Monday, October 13News That Matters

Disasters

Winter Storm Batters Eastern US: Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain Disrupt Travel, Claim Lives

Winter Storm Batters Eastern US: Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain Disrupt Travel, Claim Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
A powerful winter storm system swept across the eastern United States on Monday, blanketing cities in heavy snow and freezing rain, disrupting travel for millions, and leaving at least five people dead. The storm, which had already caused hazardous road conditions in the Midwest over the weekend, left a trail of destruction, power outages, and travel chaos. As of Monday afternoon, over 175,000 residents from Missouri to Virginia were without power, according to Poweroutage.us. Meanwhile, air travel was severely impacted, with more than 2,400 flights canceled and thousands more delayed, per FlightAware. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted up to a foot of snow in Washington, D.C., paralyzing the nation’s capital. Schools were closed, and residents waded through snow-laden str...
India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
India on Monday reported its first-ever cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a globally recognized respiratory virus, with five confirmed infections across Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The cases, involving infants under one year of age, have sparked concern and prompted health officials to issue guidelines for monitoring and prevention. First Cases in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem In Bengaluru, two infants a three-month-old who has been discharged and an eight-month-old recovering in a hospital were among the first cases identified. Ahmedabad reported a two-month-old baby infected with HMPV, while Tamil Nadu recorded one case each in Chennai and Salem. Authorities confirmed that the families of the infected infants in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad had no recent trave...
9 Laborers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine Rescue Efforts Underway

9 Laborers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine Rescue Efforts Underway

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Nine laborers were reported trapped in a coal mine in the Umrangso region of Assam's Dima Hasao district on Monday. The incident occurred after water unexpectedly entered the mine, raising fears about their safety. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the situation and said all efforts are being made to rescue the trapped workers. Chief Minister Sarma, sharing the names and details of the laborers on his X handle, expressed deep concern over the situation. He said that assistance from the army has been sought while rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are en route to the site. "Distressing news from Umrangso, where laborers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The D...
Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Claims 32 Lives

Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Claims 32 Lives

Breaking News, Disasters
A devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Tibet near the Nepalese border early this morning, leaving 32 people dead, Chinese media outlet Xinhua reported via AFP. The tremors were felt across several regions, including parts of India such as Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, sending shockwaves of concern through affected areas. The earthquake occurred at 6:35 am, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), and was followed by two aftershocks. The first aftershock, measuring 4.7 in magnitude, was recorded at 7:02 am at a depth of 10 km. The second, a 4.9-magnitude tremor, struck at 7:07 am at a depth of 30 km. In Bihar, residents were seen rushing out of their homes and apartments as the tremors shook the region. While no damage to property has been reported in India, t...
First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment, Fact Check
India reported its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, who has been discharged after recovery, and an 8-month-old infant, currently recovering in a hospital in the Karnataka capital. Both infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries. The cases were identified as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries,” the Centre stated. The Health Ministry convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today, emphasizing monitoring and con...
8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

8 Month Old Bengaluru Suspected of HMPV Infection No Symptoms Reported

Breaking News, Disasters, Fact Check
An eight-month-old in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), based on a laboratory report dated January 2. The infant’s family had no recent travel history and the child displayed no concerning symptoms, according to sources from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health department. Although the Karnataka state health department has not independently verified the results, they have acknowledged the credibility of the private laboratory’s testing procedures. “We trust the accuracy of their findings,” stated a health department official. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) identified in 2001 in the Netherlands, is a significant cause of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Globally, it accounts for about 0.7% of flu cases...
Winter Storm Hits US Heartland: Record Snowfall, Dangerous Conditions, and Widespread Disruptions

Winter Storm Hits US Heartland: Record Snowfall, Dangerous Conditions, and Widespread Disruptions

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
A powerful winter storm blanketed parts of the central United States with heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures on Sunday, creating hazardous travel conditions and setting records in several areas. The National Weather Service described it as the potential "heaviest snowfall in a decade" for some regions, impacting 63 million people across the central and southern U.S. States Struggle with Record Snowfall and Ice Major roadways in Kansas, western Nebraska, and Indiana were buried under snow, leading to closures and travel chaos. Snowfall north of Interstate 70 in Kansas reached 10 inches, with some areas predicting totals exceeding 14 inches. Indiana: Portions of major interstates were fully covered in snow, prompting officials to activate the state’s National Guard to assist...
Toddler Narrowly Escapes 400-Foot Plunge into Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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...
Scientists Announce Axial Seamount Undersea Volcano Blast Oregon Coast in 2025

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

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...