Disasters Archives - Page 20 of 42

Dec162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Amazon Fires Intensify as Groundwater Depletion El Niño Fuel Catastrophic Events

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A groundbreaking study has demonstrated a clear link between climatic phenomena and the rising propensity for fires in the Amazon rainforest. Researchers have identified compromised groundwater storage, exacerbated by El Niño-driven droughts, as a critical factor in escalating fire risks. The findings, backed by satellite data and fire reports, could pave the way for more effective prevention strategies. Role of Groundwater and El Niño in Amazon Fires The study highlights that regions with depleted groundwater storage are at greater risk of fires during extreme droughts. Researchers observed that during El Niño events, prolonged dry conditions impact three key water reservoirs: topsoil, the tree root zone, and groundwater, with groundwater being the slowest to recover. El Niño, chara...

Dec142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland Experiences One of the Largest Documented Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A massive glacial lake outburst flood, among the largest ever recorded, has been documented in East Greenland, releasing over 3,000 billion litres of meltwater. The event, which occurred between September 23 and October 11, was caused by the sudden release of water from Catalina Lake into the Scoresby Sound fjord, as reported by researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Niels Bohr Institute. Notably, this marks the first time such a phenomenon has been observed in real-time. The flood was triggered when meltwater from Catalina Lake, held back by the Edward Bailey Glacier for over 20 years, carved a 25-kilometre-long tunnel beneath the glacier. This process caused the lake’s water level to plummet by 154 metres. Researchers equated the released volume of water to three times Denmark'...

Dec142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heavy Rains Predicted as New Weather System Brews Over Andaman Sea

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

CHENNAI: With the northeast monsoon in full swing, Tamil Nadu is bracing for another bout of heavy rains. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has predicted that a fresh low-pressure area will form over the Andaman Sea by Sunday, likely bringing intense rainfall back to the coastal and delta regions from December 16. On Thursday, vehicles waded through waterlogged roads near Thirumangalam Metro Station, as heavy rains continued to lash parts of Chennai and surrounding areas. However, meteorologists predict that the current weather system, a well-marked low-pressure area, will weaken by Saturday as it moves toward south Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats. The RMC has issued an orange alert for Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal for Tuesday. Additionally, six districts...

Dec132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tragic Fire at Tamil Nadu Orthopaedic Hospital: Seven Dead, 20 Injured

Breaking News, Disasters

At least seven patients, including a child and two women, lost their lives, and 20 others were injured in a devastating fire at a prominent orthopaedic hospital in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district. The tragedy unfolded late Tuesday evening, leaving the community in shock. The fire reportedly originated in the reception area on the ground floor, with authorities suspecting a short circuit as the cause. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the building and trapping patients and staff inside. Victims primarily succumbed to suffocation from the thick smoke that filled the hospital, fire service personnel said. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, which took over an hour to bring under control. Approximately 50 ambulances were mobilized to transfer patients to safety. Aro...

Dec122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

North India Faces Severe Cold Wave Delhi Shivers at 4.8°C

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, December 12, 2024 – North India is reeling under intense cold wave conditions, with Delhi recording its coldest day of the season at 4.8°C on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the minimum temperature may dip further to 4°C on Thursday. This marks the first time in 14 years that early December temperatures have dropped below 5°C in the national capital. States including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are also experiencing freezing conditions, while Jammu and Kashmir witnessed fresh snowfall on Wednesday. Chilly winds from the northwest, blowing at 8-10 km/h, have exacerbated the cold, particularly in Delhi, where smog and mist are prevalent during the mornings and evenings. The IMD predicts "mainly clear skies with cold wa...

Dec102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mumbai BEST Bus Accident Death Toll Rises to Six, 49 Injured in Kurla Crash

Breaking News, Disasters

Mumbai: The tragic bus accident that shook Mumbai’s Kurla West on Monday night has claimed six lives, leaving 49 others injured, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred when a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus lost control and plowed into pedestrians and vehicles along SG Barve Marg, one of the city's busiest routes. The accident took place as the bus, en route from Kurla station to Sakinaka on route A322, collided with nearly 30-40 vehicles over a stretch of 100 meters before crashing into the RCC column of the Solomon Building, breaking its compound wall. The bus then entered Buddha Colony, a residential society, where it finally came to a halt. The electric bus, a 12-meter-long vehicle manufactured by Hyderabad-based Olectra Greentech, was on a we...

Dec102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

H5N1 Bird Flu Scientists Warn of Potential Human Transmission Risk

Breaking News, Disasters

The H5N1 bird flu virus, a highly deadly strain responsible for devastating animal populations, is raising alarms in the United States as scientists closely monitor its spread and mutation patterns. New research indicates that the virus may require only one genetic mutation to become capable of human-to-human transmission, prompting heightened vigilance among public health experts. H5N1 is notorious for its lethality, with a fatality rate of 50% among infected humans. So far, human cases have been rare, typically linked to direct contact with infected birds, contaminated environments, or other animals such as poultry and dairy cows. However, the findings published in Science on December 5, 2024, by researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California, suggest that the virus could...

Dec72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

IMD Predicts Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Western Disturbance to Affect North India

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, over the coming days due to a developing low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to form on December 7 and move west-northwestwards, reaching the southwest Bay of Bengal near Sri Lanka by December 12. This weather system is likely to bring significant rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal on December 11 and 12, and to Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema on December 12. Several districts, including Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Ramanathapuram, are expected to receive heavy rainfall on December 11, with more areas like Chengalpattu, Viluppuram, and Cuddalore facing s...

Dec62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India’s Cyclone Disaster Management Initiatives and Projects for Safeguarding Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

India with its vast coastline of over 7,500 km, is highly vulnerable to cyclones that often wreak havoc on lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. To address these challenges, the country has implemented several forward-looking initiatives aimed at minimizing the impact of cyclones and ensuring the safety and resilience of its coastal communities. These initiatives combine structural improvements, policy reforms, and advanced forecasting systems, underscoring India's commitment to disaster preparedness and mitigation. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) is a flagship initiative launched to reduce the vulnerability of coastal states and Union Territories to cyclonic disasters. The project takes a two-pronged approach, i...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Telangana: Residents Mistake Tremors for Monkey Mischief

Breaking News, Disasters

Mulugu, Telangana: Early Monday morning, residents of Mulugu in Telangana were startled by what they initially thought was the work of mischievous monkeys. However, as walls began to shake and utensils clattered, it became clear that the region was experiencing a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. The quake, one of the strongest recorded in the area in 55 years, caused tremors that rippled across parts of central and northern India. Residents Share Their Experiences Mangamma, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife from SS Tadvai, recalled, “I was sorting things at home when the vessels and cot started shaking. At first, I blamed the monkeys, but when the walls trembled too, I froze in confusion. It lasted about a minute.” Similarly, A. Trishul, lying on his bed during the quake, mistook the monke...