Disasters Archives - Page 42 of 42

Jan12024 by Editor Desk2 Comments

Earthquake tremors felt in Java Island, Indonesia, with intensity 4.8

The Indonesian country's geophysics agency BMKG said that an earthquake of 4.8 magnitude occurred in Western Java Island on Sunday. The epicenter of the earthquake was 2 km (1.25 mi) northeast of Sumedang in West Java province at a depth of 5 km, the agency said. At present there is no information about any loss of life or property. Earlier, severe earthquake tremors were felt in Indonesia. According to media reports, the intensity of the earthquake has been measured at 6.5 on the Richter scale. This earthquake was felt in Papua region of Indonesia. However, there is no information about any casualty. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatic and Geophysical Agency said that there is no danger of tsunami.

Jan12024 by Editor Desk1 Comment

From Shaken Cadets to Lifesavers: The Haunting Memory of Latur

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks

The earth didn't shudder, it roared. Like a monstrous beast awakened, the ground beneath our feet at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, erupted into a violent dance. September 30th, 1993, began not with reveille, but with chaos. Doors jammed, lights flickered out, and the air crackled with a raw, primal fear. The dust settled, revealing a world tilted on its axis. News trickled in, each syllable a hammer blow: Latur, Maharashtra, decimated by an earthquake, lives extinguished in the blink of an eye. The numbers climbed, a macabre symphony of loss: 30,000 souls swallowed by the earth's fury. A call went out, a plea for volunteers. It wasn't a question, it was a summons to action. We, the NDA cadets, were soldiers-in-training, but on that day, we became something else: ...

Dec272023 by Editor Desk1 Comment

Severe Thunderstorms in Australia Claim Six Lives

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

(27.12.2023) Austraila, Severe thunderstorms in Australia’s eastern states over the Christmas holidays have claimed the lives of at least six people, with three others reported missing. Tens of thousands of households in Queensland are without power due to the impact of the storms. Police in Victoria and Queensland have confirmed the deaths, including a nine-year-old girl who was reportedly swept away in a flooded stormwater drain. Two people are missing after their boat capsized south of Green Island near Brisbane, and a 46-year-old woman is also being sought after being caught in floodwaters north of Brisbane in Gumpie. Severe thunderstorms struck on December 25 and 26, bringing large hailstones, high winds, and torrential rains. The adverse weather conditions led to river flooding...

Dec252023 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Volcanic Eruptions and Astronomical Cycles Linked to Historical Climate Change, Study Reveals

Disasters, Environment

A recent analysis published in the journal Earth-Science Reviews sheds light on the connection between large volcanic eruptions, astronomical cycles, and historical climate change. While human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for modern climate change, the study highlights that climate change in the Earth’s history was influenced by a different set of factors. Key Findings: Volcanic Eruptions in Earth’s History The study reveals that large volcanic eruptions in the Earth’s past released significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This resulted in extreme greenhouse climate warming, nearly causing mass extinctions and environmental crises. These volcanic events occurred cyclically, with a pattern of every 26 to 33 million years. Notably, the study ...

Dec232023 by Editor Desk1 Comment

World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Begins Drifting After 40 Years Grounded

Climate Actions, Disasters

In a significant development, the world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has finally broken free from its grounded position, initiating its drift in the Weddell Sea. Originating from West Antarctica’s Fichner-Ronne ice shelf, A23a measures a staggering 4000 sq km (1,500 square miles) with a thickness of about 400 meters (1,300 feet), making it the largest iceberg globally. After being grounded for an extended period since 1986, recent observations by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite confirm its movement, estimated at approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) per day, propelled by winds and currents. Iceberg A23a Animation The colossal iceberg’s journey was tracked through an animation provided by the European Space Agency (ESA), showcasing its shifts on November 2, November 14, and November 26, 2023...

Dec232023 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Dimming the Sun: A Radical Solution to Climate Change or a Cosmic Conundrum?

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations, Space

In a bid to combat the relentless march of climate change, scientists are proposing an unconventional approach: dimming the Sun. With global temperatures surpassing critical thresholds, a team of researchers suggests mimicking the cooling effect of major volcanic eruptions by creating an artificial haze in the upper atmosphere. While this may sound like the stuff of science fiction, experts argue it could be a feasible solution to curb the warming trend. The Earth’s warming, primarily driven by greenhouse gases like CO₂, could be counteracted by releasing reflective particles into the upper atmosphere. The goal is to dim the Sun by approximately 1%, which, according to research, could cool the planet by 1°C. This approach has historical precedent, as natural phenomena like volcanic erup...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Understanding and Managing Cascading Disasters in the Himalayas

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks

On October 4, 2023, a tragic event unfolded in the Himalayas, as a cloudburst above Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim triggered a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). This disaster claimed over 30 lives, obliterated the 1,200 MW Urja Hydroelectric Chungthang dam, and left a trail of destruction downstream. A stark reminder of the compounding and cascading risks induced by climate change, the Sikkim GLOF exemplifies the fragility of the Himalayan mountainous region and the severe threats it faces. Unveiling GLOF and Cloudburst Dynamics in Himalayas Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) stem from the sudden rupture of glacial lake dams. The Sikkim Himalayas, particularly the Teesta basin, are home to a plethora of such glacial lakes. South Lhonak Lake, one of the largest and fastest-growing gl...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Deadly Earthquake Strikes Remote Region in China’s Gansu Province Made Huge Losses

Breaking News, Disasters

A powerful magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Jishishan county in China‘s northwestern province of Gansu, on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, around midnight on Tuesday. The seismic event has resulted in at least 111 reported deaths and over 230 injuries, according to Chinese state media. The quake, occurring at a depth of 10 km, has prompted extensive rescue and relief efforts in the affected region. The earthquake’s epicenter was 5 km from the border between Gansu and a neighboring province, with strong tremors felt in various parts of Qinghai province. The area, characterized by its remote and mountainous terrain, poses challenges for rescue operations. The affected county, Jishishan, is known for its high altitude, and the cold weather in the region adds complexity to ...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

India Faces Increased Seismic Activity in 2023: Alarming Rise in Earthquakes

Breaking News, Disasters

In 2023, India experienced a significant surge in seismic activity, largely attributed to the active Almora Fault in western Nepal. Three major earthquakes rattled the region, with magnitudes of 5.8 on January 24, 6.2 on October 3, and 6.4 on November 3. The aftermath of these quakes resulted in continuous tremors throughout the year, affecting neighboring countries, including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nepal. The seismic activity in the region is not unexpected, given its proximity to the Himalayas, an area prone to earthquakes due to the collision of tectonic plates. The collision of the Indian Tectonic Plate with the Eurasian Plate generates ongoing seismic events in the region. The statistics for earthquake occurrences in recent years highlight the intensified seismic acti...