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Tech

World Meteorological Day Highlights Urgency of Closing Early Warning Gap

World Meteorological Day Highlights Urgency of Closing Early Warning Gap

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech
Celebrations for World Meteorological Day took place worldwide today, focusing on closing the early warning gap and strengthening resilience against extreme weather. Organized by national weather services, events included a gathering at WMO headquarters in Geneva. Though the official day falls on March 23, global discussions continued into Monday. Progress in Early Warnings for All The UN Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched at COP 28, aims to bring the world’s population under a protective early-warning system by 2027. Now at its halfway point, the initiative has seen major progress: In 2023, 108 countries reported having some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems more than double the 52 countries in 2015. The initiative has saved lives, protected liv...
Cambridge AI Weather System ‘Aardvark’ Revolutionizes Forecasting

Cambridge AI Weather System ‘Aardvark’ Revolutionizes Forecasting

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech
A breakthrough artificial intelligence system developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge is set to redefine weather forecasting. The AI model, named Aardvark Weather, delivers highly accurate predictions tens of times faster than current forecasting methods while using significantly less computing power. Supported by the Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Aardvark has the potential to transform global weather prediction, researchers say. The findings were recently published in Nature. "Aardvark reimagines current weather prediction methods, offering faster, cheaper, more flexible, and more accurate forecasts than ever before," said Professor Richard Turner from Cambridge’s Department of Engineeri...
Digital Twin Tech Set To Revolutionize Disaster Response

Digital Twin Tech Set To Revolutionize Disaster Response

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Tech
Japan is taking a major leap in disaster management with cutting-edge digital twin technology aiming to improve disaster prediction and response. Led by Professor Oishi Satoru from Kobe University’s Research Center for Urban Safety and Security, the initiative seeks to create virtual replicas of real-world environments to simulate the impact of earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods with unprecedented accuracy. The technology is part of Japan’s Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), which prioritizes real-time information-sharing among agencies like the Cabinet Office, Self-Defense Forces, and Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The goal is to avoid delays in emergency response, a lesson learned from the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, where critical informatio...
Now AI Tool Could Predict Volcanic Eruption Early Warning Signals

Now AI Tool Could Predict Volcanic Eruption Early Warning Signals

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Learning & Developments, Tech
A groundbreaking AI driven tool developed by a University of Canterbury led research team significantly enhance prediction of volcanic eruptions worldwide. The tool based on machine learning models potential to save lives and protect infrastructure by improving early warning systems. Dr. Alberto Ardid and Associate Professor David Dempsey from UC’s Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department analyzed seismic data from 41 past eruptions across 24 volcanoes, including three in New Zealand. Their findings suggest that eruption warning signals follow repeatable patterns, which can be applied to under-monitored volcanoes. Dr. Ardid explained “This could be a breakthrough in eruption forecasting, allowing us to transfer knowledge from well-studied volcanoes to improve risk mitigatio...
Rare Triple Cyclone Event Seen on South Pacific Raising Climate Concerns

Rare Triple Cyclone Event Seen on South Pacific Raising Climate Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech
Satellite imagery has captured an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon in the South Pacific, where three tropical cyclones Rae, Seru, and Alfred are simultaneously active. Stretching over 8,000 kilometers from the eastern coast of Australia into the Pacific Ocean, this rare occurrence underscores the unpredictability of extreme weather patterns. Unprecedented Cyclone Activity Amid La Niña This triple cyclone event coincides with the peak of the region’s cyclone season. Meteorologists note that while such occurrences are rare, they are not without precedent the last recorded instance was in January 2021, with cyclones Lucas, Ana, and Bina. However, what makes this event particularly striking is that it is happening during a La Niña phase, a climate pattern that typically cools ocea...
AI Powered Satellite System Reveals Stark Green Space Inequality in Karachi

AI Powered Satellite System Reveals Stark Green Space Inequality in Karachi

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space, Tech
A research team led by NYU Associate Professor Rumi Chunara has developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system that accurately tracks urban green spaces using satellite imagery offering a crucial tool for healthier city planning. The system significantly outperforms traditional methods, which have historically failed to capture up to 37% of urban vegetation. Breaking New Ground in Urban Mapping To validate their approach, researchers tested the system in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, known for its mix of dense urban sprawl and highly varied vegetation. The AI, built on enhanced DeepLabV3+ segmentation models, was trained using a technique called ‘green augmentation,’ which adjusts training data to account for different lighting and seasonal conditions. This innovation ...
How Satellites AI Supercomputers Are Changing the Battle Against Wildfires

How Satellites AI Supercomputers Are Changing the Battle Against Wildfires

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments, Space, Tech
As wildfires raged through Los Angeles in January 2025, cutting-edge technology played a crucial role in firefighting efforts. Satellites, artificial intelligence, and advanced computer models helped firefighters track, predict, and combat the fast-moving blazes. Fire detection has come a long way from the early 20th-century lookout towers built after the devastating Great Fire of 1910. Today, California alone has over 1,100 cameras scanning for smoke, with AI continuously analyzing images to detect fires before they spread. NOAA satellites provide real-time heat signatures, fire perimeter mapping, and air quality assessments. Once a fire is detected, predicting its behavior becomes essential. Advanced computer simulations use fuel models, terrain data, and real-time weather forecast...
Satellite Data Uncovers Years of Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau’s Devastating 2018 Eruption and Tsunami

Satellite Data Uncovers Years of Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau’s Devastating 2018 Eruption and Tsunami

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech
A groundbreaking analysis of satellite data has revealed that the catastrophic 2018 eruption and collapse of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano which triggered a deadly tsunami was preceded by years of subtle but accelerating movements along its mountainside. Researchers at Penn State University found that the volcano's flank had been slipping for over a decade, showing signs that could have potentially served as an early warning if monitored in real time. The study, recently published in Geophysical Research Letters, highlights how advanced radar satellites can detect minute ground deformations, helping scientists track unstable ocean volcanoes and predict possible collapses before they occur. "Ocean volcanoes, when unstable, can collapse catastrophically and generate tsunamis," expl...
Drones Poised to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting, Study Finds

Drones Poised to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting, Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Tech
As the climate crisis intensifies, accurate weather forecasting has never been more critical. From predicting devastating hurricanes to preparing for record-breaking heatwaves, numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems have become vital in safeguarding lives and livelihoods. However, these systems rely heavily on costly and complex data collection methods, including weather balloons and ground-based stations. A groundbreaking study from Japan has now demonstrated that drones equipped with meteorological sensors could provide a practical and affordable alternative, revolutionizing the way atmospheric data is gathered. Led by Professor Jun Inoue from the National Institute of Polar Research, the research team conducted a two-month field campaign in Tsukuba City to test the feasibility of...
Kerala Unveils KaWaCHaM Advanced Weather Alert System to Combat Climate Disasters

Kerala Unveils KaWaCHaM Advanced Weather Alert System to Combat Climate Disasters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Tech
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched KaWaCHaM, a state-of-the-art weather alert system aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response in the face of increasing climate emergencies. The system, introduced on January 21, 2025, is considered one of the fastest weather alert mechanisms globally, designed to enhance rescue and rehabilitation efforts during extreme weather events. The system, officially named Kerala Warnings Crisis and Hazards Management System, carries symbolic significance, as the word "KaWaCHaM" translates to "shield" in Malayalam, signifying protection. Developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the project is part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, funded by the National Disaster Management Authority and t...