Disasters Archives - Page 33 of 42

Jun252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dutch Startup’s Ambitious Plan to Restore Arctic Sea Ice Using Skating Rink Technology

In an innovative attempt to address the critical issue of melting Arctic ice, a Dutch startup, Arctic Reflections, is exploring a technique traditionally used to create outdoor skating rinks. This approach involves flooding fields with thin layers of water to gradually build up ice, which could potentially be applied to the Arctic ice caps to combat their rapid decline. Melting Arctic Ice Crisis Arctic ice is shrinking by nearly 13% per decade, with scientists warning that ice-free summers in the Arctic could become a reality by 2050. This not only accelerates global warming due to the reduced albedo effect (where ice reflects sunlight back into space), but it also endangers polar bears' habitats and the lifestyles of Indigenous communities dependent on Arctic ecosystems. Fonger Y...

Jun242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meeting on Flood Preparedness and Management

Breaking News, Disasters

Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting on Sunday to evaluate the nation's preparedness for flood management and to develop long-term strategies to mitigate the recurring menace of floods in India. The session focused on reviewing previous actions and integrating new technologies for improved flood management. During the meeting, Shah assessed the progress made on the decisions from a similar meeting held last year. He examined the adoption of new technologies by various agencies and the expansion of their networks for flood management. Emphasizing the importance of innovation, Shah highlighted the need for the optimal use of satellite imagery from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to enhance flood and water management efforts. The home minister review...

Jun232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

WHO introduces One Health ‘One World’ is a shared Agenda for globe, Even as Negotiators Wrangle Over Inclusion in WHO Pandemic Accord

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

As the debate over the World Health Organization’s (WHO) pandemic accord intensifies, the concept of One Health a holistic approach to health that integrates human, animal, and environmental health is at the forefront of discussions. Despite resistance from some negotiators, the principle of One Health is crucial for preventing future pandemics, according to experts gathered at a recent event hosted by the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Global Health Center. During the World Health Assembly (WHA), negotiators were given a mandate to continue discussions on the pandemic accord, aiming for a conclusion by the 2025 WHA. The inclusion of One Health principles, particularly in Article 5 of the draft text, has sparked opposition from several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and some civi...

Jun222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

World Risk Poll Reveals Global Disparities in Resilience Amidst Increasing Climate Threats

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The latest World Risk Poll resilience report by Lloyd’s Register Foundation has uncovered stark disparities in how different regions and demographics are coping with an increasingly turbulent world shaped by climate change and technological advancements. Surveying perceptions of risk across 142 countries, the report provides critical insights into how individual concerns, fears, and hopes vary across social groups and contexts. The 2023 data shows that 30% of people worldwide have personally experienced a natural hazard-related disaster in the past five years, up from 27% in 2021. This rising trend underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and resilience strategies globally. Key Findings The most vulnerable groups, including those over 50, the unemployed, and ...

Jun212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

WMO Report Highlights Urgent Need for Enhanced Hydrometeorological Services in Vulnerable Nations

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a founding member of the Alliance for Hydromet Development, has released the 2024 Hydromet Gap Report, revealing critical deficiencies in hydrometeorological services (hydromet) across Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The report, launched during the 8th SOFF Steering Committee meeting, underscores the severe impact of these gaps on climate adaptation and resilience efforts, with significant implications for sustainable development and disaster preparedness. Key Findings The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of hydromet services in 20 countries, highlighting the following critical gaps: Weak Observational Infrastructure: Many National Meteorological and Hydrological Service...

Jun202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sixty-Eight Indian Pilgrims Among Over 900 Dead During Scorching Haj Pilgrimage

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Sixty-eight Indian nationals were among more than 900 pilgrims from around the world who died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage, marked by searing heat and extreme temperatures, according to sources on Wednesday. The deaths of the Indians occurred over several weeks, with six fatalities reported on the final day of the pilgrimage. Causes included natural factors such as old age, along with the intense weather conditions, the sources said anonymously. There has been no official statement from the Indian government. A total of 175,000 Indian pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Haj. Reports indicate that 550 deaths were recorded during the pilgrimage, as stated by two unnamed Arab diplomats, and an AFP tally put the total at 645. This includes 323 Egyptians and 60 Jordania...

Jun192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Assam 2024 Floods Updates: Over 161,000 people Affected, Relief Work Underway for Thousands

Breaking News, Disasters

Guwahati: More than 30 people have died and more than 1.61 lakhs people have been affected in 15 districts due to severe floods in Assam. A landslide in Badarpur area of Karimganj district killed five people, including a woman and her three daughters, as well as a three-year-old boy. The landslide happened in Gaynachora village on Tuesday night. The landslide death toll in Assam has risen to over 30 since Cyclone Remal hit the state in May. Karimganj Superintendent of Police Partha Protim Das says “At 12.45 last night, information was received about a landslide in Gainachora village (Bendargool) under Badarpur police station. After receiving the information, the officer-in-charge of Badarpur police station along with his staff and SDRF personnel rushed to the spot and conducted a r...

Jun192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth’s Atmosphere Shields Life from Deadly Supernova Explosions, New Study Reveals

Breaking News, Disasters, Space

Earth's protective atmosphere has protected life for billions of years, creating an environment for evolution to produce complex life forms like us. The ozone layer plays an important role in protecting the biosphere from deadly UV rays. Block 99% of the sun's powerful UV rays. Earth's magnetosphere also protects us. But the Sun is relatively interesting. How effectively does the ozone and magnetosphere protect us from powerful supernova explosions? Every million years - a tiny fraction of Earth's 4.5 billion years - a giant star explodes within 100 parsecs (326 light years) of Earth. We know this because our solar system exists in a space called the local bubble. A cavernous space where the density of hydrogen is lower than outside the bubble. During the previous 10-20 million ye...

Jun182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Major Earthquake 2,500 Years Ago Likely Altered Ganges River Course, Study Finds

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

A major earthquake more than 2,500 years ago likely caused one of the world's largest rivers to change its course, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Communications. The findings by a global research team suggest that a similar event could have the potential to alter the river's course again in the future. The modern Ganges River, spanning 2,500 kilometers, flows from the Himalayas southeastward into Bangladesh, where it is known as the Padma River. It then connects with the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Currently, the Ganges-Padma is located around 50 kilometers south of Dhaka. However, satellite imagery has revealed evidence of its former course, approximately 100 kilometers from the city. This discovery indicates that a major event, likely seismic activity...

Jun172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Nepal’s Wildfires Intensify: Over 5,000 Blazes Recorded in 2024 Amidst Climate Change and Forest Mismanagement Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Nepal is grappling with an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with nearly 5,000 incidents recorded this year alone. This makes 2024 the second-worst year for wildfires since records began in 2002, surpassed only by the devastating fire season of 2021, which saw over 6,300 outbreaks. In the past 12 months, more than 100 people have lost their lives due to wildfires, and the capital city, Kathmandu, was shrouded in hazardous wildfire smog for days on end. Climate models predict that Nepal will continue to experience more frequent drought conditions in the future, likely exacerbating the wildfire situation. However, forest scientists suggest that the increasing incidence of wildfires is not solely due to climate change. They point to changes in Nepalese communit...