Disasters Archives - Page 28 of 42

Sep142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Groundbreaking mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Early Trials

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

A revolutionary new cancer vaccine developed by Moderna Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated encouraging early results in its first clinical trials, offering new hope for patients battling advanced cancer. The vaccine, known as mRNA-4359, leverages the same mRNA technology behind the widely successful Covid-19 vaccines to stimulate the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. mRNA Technology: A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment The vaccine, mRNA-4359, is designed to activate the immune system by teaching it to differentiate between healthy cells and tumor cells. This is the same concept used in Covid-19 vaccines, where mRNA instructions train the body to recognize and attack the virus. In cancer, the vaccine instructs the immune system to target cancerous cells, potentia...

Sep132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

South Sudan Faces Permanent Displacement as Floods Ravage Communities Once Again

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Enormous floods have struck South Sudan, affecting over 700,000 people as record water levels from Lake Victoria surge through the Nile. Communities in the Sudd region, already displaced by previous floods, now face the possibility of permanent displacement due to climate change. The Sudd, one of the world’s largest wetlands, experiences unique flooding patterns where water cannot easily drain back into the Nile, lingering for long periods. The recent floods, intensified by rising water levels in Lake Victoria, have overwhelmed traditional coping mechanisms of local communities such as the Dinka, Nuer, Anyuak, and Shilluk. Herders, once able to move cattle to higher ground, and farmers who planted after seasonal floods, are now struggling to adapt as the floodwaters persist. The prot...

Sep112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Tornado Activity in Pennsylvania Sparks Concerns Over Climate Change and Future Risks

Breaking News, Disasters

On a quiet afternoon in September 2021, Chris Erdner and her husband were at home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, when an urgent warning flashed on their television screen. The remnants of Hurricane Ida had sparked a tornado in their area, and residents were being told to seek shelter immediately. The couple rushed to their basement, and moments later, they heard the unmistakable roar of a tornado passing directly over their home. "I don't know if you've ever heard it," Erdner said, describing the noise. "It sounds like a freight train." Though the storm lasted only a few minutes, the destruction it left behind was extensive. Large trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and some of her neighbors’ homes were severely damaged. One house lost its entire second floor. When the st...

Sep102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dust Storms: The Growing Environmental Crisis of the 21st Century

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Dust storms an environmental disaster many associate with the 1930s Dust Bowl, are making a dramatic comeback on a global scale, threatening human health, economies, and ecosystems. As a result of deforestation, water mismanagement, unsustainable farming practices, desertification, and climate change, the frequency and intensity of dust storms are increasing, covering more geographical regions and posing serious risks to life and infrastructure. A Global Threat The dust storms of the Dust Bowl era caused immense damage to the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies, but today's storms are spreading far beyond those borders. Dust particles, light enough to be carried by wind over vast distances, are now crossing continents, disregarding political boundaries. Area...

Sep72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Sep62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Sep32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Sep32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Sep22024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...

Aug302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

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...