Fact Check Archives - Disasters News

Sep52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

A Greener Ghee: Researcher Patents Bioplastic from Dairy Waste

VISAKHAPATNAM – Dr. Rasheeda Khanam, a faculty member at Gitam Deemed to be University, has been granted a patent for an innovative, eco-friendly bioplastic derived from a common dairy industry byproduct: ghee residue. This dark, mass-like substance, typically discarded by dairies, has no practical use and is often dumped in agricultural fields. Dr. Khanam's research transforms this waste into a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic, suitable for various applications. The patented bioplastic is made by blending a ghee residue extract with glycerol to provide flexibility. To enhance its durability and water resistance, she incorporates natural, hydrophobic compounds like beeswax, chitin, and zein protein. The resulting material is a biodegradable and non-toxic film that can be ...

Sep32025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

The Invisible Threat: Study Finds Pathogenic Bacteria Double in Crowded Delhi Areas

Fact Check

NEW DELHI – A new study reveals that densely populated parts of Delhi have twice the concentration of airborne pathogenic bacteria compared to less crowded areas. The research, conducted by the Bose Institute, highlights a serious and often-overlooked public health risk in India’s capital, where millions are already grappling with toxic air pollution. Pollution and Population: A Dangerous Combination Delhi’s unique location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) makes it particularly vulnerable to poor air quality. During winter, a combination of stagnant winds, low temperatures, and high humidity traps pollutants near the ground. The study found that this seasonal "cocktail" of poor ventilation and high particulate matter creates an ideal environment for airborne microbes to thrive. T...

Aug262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Swings Could Accelerate Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreaks, Study Warns

Fact Check

Unpredictable changes in climate may bring mosquito-borne disease outbreaks years earlier than expected, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Scientists warn that governments must strengthen surveillance and preparedness to counter this growing risk. Researchers examined the impact of internal climate variability (ICV) the natural year-to-year swings in temperature and weather patterns on the spread of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as dengue. The study found that ICV significantly increases uncertainty in predicting when and where outbreaks will occur, with fluctuations potentially accelerating the appearance of suitable conditions for disease transmission. Mosquito Risks Expanding Globally Climate change has already...

Jun52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mizoram delays official visits as floods and landslides disrupt lives, Tripura turns schools into shelters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

June 5, 2025 — As relentless rains continue to batter India’s Northeast, the states of Mizoram and Tripura are grappling with severe weather disruptions that have triggered landslides, flash floods, and large-scale displacement. The Mizoram government has postponed all official visits, including those by dignitaries and state officials, to prioritize disaster management and public safety. In a circular issued on June 2 by Mizoram’s General Administration Department, authorities confirmed that prolonged and intense rainfall has led to widespread destruction. Key districts have been affected by landslides and mudslides, with critical infrastructure damaged and normal life severely hampered. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), led by Deputy Commissioners, are on high aler...

Jun22025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Doubled Extreme Heat Days in Nearly Every Country, New Report Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new analysis shows that human-caused climate change made 67 extreme heat events between May 2024 and May 2025 more likely including record-shattering heatwaves in the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and South Sudan. All 67 events either broke temperature records, caused serious damage, or both. Using the Climate Shift Index, researchers found that every country and territory experienced more extreme heat days due to climate change. In 195 countries, the number of such days has at least doubled compared to a world without global warming. Nearly 4 billion people half the world’s population faced an extra month of extreme heat over the past year. The report, compiled by Climate Central, World Weather Attribution, and the Red Cross Climate Centre, points to a troubling global pattern. In ...

May312025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

May 2025 turns wet and wild: record rains, rare floods, and farm losses sweep India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

May in India is usually a story of blistering sun and relentless heatwaves, but 2025 has rewritten that script in dramatic fashion. Instead of scorching temperatures, this month has brought persistent downpours, thunderstorms, and unseasonal weather to vast swathes of the country a rare and remarkable shift from the norm. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the surprising spell of rain is a result of two powerful factors converging: an earlier-than-usual arrival of southwest monsoon winds and an unusually high frequency of western disturbances (WDs). Between five and seven of these extratropical weather systems which usually affect northwestern India during winter were recorded in May alone, well above average. This extended activity of WDs into the pre-monsoon se...

May302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Tropical Storms Drive Infant Deaths in Poor Nations, Global Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new study has revealed a sharp rise in infant mortality following exposure to tropical cyclones in low- and middle-income countries, raising concerns about how climate change is intensifying health risks for the most vulnerable. Published in Science Advances, the research shows that even low-strength storms not just major hurricanes are linked to increased deaths among infants. The study analyzed health data from nearly 1.7 million children across seven countries and found that infants exposed to tropical cyclones in the womb or within their first year of life were significantly more likely to die. On average, infant mortality rose by 11 percent, equivalent to 4.4 additional deaths per 1,000 live births, following storm exposure. The elevated risk was most pronounced within the first ...

May302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rethinking Disaster Preparedness: Why Behavioural Insights Matter

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

When disaster strikes, having early warnings and strong infrastructure saves lives. But often, even when people know the risks, they don’t act. Why? The answer lies in human behaviour. In March 2025, Myanmar was hit by a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Survivors like Ma Phyu Sin Win were grateful for emergency kits basic things like food, solar lamps, and hygiene products. “Every little item helps during this time,” she said. But the damage went far beyond broken buildings. Around 1.6 million structures were exposed to intense shaking, many not built to survive it. Disasters like this are becoming more frequent and more destructive. In 2024 alone, extreme weather caused $320 billion in economic losses. But the real damage continues long after the floodwaters recede or the ground st...

May302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Warming world: 80% chance next five years break heat records

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

Europe and the world are heading toward uncharted climate territory. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns there's now an 80% chance that at least one of the next five years will break 2024’s record as the warmest year ever. Even more striking: there’s an 86% chance that at least one of those years will temporarily cross the critical 1.5°C warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement. While these temperature spikes may be short-lived, they’re still troubling. The latest WMO update, produced by the UK’s Met Office, forecasts a 70% chance that the 5-year average from 2025–2029 will exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels a sharp jump from 47% last year. The report stresses that every fraction of a degree matters, pushing the planet closer to climate tipping points. The Arc...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mangrove Forests Over 500 Metres Wide Proven to Cut Wave Energy by 75%, Prompting Policy Rethink

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check

A global study based on more than 216,000 simulations has found that mangrove forests wider than 500 metres offer far more effective coastal protection than previously assumed. The research, led by the Deltares institute, shows that these broad mangrove belts reduce incoming wave heights by at least 70% regardless of wave intensity, water levels, or local conditions. Using the SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) model, researchers analyzed 15,773 coastal locations worldwide with mangrove cover. From this dataset, 1,000 representative situations were selected to simulate wave reduction performance under a variety of environmental conditions. The results produced tens of millions of data points and highlighted a clear trend: wider mangroves are consistently more effective at weakening wave ...