climate change Archives - Page 2 of 40

May312025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Relentless rains bring landslides and tragedy to Aizawl

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Delhi, May 31 — Torrential rainfall has wreaked havoc across Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, triggering deadly landslides, road collapses, and widespread disruptions to daily life. A tragic incident in the Thuampui area marked the beginning of the crisis when a retaining wall at a laborers’ camp collapsed around 7 am, killing a 37-year-old man and injuring another. The intense and continuous downpour has destabilized hillsides, causing landslides and rockfalls in multiple parts of the region. Key roadways, including inter-district and national highways, have been blocked by debris, effectively cutting off several routes and delaying transportation. In Mauchar village within Aizawl district, at least two houses were severely damaged due to land subsidence. Meanwhile, in the Bethel Veng locali...

May312025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Niger state reels as floods kill 117 and submerge thousands of homes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

Catastrophic flooding has left a trail of devastation across Niger state, where at least 117 people have been confirmed dead and more than 3,000 homes have been submerged. The death toll, which surged dramatically within a day, highlights the growing severity of seasonal floods in the region. The disaster struck two communities hardest, where torrential rainfall on Wednesday night into early Thursday morning caused rivers to overflow, inundating residential areas and sweeping away structures. The impact has been overwhelming, with dozens still unaccounted for and entire neighborhoods now under water. This tragedy bears grim similarities to Nigeria’s 2022 floods, the deadliest in over a decade, which claimed more than 600 lives and displaced approximately 1.4 million people across the...

May302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cyclonic Storm Brings Torrential Rain, Squalls Across Eastern and Southern India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A deep depression brewing over the northwest Bay of Bengal made landfall between Sagar Island and Khepupara near Raidighi in West Bengal late morning on May 29, 2025, bringing with it heavy rainfall and squally winds, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed. The system is expected to track north-northeastward, maintain its strength through the evening, and gradually weaken into a depression overnight. Widespread weather disturbances are expected over the next 48 hours, with the northeast and eastern parts of India bracing for intense rainfall and strong winds. Meghalaya is forecast to receive extremely heavy rainfall on May 30, with some areas expected to see more than 30 cm of rain. Assam is also likely to witness extremely heavy rainfall, with accumulations crossing 20 cm ...

May302025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Building Resilience: How Smarter Development Can Reduce Disaster Losses

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

On March 30, 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar. Among the survivors was Ma Phyu Sin Win, who clutched a relief package filled with essentials food, medicine, hygiene supplies, and solar lamps. “Every little item helps,” she said, highlighting the harsh reality many face when disasters strike. Around the globe, disasters are growing more frequent and intense. From cyclones and floods to earthquakes, the impacts are devastating not just in the moment, but for months and years that follow. In 2024 alone, extreme weather caused 93% of all economic damage worldwide, totaling $320 billion. The road to recovery is long and often diverts critical resources away from education, health, and infrastructure. But disasters aren’t “natural” by default. They happen when natur...

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...

May292025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global temperatures likely to stay near record highs till 2029: WMO warns of 1.5°C breach risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Arctic warming at over three times the global rate; chances of surpassing Paris Agreement threshold reach 86% Global temperatures are expected to hover near record highs over the next five years, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) latest Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, released May 28, 2025. The findings raise serious alarms about the planet approaching irreversible climate thresholds, particularly with the Arctic heating up at more than three times the global average. Near-term warming trends Between 2025 and 2029, the global average near-surface temperature is projected to range between 1.2°C and 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900 baseline). Critically, the WMO report notes an 86% probability that at least one year in this period will b...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Monsoon Bliss: Early Rains Boost India’s Agricultural Prospects Amid Heavy Downpours

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Kerala experienced an unusually early arrival of the southwest monsoon on May 24, eight days ahead of the usual schedule, marking the earliest onset in 16 years. This early arrival offers a promising start to the agricultural season and relief from recent heatwaves that have affected much of the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the monsoon has already begun advancing into Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast. This early onset allows farmers to start sowing summer crops sooner, with increased soil moisture supporting better crop growth and potentially higher yields. However along with the early arrival, heavy monsoon rains are expected across several regions, including Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. While these rains are crucial for ag...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Andhra Pradesh Welcomes Early Monsoon After Six-Year Wait

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a rare and promising turn for agriculture, the southwest monsoon has swept into Andhra Pradesh nine days ahead of schedule, marking the earliest onset in the past six years. The seasonal rains, typically expected around June 4, reached Kavali this week and are set to cover the entire state within the next three days, offering a much-needed boost for the upcoming kharif cropping season. Meteorological officials confirmed that weather conditions remain favorable for the swift progression of the monsoon across both coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema region, where the monsoon traditionally makes its initial landfall in the state. The early arrival of the rains is an auspicious sign for our farmers and the rural economy. It raises hopes for a strong agricultural yield and stable ground...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Anti-Environmentalism Is Surging — But Built on Contradictions It Can’t Escape

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Though gaining political clout in the West, the movement’s internal paradoxes and global shifts are weakening its foundation. Across much of the Western world a wave of anti-environmentalism is rising challenging climate targets, attacking conservation measures, and reshaping politics in the US, UK, and Europe. Yet, behind the slogans and campaign rhetoric lies a movement riddled with contradictions. At its core anti-environmentalism is a rejection of environmental policies and climate activism. But its messages are often inconsistent, even self-defeating. In one breath, leaders denounce climate science and defund environmental protections. In the next, they proclaim themselves lovers of “clean air” and “beautiful nature.” Take Donald Trump. During his presidency, he rolled back k...