul’s. "Even 18 inches deep, the soil is still dry." This harsh reality is becoming increasingly common in Saint Kitts and Nevis, a twin-island nation grappling with the growing impacts of climate change. Drought, once a rare occurrence, is now disrupting livelihoods and threatening food security. Rainfall, the islands' sole source of potable water, has diminished significantly, leaving 80% of Saint Kitts residents facing regular water outages. Unpredictable Seasons, Uncertain Futures "What was considered a wet season is no longer a wet...

Jan92025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Six Dead in Tirupati Temple Stampede, PM and CM Express Condolences

Breaking News, Disasters

A tragic stampede at Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati temple late Wednesday claimed the lives of six devotees and left several others injured. The incident occurred near the Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing center as a large crowd gathered to secure tokens for the 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, which starts on January 10. The stampede broke out as hundreds of devotees rushed to obtain tickets. Injured individuals were immediately taken to the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General Hospital for treatment. One of the victims, Mallika, tragically lost her life in the stampede. Her grieving husband stated, "While my wife and others were trying to obtain Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tickets, a stampede occurred, resulting in her death. I have informed our relatives, and they are on th...

Jan82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First US Death from H5N1 Bird Flu Sparks Concern, But Public Risk Remains Low

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

In a first for the United States, a Louisiana man has died from H5N1 bird flu, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Health experts, however, reassure that the risk to the general public remains low. The Louisiana Department of Health reported on January 6 that the man, aged over 65 and with pre-existing medical conditions, contracted the virus after exposure to backyard poultry and wild birds. Officials confirmed there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission in this case. The man, identified as the country’s first severe H5N1 patient, was hospitalized in December with respiratory symptoms. Health authorities diagnosed him with the D1.1 subtype of the virus on December 13. This strain has been spreading widely in U.S. poultry and wild birds. The D1.1 subty...

Jan82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rescue Ops Underway for 11 Miners Trapped in Assam’s Rat-Hole Mine

Breaking News, Disasters

Teams from the Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, NDRF, and SDRF are racing against time to rescue 11 miners trapped since Monday in a flooded "rat-hole" coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district. The mine, located in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, was inundated after an underground water channel breach, leaving rescuers grappling with nearly 100 feet of water inside. Rescuers initially entered the waterlogged mine and discovered personal belongings like shoes and sandals but found no signs of the miners. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that the workers might be in horizontal rat holes, emphasizing dewatering as the only viable option. Specialist pumps from ONGC are currently in use, with Coal India set to join the operations with their equipment on Wednesday. Defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquake in Tibet Claims 95 Lives, Tremors Felt in India

Breaking News, Disasters

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Tibet near the Nepalese border early Tuesday morning, leaving 95 people dead, according to Chinese media Xinhua. The tremors, originating from Tingri county in Shigatse city, were felt across parts of India, including Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal. The quake's epicenter was located in Tingri, approximately 400 km southwest of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Tingri is a popular tourism hub for visitors to Mount Everest. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake occurred at 6:35 am. Two aftershocks were recorded soon after: A 4.7-magnitude quake at 7:02 am at a depth of 10 km or 4.9-magnitude quake at 7:07 am at a depth of 30 km. Both aftershocks were centered in Xizang, Tibet, according to NCS updates shared...