Disasters Archives - Page 34 of 39

May172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Assam Launches DRIMS: A Digital Solution for Disaster Management in collaboration with Unicef

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

In anticipation of potential floods, Assam has introduced the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform aimed at facilitating online reporting of damages incurred during various disasters. Developed by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in collaboration with Unicef, DRIMS enables accurate reporting and assessment of damages caused by disasters, expediting aid disbursal to affected individuals. The platform efficiently captures critical impact indicators, facilitating the rapid delivery of relief and rehabilitation grants to beneficiaries. It also tracks damages to crops, loss of livestock, and other essential factors, accelerating post-disaster restoration efforts. Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, after launching DRIMS, also unveile...

May162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First Cow-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu A(H5N1) Confirmed in US

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The transmission of the highly pathogenic bird flu A(H5N1) from a cow to a dairy farmer in the US marks a significant development in our understanding of the virus's behavior and potential risks to public health. This event, the first confirmed cow-to-human transmission of the virus, sheds light on its ability to jump from birds to mammals and underscores the importance of monitoring livestock for signs of infection. The case, which manifested as inflammation in the eye rather than respiratory symptoms, was swiftly identified and reported. This prompt response, coupled with the unique presentation of the virus in humans, provides valuable insights into its transmission dynamics and potential impact on human health. The identification of a specific genetic change in the virus associat...

May132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Afghanistan Floods: Taliban Dispatch Helicopters as Devastating Floods Claim Over 300 Lives in Afghanistan

Breaking News, Disasters

Amidst a deluge of torrential rain battering northern and northwestern Afghanistan, devastating floods have claimed the lives of over 300 people, according to the UN Food Program. The catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, with more than 1,000 houses destroyed in the wake of the relentless downpour. "Flash floods ravage #Afghanistan, killing more than 300 people in Baghlan and destroying more than 1000 houses," announced the UN Food Program, highlighting the severity of the situation exacerbated by unusually heavy rainfall. The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored the dire humanitarian crisis, noting that countless individuals have been rendered homeless, while essential services such as transportation, water, and waste systems have been severely disrupted. "The impact has...

May122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Venezuela’s Last Glacier Melts Away Grim Milestone in the Fight Against Climate Change

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In a stark symbol of climate change's impact, Venezuela has become the first nation to lose all its glaciers, marking a somber milestone in the battle against global warming. Once boasting six glaciers spanning 1,000 square kilometers in 1910, the country now stands devoid of these icy formations, reduced to mere remnants unable to meet glacier classification criteria. The Humboldt glacier, or La Corona, nestled in the Sierra Nevada National Park, was the last to resist the thawing trend. Yet, its decline has been precipitous, with the once sprawling 4.5 square kilometer expanse reduced to less than 0.02 square kilometers, falling far short of the minimum size for glacier status. Professor Julio Cesar Centeno of the University of the Andes (ULA) lamented, "In Venezuela, glaciers no l...

May122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India’s Antarctic Research to Feature in School Textbooks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Idea & Innovations

India's significant contributions to research in the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Himalayas are set to become part of school textbooks, as the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences collaborates with the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to incorporate the latest developments into the curriculum. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, revealed that NCERT has formed a committee tasked with highlighting the importance of research in these regions, including Antarctica, the Arctic, the Himalayas, and climate change, in school textbooks. This initiative aims to update the content, which currently lacks recent advancements in Antarctica, Arctic, and Himalayan research. Following a rationalization exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain to...

May102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Develop Novel “Cage of Cages” Material for Greenhouse Gas Capture

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

In a significant breakthrough, scientists have engineered a groundbreaking porous material, described as a "cage of cages," designed to trap carbon dioxide (CO2) and other potent greenhouse gases, potentially offering a promising solution to combat climate change. Synthesized through a meticulous two-step process by researchers in the UK and China, this innovative material boasts a unique molecular structure composed of triangular prism building blocks assembled into larger, symmetrical tetrahedral cages. This molecular architecture, a first of its kind, exhibits exceptional potential for capturing and storing greenhouse gases effectively. According to Marc Little, a senior author of the study and a materials scientist at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, this discovery holds tremen...

May92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Car Cabin Air

Breaking News, Disasters

A concerning new study has revealed that individuals are inhaling cancer-causing chemicals while inside their cars. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid cars manufactured between 2015 and 2022, uncovering alarming levels of toxic flame retardants. The study found that a staggering 99% of cars contained a flame retardant known as TCIPP, currently under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Additionally, most vehicles also harbored two other carcinogenic flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, linked to neurological and reproductive harm. Lead researcher Rebecca Hoehn, a toxicology scientist at Duke University, emphasized the gravity of the findings, particularly con...

May72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Unveils Immersive Black Hole Simulation: Journey into the Heart of Cosmic Mysteries

Breaking News, Disasters, Space

Embark on a mesmerizing voyage into the depths of a black hole, courtesy of a groundbreaking visualization crafted by NASA's astrophysical experts. Led by Jeremy Schnittman from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre, in collaboration with scientist Brian Powell, this immersive project offers a tantalizing glimpse into the enigmatic realm of these cosmic behemoths. Powered by the cutting-edge 'Discover supercomputer', NASA's simulation transports viewers on an awe-inspiring odyssey towards the heart of a supermassive black hole, akin to the colossal entity residing at the core of our Milky Way galaxy. From a vantage point 400 million miles away, observers witness the mesmerizing distortions in space-time, a mesmerizing display of cosmic phenomena. Dramatic Distortions and Cosmic Curiosit...

May72024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Karnataka Govt Seeks Time from Supreme Court for Additional Information in Plea for Drought Relief Funds

Breaking News, Disasters

The Karnataka government has requested more time from the Supreme Court of India to submit additional information in its plea seeking the release of financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for drought relief. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal informed the bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta about discrepancies in the filed reply, prompting the court to list the matter for post-vacation hearing. A month earlier, the Supreme Court had instructed the Attorney General and Solicitor General to provide instructions on the plea within two weeks. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that the Karnataka government could have directly engaged with the Union government to address its concerns, instead of filing a petition. The Karnataka government's plea see...

May62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth Braces for Impact as Sun Unleashes Consecutive Flare To Threatening Technological Infrastructure

Breaking News, Disasters, Space

In a dramatic display of solar activity, the Sun has unleashed a series of powerful flares, posing potential risks to Earth's technological infrastructure and space exploration efforts. The recent surge in solar eruptions, occurring on consecutive days, has heightened concerns among scientists and space agencies worldwide. The first flare, categorized as an X-class flare, the most intense classification, occurred on May 2, originating from sunspot region AR3663. This eruption, lasting approximately 25 minutes, resulted in shortwave radio blackouts across regions including Australia, Japan, and parts of China. Solar physicist Keith Strong described it as an "impulsive flare," indicative of its sudden and intense nature. Barely a day later, on May 3, another significant eruption was ob...