Sunday, October 12News That Matters

Disasters

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Telangana, Tremors Felt Across Central and Northern India

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Telangana, Tremors Felt Across Central and Northern India

Breaking News, Disasters
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Eturnagaram forest area in Telangana on Tuesday morning, sending tremors across central and northern India. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 7:27 a.m., originating 40 kilometers below the surface. The epicenter was located 185 kilometers north-northeast of Nalgonda and 219 kilometers east-northeast of Hyderabad. Residents in Warangal, Bhadrachalam, Godavarkhani, Khammam, Vijayawada, Bhupalpally, Chandanagar, and Nallagandla were among those who reported feeling the tremors. Many described the sensation as brief but noticeable, lasting only a few seconds. Although there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the earthquake caused mild panic in some areas, with residents rushing out of their hom...
Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The death toll from devastating floods in southern Thailand has climbed to 25, with more than 660,000 homes affected since the deluge began on November 22, according to the country’s disaster management agency. Officials warned of days of continued heavy rain as the Thai weather agency forecast downpours to persist until December 5. The flooding, which has wreaked havoc across Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala provinces, has displaced over 22,000 residents. The Thai government’s public relations department confirmed the scale of the disaster, which has overwhelmed local communities and left many struggling to rebuild. Among those severely impacted is Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farmer from Songkhla, who lost his entire flock of more than 10,000 birds. “I’ve lost at least 3 million...
Cyclone Fengal Triggers Heavy Rainfall Alert in Bengaluru, Sparks Concerns Over School Safety

Cyclone Fengal Triggers Heavy Rainfall Alert in Bengaluru, Sparks Concerns Over School Safety

Breaking News, Disasters
Bengaluru and parts of South Interior Karnataka are bracing for intense rainfall on Monday as Cyclone Fengal, which made landfall along the Tamil Nadu coast on November 30, continues to impact weather patterns. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of very heavy rain across the region, raising concerns about potential disruptions. Cyclone’s Progress and Impact The IMD reported that the depression, a remnant of Cyclone Fengal, moved west-northwestward at 7 km/h and was centered at 11:30 PM on December 1 near Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. The weakened storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Karnataka and parts of Kerala. Schools Remain Open Amid Safety Concerns Despite the IMD's warnings, schools and colleges in Bengaluru remain open, prompting widespread c...
Cyclone Fengal to Make Landfall Near Puducherry Today, IMD Issues Red Alert for Southern States

Cyclone Fengal to Make Landfall Near Puducherry Today, IMD Issues Red Alert for Southern States

Breaking News, Disasters
Cyclone Fengal is set to make landfall near Puducherry this afternoon, bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and high wind speeds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and interior Karnataka, warning of intense weather conditions and disruptions. Cyclone Fengal, positioned approximately 300-350 km off the Tamil Nadu coast as of Friday evening, is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram near Puducherry. Wind speeds are predicted to reach 70-80 km/h, gusting up to 90 km/h during the landfall, according to IMD Cyclonic Division Head Ananda Das. “Coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh will experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall,” said Das, adding that the cycl...
Cyclone Fengal to Bring Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Tamil Nadu

Cyclone Fengal to Bring Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Tamil Nadu

Breaking News, Disasters
Cyclone Fengal is intensifying over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram on the morning of November 30. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall and heavy winds across Tamil Nadu in the coming days. S Balachandran, Director of the IMD’s Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre, stated that the storm is currently located 310 km southeast of Nagapattinam and 480 km south-southeast of Chennai. He said most parts of Tamil Nadu would see moderate rainfall over the next two to three days. Some areas, including Viluppuram, Cuddalore, and Chengalpattu, are likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall. Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea until November 31 as rough conditions are expected....
Cyclone Fengal Likely to Hit Tamil Nadu Puducherry Coast by November 30 Morning

Cyclone Fengal Likely to Hit Tamil Nadu Puducherry Coast by November 30 Morning

Breaking News, Disasters
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will intensify into Cyclone Fengal within 12 hours, as it moves northwestward. The system is expected to cross the northern Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, on the morning of November 30, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Current Location and Forecast The IMD reported the depression is currently stationary near latitude 9.0°N and longitude 82.1°E, about: 100 km east-northeast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. 550 km south-southeast of Chennai. 370 km southeast of Karaikal. 470 km southeast of Puducherry. The system is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm and move north-northwest, skirting Sri Lanka's coast. Upon lan...
Japan Innovates Disaster Preparedness with VR and Interactive Tools

Japan Innovates Disaster Preparedness with VR and Interactive Tools

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech
The devastating torrential rains that struck western Japan in 2018 highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness, especially in Hiroshima Prefecture, where many residents were caught off guard by mudslides and other natural disasters. In response, a range of innovative tools using virtual and augmented reality, as well as interactive games, have been developed to educate and protect communities. VR Brings Disaster Risks to Life in Hiroshima Hiroshima Prefecture, in partnership with Hiroshima University and Tokyo-based disaster prevention company Rikei Corp., has created VR-based materials to simulate natural disaster scenarios. These tools aim to raise awareness of the dangers posed by disasters such as mudslides and heavy rains. By immersing residents in realistic simulati...
Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Timor-Leste Fight Against Climate Disasters Blend of Technology and Community Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech
Timor-Leste, a small island nation in Southeast Asia, is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, grappling with the devastating impacts of extreme weather. However, a combination of local knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and support from the United Nations is helping its communities better prepare for disasters. In April 2021, catastrophic flash floods swept through Timor-Leste, killing over 30 people and destroying 4,000 homes. Orlalan, a remote village of nearly 6,000 people, was among the worst-hit areas. With limited disaster preparedness, residents were caught off guard as landslides and floodwaters surged. Today, community leaders like Armandina Valentina are driving grassroots efforts to ensure their neighbors are better equipped for the next disaster. She tirelessly educa...
Breaking News Depression in Bay of Bengal Intensifies, Landfall Expected Between Chennai and Puducherry

Breaking News Depression in Bay of Bengal Intensifies, Landfall Expected Between Chennai and Puducherry

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical alert as a depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal and East Equatorial Indian Ocean moves toward the Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu coasts. The weather system is expected to intensify into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and could potentially make landfall between Chennai and Puducherry in the coming days. Current Position and Movement As of 11:30 AM IST on November 25, the depression was located at: 5.1°N latitude and 84.5°E longitude Approximately 530 km southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) 810 km southeast of Nagappattinam 920 km southeast of Puducherry 1,000 km south-southeast of Chennai The system is currently moving west-northwestward at a speed of 30 km/h. IMD’s Projections Accor...
Japan and UNDP to Build 12 Evacuation Centers in Laos to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Japan and UNDP to Build 12 Evacuation Centers in Laos to Strengthen Disaster Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Vientiane: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, is set to construct 12 evacuation centers in the provinces of Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack over the next three years. This initiative, valued at approximately USD 3.8 million, aims to enhance disaster preparedness and safeguard vulnerable communities in Laos. At the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. Koizumi Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan to Laos, emphasized the broader goals of the project: "Through this project, we aim to enhance disaster resilience, not only by ensuring the safety of people during emergencies but also by fostering a culture of disaster awareness and preparedness in advance." The "Strengthening Disaster Response Capacity through the Improvement of Evacuation Shelt...