Thursday, September 19News That Matters

Disasters

Narayan Talab Embankment Breach Incident in Satna City, Madhya Pradesh: 50 houses flooded with waterlogging

Narayan Talab Embankment Breach Incident in Satna City, Madhya Pradesh: 50 houses flooded with waterlogging

Breaking News, Disasters
The Embankment of Narayan Pond (which is nearly 70 years old)  built in ward number 22 Utaili of Satna City of Madhya Pradesh collapsed in the first week of September 2024.  Consequent to this breach many houses of the colony (Approx  50) were flooded with water. Due to the collapse of the embankment water entered the adjacent colony. The flow of water was so much that even small goods and four-wheelers were swept away. The administration reached the spot and did relief and rescue work. Many Residents were evacuated safely by the rescue operation. However, many people lost their roofs in the incident. POST-INCIDENT EUPHORIA After the boundary of Narayan pond broke, Minister of State for Urban Housing and Development Pratima Bagri was seen in alert mode and held a review meeting in th...
Six Killed in Nagaland Landslide Amid Heavy Rainfall on National Highway 29

Six Killed in Nagaland Landslide Amid Heavy Rainfall on National Highway 29

Breaking News, Disasters
Six people lost their lives in a devastating landslide along National Highway 29 in Nagaland on Tuesday night. The landslide, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, caused significant damage to the highway, which connects the state capital Kohima with Dimapur, the commercial hub. Multiple landslides occurred along the highway, washing away or blocking sections and severing road communication between Kohima and Dimapur. Several homes and roadside eateries were also destroyed in the disaster. Vehicles remain stranded, and officials estimate it will take time to clear the road due to the severity of the situation. Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed his concern over the extensive damage caused by the rainfall and confirmed that authorities are on-site to assess the situatio...
Drought: A Growing Global Threat Highlighted by Economic Disparities and Slow Onset, Study Reveals

Drought: A Growing Global Threat Highlighted by Economic Disparities and Slow Onset, Study Reveals

Breaking News, Disasters
Drought, one of the most insidious and costliest natural disasters, is increasingly threatening global economies and livelihoods. Unlike sudden calamities such as earthquakes or hurricanes, droughts develop gradually, often intensifying without immediate notice. This slow progression can lead to severe consequences, including drinking water shortages and economic disruptions, particularly in vulnerable regions. A recent study published in npj Clean Water highlights the complex nature of droughts and the global awareness of their impacts. The study emphasizes the gradual onset of droughts, making them difficult to predict and manage effectively. Initially, signs of drought may include reduced rainfall, lower water levels in rivers and lakes, and minor decreases in agricultural yields. Ho...
Surge in Lightning Deaths in India Raises Alarm: Study Highlights Climate Change Impact

Surge in Lightning Deaths in India Raises Alarm: Study Highlights Climate Change Impact

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Lightning, once a source of primal fear for early humans, remains a significant threat in the modern world, particularly in India. A recent study by Fakir Mohan University in Balasore, Odisha, has revealed a dramatic rise in lightning-related fatalities across the country. Analyzing data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau, the study found that nearly one-third of the 101,309 lightning deaths recorded between 1967 and 2020 occurred in just the last decade (2010-2020), with a staggering 29,804 deaths during that period. The study also highlighted a nearly four-fold increase in the average annual fatalities due to lightning. Today, approximately 1,900 Indians die annually from lightning strikes, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) logging the figure at around 2,5...
Earthquake Alert: Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Bay of Bengal

Earthquake Alert: Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Strikes Bay of Bengal

Breaking News, Disasters
On Sunday morning, a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the Bay of Bengal, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at approximately 9:12 AM IST, with its epicenter located at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. The NCS reported the specific coordinates of the earthquake as latitude 8.27°N and longitude 91.67°E, pinpointing its location in the Bay of Bengal. The information was shared by the NCS through a post on X (formerly Twitter), which read: "EQ of M: 5.1, On: 01/09/2024 09:12:50 IST, Lat: 8.27 N, Long: 91.67 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Bay of Bengal." As of now, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquake. Authorities continue to monitor the situatio...
AI Emerges As Game-Changer in Climate Adaptation Transforming Complex Risk Analysis at Global

AI Emerges As Game-Changer in Climate Adaptation Transforming Complex Risk Analysis at Global

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
The power of AI lies in its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, predicting climate impacts with unprecedented precision. According to the World Meteorological Organization, AI is revolutionizing earth system predictions, enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts, and improving disaster management. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are harnessing AI to advance flood forecasting, wildfire tracking, and public health monitoring. Despite their potential, these models are yet to be fully operationalized in developing countries where they are most needed. In response, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is leveraging AI through initiatives like the Asia Pacific Risk and Resilience Portal. This platform uses AI-dr...
Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Mindanao, Triggered by Previous Major Seismic Event

Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Mindanao, Triggered by Previous Major Seismic Event

Breaking News, Disasters
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck offshore eastern Mindanao in the southern Philippines, resulting from renewed movement along a subducting fracture zone. The tremor, which occurred at 6:23 a.m. local time, was centered 48 kilometers east-northeast of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, at a depth of 25 kilometers. This event follows a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit the region eight months earlier, indicating a possible connection between the two seismic occurrences. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the earthquake did not cause significant damage or casualties, although it was followed by six aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.8 to 6.2. These aftershocks occurred at shallower depths, further unsettling the region. Seismotectonic Background ...
Kyrgyzstan Faces Severe Mudslides Amidst Rising Climate Concerns

Kyrgyzstan Faces Severe Mudslides Amidst Rising Climate Concerns

Breaking News, Disasters
Kyrgyzstan has witnessed an alarming rise in mudslides, with over 240 cases reported between April and July 2024, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES). This surge in natural disasters has claimed at least 17 lives, predominantly children, and caused widespread destruction across various regions. Tragic incidents include a 10-year-old boy who was swept away by a mudslide in Nooken district of Dzhalal-Abad on June 17, and a 5-year-old boy who perished in Batken region on June 24. Further, on June 28, mudflows in Noookat district of Osh resulted in the deaths of nearly 10 people, mostly children and teenagers. Another devastating event occurred on July 14 in Osh, where a woman, three children, and a market worker lost their lives. Mudslides have not only taken lives b...
Tragic Explosion in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalle Leaves 17 Dead, 41 Injured

Tragic Explosion in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalle Leaves 17 Dead, 41 Injured

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
A devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical plant in the Achutapuram Special Economic Zone claimed the lives of at least 17 people and left 41 others injured on Monday. The incident occurred at the Escientia Company, a pharma firm specializing in intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The explosion took place around 2:15 pm during lunchtime, preventing what could have been an even greater tragedy, as most of the 380 employees who work in two shifts were not in the immediate vicinity. Despite initial fears of a reactor blast, district officials suspect the explosion was caused by an electricity-related fire. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the plant, engulfing surrounding villages, as rescue operations commenced. Six fire engines were dispatched to control t...
Global Flooding Hazards Projected to Surge by 49% by 2100: New Study Warns

Global Flooding Hazards Projected to Surge by 49% by 2100: New Study Warns

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
A new study warns that global flooding hazards are set to increase by 49% between 2020 and 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. The research, published in Water Resources Research, highlights the regions most at risk, including the coasts of the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, southeastern Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The study utilized advanced modeling techniques to create a Global Flood Map (GFM), which considers floods induced by rainfall, river discharge, and rising sea levels. The research team, led by Professor Paul Bates from the University of Bristol Cabot Institute for the Environment, noted that previously used flood maps lacked accuracy in simulating real floods. By applying new techniques, the team gained more precise insights into future flood risks. The ...