Thursday, April 24News That Matters

Disasters

Hunga Tonga Eruption Unprecedented Climate Impacts Explored in New Study

Hunga Tonga Eruption Unprecedented Climate Impacts Explored in New Study

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Sydney, Australia – The catastrophic eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on January 15, 2022, not only created a massive tsunami but also sent shockwaves around the globe, triggering a series of environmental consequences that are still being studied. A new paper published in the Journal of Climate sheds light on the extensive and unusual climate impacts of this eruption. Ozone Hole and Unexpected Weather Patterns According to the study, the Hunga Tonga eruption played a significant role in creating last year's exceptionally large ozone hole and contributed to the unexpectedly wet summer of 2024. The eruption's effects are anticipated to influence winter weather patterns for years to come. Typically, volcanic eruptions emit sulphur dioxide, which cools the Earth's su...
Nagpur Records 56°C, Highest Ever Temperature in India

Nagpur Records 56°C, Highest Ever Temperature in India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Nagpur, India – In an unprecedented heatwave, Nagpur has recorded a staggering temperature of 56 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature ever documented in India. This follows closely on the heels of another extreme temperature event, with Mungeshwar AWS in North-West Delhi recording 52.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. According to reports by the Times of India, the Nagpur AWS, located in a 24-hectare open agricultural field at PDKV in Ramdaspeth, registered the record-breaking temperature. Additionally, the Regional Meteorological Centre at Sonegaon reported a temperature of 54 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a press statement noting that on Thursday, the highest maximum temperature reported nationwide was 48.3 degrees Celsius at Sri Gangana...
Delhi’s Water Crisis Worsens Amid Scorching Heat, Delhi CM Appeals for Help from Central Govt

Delhi’s Water Crisis Worsens Amid Scorching Heat, Delhi CM Appeals for Help from Central Govt

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
As Delhi battles an intense water crisis amidst soaring temperatures, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to urge the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to assist in meeting Delhi's escalating water demand. Mr. Kejriwal emphasized the need for collective action rather than political disputes, stating that the water demand has surged due to the extreme heat while the supply from neighboring states has diminished. "In this scorching heat, the water demand has increased a lot. And the water that Delhi used to get from the neighboring states has also been reduced. That means the demand has increased a lot and the supply has reduced. We all have to solve this together," Mr. Kejriwal wrote in a post on X. "I see that...
Another Powerful Solar Storm from Sunspot AR3664 Headed Towards mother Earth, likely to happen Blackouts

Another Powerful Solar Storm from Sunspot AR3664 Headed Towards mother Earth, likely to happen Blackouts

Breaking News, Disasters, Space
A powerful stream of energized particles, known as a solar storm, is currently headed towards Earth, with potential to cause radio blackouts and the stunning aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. According to NASA's spaceweather.com, this storm originated from the sunspot AR3664 on May 27 and has been classified as an X2.8 flare, marking it as one of the most intense solar events in recent years. X-class solar flares are the strongest solar flares, described by NASA as "giant explosions on the sun that send energy, light, and high-speed particles into space." These powerful flares have the capability to disrupt various forms of communication on Earth. Immediate Impact and Potential Threats Earth has already experienced interruptions in shortwave radio communications ...
Cyclone Remal Devastates Northeastern States in India: 36 Dead, Widespread Disruptions

Cyclone Remal Devastates Northeastern States in India: 36 Dead, Widespread Disruptions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The onslaught of Cyclone Remal has resulted in the tragic loss of 36 lives across four northeastern states in India, with Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya bearing the brunt of heavy rains and landslides on Tuesday. The severe weather conditions have brought daily life to a standstill across the region, disrupting transportation and utilities. Mizoram: The state suffered the highest casualties, with 27 people killed, including 21 victims of a quarry collapse in Aizawl district. Multiple landslides in the district claimed additional lives and left ten people missing. Disaster management and police officials have recovered 21 bodies from the quarry site located between Melthum and Hlimen, with several more feared trapped under debris. Other fatalities were reported in Salem, Aibawk,...
Papua New Guinea Faces Catastrophe: Landslide Buries 2,000, Sparks Urgent Evacuations

Papua New Guinea Faces Catastrophe: Landslide Buries 2,000, Sparks Urgent Evacuations

Breaking News, Disasters
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has led to the urgent evacuation of approximately 7,900 people from remote villages, with fears of further landslips looming. The disaster struck on May 24, burying an estimated 2,000 people under a vast expanse of yellow and grey debris. The remote location, severed road access, ongoing heavy rainfall, and nearby tribal violence have severely hindered rescue and relief operations. Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka described the continuing peril as "the tragedy is still active," with continuous rockfalls from Mount Mungalo. Satellite images revealed the massive scale of the landslide, which has cut through verdant bushland and severed the region's only road. Locals have been desperately digging throu...
Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu: No Tsunami warning issued by agency

Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu: No Tsunami warning issued by agency

Breaking News, Disasters
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Sunday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 9:23 am local time at a depth of approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles) below the ocean's surface. Its epicenter was located about 83 kilometers (51 miles) northwest of Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila. Despite the earthquake's significant magnitude, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that it is not expected to generate a tsunami. The quake struck near a sparsely populated cluster of islands, reducing the immediate threat to heavily populated areas. As of now, there have been no reports of damage or casualties. Authorities in Vanuatu are monitoring the situation closely and have advised residents to stay alert for potent...
Tornado Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in Central U.S., Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Tornado Outbreak Claims 15 Lives in Central U.S., Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Breaking News, Disasters
Washington: At least 15 people have lost their lives across the central United States as a series of tornadoes and extreme storms wreaked havoc in several states, including Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Officials reported ongoing rescue efforts and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers after the severe weather hit the Southern Plains region starting late Saturday. Texas Hit Hard by Deadly Tornado In Texas, the Valley View area, north of Dallas, bore the brunt of a devastating tornado. Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed that seven people died in the disaster. The twister caused extensive damage, demolishing homes and a gas station, and overturning vehicles on an interstate highway. "The damage is pretty extensive," Sappington said in an inte...
Remal Cyclone Movement Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” Over North Bay of Bengal

Remal Cyclone Movement Update: Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” Over North Bay of Bengal

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The Severe Cyclonic Storm "Remal" (pronounced as "Re-Mal") over the North Bay of Bengal has intensified significantly. As of 0830 hrs IST today, May 26, 2024, the cyclone was centered near latitude 19.8°N and longitude 89.3°E. It is positioned approximately 260 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 310 km south of Mongla (Bangladesh), 240 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), and 280 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal). The storm is currently moving northward at a speed of 7 kmph, with maximum sustained winds of 90-100 kmph gusting up to 110 kmph. Forecast and Expected Impact Movement and Landfall: Remal is expected to continue its northward trajectory, intensifying further. It is predicted to make landfall between Sagar Island (India) and Khepupara ...
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Seven Kerala Districts Amidst Heavy Rainfall

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Seven Kerala Districts Amidst Heavy Rainfall

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised concerns over the persisting heavy rainfall in Kerala by issuing a yellow alert for seven districts. According to the latest forecast, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasargod are expected to witness significant rainfall, ranging from 6 cm to 11 cm, on Saturday. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan shared alarming statistics, revealing that Kerala has witnessed 11 rain-related deaths from May 9 to May 23. These fatalities include six drownings, two quarry accidents, two lightning strikes, and one house collapse, painting a grim picture of the ongoing weather challenges. In response to the escalating situation, Minister Rajan urged residents to exercise caution and avoid venturing into water bodie...