Environment Archives - Page 3 of 23

Jan82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First US Death from H5N1 Bird Flu Sparks Concern, But Public Risk Remains Low

In a first for the United States, a Louisiana man has died from H5N1 bird flu, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Health experts, however, reassure that the risk to the general public remains low. The Louisiana Department of Health reported on January 6 that the man, aged over 65 and with pre-existing medical conditions, contracted the virus after exposure to backyard poultry and wild birds. Officials confirmed there was no evidence of person-to-person transmission in this case. The man, identified as the country’s first severe H5N1 patient, was hospitalized in December with respiratory symptoms. Health authorities diagnosed him with the D1.1 subtype of the virus on December 13. This strain has been spreading widely in U.S. poultry and wild birds. The D1.1 subty...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Winter Storm Batters Eastern US: Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain Disrupt Travel, Claim Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A powerful winter storm system swept across the eastern United States on Monday, blanketing cities in heavy snow and freezing rain, disrupting travel for millions, and leaving at least five people dead. The storm, which had already caused hazardous road conditions in the Midwest over the weekend, left a trail of destruction, power outages, and travel chaos. As of Monday afternoon, over 175,000 residents from Missouri to Virginia were without power, according to Poweroutage.us. Meanwhile, air travel was severely impacted, with more than 2,400 flights canceled and thousands more delayed, per FlightAware. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted up to a foot of snow in Washington, D.C., paralyzing the nation’s capital. Schools were closed, and residents waded through snow-laden str...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Confirms First HMPV Cases Infants Affected in 3 States

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

India on Monday reported its first-ever cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a globally recognized respiratory virus, with five confirmed infections across Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The cases, involving infants under one year of age, have sparked concern and prompted health officials to issue guidelines for monitoring and prevention. First Cases in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Salem In Bengaluru, two infants a three-month-old who has been discharged and an eight-month-old recovering in a hospital were among the first cases identified. Ahmedabad reported a two-month-old baby infected with HMPV, while Tamil Nadu recorded one case each in Chennai and Salem. Authorities confirmed that the families of the infected infants in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad had no recent trave...

Jan72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

9 Laborers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine Rescue Efforts Underway

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Nine laborers were reported trapped in a coal mine in the Umrangso region of Assam's Dima Hasao district on Monday. The incident occurred after water unexpectedly entered the mine, raising fears about their safety. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the situation and said all efforts are being made to rescue the trapped workers. Chief Minister Sarma, sharing the names and details of the laborers on his X handle, expressed deep concern over the situation. He said that assistance from the army has been sought while rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are en route to the site. "Distressing news from Umrangso, where laborers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The D...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Identify ‘Mystery Volcano’ That Cooled Earth’s Climate in 1831

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

Nearly two centuries after one of the most powerful eruptions of the 19th century caused global temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere to drop by around 1 degree Celsius, scientists have pinpointed the culprit: Zavaritskii volcano on Simushir Island in the northwest Pacific Ocean. The island is part of the Kuril Islands archipelago, a region disputed between Russia and Japan. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, the groundbreaking study links the historic 1831 eruption to Zavaritskii, which had previously been dormant since 800 BC. This revelation comes after decades of uncertainty, during which researchers knew the year of the eruption but struggled to locate the volcano responsible. The breakthrough came from analyzing ice cores collected from ...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rocket Fragment Crashes in Kenyan Village, Sparks Space Debris Concerns

Breaking News, Environment, Space

Panic swept through Mukuku village in Kenya’s Makueni County this week when a massive metallic object, described by locals as a "huge, red-hot object," fell from the sky. The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has identified the debris as part of a rocket, specifically a metallic ring measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing approximately 500 kilograms. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting immediate action from the KSA and local authorities. Villagers quickly alerted officials, who rushed to the scene to investigate and secure the area. In a statement released on Wednesday, the KSA confirmed that the object was a fragment of a space object, most likely a separation ring from a rocket. They assured the public that the debris poses no safety risk and commended the residents for...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

First HMPV Cases Reported in Bengaluru: Health Ministry Gears Up for Monitoring

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment, Fact Check

India reported its first two cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Bengaluru. The cases involve a 3-month-old infant, who has been discharged after recovery, and an 8-month-old infant, currently recovering in a hospital in the Karnataka capital. Both infants and their families have no recent travel history, ruling out exposure from other regions or countries. The cases were identified as part of routine surveillance for respiratory viral pathogens conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). “HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with HMPV have been reported in various countries,” the Centre stated. The Health Ministry convened a meeting on HMPV preparedness today, emphasizing monitoring and con...

Jan62025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Winter Storm Hits US Heartland: Record Snowfall, Dangerous Conditions, and Widespread Disruptions

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A powerful winter storm blanketed parts of the central United States with heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures on Sunday, creating hazardous travel conditions and setting records in several areas. The National Weather Service described it as the potential "heaviest snowfall in a decade" for some regions, impacting 63 million people across the central and southern U.S. States Struggle with Record Snowfall and Ice Major roadways in Kansas, western Nebraska, and Indiana were buried under snow, leading to closures and travel chaos. Snowfall north of Interstate 70 in Kansas reached 10 inches, with some areas predicting totals exceeding 14 inches. Indiana: Portions of major interstates were fully covered in snow, prompting officials to activate the state’s National Guard to assist...

Jan42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Forest Cover Growth Comes at a Cost: Biodiversity Hotspots Face Decline

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released by the Forest Survey of India, paints a picture of paradoxical progress. While India's total forest and tree cover has shown a marginal increase, the ecological cost is hard to ignore. Biodiversity-rich areas, which are critical for sustaining ecosystems, continue to see worrying declines. India's forest and tree cover now stands at 8,27,357 square kilometres, covering 25.17% of the country's geographical area. Forests account for 21.76% (7,15,343 sq km), while tree cover constitutes 3.41% (1,12,014 sq km). Since the last report in 2021, forest and tree cover has grown by 1,446 sq km, with a modest 0.2% rise in forest cover and a 1.16% jump in tree cover. However, deeper analysis reveals a troubling reality: several states with r...

Jan22025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

The Sea That Vanished: The Tragic Fall of the Aral Sea

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Once a vast expanse of shimmering blue the Aral Sea was the pride of Central Asia. Straddling Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south, it was the world’s fourth-largest inland water body. It was a lifeline for the region, teeming with fish, bustling ports, and vibrant communities thriving along its shores. But the mid-20th century marked the beginning of its decline. As part of Soviet-era irrigation projects, the waters of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers once the Aral’s lifeblood were diverted to grow cotton and other crops. The Aral began to shrink rapidly, leaving behind parched landscapes and ghostly shipwrecks marooned in desert sands. By the early 21st century, it was a shadow of its former self, its once-abundant ecosystem shattered and its communities struggling to...