Thursday, October 9News That Matters

Disasters

Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Banda district in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in India on Friday, reaching a searing 46.2°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme heat has prompted a severe heatwave warning across many parts of the state, expected to persist until Sunday. Eastern Uttar Pradesh, in particular, is bearing the brunt of the heatwave, with temperatures remaining well above normal levels. The IMD has cautioned residents about the ongoing heat stress, while the possibility of light rainfall in some eastern areas remains minimal. In response, the state government has directed all district administrations to enforce precautionary measures to protect public health. The health department is on high alert, preparing for a potential surge in heat-related illness...
Lightning Strike Kills Three in Odisha’s Koraput District

Lightning Strike Kills Three in Odisha’s Koraput District

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Three members of a family lost their lives after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm in Kandha Putabandha village, under Pottangi block of Odisha's Koraput district. The incident occurred around 12:30 PM on Wednesday, when the victims took shelter under a tree while working in nearby fields. The deceased have been identified as 49-year-old Gamel Krishna, his 13-year-old daughter Gamel Kami, and a 35-year-old relative Gamel Tumbai. Local authorities reached the spot and recovered the bodies. Immediate financial assistance of ₹10,000 has been sanctioned for each affected family, with further compensation to follow under government norms. The tragic incident adds to growing concerns over extreme weather events during the pre-monsoon season in the region. From News Desk ...
Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Flood Horror in DR Congo: 100+ Dead as Torrential Rains Ravage South Kivu

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Fizi Territory submerged as deadly floods destroy homes, trigger disease fears amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis More than 100 people have been confirmed dead in the Fizi territory of South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after torrential rains triggered catastrophic floods over the weekend. The relentless downpour began late Friday and continued through Saturday, submerging entire villages and wiping out homes. According to local officials, flash floods devastated the Kasaba locality, destroying at least 150 houses, leaving hundreds homeless and entire families missing. The death toll, still provisional, is expected to rise as rescue operations continue in remote and inaccessible areas. Fears Mount Over Health Crisis Amid Ongoing Rainfall The pro...
India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

India Braces for Yet Another Year of Intensifying Heat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
New Delhi, May 9, 2025  India has entered another year marked by extreme heat, with forecasts indicating that large parts of the country will experience above-normal daytime and nighttime temperatures throughout 2025. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the upcoming southwest monsoon is expected to be normal, a sharp increase in the number of heatwave days is likely in many regions. The dual impact of extreme daytime heat and unusually warm nights is expected to worsen health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. With temperatures already climbing, reports of heatwave and warm night conditions have begun to emerge across the country. The situation poses serious challenges to public health, especially for informal workers and outdoor laborers...
Mudslide disrupts traffic as heavy rain lashes North India

Mudslide disrupts traffic as heavy rain lashes North India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A fresh spell of intense rain has triggered a mudslide in the Chamba Seri region of Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and halting vehicular movement on both sides. The disruption follows the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) yellow alert, issued for several northern and central Indian states, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and potential travel hazards. Highway closure and travel advisory issued Traffic authorities in Jammu and Kashmir urged people to avoid NH-44 travel on Thursday morning due to the dangerous road conditions caused by the mudslide. The highway, a vital link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, remains blocked until further notice. Rain warnings across multiple states The IMD's yello...
14 Dead in Gujarat as Thunderstorms, Winds, and Lightning Wreak Havoc

14 Dead in Gujarat as Thunderstorms, Winds, and Lightning Wreak Havoc

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
Unseasonal thunderstorms with powerful winds and lightning have claimed at least 14 lives across Gujarat, leaving many injured and causing widespread destruction. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued thunderstorms with lightning and wind speeds reaching up to 50-60 km/h over the next few days. State-Wide Impact: Rainfall in 168 Talukas According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), 168 out of Gujarat’s 253 talukas received unseasonal rainfall in the past 24 hours. Districts like Kheda, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, and Vadodara recorded 25 to 40 mm of rain, triggering sudden temperature drops and damage to infrastructure. Storm Claims Lives Across Multiple Districts The SEOC reported 13 deaths on Monday alone due to rain-related incidents, includ...
Thunderstorm Uproots Tree, Crushes Cars in Shimla, Triggers Safety Fears Amid Weather Alert

Thunderstorm Uproots Tree, Crushes Cars in Shimla, Triggers Safety Fears Amid Weather Alert

Breaking News, Disasters
A fierce thunderstorm struck Shimla on Thursday afternoon, bringing down a massive tree that crashed onto three vehicles and blocked part of National Highway-5 near the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation office in the Tutikandi area. The sudden incident caused significant damage, traffic delays, and renewed public concern about the safety of trees in storm-prone zones. Two of the vehicles, both owned by the power corporation one by a junior engineer and another by a staff member were severely damaged. A third, a taxi, suffered partial destruction. “Three vehicles were damaged when the tree fell near our office. The storm and rain were likely the cause,” said Harmanjeet Singh, an official from the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation. For Parasram Thakur, a loc...
Delhi Morning Turns Deadly as Rainstorm Leaves 4 Dead, Flights Canceled

Delhi Morning Turns Deadly as Rainstorm Leaves 4 Dead, Flights Canceled

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Sudden May 2 downpour reveals complex climate patterns shaping NCR’s extreme weather. In the early hours of May 2, 2025, Delhi-NCR was slammed by a fierce rainstorm that killed four people, uprooted trees, flooded streets, and forced the cancellation of over 100 flights. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 77 mm of rainfall at Safdarjung and 78 mm at Lodhi Road, all within a span of just three hours (5:15 am to 8:30 am). Alongside the heavy rain, winds gusting at 80–90 km/hr caused significant damage across the capital. According to IMD and experts, this extreme weather was the result of a rare confluence of multiple atmospheric systems: A strong western disturbance from the Mediterranean region, Two cyclonic circulations over Rajasthan, And dual anti...
ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

ISRO Leads Global Disaster Response: Takes Command of Space Charter for Six Months

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
India has once again demonstrated its leadership in space-based disaster management. ISRO has assumed the role of lead agency for the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters for six months starting April 2025, the space agency announced on Saturday. ISRO Hosts 53rd International Charter Meeting in Hyderabad The tenure began with ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) organizing the 53rd meeting of the Charter in Hyderabad from April 14 to 17. According to ISRO, the meeting saw the participation of major global space agencies, with 22 foreign delegates attending in person. All were engaged in discussions and planning for space-based disaster management activities. India a Founding Member of the International Charter India is a signatory and founding member of th...
New Zealand Urged to Avoid Quick Fixes After Ex-Cyclone Tam Focus on Smarter Climate Planning

New Zealand Urged to Avoid Quick Fixes After Ex-Cyclone Tam Focus on Smarter Climate Planning

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
As New Zealanders clean up after ex-Cyclone Tam which left thousands without power and several areas flooded experts warn that rushing into visible but short-sighted fixes could worsen long-term risks. Instead they call for thoughtful adaptive planning that strengthens community resilience against future climate disasters. Quick Reactions After Disasters Can Create Bigger Problems Research shows that after major disasters, there is often pressure to act quickly. Communities want fast, visible action that seems decisive. But history has shown that reactionary decisions can misallocate resources or even increase vulnerability to future disasters. High-impact weather events like ex-Cyclone Tam must not drive policy changes without careful planning. Experts stress that risk assessment...